Texas Signed New Leases for Rare Earth Mining
The expansion in Hudspeth County aims to bolster domestic supply chains for manufacturers of critical minerals.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Oil and Gas
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The Texas General Land Office finalized two mineral leases with El Paso Minerals Corp, covering over 1,000 acres to expand mining activity near the Round Top project. This move is part of a broader strategy to establish a dedicated rare earth mining district in the state.
Why it matters
The development represents a push to increase domestic critical mineral availability and decrease industrial reliance on foreign sources. For operators, the expansion signifies potential shifts in regional mineral supply chain logistics and future industrial land use in West Texas.
The agreement generated $500,000 in upfront revenue for the Permanent School Fund, covering over 1,000 acres in Hudspeth County. This expands the mineral footprint surrounding the Round Top deposit, which is backed by up to $1.6 billion in project funding.
The players
Texas General Land Office
The state agency responsible for managing public lands and state-owned mineral rights in Texas.
El Paso Minerals Corp
A mining entity managing mineral development and land positions within the Sierra Blanca district.
USA Rare Earth
The developer managing the Round Top deposit and overseeing its capital procurement and mining operations.
The details
The leases grant El Paso Minerals Corp the largest land position in the Sierra Blanca district, effectively scaling the footprint of the existing Round Top project. The state is leveraging this positioning to facilitate the creation of a specialized mining district. Operators should note that this development follows the finalized $1.6 billion in funding for the deposit, which provides the necessary capital to move from exploration to active mining development.
Timeline
September 22, 2026: The Texas General Land Office announced the new mineral leases.
June 2026: The Department of Commerce announced $1.6 billion in project funding for the deposit development.
Market Landscape
This development follows the pattern set by the Department of Commerce's critical minerals funding initiative to de-risk domestic mining projects. It marks a significant shift in Texas industrial land policy by prioritizing the state's potential as a domestic hub for rare earth production.
Operators in the industrial, supply chain, and raw materials sectors should monitor the Round Top project's transition into active drilling phases. Suppliers and service providers in the Hudspeth County area should track the increase in mining-related infrastructure activity as a signal for potential local procurement opportunities.
The takeaway
The move signals a commitment to scaling domestic mineral output by aligning state land access with federal industrial capital. Operators should monitor the progress of drilling operations near the Round Top project as a bellwether for future regional industrial growth.
Further reading
For broader trends in the energy and mining sector, see our coverage of Oil and Gas.
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