Other solid leasable minerals are those solid minerals, other than coal and oil shale, leased under the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920 and not related to energy production. Examples of other solid leasable minerals are phosphate, chloride minerals, SO4 minerals, carbonate minerals, silicate minerals, borate minerals, and other “hardrock minerals.” Hardrock (locatable) minerals on acquired public lands open to mineral leasing can be developed only under a leasing system. Access to other solid leasable minerals on federal estate is at BLM discretion.
No other solid leasable minerals are being leased or produced in the Planning Area. Other solid leasable minerals found in the Bighorn Basin are not currently considered economically viable to produce. Future demand for other solid leasable minerals will likely increase over time in parts of Wyoming and the west, but this is not anticipated to result in any new leasing or production in the Planning Area.
The BLM has not identified management challenges for other solid leasable minerals.