The Wyoming Business Council (WBC) will host its next essential community conversation, “Building Wyoming’s Future: Critical Minerals Beyond the Rocks,” on Wednesday, December 17, at 12:30 PM. This virtual forum explores the state’s potential to become a leader in the complete critical minerals value chain – from extraction to advanced technology and manufacturing.
The event, free and open to the public, will shift the conversation from what is in the ground to the innovative technologies, processing capabilities, and skilled workforce required to capture the highest economic value from Wyoming’s abundant resources. The core question for the forum is: Is extracting resources and shipping them elsewhere enough, or must Wyoming develop more of the supply chain locally to create lasting economic growth?
“This isn’t about incremental change,” shared Josh Dorrell, Business Council CEO and moderator of the online event. “This conversation is framed by the crucial understanding that our current approach is simply not enough to drive the meaningful economic growth Wyoming deserves. We must invest in our people and infrastructure to capture true economic value.”
The WBC invites local leaders, business owners, entrepreneurs, students looking to build a life in the Cowboy State, and every dedicated citizen – anyone ready to play a direct role in building a thriving, resilient future for Wyoming – to join the dialogue.
Event & Registration Details
What: Virtual Forum: Building Wyoming’s Future: Critical Minerals Beyond the Rocks
When: Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at 12:30 PM MST
Who: Wyoming’s innovators, thinkers, and doers.
Registration: wbc.pub/BWF_Rocks
Wyoming’s Greatest Asset is Our Ingenuity
The forum’s objective is clear: to shift perspectives. Wyoming’s real competitive advantage in critical minerals isn’t just what’s in the ground; it’s our workforce, our research capacity, and our entrepreneurial spirit. We are uniquely positioned – with abundant resources, existing energy expertise, and a business-friendly environment – to become a national technology leader.
“This conversation is fundamentally about building capacity for the next century, not just the next fiscal quarter,” Dorrell added. “If we agree that shipping raw materials out of state is not enough, then we need to embrace the solution: investing in the infrastructure and the talent to develop advanced processing and manufacturing here at home. This is a generational investment that will define economic opportunity for decades. The time to act is now to secure that first-mover advantage.”
Forum attendees will gain a comprehensive view of the required components for success: market dynamics, technological innovation, policy frameworks, and the urgent need for a skilled, specialized workforce.
Panel of Industry Leaders
The WBC has assembled a powerhouse panel ready to discuss the complexity and opportunity, including taking questions from the audience as time allows:
- Josh Dorrell (Moderator): CEO, Wyoming Business Council
- Travis McLing: Distinguished Staff Science and Chief Geologist, Idaho National Lab
- Ken Mushinski: President and Chief Executive Officer, Rare Element Resources
- Greyson Buckingham: CEO and President, DISA Technologies, Inc.
- Sarah Fitz-Gerald: Chief Strategy Officer, Wyoming Business Council
The WBC invites all members of the community to participate in this vital conversation about how Wyoming can successfully transition from a resource provider to a technology leader, securing a prosperous and resilient future.
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