Governor Mark Gordon (R-WY) announced that he has approved a project to receive Energy Matching Funds (EMF) from the Wyoming Energy Authority (WEA). Visionary Metals Corp was awarded $250,000 for its Granite Mountains Nickel-Copper Project.

Since 2022, the Wyoming State Legislature has appropriated $155 million in funds to the Office of the Governor to leverage Wyoming-based energy projects receiving federal or private funding. The Governor delegated the management of the EMF to the WEA. The projects must meet the criteria set forth by the legislature to be eligible for funding: research, demonstration, pilot, or commercial deployment projects related to Wyoming’s energy needs.

“As our nation works to strengthen domestic supply chains and reduce dependence on foreign sources for critical minerals, Wyoming is uniquely positioned to lead. The Granite Mountains project represents exactly the kind of responsible, forward-looking investment that helps us better understand our resources, creates opportunities for future development, and supports the long-term value of our State Trust Lands,” Governor Gordon said. “I am pleased to support this project through Energy Matching Funds as we continue to advance Wyoming’s role as an energy leader and a critical minerals powerhouse.”

“Wyoming’s leadership in energy innovation includes strengthening domestic supply chains that make modern energy and technology development possible,” WEA Executive Director Rob Creager said. “This project advances that mission by helping define the potential of critical mineral resources here in Wyoming, while creating valuable geologic data, supporting local economic activity, and improving the long-term value of State Trust Lands. Investments like this position Wyoming as a leader in rare earth and critical minerals while advancing emerging energy technology.”

Visionary Metals Corp is evaluating the economic potential of new critical mineral discoveries in Wyoming’s Granite Mountains, including the state’s first nickel-sulfide discovery at King Solomon Mine and a new nickel-copper occurrence at Tin Cup, both located on State Trust Lands and adjacent mining claims north of Jeffrey City. The project will use more than 5,000 meters of drill core analysis, geophysics, geochemistry, 3D modeling, petrography, and geochronology to better understand the size, grade, and potential value of these discoveries. Immediate benefits to Wyoming include a detailed technical report and a digital database for the Wyoming State Geological Survey and the Office of State Lands and Investments, improved understanding of central Wyoming’s critical mineral resources, and increased long-term value of State Trust Lands which support K-12 education funding. Over time, the project could strengthen domestic supplies of nickel and copper, support Wyoming’s energy and economic diversification goals, create useful public data for future research and exploration, and generate local spending for contractors and businesses in Fremont County.

“We are honored and grateful to the Wyoming Energy Authority, Governor Gordon, and the WEA review committee for approving Energy Matching Funds in support of our Granite Mountains Nickel and Copper Project. Wyoming’s unparalleled support for its resource economy continues to spur meaningful investments in the state by leading companies,” Visionary Metals Corp CEO Wesley Adams said. “In addition to building on Wyoming’s first nickel sulfide discovery at King Solomon and new copper and nickel discoveries at Tin Cup, data collected during the project will also significantly enhance understanding of Wyoming’s critical metals endowment and production potential, a crucial first step toward creating new domestic supply chains for key commodities that are underproduced domestically. We look forward to getting started.”

The EMF project review process includes an initial concept paper, followed by an invitation to submit a formal proposal. The project proposal then goes to a Review Committee – comprised of the Executive Director of the WEA, a designee from the Governor’s Office, the Director of the Department of Workforce Services, the Wyoming State Geologist, and the CEO of the Wyoming Business Council. If projects are recommended to proceed, a ten-day public comment period opens. All comments are reviewed and considered in the final decision to award EMF. The project proposal goes to the Attorney General’s office and then the Governor for final approval. This public process ensures that each project awarded has been thoroughly considered by multiple parties, including an invitation to members of the public to weigh in.