Sen. Cramer: Energy Awards UND Funds for Conceptual Designs to Extract Critical Minerals and Rare Earth Elements from Coal Sources

BISMARCK – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) announced today the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Fossil Energy awarded $150,000 to the University of North Dakota (UND). The funds are part of a nationwide DOE investment and will be used to develop conceptual designs of technologies which will extract critical minerals and rare earth elements from coal sources.

“Critical mineral supply chains are vital to our economic and national security. The Trump administration recognizes the threat of over-reliance on imports from foreign adversaries and is looking for innovative ways to boost domestic production,” said Senator Cramer. “North Dakota is a leader in lignite coal extraction and research, and it is encouraging to see UND working with the Department of Energy on this vitally important project.”