The Senate Appropriations - Education and Environment Division meeting on January 14, 2025, focused on the exploration of rare earth elements in North Dakota's coal deposits. Key discussions highlighted the potential for extracting rare earths from both traditional lignite and thinner coal seams, which could significantly increase the state's resource output.

During the meeting, experts presented findings indicating that typical coal in North Dakota contains about 50 parts per million of rare earth elements. However, recent developments have shown that certain coal deposits could yield concentrations as high as 4,000 parts per million. This discovery suggests that smaller, thinner coal seams may be more valuable than previously thought, particularly when they are located near existing mining infrastructure.

The committee discussed the importance of continuing research and development in this area, with a proposal for a Phase 2 study. The initial funding of $500,000 has allowed for significant progress, and the team anticipates completing the next phase with an estimated budget of $400,000, leaving $100,000 for future initiatives.

The implications of these findings could be substantial for North Dakota's economy, as the extraction of rare earth elements is increasingly critical for various industries, including technology and renewable energy. The committee's commitment to further exploration underscores the state's potential to become a key player in the rare earth market.