Rare Earth Minerals Seen as an Opportunity in North Dakota

(Kari Suedel/Energy and Environmental Research Center via the North Dakota Monitor)

(By: Jeff Beach. North Dakota Monitor) – State Sen. Dale Patten said that North Dakota is at the leading edge of rare earth mineral development in the United States and the Legislature is looking to keep it that way.

Patten, R-Watford City, offered an amendment on House Bill 1459 that he said he hopes will keep North Dakota at the forefront of developing rare earth minerals, which are needed for products such as electronics and electric vehicles.

China is filling most of the demand for rare earth minerals. But uncertainty over trade with China has increased the interest in developing rare earth minerals in the United States.

President Donald Trump in March issued an executive order to stimulate mineral production, including on federal lands controlled by the Department of the Interior.