Project Basins
Powder River Basin
The primary objectives of the project were to establish and initiate strategic plans that address all aspects of carbon ore, rare earth element, and critical mineral (CORE-CM) resource development and to promote economic growth and workforce development centered around the nation’s largest coal mines in the Powder River Basin of Wyoming and Montana.
The project brought together a committed team of project partners and stakeholders from across the Powder River Basin. The project aimed to maximize development potential of carbon ore, rare earth element, and critical mineral resources while leveraging the highly trained workforce, existing coal technologies, energy infrastructure, and wide public acceptance of energy technology in the basin.
Greater Green River and Wind River Basins
U.S. coals and associated by-products and waste streams can be used as feedstocks for domestic production of rare earth elements (REE) and CM to enhance our national and economic security.
The project addressed the upstream and midstream critical minerals (CM) supply chain and downstream manufacturing of high-value, nonfuel, carbon-based products (CBP), to accelerate the realization of full potential for carbon ores and critical minerals within the Greater Green River Basin. The project further sought to catalyze regional economic growth and job creation by realizing the full potential value of natural resources, such as coal, across basins throughout the U.S.
CORE-CM Powder River Basin
The completed CORE-CM project in the Powder River Basin is part of a national strategy dedicated to finding alternative domestic sources of rare earth elements and critical minerals, as well as to focus on expanding and transforming the use of coal and coal-based resources to produce coal-based products using carbon ore.
To view meeting recordings and webinars completed during hte projuect, browse the University of Wyoming School of Energy Resources YouTube page.
Project Benefits
Economic Growth
Provide an economic benefit to U.S. Coal Basins by stimulating new development of resources centered around current coal mining and related industries.
Resource Development
Establish strategic plans to maximize the development of potential carbon ore, rare earth elements, and critical minerals; within the creation of public-private partnerships
Workforce Development
Leverage highly trained workforces, existing coal technologies, energy infrastructure in entire supply chain development within coal regions.
Strategic Partnerships
Bring together a committed network of stakeholders, gaining acceptance of new energy technology within coal regions and across communities.
CORE-CM Greater Green River & Wind River Basins
The completed CORE-CM project in the Greater Green River and Wind River Basins provided additional input on the regional assessment and production of rare earth elements, critical minerals, and novel high-value, nonfuel carbon-based products to include an expanded interest in obtaining critical minerals and materials from other secondary and unconventional feedstocks.
