Powder River Basin CORE-CM
Advancing Strategies for Carbon Ore, Rare Earth Element, and Critical Mineral Resource Development in the Nation’s Largest Coal Producing Basin
The objective of the Powder River Basin CORE-CM project is to establish and initiate a strategic plan that addresses all aspects of carbon ore, rare earth element, and critical mineral resource development to promote economic growth and workforce development. The strategic plan will bring together a committed team of stakeholders from across the Powder River Basin of Wyoming and Montana, led by the University of Wyoming School of Energy Resources.
Carbon ore is material derived from coal, coal byproducts, coal waste streams, and coal ash used to produce non-fuel commodity products. The rare earth elements comprise 17 chemical elements (15 lanthanide series elements plus scandium and yttrium) that are used in many green technology, defense, and industrial products. Critical minerals are mineral commodities or chemical elements that are crucial to the economic and national security of the United States and for which supply may be susceptible to disruption. The rare earth elements, cobalt, and lithium are examples of critical minerals.
