Central ND News

Senator John Hoeven announced that Talon Metals has secured a site for the Beulah Minerals Processing Facility in Beulah, North Dakota. The facility will process raw ore from the Tamarack nickel mine in Minnesota into "battery-grade nickel," aiming to reduce U.S. reliance on foreign critical minerals.

Talon Metals has signed an agreement with Westmoreland Mining to acquire approximately 256 acres and a 7-mile rail spur from the former Beulah Mine after a three-month due diligence period. The project is expected to bring up to $365 million in investment and create up to 150 jobs in the region. It is supported by nearly $115 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Energy, which Senator Hoeven helped secure.

The plant's operations will also be bolstered by a $2.5 million award for researching enhanced recovery methods of nickel, funded through the Department of Defense’s Defense Logistics Agency.

Local coal producers will benefit as Talon plans to procure coal residuals from facilities like Coyote Station. The company is exploring using fly ash as a cement replacement product, potentially reducing waste storage at the site.

Senator Hoeven stated, "The Beulah Minerals Processing Facility is a game-changer for both North Dakota and the nation." He emphasized that establishing a domestic supply chain for critical minerals strengthens America's economic and national security while creating jobs in Mercer County.

Henri van Rooyen, CEO of Talon Metals, expressed gratitude for Senator Hoeven's support: "His commitment to advancing North Dakota’s leadership in energy and mineral development has been critical to making this project a reality."

This announcement aligns with Senator Hoeven's broader efforts to establish a fully-domestic U.S. battery supply chain, including his work with companies like Packet Digital, which is expanding its operations due to partnerships facilitated by Hoeven with military branches such as the Navy and Air Force.

Packet Digital plans to use recent funding for manufacturing batteries at its new Badland Batteries cell production facility, set to begin manufacturing runs towards late 2025.