DOE/EA-2247: Final Environmental Assessment (February 2026)

University of North Dakota Rare Earth Element Demonstration Facilities; Multiple Locations, North Dakota

The Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM) prepared this final environmental assessment (EA) for the University of North Dakota - Rare Earth Element Demonstration Facilities (DOE/EA-2247) to analyze the potential environmental and social impacts of funding the University of North Dakota's (UND) proposed rare earth element (REE) demonstration facilities. UND would develop two mixed rare earth carbonate (MREC) concentrate production demonstration facilities co-located with existing coal mines; one adjacent to The Falkirk Mining Company near Underwood, McLean County, North Dakota and one adjacent to BNI Coal, Ltd. in Center, Oliver County, North Dakota. The MREC concentrate from both facilities would be transported to the existing Rare Earth Salts Separation & Refining (RESS&R) facility in Beatrice, Gage County, Nebraska

For more information, see University of North Dakota Rare Earth Element Demonstration Facilities.

• DOE/EA-2247: Final Environmental Assessment (February 2026) (15.99 MB)