05.28.25

Hoeven: Minerals Processing Facility in Beulah a Game-Changer, Helping Secure U.S. Domestic Battery Supply Chain

Senator Worked to Secure $115 Million Grant for Talon Metals Facility, Supporting 150 Jobs in Mercer County & Reducing U.S. Reliance on Foreign Critical Minerals

BEULAH, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today joined leaders from Talon Metals in announcing a site has been secured for the Beulah Minerals Processing Facility:

  • Talon has signed an agreement with Westmoreland Mining to acquire approximately 256 acres and a 7-mile rail spur from the former Beulah Mine, following a 3-month due diligence period.
  • The company expects the project to bring a total investment of up to $365 million to the region and directly create up to 150 jobs.
  • The facility will process raw ore from the Tamarack nickel mine in Minnesota into “battery-grade nickel.”
    • Doing so will help reduce U.S. reliance on foreign sources of critical minerals, including from adversaries such as China and Russia.
    • The plant operations will be further supported by a $2.5 million award to Talon for researching methods for enhanced recovery of nickel that Hoeven worked to fund through the Department of Defense (DoD) Defense Logistics Agency (DLA).
  • The project will also benefit local coal producers as the company procures coal residuals from facilities like Coyote Station.
    • The company is exploring using fly ash to create a value-added cement replacement product that would reduce the amount of waste stored at the site.

“The Beulah Minerals Processing Facility is a game-changer for both North Dakota and the nation. By establishing a domestic supply chain for critical minerals, we are strengthening America’s economic and national security, while creating good-paying jobs right here in Mercer County,” said Senator Hoeven. “We worked with the Department of Energy to secure nearly $115 million to help move Talon’s project forward, reducing our reliance on China for these increasingly important minerals and positioning the U.S. as a leader in critical mineral processing.”

“We are extremely grateful for Senator Hoeven's support for this project from day one. From helping to secure the $114.8 million grant from the Department of Energy to his continued efforts to reduce the nation's reliance on critical minerals from foreign nations. His commitment to advancing North Dakota’s leadership in energy and mineral development has been critical to making this project a reality,” said Henri van Rooyen, Talon CEO.

Today’s announcement comes as part of Hoeven’s efforts to support the creation of a fully-domestic U.S. supply chain for batteries, from mining up through cathode manufacturing and recycling. In addition to his work with Talon, Hoeven continues his efforts to support the operations of companies like Packet Digital:

  • The company has been expanding its operations in North Dakota due to partnerships Hoeven has worked to establish between it and the Navy, Air Force and Space Force.
  • The company is using the latest round of funding to manufacture batteries at its new 80,000 square-foot battery cell production facility, known as Badland Batteries.
  • The Badland Batteries cell plant is scheduled to begin its first manufacturing runs towards the end of 2025.

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