Panel hears contentious and technical testimony on bill to deem rare minerals part of coal leases

BISMARCK — The House Energy and Natural Resources Committee held an extended hearing on House Bill 14‑59, a first‑in‑the‑nation proposal that would deem critical minerals and rare earth elements embedded in coal to be included in coal leases unless explicitly excluded.

Representative **** Anderson, sponsor of the bill, described the national strategic importance of rare earth elements and critical minerals and urged lawmakers to provide legal clarity so industry can pursue extraction technologies. He said rare minerals are used in electronics, refining and defense applications and argued the United States needs domestic supplies.

David Straley of North American Coal, representing three North Dakota lignite mines, testified in support and laid out the bill’s central legal bargain: the draft would treat coal leases as including rare earths and critical minerals in the coal seam, and it would require a royalty of 2.5% of net profits from…