Armstrong highlights economic, national security benefits of Talon Metals battery minerals processing facility to be built on Westmoreland's former Beulah mine

BEULAH, N.D. – Gov. Kelly Armstrong today took part in a signing ceremony to celebrate Talon Metals securing a site for its proposed Beulah Minerals Processing Facility on the former Westmoreland Mining coal mine near Beulah. The ceremony marked a milestone in the development of the facility, which will process high-grade nickel and copper ore from the Tamarack mine in Minnesota and other potential sources to produce minerals for batteries.

“By processing domestically sourced nickel and copper for batteries right here in North Dakota, we will strengthen the U.S. supply chain, reduce our reliance on foreign sources and enhance our economic and national security,” Armstrong said. “We commend Talon for working with Westmoreland to secure a site with existing infrastructure and appreciate the efforts of local leaders, our congressional delegation and the North Dakota Department of Commerce for their instrumental role in the site selection process that landed the project in Beulah.”

Talon announced plans for the facility in Mercer County in October 2022, supported by a nearly $115 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy. The project represents a total investment of up to $365 million and will create up to 150 jobs for workers to process critical minerals for batteries, in addition to construction jobs, according to Talon.