National Researchers, Political Leaders Discuss the Role of Coal and Carbon in Energy Transition at 2023 Ramaco Research Rodeo - Seite 2

“This is what the Department of Energy is trying to do: to enable this and many more opportunities like this to come into play,” said Bromhal. “So we’re very excited about what’s going on here.”

Bromhal also highlighted the recent discovery of REEs at Ramaco’s Brook Mine outside of Sheridan, which the Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) has announced could be one of the largest unconventional deposits of magnetic REEs in the world, used in advanced military technology, electric vehicles, and much more.

One of the heads of this research effort, NETL geologist and geochemist Scott Montross, noted that this discovery was extremely promising for both Ramaco and Wyoming.

“This conference is a great venue to show how unique the Brook Mine coal is,” said Montross. “No one can say right now if it’s going to solve the problems of the world, but we’ve got a really good situation here.”

In his opening remarks on the event’s second day, Sen. Manchin said, “There is tremendous opportunity to convert coal and coal waste into valuable materials and products needed for cutting edge industries including graphite, metal composites and alloys, building materials, and other high value products used in advanced technologies, energy sectors, and industrial applications.”

Some of the research being presented at the conference, Manchin said, “has already highlighted opportunities to manufacture carbon-based products from coal with lower consumer costs and lower environmental impacts, including reduced CO2 emissions, compared to other methods of production. But we need to do more to support these nascent coal-to-product industries in getting off the ground until they’re in full commercial production.”

Other key R3 presenters included Mark Goulthorpe from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Andrew Minchener from the International Centre for Sustainable Carbon, Edgar Lara-Curzio from Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Brian Davey from Australian Carbon Innovation, Holly Krutka and John Litynski of University of Wyoming, and Ramaco CEO and Chairman Randall Atkins.

The event also featured a special ceremony launching the creation of a new scholarship program at Sheridan College on behalf of the Ramaco Resources Foundation. The scholarship will support students pursuing careers in the fields of carbon ore and rare earth (CORE) elements, and will foster workforce training in these strategically vital and fast-growing fields. Initial $50,000 funding for the Ramaco CORE Scholarship will be comprised of two annual contributions of $25,000 to the college. The first contribution was awarded to Northern Wyoming Community College District president Dr. Walter Tribley during the ceremony by Randall Atkins and two of Ramaco Resources board members.