UW SER Researchers Release Publication on Rare Earth Elements in Wyoming and Montana Coal

Researchers at the University of Wyoming School of Energy Resources (SER) have published a pioneering study in the International Journal of Coal Geology. The study represents a first-of-its-kind explanation of rare earth element enrichment in Powder River Basin coals.

The geological process paper, titled "Rare Earth Element Occurrence and Distribution within the Largest U.S. Coal Resource: Geochemical Variability of Powder River Basin Coals, Wyoming and Montana," provides all of the crucial background information on the conditions under which rare earth elements were concentrated in coal strata, which is foundational to any further investigations for the recovery of rare earth elements or examination of other coal basins.

Authors of the paper include members of SER's Center for Economic Geology Research minerals team: Davin Bagdonas, principal research professional; Bob Gregory, senior research professional; Cole Messa, assistant research professional; Tyler Brown, program manager; and Erin Phillips, SER director of cross-cutting programs and acting senior director of research.

"By pinpointing the predictable trends in rare earth element variability and their proximity to bounding highlands, this paper provides the scientific infrastructure needed for the next generation of mineral exploration," says Bagdonas, lead author of the paper. "It effectively transitions coal-hosted rare earth elements from a theoretical concept to a mapped, predictable resource for the entire industry."

Bagdonas is a leading authority on the extraction of critical minerals and rare earth elements from coal ash and byproducts. Complementing this expertise, the research team has earned a national reputation for its comprehensive work on unconventional resources and rare earth elements potential within coal basins.

"I am incredibly proud of this team's versatility," Brown says. "Whether they are performing complex geochemical analyses in the lab or managing regional projects across the Powder River Basin and Wyoming, every individual brings a unique skill set that is vital to our mission. Their dedication has made us the go-to national specialist team for exploring unconventional domestic supplies of critical minerals."

In addition to providing a comprehensive origin story to the distribution of rare earth elements in coal seams, the paper also explores the potential of the Powder River Basin as a domestic, unconventional source of rare earth elements, plus yttrium. By analyzing the subbituminous coal and surrounding rock layers, researchers identified specific patterns that could make extracting these critical minerals from coal mines more predictable and viable.

As the global demand for critical minerals grows, identifying domestic sources is a priority for energy independence. This research suggests that active coal mines in the Powder River Basin could be repurposed or dual-utilized to provide these essential materials.

The full study can be downloaded at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coal.2026.104964.