Talon Buys North Dakota Site for Nickel-Copper Processing Facility

Talon Metals

Former Coal Site to Host Critical Minerals Hub Backed by DOE Grant

Talon buys North Dakota site for nickel-copper processing, marking a strategic move to expand U.S.-based critical minerals infrastructure. The company announced it will acquire a 256-acre former coal mine site from Westmoreland Mining to establish its Beulah Minerals Processing Facility (BMPF). The new facility will process nickel and copper ore from the Tamarack JV—a Minnesota-based project Talon is developing with Rio Tinto.

The BMPF will help close a key gap in domestic nickel and copper refining, particularly for battery and energy transition supply chains. Talon plans to complete permitting by late 2026 and begin construction in 2027, aligning with U.S. strategic objectives to localize battery metal processing. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) previously awarded $114.8 million in funding to support the project, reinforcing its national significance.

Deal Structure Offers Flexible Payments and Future Delivery Incentives

The acquisition structure includes the transfer of property title in exchange for 15 million Talon share purchase options and a variable payment scheme. Talon will pay Westmoreland $0.50 per metric tonne of ore delivered to the BMPF, with total payments capped at $10 million. This model allows Talon to focus capital on facility development while ensuring Westmoreland benefits from future throughput.

As Talon buys North Dakota site for nickel-copper processing, it positions itself as a vertically integrated supplier of critical minerals for electric vehicles, grid storage, and defense technologies. The BMPF will also help reduce U.S. reliance on foreign refining capacity, particularly from China and Russia.

The Metalnomist Commentary

Talon’s strategic acquisition reflects the shift from coal to critical minerals in U.S. industrial land use. By leveraging DOE support and Rio Tinto’s upstream assets, the company strengthens its role in building a secure, domestic battery metals supply chain.