Rare earth metals might be foreign to most West Virginians, but they're becoming an essential resource in our society.

Moreover, they should energize Mountain Staters because of our state's POTENTIAL to extract such critical components.

Give me 200 words to explain.

Rare earth metals, also known as rare earth elements (REEs), are the fundamental components in constructing today's technology: cell phones, computers, etc.

Only 13% of the resources used to build that technology are commercially sold in the United States. The other 87% comes from China, but that could change soon, and the world might have West Virginia to thank.

Last week, Omnis Sublimation Recovery Technologies announced it's building a facility in Wyoming County, West Virginia, that can extract those rare earth minerals from coal impoundment ponds. Meaning they can take coal mining waste and turn it into incredibly valuable resources.

OSRT's technology extracts pure metals from coal impoundment mineral waste using ultra-high heat, about half the sun's temperature. They do it safely too, not using acids or harmful chemicals.

If successful, this method could revolutionize the industry and again make West Virginia one of the most impactful states in the country.

Although we should be excited, let’s not be naive. Hundreds of companies have made bold promises to West Virginia in the past that never materialized.

And even if this works, will companies come in, take what they want and leave? Or will they stay in the mountains and help bring people to our hidden metropolis?

Only time will tell, but exciting news nonetheless.