New Mexico's Four Corners coal power plant is joining the long list of coal plants whose retirement dates have been postponed due to surging power demand. Originally slated to retire in 2031, the plant, located on Navajo Nation land, will now retire in 2038.

With increased power demand comes the need for fuel. On Friday, the Interior Department approved a plan allowing the Antelope Mine to operate through 2037 and mine an additional 14.5 million tons of federal coal. The Navajo Transitional Energy Company-owned mine began operating in the 1980s and fuels more than 30 power plants across the nation.

The battle to build rare earth magnet capabilities in the U.S. continues with North Carolina-based startup Vulcan Elements announcing it has raised $65 million in a new funding round to increase production of rare earth magnets. The funding signals the growing push to build up a domestic industry and reduce dependence on China.

That's your mining minute for this morning, highlighting some of the mining-related matters on our minds here in Washington and beyond. Follow us on the National Mining Association's channels, as well as on Minerals Make Life and Count on Coal, for more on the latest news and policies impacting mining.