06:05 AM EDT, 10/31/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Ramaco Resources ( METCB ) shares were up nearly 14% in recent premarket activity Friday after the company said late Thursday it signed a research and development deal with the US Department of Energy's National Energy Technology Laboratory for rare earths and critical minerals.

The collaboration focuses on rare earth element and critical mineral exploration, processing, ore deposit modeling, and commercialization strategies for the Brook Mine in Sheridan, Wyoming, Ramaco said.

The five-year deal includes an option to initiate multiple collaborative projects under its umbrella, the company said.