Good morning! This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly roundup of regulatory developments, legislative discussions, political announcements and other government-related news concerning metals and non-metals miners, explorers and prospectors. Every Monday, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

Want to track the upstream and downstream forces affecting Mining? Don’t miss this week’s updates in Manufacturing and Oil & Gas.

Dates: 2025-07-27 to 2025-08-02

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🇨🇦 Canadian Federal GR News
• 🇺🇸 US Federal GR News
• 🗺️ Canadian Provincial GR News
• 💬 Government Consultations
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

Canadian Federal GR News

Governments Commit $33.4 Million for Remediation at Montague Mines, Nova Scotia

The federal and Nova Scotia governments will jointly invest over $33.4 million to remediate the Montague Gold Mines site near Dartmouth, a legacy site last mined between 1865 and 1940. Soil at the 363-acre area is confirmed contaminated by mercury and arsenic, primarily in tailings disposal zones. Remediation activities will entail excavation of up to 120,000 m3 of contaminated soil, its containment within new impermeable cells, installation of a leachate collection and treatment system, and placement of clean backfill. Lower-level contamination zones will be covered by low-permeability materials and backfill to minimize precipitation infiltration. Since 1991, Nova Scotia law has mandated that mining companies provide full reclamation funding in advance to mitigate risks from site abandonment. This project aims to restore habitat productivity and address longstanding environmental and liability concerns in the regional mining landscape.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

New Collaborative Governance Agreement for Legacy Site Remediation in Yukon

Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada and the Carcross/Tagish First Nation have formalized a Governance Agreement to oversee remediation efforts at three major contaminated legacy sites near Carcross: the Arctic Gold and Silver Mill and Tailings site, Venus Mill and Tailings site, and the Chooutla site. The agreement transfers decision-making on remediation, maintenance, monitoring, and engineering to a collaborative structure, allowing both federal officials and the Carcross/Tagish First Nation to participate in project direction. This marks a shift from previous arrangements where the federal government led remediation activities in consultation with C/TFN, signifying a move toward shared decision-making in legacy mine site management and meeting evolving expectations for Indigenous partnership in northern resource projects.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Consultation Opens on Regulations Under the Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act

The Privy Council Office is soliciting input on draft regulations to implement the Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act, enacted June 26, 2025 as part of Bill C-5 but not yet in force. The Act aims to reduce regulatory barriers to interprovincial trade and labour mobility by recognizing provincial and territorial requirements as satisfying comparable federal requirements where appropriate. Examples include harmonizing energy efficiency requirements for appliances and streamlining federal and provincial occupational authorizations in sectors such as land surveying and locomotive engineering. The consultation seeks feedback on proposed exceptions for health, safety, security, and environmental protection, as well as on criteria for comparability. Stakeholders are invited to provide responses, which will inform regulatory development prior to the Act’s formal implementation.

Sources: Gazette, Part I: www.gazette.gc.ca

StatsCan Releases May 2025 Energy Statistics

Statistics Canada reported that primary energy production in May increased 2.2%, while secondary production fell 8.2%. Planned maintenance as well as disruptions related to wildfires in several provinces contributed to variations in output. The data provide a view of cross-country operational and logistical influences affecting the broader resource extraction and processing supply chain.

Sources: Open Government Data Set: www.statcan.gc.ca

StatsCan: July 2025 Freight Rail Services Price Index Now Available

Statistics Canada has published July data for the Freight Rail Services Price Index (2018=100). These figures serve as the primary reference for tracking movements in rail logistics costs—an important input for mineral, metal, and energy product shippers.

Sources: Open Government Data Set: www.statcan.gc.ca

Machinery and Equipment Price Index for May 2025 Released

The Machinery and Equipment Price Index (2016=100), covering capital expenditures necessary for mining, drilling, transportation, and processing operations, was released for May. The index provides an assessment of current capital cost trends in the Canadian industrial and extractive sectors.

Sources: Open Government Data Set: www.statcan.gc.ca

US Federal GR News

Trump Administration Imposes 50% Tariff on Semi-Finished Copper Products

President Donald J. Trump, on July 30, directed a 50% tariff to be levied on imports of semi-finished copper products and derivatives effective August 1, 2025, invoking Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. The policy applies to copper ores, refined copper, alloys, and copper-intensive derivatives due to concerns about declining U.S. copper production, increased reliance on imports, and dominance of a major foreign copper refiner. Copper input materials and scrap are exempt. The proclamation includes measures such as tracking and preventing circumvention, sales requirements for domestic supply, and coordination with the UK. Relevant federal agencies are charged with implementing and monitoring compliance. The tariffs are aimed at supporting domestic production, refining, and supply chain resilience for copper-intensive sectors, including defense, infrastructure, and industrial users.

Sources: White House Announcements: www.whitehouse.gov

Bureau of Land Management Finalizes Rule Temporarily Cutting Federal Coal Royalty Rates

The Bureau of Land Management published a direct final rule to temporarily reduce federal coal royalty rates in line with Section 50101(d) of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act enacted July 4, 2025. Effective September 30, the surface coal royalty rate will not exceed 7% (down from the previous 12.5%) and underground coal not more than 7% (previously 8%), covering all federal coal leases from July 4, 2025 through September 30, 2034. The agency states that the amendments clarify royalty obligations for current and future leases, eliminate outdated regulatory references, and comply with new statutory mandates. This revision is exempt from further NEPA analysis, does not trigger the Regulatory Flexibility Act or significant economic impact thresholds, and will take effect unless significant adverse comments are received by September 2, 2025.

Sources: U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov

U.S. Initiates Environmental Impact Statement for Skyline Mine Coal Lease Expansion in Utah

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement for the Skyline Mine Little Eccles Lease by Application and Flat Canyon Lease Modification in Utah. The EIS covers proposed federal coal leases totaling 760 acres in Emery and Sanpete counties and is mandated by a legal settlement. The review, required to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act and recent legislative changes under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and Executive Order 14261, aims to expedite the process, including revised NEPA regulations and elimination of pre-decisional objection procedures. Key factors under consideration include air quality, GHG emissions, hydrology, wildlife, and socioeconomic effects. The project could extend mining operations by 8 to 12 months, generate $1.3 billion in economic output, and is expected to have minimal environmental impacts. The Record of Decision is scheduled for release by August 31, 2025.

Sources: U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov

BLM Revises Oil and Gas Leasing Rules Following Statutory Changes

The Bureau of Land Management has finalized amendments to 43 CFR Part 3100, effective September 30, 2025, in compliance with the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The new rule limits oil and gas lease stipulations to those contained in approved resource management plans and requires that lands identified in an expression of interest (EOI) be offered for leasing within 18 months, as long as they comply with RMP terms. The direct final rule aims to simplify lease requirements, expedites the leasing process, and is not subject to agency discretion regarding content. The rulemaking is exempt from notices and comment under the Administrative Procedure Act and complies with all relevant Executive Orders relating to regulatory process, federalism, and energy impacts.

Sources: U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov

BLM Extends Approved Permit to Drill (APD) Validity Period to Four Years

On August 1, the Bureau of Land Management issued a technical rule extending the validity of approved Applications for Permit to Drill (APDs) from a three-year to a four-year term in accordance with the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. All APDs approved on or after July 4, 2025 will be subject to this new, non-renewable four-year term or until the underlying lease expires, whichever occurs first. The final rule is described as noncontroversial, technical, and not subject to agency discretion, with effectiveness projected for September 30, 2025 unless significant adverse comments are submitted. The change is presented as clarifying regulatory language for leaseholders and operators.

Sources: U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov

Canadian Provincial GR News

Saskatchewan Ranks First in Canada for Mining Investment Attractiveness

The Government of Saskatchewan reported that the province ranked first in Canada and seventh worldwide in the Fraser Institute's 2024 Annual Survey of Mining Companies, drawing on policy perception and mineral potential, and noting strong potash and uranium production as well as new lithium, copper, and zinc projects.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.saskatchewan.ca

British Columbia Amends Elk Valley Water Quality Plan for Mining-Affected Region

British Columbia announced updates to the Elk Valley Water Quality Plan, adding new management goals and restructuring oversight for water quality tied to mining activities in the region, after consultation with governments, First Nations, industry, and the public.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.gov.bc.ca

Ontario Funds Worker Training in Mining and Other Sectors in Thunder Bay

Ontario is investing over $4 million in six training projects to support workforce development in construction, manufacturing, mining, and transportation sectors in Thunder Bay and Northern Ontario.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

Alberta Launches Consultation on Proposed Change to Marked Fuel Tax Exemption

The Alberta government is seeking industry input throughout August on replacing the marked fuel tax exemption with a tax exemption for clear fuel, affecting users in farming and off-road resource sectors.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.alberta.ca

Ontario Launches Panel to Double Medical Nuclear Isotope Production by 2030

Ontario established the Nuclear Isotope Innovation Council of Ontario to identify opportunities and provide recommendations for doubling the province’s medical isotope output by 2030, supporting both nuclear and healthcare sectors.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

Government Consultations

Public Invited to Comment on Josephburg Condensate Fractionation Project

The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada is soliciting feedback on the summary of the Initial Project Description for the Josephburg Condensate Fractionation Project until August 6, 2025.

Sources: Canadian Government Consultations: iaac-aeic.gc.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Mining CEOs, Ministers and Chiefs to convene at the Ontario Critical Minerals Forum, November 18-19, 2025, Toronto: Stakeholders are set to gather for sector discussions this November in Toronto.
• American Critical Minerals Announces Appointment of Agapito Associates, LLC, to Define a National Instrument 43-101 Exploration Target for Lithium at its Green River Project: Exploration advances on a lithium prospect in the U.S.
• Newmont Announces Akyem Mining Lease Ratification, Unlocking $100 Million Payment: Newmont's lease ratification unlocks significant payment milestone.
• Global Mining Market Size Poised to Cross $350 Billion in Revenue By 2037 Despite Geopolitical Uncertainties: Forecasts project future market scale amid volatile global trends.
• Barrick Mining Highlights Six Years of Sustainability Achievements: Barrick Mining outlines milestones in operational performance.
• Eagle Energy Metals, Rightholder of the Largest Mineable, Measured and Indicated U.S. Uranium Deposit, to go Public via Business Combination With Spring Valley Acquisition Corp. II: Eagle Energy Metals announces corporate developments for U.S. uranium assets.
• Junior Miners Poised to Break Out as Gold Aims for US$3,500: Market analysis points to possible movements among juniors in gold.
• Windfall Mining Group inc. reaches a new milestone in its development in Quebec: Progress reported at Windfall Mining Group’s Quebec operations.

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