QSA's Week in Mining (#32, 2025)

CITT launches inquiries on tubular steel dumping; Expiry review for steel plate dumping order initiated; StatsCan releases new rural industry employment dashboard; US proposes offshore commingling regulatory changes; EPA guidance issued for hardrock mine remediation; BLM hearings on coal, gold mi...

QSA's Week in Mining (#32, 2025)

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: 2025-08-10 to 2025-08-16

📋 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

CBSA Initiates Dumping Investigation of Oil Country Tubular Goods

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has commenced an investigation into allegations that certain oil country tubular goods (OCTG), imported from Mexico, the Philippines, South Korea, Türkiye, and the United States, are being sold in Canada at unfair prices. The action follows a complaint issued by two domestic manufacturers, EVRAZ Inc. NA Canada and Welded Tube of Canada Corporation, who report negative impacts related to dumped imports, including lost market share and price depression. This marks another enforcement under the Special Import Measures Act, with the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) to conduct a parallel preliminary injury inquiry. The preliminary finding on injury by the CITT is expected by October 10, 2025, and the CBSA’s determination on dumping is anticipated by November 10, 2025. Existing special import measures have been credited with protecting 45,000 Canadian jobs and $18.4 billion in domestic production in 2024.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca
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Canadian International Trade Tribunal Launches Preliminary Injury Inquiry on Tubular Steel

On August 12, 2025, the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) initiated a preliminary injury inquiry regarding the dumping of oil country tubular goods from Mexico, the Philippines, Türkiye, South Korea, and the United States. The Tribunal is responding to a complaint filed by EVRAZ Inc. NA Canada and Welded Tube of Canada Corp. under the Special Import Measures Act. The investigation will determine whether there is a reasonable indication of injury or threat to the Canadian industry as a result of these imports. The Tribunal’s timeline requires a determination by October 9, 2025, followed by continued investigation by the CBSA if warranted. Participation in the inquiry is open to interested parties via the CITT’s formal procedures.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

CITT Notice of Expiry Review—Hot-Rolled Carbon Steel Plate and High-Strength Low-Alloy Steel Plate

The Canadian International Trade Tribunal has given formal notice that it will conduct an expiry review of the existing order concerning the dumping of hot-rolled carbon steel plate and high-strength low-alloy steel plate originating in or exported from Ukraine. The Tribunal is acting under subsection 76.03(1) of the Special Import Measures Act. The CBSA will first determine if expiry would likely result in resumption or continuation of dumping by January 2, 2026. If affirmative, the Tribunal will assess whether continued or resumed dumping is likely to cause injury to Canadian producers, with a final order expected by June 11, 2026. Legal counsel and participants are required to submit notices of participation by August 20, 2025. The hearing on this review is scheduled to begin March 30, 2026.

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

StatsCan Releases Employment by Industry in Rural Canada Dashboard

Statistics Canada released new interactive data covering employment by industry in rural Canada, updated for July 2025. The dashboard offers granular, region-by-region analysis and supports monitoring of employment trends in rural mining and resource-based communities.

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

Data for the Architectural, Engineering and Related Services Price Index (base year 2018=100) are now available for the second quarter of 2025. This price index may have relevance for project planning and cost forecasting across the resource and energy sectors.

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

US Federal GR News

BSEE Proposes Direct Final Rule Amending Offshore Downhole Commingling Regulations

The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) published a direct final rule to amend the regulations governing offshore downhole commingling of multiple reservoirs in the Gulf of Mexico. The update, aligned with the 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act' signed July 4, 2025, revises 30 CFR 250.1158 to state that commingling requests must be approved unless conclusive evidence shows commingling cannot be done safely or would reduce ultimate recovery. The final rule takes effect October 14, 2025, unless significant objections are received by September 12, 2025.

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

EPA Issues Guidance on Financial Assurance for Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines

The US Environmental Protection Agency has published guidance regarding financial assurance terms for the Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act of 2024. The Act establishes a pilot permitting program (up to 15 projects) for low-risk mine site remediation, requiring applicants to demonstrate or third-party hold sufficient financial capability for project completion. The guidance explains qualifying mechanisms, estimates, and procedures for securing and accessing these funds. Comments are open until September 12, 2025.

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

BLM Announces Draft Environmental Assessment and Hearing for Spring Creek Mine Federal Coal Lease, Montana

The Bureau of Land Management and the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement are seeking public comment on a draft environmental assessment regarding the Navajo Transitional Energy Company's application to modify and expand coal leases at the Spring Creek Mine, Big Horn County, Montana. The tracts under review cover approximately 1,412 acres and 177 million tons of minable coal, with a mine life extending to 2034. The public hearing is set for August 15, 2025, in Sheridan, Wyoming. Stakeholders may submit comments relating to fair market value and maximum economic recovery. The review will affect future operational and permitting decisions.

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

BLM Opens Scoping for South Railroad Mine Project EIS—Elko County, Nevada

The Bureau of Land Management initiated the scoping period for an Environmental Impact Statement on Gold Standard Ventures (US) Inc.'s proposed South Railroad Mine Project in Elko County, Nevada. The plan includes constructing a gold and silver mine on 8,548 acres, of which 4,624 acres are BLM-managed lands, and covers construction, operation, reclamation, and closure over an estimated 16.5-year period. Two open pits will require significant dewatering. Public meetings are scheduled for September 3, 2025, and comments are welcomed regarding project scope and mitigation.

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

EPA Extends Deadlines for Compliance on Oil, Gas, and Metal Sector Emissions Rules

The Environmental Protection Agency has extended deadlines for written comments and scheduled hearings related to compliance standards for the oil and natural gas sector, integrated iron and steel manufacturing, and coke ovens. The rule changes alter compliance dates within existing interim final rules, with hearings set for early September and revised deadlines for written feedback running through early October. These rules pertain to emission standards and hazardous air pollutants affecting multiple extractive industries.

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

Canadian Provincial GR News

Quebec Government Marks Schefferville’s 70th Anniversary with Territorial Development Initiatives

Quebec's ministers announced $1,125,000 in support for municipal projects addressing water infrastructure, access to Mount Uapishka, and illegal dumping in Schefferville and Caniapiscau. Additional grants were issued for a new playground and an immersive regional history exhibition.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.quebec.ca

CleanBC Industry Fund Opens 2025 Call for Climate-Oriented Industry Projects

The Province of British Columbia has opened the 2025 CleanBC Industry Fund application process, with $35 million in funding to support industrial electrification and emissions-reduction projects across sectors including mining and resource extraction.

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

Nova Scotia Increases Wildfire Safety Recommendations for Industrial Operators

Nova Scotia is urging industrial sectors, including mining, to apply additional wildfire risk precautions during ongoing dry conditions, especially for commercial activity on private lands and required travel permit holders operating on Crown land.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.novascotia.ca

Quebec Enacts Omnibus Bill Modernizing Environmental Law

Quebec has sanctioned Bill No. 81, amending eight environmental statutes and updating provisions on municipal and provincial regulatory compatibilities, which apply broadly to industrial and resource operations.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.quebec.ca

Alberta and Treaty 8 First Nations Hold Talks on Community Priorities

Alberta’s Minister of Indigenous Relations met with Treaty 8 First Nations leadership to discuss regional and national priorities and to advance collaborative agreements affecting land and resource development.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.alberta.ca

Government Consultations

Participant Funding Available for Josephburg Condensate Fractionation Project Assessment

The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada is offering funding to support Indigenous and public participation in the impact assessment for the Josephburg Condensate Fractionation Project near Edmonton, Alberta, with applications accepted through August 20, 2025.

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

What We're Reading This Week

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