This Week in Mining — Ottawa (#31, 2026)
Tribunal continues anti-dumping duties on oil country tubular goods; StatsCan posts Q2 engineering services price index; BC receives $30M for manufacturing and mining supply chains; Nordique files rare earth project economic assessment; Canada’s critical minerals in EU export report;
August 09, 2026 to August 15, 2026
This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly digest of regulatory developments, legislative discussions and other government-related news concerning metals and non-metals miners, explorers and prospectors. Once a week, 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. Also consider subscribing to our Mining - Washington edition covering critical GR news south of the border.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 🇨🇦 Federal Government News
• 🗺️ Provincial Government News
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
Federal Government News
Tribunal Continues Order—Oil Country Tubular Goods from China
The Canadian International Trade Tribunal announced on August 14 that it has continued its anti-dumping and countervailing duty order regarding oil country tubular goods imported from China. The Tribunal found that expiry of the previous order would likely lead to injury and, consequently, the Canada Border Services Agency will maintain duties targeting dumped and subsidized imports. The Tribunal reports to Parliament through the Minister of Finance and is responsible for hearing cases on dumped and subsidized imports, as well as complaints regarding federal government procurement. The continuation affects supply chains in oil drilling, rig repair, and mineral extraction, sustaining tariff barriers for these products.
Sources: www.canada.ca

StatsCan Releases Q2 Architectural, Engineering and Related Services Price Index
Statistics Canada published its Architectural, Engineering and Related Services Price Index for the second quarter of 2026. The dataset, indexed to 2018=100, serves as a benchmark for pricing in design, engineering, and related technical services. Mining exploration and mine development projects often contract these services for feasibility studies and environmental assessments.
Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca
Government of Canada Invests Over $30 Million to Help B.C. Businesses Navigate Trade Disruptions
Pacific Economic Development Canada announced a $30.5 million investment for 24 businesses across British Columbia, targeting supply chain disruptions and enabling sector diversification. Mining-related equipment manufacturers like GMI Wheels and Kamloops Precision Machining will update production technologies and adopt advanced metal coating processes. The program supports market expansion, automation, and domestic manufacturing capacity, impacting mining supply chain resilience and reducing reliance on imported components. The investment extends to forestry, advanced manufacturing, and clean technology. Approved projects span from January to June 2026 and include facility modernization, workforce expansion, and export readiness initiatives.
Sources: www.canada.ca
Canada’s Critical Minerals Have a Big, Underutilized Export Market in the EU: Report
A news report dated August 13 draws attention to Canada's critical minerals export opportunities in the European Union. The coverage suggests that Canadian producers of lithium, nickel, cobalt, copper, and rare earth minerals could access a larger share of EU market demand. The sector's export potential, particularly for battery metals and strategic minerals, is considered underutilized by current trade practices.
Sources: www.thestar.com
Nordique Critical Metals Files Preliminary Economic Assessment for Kwyjibo Rare Earth Project
Nordique Critical Metals has submitted a preliminary economic assessment on its Kwyjibo rare earth project, as reported August 14. The project is positioned within the broader national push toward developing rare earth mineral resources, influencing supply chain dynamics and domestic mining exploration prospects. Stakeholders in mineral processing and mineral extraction are monitoring new assessments for capital allocation and infrastructure planning.
Sources: www.thestar.com
Barrick and Newmont Reach Agreement Regarding Nevada Gold Mines Joint Venture
Barrick Gold and Newmont Corporation have finalized terms for their Nevada Gold Mines joint venture, resolving disputes concerning operational management and assets. The joint venture manages significant North American gold ore output and impacts gold mining supply chains and market considerations for Canadian streamers and global mining investors.
Sources: www.thestar.com
Aldebaran Resources and Centauri Minerals Complete Spin-Out Transaction
Aldebaran Resources and Centauri Minerals have received shareholder approval and a final court order for the spin-out of Centauri Minerals, signaling further segmentation of mineral exploration assets. The arrangement, completed August 11, confirms ownership and streamlines corporate reporting structures for participating entities.
Sources: www.thestar.com
Provincial Government News
Quebec Increases Environmental Fines for Mining and Industrial Sectors
Quebec has raised the minimum criminal fines for environmental infractions in high-risk industrial sectors, including mining and battery manufacturing. The new penalties, effective August 13, are up to ten times higher than previous levels.
Sources: www.quebec.ca
Alberta Launches 100-Year Water Security Initiative and Modelling Projects
Alberta is commissioning a white paper and new water-modelling tools to examine the province's long-term water needs, covering industrial use, mining, and resource development.
Sources: www.alberta.ca
EPAC Letter Supports West Coast Oil Pipeline
Alberta’s Minister of Energy and Minerals acknowledged EPAC’s letter backing the west coast oil pipeline, noting anticipated volume commitments from producers that account for over 40% of Canadian oil output.
Sources: www.alberta.ca
Lower Similkameen Indian Band Calls for Pause on New Mining Claims in Ashnola Watershed
The Lower Similkameen Indian Band has requested the province of B.C. pause new mining claims in the Ashnola watershed, citing concerns to provincial government and regional stakeholders.
Sources: www.cbc.ca

What We're Reading This Week
- Canada’s critical minerals have a big, underutilized export market in the EU: report: Outlines opportunities for Canadian producers to expand into the EU market for critical minerals.
- Nordique Critical Metals Files Preliminary Economic Assessment Respecting Kwyjibo Rare Earth Project: Rare earth project assessment filed, marking progress on Quebec mineral development.
- Barrick and Newmont Reach Agreement Regarding Nevada Gold Mines Joint Venture: Major gold producers settle operational disputes in the Nevada joint venture.
- Aldebaran Resources and Centauri Minerals Announce Shareholder Approval and Receipt of Final Order for Spin-Out: Spin-out transaction finalized for Centauri Minerals.
- Barrick announces deal with Newmont on Nevada Gold Mines JV: Agreement resolves operational and asset issues in joint venture.
- Barrick says Newmont deal clears path for North American IPO: Barrick-Newmont settlement enables IPO planning.
- Lloyds Metals Allowed to Ready Restart of Giant Papua New Guinea Copper Mine: Lloyds Metals receives approval for copper mine restart, impacting global supply chains.
- New Zealand Just Fast-Tracked a Gold-Antimony Mine and Cleared the Way for a First-Ever Drill Program: Gold-antimony mine development expedited in New Zealand.
- Greenland Mines Arrives at Skaergaard, Commences Drilling as 2026 Field Season Moves into Full Operation: New exploration activity begins at Greenland’s Skaergaard site.
- Lower Similkameen Indian Band wants B.C. to pause new mining claims in Ashnola watershed: Indigenous group petitions for halt in new mining claims for Ashnola.