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.

Dates: 2026-01-05 to 2026-01-16

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🏛️ This Week's Congressional Calendar
• 🇺🇸 Federal Government News
• 📜 Legislative Updates
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

This Week's Congressional Calendar

• House Natural Resources Subcommittee: Deep Sea Mining Oversight Hearing: The House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources will hold an oversight hearing titled “Deep Dive: Examining the Regulatory and Statutory Barriers to Deep Sea Mining” in Room 1334, Longworth House Office Building on January 22, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. ET.
• House Education and the Workforce Subcommittee: Mine Safety Policy Hearing: The House Education and the Workforce Subcommittee on Workforce Protections will convene a hearing to discuss “Examining the Policies and Priorities of the Mine Safety and Health Administration” in Room 2175, Rayburn House Office Building on January 22, 2026 at 3:15 p.m. ET.

Federal Government News

Proclamation on National Security Threats from Critical Minerals Imports

On January 14, President Trump issued a proclamation under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, directing actions to address perceived national security risks posed by imports of processed critical minerals and their derivative products. Following a Commerce Department report, the Administration found the U.S. is reliant on foreign suppliers, faces unstable supply chains, and risks disruptions to defense and infrastructure sectors. The Secretary of Commerce and the U.S. Trade Representative are authorized to negotiate agreements to secure mineral supplies, with tariffs or price floors as possible measures if such agreements are not reached. The actions include continual monitoring and periodic updates on progress. The move reflects ongoing executive attention to U.S. mineral security and domestic production capacity.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

White House Fact Sheet: Negotiations on Critical Minerals Imports

The White House released a fact sheet confirming President Trump's directive for the Secretary of Commerce and U.S. Trade Representative to engage in negotiations with trading partners regarding critical mineral imports. The Section 232 investigation concluded that current import levels impair national security and that U.S. supply chains remain at risk, with domestic production declining. The Administration plans to establish price controls and pursue additional actions if agreements are unsuccessful after 180 days. Previous steps cited include securing new access in Alaska and partnerships with Australia and Japan. The fact sheet frames these efforts as consistent with ongoing cross-agency priorities to diversify sources and strengthen domestic resilience.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

Interior Approves Amendment to Pennsylvania Regulatory Program under SMCRA

On January 15, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement finalized approval of amendments to the Pennsylvania regulatory program under SMCRA. The changes add language aligned with the Bituminous Mine Subsidence and Land Conservation Act, clarifying circumstances where presumptive pollution evidence is not warranted under the Clean Streams Law. Section 5(i) and (j) specify that planned subsidence, which does not permanently disrupt premining surface water uses and provides for restoration of flows and biological communities, does not count as presumptive pollution for permitting purposes. The changes apply to permits issued after October 2005. The amendment was subject to extended public comment and public hearing, with OSMRE determining the changes exceed comparable federal standards and enhance regulatory clarity.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Minerals Management: Annual Adjustment of Cost Recovery Fees

The Bureau of Land Management announced on January 12 that cost recovery fees for minerals program-related processing have been updated. Fee adjustments cover applications and actions related to oil, gas, geothermal, coal, and other mineral leasing and management processes. The 2026 fee schedule lists, for example, a $3,175 fee for a competitive oil and gas lease application, $12,850 for an Application for Permit to Drill, and $1,180 for a geophysical exploration permit application. These annual adjustments are made according to formulas established in 2005 and indexed for inflation. The updated fees take effect from January 12, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission Sunshine Act Meeting Notice

The Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission announced a public meeting for February 5, 2026, to deliberate Secretary of Labor v. W.G. Yates and Son's Construction Company (Docket No. SE 2023-0094). At issue are judicial findings on violations of 30 CFR 56.4500, and whether a violation was significant and substantial. The meeting will be held at the Richard V. Backley Hearing Room in Washington, DC, and will be open for participation in accordance with accessibility and public attendance provisions. Contact information for the Commission is provided for those requiring special accommodations.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

No FED in West Texas Act

Bill 839, titled 'No FED in West Texas Act,' addresses public lands and natural resources management in Texas. The measure has advanced in the House and was placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 374. No further legislative action is noted for this period.

Sources: www.congress.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• US-DRC minerals deal scrutinised at FMF 2026: The US-DRC critical minerals agreement undergoes analysis at FMF 2026.
• Kazakhstan's next mining era: Kazakhstan advances toward significant new mineral extraction projects.