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.

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Dates: 2026-03-29 to 2026-04-04

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🇺🇸 Federal Government News
• 📜 Legislative Updates
• 🗺️ State Government News
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

Federal Government News

Trump Administration Expands Section 232 Tariffs on Steel, Aluminum, and Copper Imports

On April 2, 2026, President Donald J. Trump issued a proclamation revising Section 232 metals tariffs under the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. Effective April 6, tariffs will apply to the full customs value of aluminum, steel, and copper articles, including certain derivatives, regardless of metal content. Most metal articles will face a 50% tariff; certain copper products will be subject to a 25% tariff, with reduced rates for imports from the United Kingdom or items made entirely with U.S.-origin metals. Processes for including derivative articles in tariff regimes are terminated, and new monitoring and enforcement measures will be implemented. Articles with less than 15% metal content are exempt. The changes aim to reduce foreign reliance and are accompanied by reports of increased domestic investment in metals production, including new smelters in Oklahoma and facilities expansions.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov, www.whitehouse.gov

Black Pine Gold Project: USFS and BLM Announce EIS Scoping Period

The U.S. Forest Service Sawtooth National Forest, in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management Pocatello Field Office, will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for Liberty Gold’s proposed Black Pine Gold Project in Cassia and Oneida Counties, Idaho. The 17-year open pit mine plan includes expanding existing pits, constructing new pits, and processing gold and silver ore via cyanidation heap leaching. The public comment period for EIS scoping runs through May 4, 2026; both in-person and virtual meetings are planned. The project will require a site-specific Sawtooth Forest Plan amendment, state-level cyanidation and air quality permits, and additional authorizations. The EIS will consider potential impacts to groundwater, wildlife (including sage grouse), cultural resources, grazing, air quality, and reclamation.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

BLM Initiates EIS Scoping for Bridger Pipeline Expansion, Montana

On April 1, 2026, the Bureau of Land Management announced the start of NEPA scoping for the proposed Bridger Pipeline Expansion Project. The 646.8-mile crude oil pipeline would run from the U.S.-Canada border in Montana to Guernsey, Wyoming, crossing both public and private lands. The project includes a mainline pipeline, eight pump stations, and 72 mainline valve sets, with several segments on BLM- and USFS-managed lands. Permitting involves a Presidential Permit, right-of-way grants, Clean Water Act Section 404 and 401 permits, and multiple state-level approvals. Public comments on the scope of the EIS are due by May 1, 2026. The Draft EIS is expected in August 2026; public meetings are scheduled in Montana and Wyoming.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

MSHA Solicits Public Comment on Petitions for Modification of Safety Standards

Between March 29 and April 4, the Mine Safety and Health Administration published multiple notices regarding petitions for modification of mandatory safety standards. Marfork Coal Company, operating the Glen Alum Tunnel Mine in West Virginia, submitted petitions to permit use of 3M Versaflow TR-800-HIK Intrinsically Safe Powered Air Purifying Respirators as an alternative to MSHA-permissible equipment under 30 CFR 75.500(d), 75.1002(a), and 75.507-1(a). Kepler Processing Company, LLC, requested authorization to use coarse coal refuse for backfilling abandoned mine openings at its Kepler No. 1 Prep Plant. Knight Hawk Coal, LLC, proposed alternatives for fan signal device testing at Prairie Eagle Underground Mine, and Mountain Coal Company, LLC, sought permission to use extended-length trailing cables at the West Elk Mine. The comment periods for these petitions run until May 4, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov

OSMRE Rules for Reclamation and Backfilling Finalized

The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement confirmed effective dates for two direct final rules on March 30, 2026. The 'General Reclamation Requirements' rule rescinds obsolete language on reclamation funding using prior balance replacement funds, affecting only Wyoming, the last state with a remaining balance. The 'Backfilling and Grading' rule removes previously suspended regulations on time and distance performance standards for rough backfilling of surface mines. Both actions followed public comment periods; OSMRE determined no significant adverse comments were received and that no further changes were required.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov

Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council Resumes Approval of FAST-41 Initiation Notice Information Collection

On April 2, 2026, the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council published a notice seeking public comment on the reinstatement of its FAST-41 Initiation Notice (FIN) information collection, required for covered infrastructure projects under 42 U.S.C. 4370m-2(a)(1). The program allows project sponsors to initiate coverage under the FAST-41 process, providing enhanced permitting coordination. Comments are due to the Office of Management and Budget by April 30, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

International Isotopes Withdraws NRC Application for Direct License Transfer

On March 31, 2026, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission acknowledged the withdrawal of International Isotopes Inc.'s application for direct transfer of control of source material license SUB-1011, which covered a planned depleted uranium deconversion and fluorine processing facility in Hobbs/Lea County, New Mexico. The application was initially filed on October 1, 2025.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

MSHA Lists Recently Granted Petitions for Modification

On April 3, 2026, the Mine Safety and Health Administration published notice of affirmative decisions on petitions for modification granted between July 1 and December 31, 2025. These include modifications granted to Mach Mining, LLC, M-Class Mining, LLC, Patton Mining, LLC, Wolf Run Mining, LLC, and 3M Company for alternative compliance with various electrical and air equipment standards across mines in Illinois, West Virginia, and California.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Amendment (H.R. 8181)

H.R. 8181 was referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce on April 2, 2026. The bill amends the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to require states to establish critical industry funds or specified industry-sector partnerships.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Star-Spangled Summit Act of 2026 (H.R. 4684)

The Star-Spangled Summit Act of 2026, focused on public lands and natural resources, was placed on the Union Calendar (No. 504) as of April 2, 2026.

Sources: www.congress.gov

North Dakota Trust Lands Completion Act of 2026 (H.R. 2252)

H.R. 2252 was placed on the Union Calendar (No. 501) on April 2, 2026. The measure concerns the completion of pending land issues for North Dakota trust lands.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Commodity Futures Trading Commission Resource-Sharing Bill (H.R. 8180)

H.R. 8180 was referred to the House Committee on Agriculture on April 2, 2026. The bill would authorize temporary staff exchanges and resource sharing between the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and other federal agencies.

Sources: www.congress.gov

State Government News

Illinois Expands Regional Site Readiness Program for Industrial Development

Governor JB Pritzker and DCEO committed an additional $30 million for Illinois’ Regional Site Readiness Program, totaling $60 million this round, to accelerate industrial project readiness, site acquisition, and infrastructure improvements across the state.

Sources: gov-pritzker-newsroom.prezly.com

Texas Opens Applications for Advanced Nuclear Construction Funding

Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office opened applications for the $350 million Texas Advanced Nuclear Development Fund, supporting advanced reactor construction, manufacturing capacity, and fuel cycle supply chain projects statewide.

Sources: gov.texas.gov

Texas Governor Advocates for Oil and Gas at TIPRO Convention

Governor Greg Abbott addressed the Texas Independent Producers & Royalty Owners Association, citing the sector’s economic contributions, the state’s leading energy role, and new legislative measures targeting petroleum theft.

Sources: gov.texas.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Why Critical Minerals Have Become a Business Risk Story, Not Just a Mining Story: USA Today examines the increased business risk surrounding global supply chains for critical minerals.
• US firm Virtus launches Chemaf transition in Congo mining partnership: Reuters reports on a new U.S.-Congo mining partnership for copper and cobalt production.
• B&N Mining Inc. Appoints Veteran Mining Executive Sam J. Shoemaker, Jr. as Chief Operating Officer: B&N Mining Inc. names Sam J. Shoemaker, Jr. as COO, bringing extensive sector leadership experience.
• ‘Like relying on a drug dealer:’ the world’s dependence on oil and gas has exposed a dangerous vulnerability: CNN explores geopolitical and economic risks tied to ongoing global dependency on fossil fuels.
• US deep-sea mineral processing plant planned by Glomar, Australia's Cobalt Blue: Reuters covers a joint plan for a U.S.-based deep-sea mineral processing facility by Glomar and Cobalt Blue.
• REalloys, U.S. Critical Materials sign MoU to build domestic rare earth supply chain: REalloys and U.S. Critical Materials agree to collaborate on advancing a U.S. rare earths supply chain.

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