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: 2026-04-12 to 2026-04-18

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

This Week's Congressional Calendar

• House Natural Resources Committee: Markup Session on Mining and Resource Legislation: On April 21, 2026, the House Natural Resources Committee will hold a markup on H.R. 1501 (Protecting Domestic Mining Act of 2025), H.R. 1687 (CLEAN Act), H.R. 5929 (Critical Minerals Supply Chain Resiliency Act), and other resource-related bills.
• House Subcommittee Hearing on Tribal Natural Resource Development: The House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs holds an oversight hearing on "Tribal Natural Resource Development: Barriers and Successes" on April 22, 2026.
• House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee Considers Environmental Law Impacts on Critical Material Supply Chains: On April 22, 2026, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment will investigate how U.S. environmental laws affect critical material supply chains, national security, and economic growth.

Federal Government News

Presidential Permits Issued for Cross-Border Pipeline Projects

On April 15, 2026, President Donald J. Trump issued multiple Presidential permits authorizing Bakken Pipeline Company LP, Enbridge Energy Company, Inc., Enbridge Energy, Limited Partnership, and Enbridge Pipelines (Southern Lights) L.L.C. to construct, operate, and maintain pipeline facilities at various points along the U.S.-Canada border, including Burke and Pembina Counties, North Dakota, and St. Clair County, Michigan. These permits cover both new construction and the continued operation of existing pipelines for crude oil and petroleum products, but exclude natural gas subject to the Natural Gas Act. All permits require compliance with applicable laws and safety standards, and specify conditions for inspection, reporting, maintenance, ownership changes, and removal obligations upon termination. They also outline U.S. national security provisions for potential federal possession, indemnification requirements, and the non-creation of enforceable private rights. The actions update, replace, or consolidate prior permits issued between 1953 and 2017.

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

White House CEQ Launches Permitting Innovators Program for Environmental Review Modernization

The White House Council on Environmental Quality announced the launch of the Permitting Innovators program, in partnership with NASA’s Center of Excellence for Collaborative Innovation. The initiative seeks private sector solutions for modernizing federal environmental reviews and permitting, following a directive from the 2025 Presidential memorandum. The Permitting Innovators Call for Solutions will solicit industry proposals, addressing technology gaps identified in the Permitting Technology Action Plan. Selected approaches will be presented at the Permitting Innovators Expo in summer 2026 and featured in a forthcoming solutions catalog for agencies and stakeholders. The CEQ is inviting interested parties to join its mailing list for program updates.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

Department of Commerce Releases Preliminary Antidumping Review on Forged Steel Fluid End Blocks from Italy

On April 14, 2026, the Department of Commerce issued the preliminary results of its administrative review of the antidumping duty order on forged steel fluid end blocks (FEBs) from Italy for 2024. The review found that Lucchini Mamé Forge S.p.A. sold FEBs in the U.S. at prices below normal value, with a weighted-average dumping margin preliminarily set at 21.97%. Commerce applied partial adverse facts available (AFA) due to record deficiencies, and rescinded the review for three other companies. Proposed assessment and cash deposit rates will follow the final results. Public comments and hearing requests are accepted prior to finalization.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

NRC Grants Exemption for Transport of High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU)

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) issued an Environmental Assessment and a Finding of No Significant Impact on an exemption request by Louisiana Energy Services, LLC (Urenco USA). The exemption permits use of 30B cylinders in DN30 transportation packages to ship uranium hexafluoride (UF6) enriched up to, but not exceeding, 10 weight percent U-235. Existing transport limits are 5 weight percent. The limited exemption applies to 40–50 shipments in 2026–2027, addressing near-term HALEU transport needs. The NRC concluded that the action would not create significant environmental impacts under NEPA, considering prior analyses and safety standards. State comments were reviewed, with the final exemption issued as of April 15, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

USGS and FWS Seek Public Input on Mineral and Oil-Gas Operations Information Collections

The U.S. Geological Survey is requesting public comment by May 14, 2026, on the renewal of its voluntary 'Production Estimate' information collection, which supports the annual 'Mineral Commodity Summaries' covering nonfuel mineral production. Targeting 848 respondents, the collection informs reports used widely in government and industry. Separately, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service seeks comment by June 12, 2026, on the renewal of the information collection for non-Federal oil and gas operations on National Wildlife Refuge System lands. Requirements involve operational, safety, and environmental documentation, including permitting, mapping, and spill response information relevant to active and prospective oil and gas operators.

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

Labor Department Seeks Comment on Black Lung Benefits Act Information Collection Extension

On April 17, 2026, the Department of Labor's Office of Workers' Compensation Programs requested comments on the extension of the information collection for the Black Lung Benefits Act (Forms CM-911 and CM-911a). This collection provides for miner and survivor claims due to pneumoconiosis and related employment history. The current request covers an estimated 5,400 respondents and 10,800 responses, with a total annual burden of 9,450 hours, and seeks comments on burden, utility, and clarity by June 16, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

EPA Publishes Notice of Availability for Environmental Impact Statements (EIS)

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released its weekly summary of Environmental Impact Statements filed between April 6 and April 13, 2026. Notable mining and energy-related filings include a Draft Programmatic EIS for Plutonium Pit Production in New Mexico and a Draft EIS for the Castle Mountain Mine project in California. The latter is open for comment until June 1, 2026. Additional statements cover infrastructure, forest management, and habitat projects across multiple states, available for agency and public review as required under the Clean Air Act and NEPA.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

2026 Economic Report of the President Highlights Energy and Mining Policy

On April 13, 2026, the Council of Economic Advisers released the 2026 Economic Report of the President. The annual document covers 14 topics such as regulatory reform, energy dominance, industrial supply chain resilience, and critical minerals, referencing the Administration's policy achievements and future macroeconomic forecasts. Relevant chapters include supply chain resilience, defense industrial base strengthening, and U.S. advances in resource extraction and advanced manufacturing.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

White House Notes Record U.S. Energy Production and Export Data in Context of Persian Gulf Disruptions

In an April 14, 2026 release, the White House detailed recent energy production statistics alongside information on U.S. naval deployments to the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. oil production reached a record 23.6 million barrels per day and natural gas output is reported at 118.5 billion cubic feet per day. LNG export volumes exceeded 100 million metric tons in the past year, with nearly 6,000 drilling permits approved—a 55% increase from the previous year. The report contextualizes these figures against ongoing disruptions in Persian Gulf shipping routes.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

Legislative Updates

Bill 8277: Designating Copper as a Critical Mineral and Extending Production Credits

Bill 8277, introduced in the House, would amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to designate copper as an applicable critical mineral, and include ore extraction costs under the advanced manufacturing production credit. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Making Reviews Certain Act Gains Referral in House

H.R. 8249, the Making Reviews Certain Act, was referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources. The bill would address requirements for review certainty relevant to mining and energy projects.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Commonsense Review Act Moves to House Natural Resources

H.R. 8247, the Commonsense Review Act, was referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources. This legislative proposal concerns administrative review processes potentially impacting resource project permitting.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Federal Water Projects Consultation Improvement Act of 2026 Introduced

H.R. 8259, titled the Federal Water Projects Consultation Improvement Act of 2026, was referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources on April 14, 2026. The bill proposes adjustments to consultation requirements for federal water-related projects.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Bill 8308: Coordination and Judicial Review of Authorizations

H.R. 8308, introduced in the House, directs the establishment of requirements for terminating authorizations, completion and coordination of reviews for authorizations, and judicial review related to such actions. The bill was referred to the Committees on Natural Resources, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Energy and Commerce.

Sources: www.congress.gov

State Government News

California Court Affirms State Authority on Offshore Oil Pipeline amid Federal Challenge

On April 17, 2026, the Santa Barbara Superior Court upheld California's jurisdiction by maintaining its injunction against Sable Offshore Corp., barring pipeline operations without state approval despite a federal Defense Production Act order.

Sources: www.gov.ca.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Nornickel seeks new market for palladium in EVs with catalyst for lithium‑sulphur batteries: Nornickel develops palladium catalyst for use in lithium-sulphur batteries, expanding market potential for miners.
• Permian-focused EagleRock plans rare US oil and gas IPO, sources say: EagleRock targets public listing amid increased Permian Basin drilling activity.
• Australia and US boost support for critical minerals with $3.5 billion: Australia and the U.S. announce $3.5 billion in cooperative funding for critical minerals initiatives.
• EU launches operations of critical minerals procurement platform: The EU begins operating a centralized procurement platform to coordinate access to critical minerals.
• Codelco, Anglo pursue twin environmental approvals for shared Chile copper pit: Codelco and Anglo American seek parallel environmental approvals for their shared Chilean copper project.
• Botswana signs energy and mineral exploration deals with Oman: Botswana formalizes agreements with Oman covering energy and mineral resource exploration.

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