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: 2026-04-19 to 2026-04-25

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

Federal Government News

White House Directs Emergency Measures for Coal Supply Chains and Baseload Power Generation

On April 20, 2026, President Trump issued a memorandum authorizing the Secretary of Energy to use Section 303 of the Defense Production Act to expand U.S. coal supply chains and baseload power generation capacity. The directive follows Executive Order 14156, which declared a national energy emergency due to insufficient energy production and supply. The memorandum identifies coal mining, logistics, terminals, stockpiles, and power generation facilities as essential for national defense, citing regulatory, financial, and market barriers limiting industry response. The Secretary of Energy is empowered to execute purchases and provide financial support, waiving certain statutory requirements to speed implementation. The determination will be published in the Federal Register.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

White House Invokes Defense Production Act for Domestic Petroleum Production, Refining, and Logistics

A presidential memorandum dated April 20, 2026 invokes Section 303 of the Defense Production Act to strengthen domestic petroleum production, refining, and logistics capabilities. Referencing Executive Order 14156, the document addresses challenges such as constrained financing, permitting delays, and supply chain issues. The memorandum deems petroleum infrastructure critical for national defense and instructs the Secretary of Energy to implement measures such as purchases and financial support, expediting expansion and capacity. Certain requirements of the Act are waived to facilitate rapid response.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

White House Authorizes Defense Production Act Measures for Energy Infrastructure Development

President Trump’s April 20 memorandum, pursuant to Section 303 of the Defense Production Act, authorizes targeted federal intervention for the development, manufacturing, and deployment of large-scale energy and energy-related infrastructure. The memorandum cites economic and national security risks from inadequate domestic capabilities, referencing vulnerabilities to foreign actors. The determination waives specific statutory barriers and tasks the Secretary of Energy with implementing purchases and financial support for infrastructure expansion, with publication in the Federal Register ordered.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

PHMSA Direct Final Rule Incorporates Updated Pipeline Corrosion Assessment Standard

On April 24, 2026, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) issued a direct final rule amending 49 CFR Part 192 to update the referenced NACE SP0206 standard to its 2016 edition. The methodology formalizes internal corrosion direct assessment (ICDA) processes for pipelines carrying normally dry natural gas and is aimed at improving public safety and regulatory clarity. Operators may comply with the updated standard beginning June 23, 2026, and full compliance is required by January 1, 2027 unless adverse comments are received. PHMSA assessed the rule under relevant statutes and found anticipated cost savings for industry, improved alignment with operational advancements, and minimal compliance burdens.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

USDA Forest Service Issues Revised EIS Notice for Oil and Gas Leasing on Texas National Forests and Grasslands

On April 23, 2026, the USDA Forest Service released a revised notice regarding its Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for oil and gas leasing availability in Texas National Forests and Grasslands (NFGT). The scope includes evaluating lands available for leasing, updating protection stipulations, and possible amendments to the 1996 management plan. The analysis addresses technological changes, environmental compliance, and federal laws. Stakeholders may submit comments until April 28. The area covers approximately 500,000 acres, with proposed actions including closure of wilderness areas, stipulation revisions, and alternatives such as no leasing. Issues flagged for review include air quality, water resources, wildlife habitat, and royalty payments, with collaboration and compliance managed with BLM.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

Protecting Domestic Mining Act of 2025

Bill 1501, titled Protecting Domestic Mining Act of 2025, was ordered to be reported in the nature of a substitute by the House on April 21, 2026, with a 21–16 vote. The bill addresses energy policy and aims to strengthen domestic mining operations.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Critical Minerals Supply Chain Resiliency Act

Bill 5929, the Critical Minerals Supply Chain Resiliency Act, focuses on environmental protection and was ordered to be reported in the nature of a substitute by voice vote. The measure targets increased resilience for critical minerals supply chains.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Reliable Federal Infrastructure Act

Bill 4690, named the Reliable Federal Infrastructure Act, saw a motion to reconsider laid on the table and agreed to without objection. The act covers federal building energy efficiency standards and related infrastructure.

Sources: www.congress.gov

ESA Amendments Act of 2025

Bill 1897, the ESA Amendments Act of 2025, was prepared for consideration under a closed rule, with one hour of debate and a motion to recommit allowed. The Rules Committee provided for paired consideration alongside other infrastructure bills.

Sources: www.congress.gov

To provide for the conservation of wildlife corridors and habitat connectivity

Bill 8438 was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and additional committees for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker. The bill pertains to the conservation of wildlife corridors and seeks congressional action on habitat connectivity.

Sources: www.congress.gov

State Government News

Ohio Dedicates Appalachian Hills Wildlife Area Visitor Center and Jesse Owens State Park Cabins

Governor Mike DeWine, alongside ODNR Director Mary Mertz, opened two recreation sites in the Appalachian region, including a visitor center and modern cabins at Jesse Owens State Park on reclaimed mining land formerly owned by AEP.

Sources: governor.ohio.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Exclusive | Orivium Targets $20 Million Raise in Race to Extract Untapped Metals: Orivium pursues new capital to accelerate extraction of metals from unconventional sources.
• US-based Virtus and Indian partner to restart Congo copper miner Chemaf in 2027, union executive says: Virtus and Indian consortium plan to restart Chemaf's copper mining operations in 2027.
• Exclusive: EU-funded agency working with Metalshub on European critical minerals trading platform: Metalshub partners with EU agency to develop a European critical minerals trading platform.
• Chile targets faster mining approvals to unlock $100 billion pipeline: Chile implements expedited mining approval processes to stimulate major investment projects.
• Brazil aims to regulate critical minerals without tax breaks, finance minister says: Brazil plans regulatory changes for critical minerals, foregoing fiscal incentives.
• Ghana mineworkers warn local outsourcing rule will cut wages, jobs: Ghana mineworkers anticipate wage and job reductions from new local outsourcing regulations.
• A New Bureau Will Oversee Both Offshore Drilling and Seabed Mining: Interior Department establishes a bureau responsible for offshore drilling and seabed mining oversight.
• Pini Althaus: Building a Practical Blueprint for Critical Minerals Supply Chains: Pini Althaus discusses strategies for critical minerals supply chain development.
• Chile, US to sign mining and security agreements: Chile and the US prepare accords on mining and security cooperation.
• Rio flags MidEast supply-chain risks, posts higher first-quarter iron ore sales: Rio Tinto reports increased iron ore sales and notes supply chain risks from the Middle East.

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