April 26, 2026 to May 02, 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 - Ottawa edition covering critical GR news north of the border.

📋 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 Education and Workforce Hearing: Protecting Workers and Powering America—The Future of Mining: On May 8, 2026, the House Committee on Education and Workforce will hold a hearing entitled "Protecting Workers and Powering America: The Future of Mining" at the Vincennes University Gibson County Center, Fort Branch, IN.

Federal Government News

BLM Issues Final Rule Extending Phase-In for Waste Prevention and Resource Conservation Requirements

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) issued a final rule confirming the extension of compliance deadlines for certain requirements under its Waste Prevention, Production Subject to Royalties, and Resource Conservation regulations (43 CFR Part 3700). Effective June 1, 2026, the rule maintains a one-year delay of mandates related to Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR) and gas measurement, originally added by the 2024 regulations. The BLM responded to substantive public comments, maintaining that the extension is administratively justified as the agency prepares proposed revisions to affected provisions. Operators are granted additional time to meet requirements for metering flared gas and developing LDAR programs. The rule distinguishes between metering as a reporting tool and pollution-control equipment and outlines cost-benefit analysis from the Regulatory Impact Analysis. The postponement anticipates new rulemaking on these provisions and avoids interim compliance and enforcement costs.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

President Signs Law Disapproving Minnesota Mineral Withdrawal, Restoring Leasing in Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis Counties

On April 27, 2026, President Trump signed H.J.Res. 140, a joint resolution disapproving a 2023 Bureau of Land Management Public Land Order that had withdrawn approximately 225,504 acres of National Forest System lands in Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis Counties, Minnesota, from mineral and geothermal leasing for 20 years. The Congressional action and executive approval restore eligibility for mining and geothermal activities on these federal lands. The policy shift directly affects federal permitting processes for mineral exploration in this region.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

BLM Adopts New Categorical Exclusion for Geothermal Resource Exploration Operations

The Department of the Interior, through the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), has revised its National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) implementing procedures to create a new categorical exclusion (CE) for geothermal resource exploration. Effective April 28, 2026, the exclusion applies to notices of intent for geothermal exploration operations that do not involve direct testing, limit disturbance to 10 acres, require reclamation, and include resource-protection design elements. The final CE text incorporates requirements around surface disturbance, reclamation timing, and conformance with land management plans and lease terms. The revision follows consultation with the Council on Environmental Quality and consideration of public comments, aiming to expedite certain phases of geothermal development on BLM-managed land. The substantiation report documents the agency's findings on environmental impact based on reviews of prior environmental assessments.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Commerce Department Initiates Less-Than-Fair-Value Investigations on Oil Country Tubular Goods from Austria, Taiwan, and UAE

On April 28, 2026, the U.S. Department of Commerce launched antidumping investigations into imports of certain oil country tubular goods (OCTG) from Austria, Taiwan, and the United Arab Emirates. The probes, covering hollow steel products used in oil and gas extraction, respond to petitions from the U.S. OCTG Manufacturers Association, United States Steel Corporation, and United Steelworkers. Alleged dumping margins range from 43.64% to over 126%, with a review period from April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026. The International Trade Commission will issue its preliminary injury determination by May 17, 2026. Commerce is seeking comments on investigation scope and product characteristics until May 12, 2026. The cases may affect market access for international suppliers and procurement strategies for domestic operators.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

CEQ Launches Permitting Innovators Competition for Process Modernization

The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), in partnership with NASA's Center of Excellence for Collaborative Innovation, opened the Permitting Innovators Call for Solutions, inviting technology providers, startups, researchers, and non-profits to submit proposals aimed at improving federal environmental review and permitting. The call is open through June 2, 2026, with selected top solutions to be showcased at a July 2026 Expo in Washington, D.C., and inclusion in a curated catalog. Priority areas include workflow automation, document digitization, and process predictability. An informational webinar will be held on May 14, 2026, with further details at permittinginnovators.com.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

Legislative Updates

H.J.Res. 140: Disapproval of BLM Public Land Withdrawal in Minnesota Enacted

H.J.Res. 140, disapproving Bureau of Land Management Public Land Order No. 7917 (which withdrew federal lands in Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis Counties, Minnesota), became Public Law No: 119-85 after passage through Congress and signature by the President. The action restores mineral and geothermal leasing on affected federal lands.

Sources: www.congress.gov

S.4392: Bill to Promote U.S. and Allied Energy and Mineral Security Introduced

S.4392, a bill to promote United States and allied energy and mineral security, was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations on April 27, 2026. The bill's provisions address strategic mineral access in the context of U.S. and allied supply chains.

Sources: www.congress.gov

S.4475: Federal Permitting Improvement Bill Introduced

S.4475, a bill to improve federal permitting processes, was introduced and referred to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works on April 30, 2026. The text calls for regulatory changes affecting infrastructure and resource project approval timelines.

Sources: www.congress.gov

S.4473 and H.R.8621: China Mining Activities in Africa—Annual List Requirement Introduced

S.4473 and H.R.8621, companion bills, would require the Secretary of State to annually issue a list of China-origin entities conducting mining in African countries involving forced labor or causing environmental harm. The Senate bill has been referred to the Foreign Relations Committee; the House version has gone to the Foreign Affairs Committee.

Sources: www.congress.gov, www.congress.gov

S.4410: Coal Lease Bonus Payments Bill Introduced

S.4410 proposes amendments to the Mineral Leasing Act to provide for the payment of bonus payments for certain coal leases. It was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on April 28, 2026.

Sources: www.congress.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Trump lifts ban on mining near Boundary Waters, clearing way for Chilean company to seek permits: The administration's action enables a Chilean firm's potential entry in the Minnesota mining sector.
• Big funds bet billions on mining supercycle: Major investment funds are increasing capital allocations amid expectations of long-term mining industry growth.
• Brazilian miner Vale to more than double sail-equipped iron ore carrier fleet: Vale plans significant expansion of its sail-assist shipping fleet for iron ore transport.
• Dirty Gold: A look at irregular gold trade dynamics and issues facing gold markets.
• New Minnesota Mining Is a Win for Beijing: Analysis of foreign strategic interests following the end of the Minnesota mining moratorium.
• Exclusive: Companies dust off oil rigs in storage in Venezuela as contracts are overhauled: Oil rig refurbishment accelerates in Venezuela with new contract terms.
• Oil majors eye resurgent Canadian energy in wake of Middle East upheaval: Global events shift oil major focus to Canadian upstream assets.

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