May 24, 2026 to May 30, 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 Science, Space, and Technology Subcommittee Hearing: Advancing Environmental Protection Through Science and Technology: The House Science, Space, and Technology Subcommittee on Environment will hold a hearing titled 'Advancing Environmental Protection Through Science and Technology' on June 4, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. in Rayburn 2318.

Federal Government News

Montana Regulatory Program Amendment Approved

The Department of the Interior's Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement approved an amendment to Montana's regulatory program on May 29, 2026, following passage of House Bill 587. The amendment revises the definition of 'Material damage' with respect to hydrologic balance, alluvial valley floors, and subsidence under the Montana Strip and Underground Mine Reclamation Act. New permit application provisions allow operators to submit hydrologic information when not available from federal or state agencies. The effective date of the approved amendment is June 29, 2026, and provisions attempt retroactive applicability but must comply with federal regulatory standards. The amendment aligns Montana's program closely with federal requirements and definitions governing coal mining and reclamation impacts.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Notice of Intent: Environmental Impact Statement for DeLamar Mine Project, Idaho

The Bureau of Land Management Owyhee Field Office announced its intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed DeLamar Mine Project in Owyhee County, Idaho. Integra Resources’ subsidiary, DeLamar Mining Company, submitted plans to reopen and expand open-pit mining activities, encompassing 2,915 acres with 812 acres on BLM land. Mining and construction operations are projected to last 19 years, followed by reclamation. The EIS will assess alternatives, including impacts to vegetation, wildlife, water resources, air quality, and cultural sites. Public scoping runs through June 29, 2026, with meetings scheduled for June 9 and June 11. Tribal, federal, state, and local consultations will be conducted, and permits for operations, discharge, air quality, and cyanidation will be required.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

NuFuels Inc. Crownpoint Uranium Project License Renewal Application

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission received a license renewal application from NuFuels Inc. to operate the Crownpoint Uranium Project In-Situ Recovery Facility in McKinley County, New Mexico. The proposed facility, not yet constructed, consists of three satellite sites and a central processing plant, targeting up to 1 million pounds of uranium oxide annually via ISR methods. The NRC will review the application for compliance with technical standards and prepare a NEPA environmental document. Stakeholders have until July 27, 2026, to request hearings or intervene. The NRC retained its current docket for the application and made documents available for public review.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Revised Environmental Assessment for Urenco USA National Enrichment Facility

On May 26, 2026, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued a revised environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact for Louisiana Energy Services, LLC (Urenco USA). The regulatory exemption will permit the use of 30B cylinders within certified DN30 transport packages for shipments of uranium hexafluoride enriched up to 10 percent uranium-235, exceeding previous limits of 5 percent. The exemption is limited to 40–50 shipments in 2026–2027 for a single customer, and no physical changes to packaging are proposed. NRC staff found dose rates and criticality risks would remain within regulatory standards under normal and hypothetical conditions. State reviews did not alter the NRC’s impact determinations.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

White House Approves Critical Position Pay Authority for National Security Investments

President Donald J. Trump authorized critical position pay authority for up to 400 positions supporting national security investment programs. The memorandum provides executive agencies, via OPM and OMB, pay rates up to $400,000 to recruit highly qualified personnel in investment, engineering, finance, and law. The initiative is intended to advance U.S. capacity in critical minerals, advanced materials, and strategic supply chains. OPM will oversee compliance, ensuring authority is applied only as needed to attract or retain talent. The action aligns with efforts to accelerate domestic mineral production and reduce foreign dependence.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

Executive Order Rescinds Restrictions on Access to Federal Lands

On May 29, 2026, President Trump rescinded Executive Orders 11644 and 11989 governing off-road vehicle use on federal lands. Agencies are now directed to revise or rescind regulations tied to these orders. The administration determined previous criteria lacked clarity, hindered energy production, timber operations, and utility maintenance, and were superseded by modern statutes such as NEPA and FLPMA. The new order is intended to enhance public access, recreational opportunities, and balanced land management, without creating enforceable rights.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

Fact Sheet: Removal of Restrictions on Federal Lands Access

The White House issued a fact sheet noting President Trump’s executive order rolling back land use restrictions. The order eliminates regulatory barriers for recreation, energy production, and infrastructure maintenance, citing advances in technology and existing environmental statutes as sufficient. New wilderness areas and expanded recreational opportunities were implemented during his administration, alongside rescission of NEPA rules, the 2001 Roadless Rule, and the BLM Public Lands Rule. Multiple-use access and local decision-making are now prioritized.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

Legislative Updates

Bill 9023: Amendment to Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977

Bill 9023 proposes amendments to strengthen control of environmental impacts from surface coal mining. The legislation was referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Bill 9029: Protecting Taxpayers from Liability in Surface Coal Mining Reclamation

Bill 9029 seeks to safeguard taxpayers from liabilities associated with surface coal mine reclamation. The measure has been referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources for review.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Bill 9035: Bankruptcy Requirements for Oil, Gas, and Coal Companies

Bill 9035 amends title 11, requiring oil, gas, and coal companies in bankruptcy to fulfill environmental reclamation obligations. The bill is before the Committee on the Judiciary, with concurrent referral to the Committee on Natural Resources.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Bill 9034: Offshore Oil and Gas Operator Standards and Decommissioning Escrow Accounts

Bill 9034 amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, introducing fitness to operate standards and decommissioning escrow accounts for offshore oil and gas operators. The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Sources: www.congress.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Mining and Quarrying: WSJ coverage on developments and challenges across the mining and quarrying sector.
• Congo suspends mining activities in parts of South Kivu province: Congo halted mining in South Kivu in response to regulatory and security concerns.
• Rio Tinto commissions $1.5 billion low-carbon smelter expansion in Quebec: Rio Tinto announced completion of a $1.5 billion smelter upgrade focusing on emission reductions.
• Nordic investors urge EU to hold firm on Arctic drilling ban amid energy crisis: Nordic investors called for maintaining the EU Arctic drilling ban despite regional energy shortages.
• A warning to critical minerals buyers: avoid butter mountains, aluminium floods: Buyers of critical minerals are cautioned against oversupply risks and market volatility.
• Bangladesh offers sweetened terms in offshore tender to tackle energy crunch: Bangladesh revised offshore tender conditions to attract investment in response to energy shortages.
• Brazil rare earths miner Viridis to sell to US, European buyers, not China, CEO says: Viridis will prioritize rare earth exports to U.S. and European buyers, bypassing China.
• Mapping the Market: Gold approaches potential crossroads: Gold prices are nearing a technical crossroads with possible implications for commodity market trends.

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