May 31, 2026 to June 06, 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

• Senate Energy and Natural Resources – Business Meeting on Wilderness, Critical Minerals, Water Infrastructure (June 10, 1:30 PM, Dirksen 366): The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will meet to consider bills concerning forest health, critical mineral resources, wilderness designations, hydrokinetic energy, and water programs.
• House Natural Resources – Markup on Minerals Leasing in Carlsbad, Land Exchange, Military Withdrawals (June 10, 2:00 PM, Longworth 1324): The House Natural Resources Committee will mark up H.R. 7882 for mineral deposit leasing in Carlsbad, New Mexico, along with related land and public resource bills.
• House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee (Energy) – Meeting on Nuclear Permitting Reform (June 9, 2:15 PM, Rayburn 2123): The House Energy Subcommittee will convene a hearing with industry, advocacy, and academic witnesses to discuss nuclear permitting reform and efficient licensing legislation.

Federal Government News

White House Announces Temporary Tariff Adjustments on Steel, Aluminum, and Copper Imports

President Donald J. Trump issued a proclamation adjusting tariffs on steel, aluminum, and copper imports under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act. Tariffs on agricultural and industrial equipment have been reduced from 25% to 15%, with mobile industrial equipment from trade deal countries added to the 15% tariff category. Foreign companies sourcing at least 85% of their steel or aluminum from U.S. suppliers may now qualify for a 10% duty rate. These modifications are in effect until December 31, 2027 and intended to encourage investment in U.S. manufacturing and industrial production. The Administration cites new plant construction and expanded smelting facilities in recent years, as well as a record in U.S. steel production, now third globally. Enforcement of these adjustments will be monitored by the Commerce Secretary.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

NRC Issues Exemption for Urenco USA Uranium Hexafluoride Transport

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission granted an exemption to Louisiana Energy Services, LLC (Urenco USA) for domestic transportation of uranium hexafluoride enriched up to 10% uranium-235 using DN30 transportation packages. The exemption covers approximately 40 to 50 30B cylinders shipped during 2026-2027 to a single customer and sets a maximum cylinder mass of 2,277 kg UF6. No physical or design changes to the package are authorized. NRC safety and criticality analysis found compliance with federal transport requirements, and the revised environmental assessment confirmed no significant environmental impacts.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

BOEM Renews Data Collection for Outer Continental Shelf Minerals Excluding Oil, Gas, and Sulfur

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) published a notice to renew its information collection on OCS minerals other than oil, gas, and sulfur, under OMB Control Number 1010-0081. With rising industry interest and recent executive orders, BOEM anticipates increased plan submissions and sets its burden estimate at 2,081 hours annually for 44 responses. The renewed collection enables BOEM to approve, disapprove, or require modification of proposed marine mineral exploration, delineation, or mining plans, and it remains compliant with the Paperwork Reduction Act and freedom-of-information requirements.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

MSHA Proposes Extension of Information Collection: Mine Operator Forms and Notifications

The Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) released a request for comment to extend the information collection on 'Representative of Miners, Notification of Legal Identity, and Notification of Commencement of Operations and Closing of Mines' (OMB Control No. 1219-0042). Operators must file designation forms, legal identity reports, and mine operator identification requests as required under various CFR sections. Annual respondents number 9,522, with associated time burdens of 1,717 hours and recordkeeping costs of $790. Comments are being collected until July 31, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

NOAA Opens Public Comment on Deep Seabed Mining Exploration License for South Pacific

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced receipt of an application from American Deep Sea Minerals, Inc. for seabed mining exploration in the South Penrhyn Basin, South Pacific Ocean. Public comments are due by August 3, 2026, and a virtual public hearing will be held July 1, 2026. The application meets statutory and regulatory requirements under the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act. Hearing attendance is capped at 1,000 individuals and will be conducted via Adobe Connect.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

License to Drill Act Advances in Senate

Bill 7831, License to Drill Act, was received in the Senate and read twice before referral to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. The bill addresses energy permitting processes.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Offshore Parity Act of 2026 Sees Subcommittee Hearings

Bill 8542, Offshore Parity Act of 2026, focusing on public lands and natural resources, underwent subcommittee hearings. The bill aims to regulate offshore activities with parity across platforms.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Crystal Reservoir Conveyance Act Moves to Senate Committee

Bill 5911, titled the Crystal Reservoir Conveyance Act, was received by the Senate and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Latest actions center on conveyance of reservoir properties.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Cross-Boundary Wildfire Solutions Act Referred to Senate

Bill 3922, Cross-Boundary Wildfire Solutions Act, was received in the Senate. The bill relates to wildfire management across public lands and boundary areas.

Sources: www.congress.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• India to soon unveil incentives for lithium, nickel processing with around 30 bln rupees outlay, sources say: India is preparing a major incentive program for lithium and nickel processing.
• How One Company Plans to Mine the Bottom of the Sea: Feature on a mining firm’s approach to deep sea mineral extraction.
• Focus: Chinese investors behind Indonesia's nickel boom scout alternatives as policy changes bite: Chinese investors in Indonesia's nickel sector are looking for alternative sites due to new regulations.
• Peru's presidential runoff may hinge on small gold miners seeking continued loose regulations: Peru’s small-scale gold miners pursue relaxed regulations ahead of the presidential run-off.
• Auction of oil drilling rights in Alaska wildlife refuge draws tepid response: Alaska oil rights auction garnered limited industry interest.
• Trump announces $700 million in new support for struggling coal industry: President Trump unveiled $700 million in aid for the U.S. coal industry.
• ANWR Oil Draws Few Bids, Despite Trump’s Push for ‘Liquid Gold’: Limited bids for Alaskan oil leases despite federal encouragement.
• Kazakhstan has restored oil output after incident at largest field, minister says: Kazakhstan resumed oil production after an incident at its largest field.

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