June 07, 2026 to June 13, 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 Foreign Relations Committee: Business meeting to consider energy, mineral security, and related bills: The Senate Foreign Relations Committee is scheduled for a June 17 business meeting to consider S.4392, a bill promoting United States and allied energy and mineral security, among other legislative items. The session will convene in Capitol (Senate side), room 116.

Federal Government News

EPA Revises Taconite FIP for NOₓ Emission Limits at Minnesota Facility

The Environmental Protection Agency finalized revisions to the Federal Implementation Plan for NOₓ emissions at U.S. Steel's Keetac taconite facility in Minnesota. The new limits for the Grate Kiln indurating furnace are set at 3.4 lbs NOₓ/MMBtu for natural gas, enforceable after three years, and 2.0 lbs NOₓ/MMBtu for other fuels, with enforcement in five years unless modified. Adjustments up to 2.5 lbs NOₓ/MMBtu may be submitted based on post-installation data. Monitoring and compliance requirements include continuous emissions monitoring systems. The rule, effective July 8, 2026, is claimed by EPA to reduce NOₓ emissions in accordance with Clean Air Act and Regional Haze Rule directives. Judicial review petitions are due by August 7, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

NRC Announces Scoping Process for Orano Uranium Enrichment Facility EIS

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued a notice regarding the environmental scoping process for the proposed Orano Enrichment USA LLC uranium enrichment facility in Roane County, Tennessee. The NRC, with DOE Oak Ridge as cooperating agency, seeks comments on the scope of the Environmental Impact Statement by July 13, 2026. The 600-acre site, designated Project IKE, would allow Orano to possess and use material for uranium enrichment via gaseous centrifuge for up to 40 years. The draft EIS will analyze significant and peripheral issues, with stakeholder participation open to federal, state, local agencies, affected tribes, and intervenors. After scoping, NRC will produce a summary and later enable public comment on the draft EIS.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

FERC Application: Northern Natural Gas Permian Basin Expansion Project

Northern Natural Gas Company filed an application with FERC for its Permian Basin Expansion Project. Plans include installation of over 16 miles of pipeline in New Mexico and Texas, construction of a new compressor station, interconnects with Transwestern Pipeline, and a delivery point at an SPS generating station. The $104.9 million project is designed to deliver 361,600 dekatherms/day to a new SPS facility, increasing reliability and flexibility across Northern’s system. FERC’s environmental review is pending, and parties may file motions to intervene by June 30, 2026. Public participation can be made via comments, protests, or intervention.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

DOL Requests Comments on Operator Response Forms Under Black Lung Benefits Act

The Department of Labor's Office of Workers' Compensation Programs is seeking comments on the proposed revision of information collection related to responses from coal mine operators concerning claims under the Black Lung Benefits Act. The forms CM-2970 and CM-2970a are used for notification and response collection, with current OMB approval running through October 2026. The revised estimates include 8,230 respondents and 2,644 annual burden hours. Public comments are due by August 7, 2026, and should avoid submission of confidential or sensitive information.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

Developing Overseas Mineral Investments and New Allied Networks for Critical Energies Act (S.7037)

Bill 7037, focused on international mineral investments and allied networks for critical energies, has been received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations following House passage.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Critical Minerals Supply Chain Resiliency Act of 2026 (H.R.5929)

Bill 5929, addressing critical minerals supply chain resiliency, was placed on the Union Calendar, No. 602, in the House. The bill encompasses provisions related to environmental protection.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Protecting Domestic Mining Act of 2025 (H.R.1501)

Bill 1501, aiming to safeguard domestic mining operations, has been placed on the Union Calendar, No. 601, in the House. The measure pertains to the energy sector.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Critical Minerals Security Act of 2025 (S.789)

Senate Bill 789, the Critical Minerals Security Act of 2025, was ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably by the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Bill for Leasing Mineral Deposits in Carlsbad, New Mexico (H.R.7882)

Bill 7882, concerning leasing of certain mineral deposits within Carlsbad, New Mexico, was ordered to be reported in the nature of a substitute (amended) by unanimous consent.

Sources: www.congress.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• U.S. Precious Metals Industry Coalition Urges Congress to Advance SILVER Act to Address Critical Infrastructure Concentration and National Security Risks: The U.S. precious metals industry coalition called on Congress to advance the SILVER Act to address infrastructure and security risks.
• U.S. Precious Metals Industry Coalition Urges Congress to Advance SILVER Act to Address Critical Infrastructure Concentration & National Security Risks: Industry groups are urging Congressional adoption of the SILVER Act to tackle concentration in critical infrastructure and national security.
• Lithium bust is over but will battery metal boom again?: Lithium prices have stabilized, raising questions about renewed momentum in the battery metals sector.

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