June 14, 2026 to June 20, 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 Energy and Commerce Subcommittee Hearing: Critical Mineral Recovery and Recycling: The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment will hold a hearing titled 'Trash to Treasure: Examining Legislation to Support Domestic Critical Mineral Recovery and Recycling' on June 24, 2026, at 2:15 pm in Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2123.

Federal Government News

NRC Publishes Environmental Assessment for Dewey-Burdock Uranium Recovery Project

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has released a final Environmental Assessment, Finding of No Significant Impact, and Programmatic Agreement for Powertech USA, Inc.'s Dewey-Burdock in situ uranium recovery project located in Custer and Fall River counties, South Dakota. The renewal of source and byproduct materials license SUA-1600 authorizes uranium extraction and yellowcake production for an additional 20 years. The NRC's review found impacts to air quality, soils, and groundwater consistent with regulatory standards, and operational plans include aquifer restoration and reclamation requirements. Stakeholder consultations involved South Dakota's Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Bureau of Land Management, the EPA, and multiple Tribal organizations, culminating in a formal Section 106 process for historic properties. The facility's liquid byproduct disposal options include Class V injection wells and land application, each subject to state and federal permits. The NRC cited small environmental and ecological impacts from normal ISR operations and specified mitigation requirements for potential effects on historic and cultural resources.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

White House CEQ Schedules Permitting Innovators Expo

The Council on Environmental Quality, collaborating with NASA’s Center of Excellence for Collaborative Innovation, announced the Permitting Innovators Expo, set for July 31, 2026, at Hilton Arlington Rosslyn The Key. The Expo will present emerging permitting technologies to federal agencies and industry, with demonstration spaces and sessions on best practices. CEQ Chairman Katherine Scarlett stated the event will advance infrastructure permitting modernization, referencing President Trump's executive directive. Top submissions from CEQ's previous Call for Solutions will be featured and catalogued in the upcoming Permitting Innovators Solutions Catalog, expected in late 2026. Attendee registration is now open to government, industry, and policy leaders.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

USITC Finds No Material Injury on Imports of Unwrought Palladium from Russia

The U.S. International Trade Commission determined in Investigation Nos. 701-TA-776 and 731-TA-1761 that imports of unwrought palladium from Russia, classified under subheading 7110.21.00, do not materially injure, nor threaten injury to, the U.S. industry. This follows preliminary findings from the Department of Commerce that Russian palladium had been subsidized and sold at less than fair value. The investigation’s record included a public hearing on April 27, 2026, with final views published in USITC Publication 5749. The determination affects ongoing trade proceedings and domestic palladium supply concerns.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

USDA Forest Service Initiates Environmental Review for Stillwater Mine Complex Amendment 14

The U.S. Forest Service announced a 30-day comment period for Stillwater Mining Company’s proposal to amend the mine plan and expand platinum group metal mining in Stillwater County, Montana. The amendment would extend underground production by 36–42 years and expand the waste rock storage area by 30 acres on National Forest lands, relocated surface infrastructure, and alter water management facilities, including diverting Nye Creek. Environmental impact concerns cited in the notice include riparian degradation, surface and groundwater quality, and topsoil availability for reclamation. Permitting is underway with Montana Department of Environmental Quality, Army Corps of Engineers, and EPA for related water and mining authorizations. Public input must be submitted by July 15, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

FERC Issues Review Schedule for Texas Eastern Longwall Mining Pipeline Project

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission detailed the environmental assessment timeline for Texas Eastern Transmission’s Longwall Mining Panel M2 and M3 Project in Greene County, Pennsylvania. The proposal involves excavating, relocating, and restoring segments of four existing natural gas pipelines to accommodate subsurface mining activities, with anticipated construction between 2027 and 2029. FERC’s environmental assessment is targeted for release on November 13, 2026, followed by a 90-day federal authorization decision deadline. The Commission's notice also outlined procedures for public comment and federal agency review across project phases.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

S. 4795: Amending the Energy Act of 2020 for Permitting Timelines

Senate Bill 4795 proposes amendments to the Energy Act of 2020, establishing enforceable federal authorization timelines and expedited judicial remedies for resource projects. The bill was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Sources: www.congress.gov

S. 4787: Expedited Administrative Resolutions at Department of the Interior

Senate Bill 4787 seeks to expedite resolution of administrative proceedings at the Department of the Interior. The bill was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Sources: www.congress.gov

H.R. 2033: Cross-Boundary Wildfire Solutions Act

The Cross-Boundary Wildfire Solutions Act, focusing on public lands and natural resources, was held at the desk following introduction.

Sources: www.congress.gov

S. 4781: Expanding the Mission of the Export-Import Bank for Critical Industries

Senate Bill 4781 aims to broaden the Export-Import Bank's mission to build export-related domestic critical industries supporting U.S. employment and competitiveness. The measure was referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, with introductory remarks entered in the Congressional Record.

Sources: www.congress.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Iron ore industry sees a bright future, but green steel fades: Iron ore sector projects sustained growth as green steel adoption slows.
• First Quantum's shuttered mine passes audit, as Panama weighs restart: First Quantum's Panama copper mine clears audit, possible restart under discussion.
• Steel industry sounds alarm over slow progress on green steel: Steel manufacturers cite lagging development in green steel technology.
• G7 sets up critical minerals alliance, platform to cut reliance on China: G7 launches alliance to address supply chain vulnerabilities and reduce China dependence for critical minerals.
• China mine disaster, Indonesia policy changes upend global coal market: Recent events in China and Indonesia shift global coal industry dynamics.
• Trump's critical minerals pricing plan faces skeptical G7, divided industry: G7 leaders and industry participants react skeptically to U.S. critical minerals pricing proposal.
• The gallium gamble: Building a Western supply chain beyond China’s reach: Western countries push for independent gallium supply chains amid Chinese dominance.
• G7 leaders' declaration on securing supply chains for critical minerals: G7 commitments focus on strengthening critical mineral supply chain resiliency.
• India seeks rare earth samples from Rosneft-owned Siberian deposit, source says: India requests rare earth samples from a Siberian site controlled by Rosneft.

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