July 19, 2026 to July 25, 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

• Upcoming Senate Energy and Natural Resources Business Meeting: The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will hold a business meeting on July 29, 2026, in Dirksen Senate Office Building Room 366 to consider legislation related to wilderness designations, public land management, mineral leasing, and park system amendments across Colorado, Nevada, Oregon, Maryland, and additional states.

Federal Government News

NRC Issues Finding of No Significant Impact for DISA Technologies License Amendment

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission released its environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact concerning an amendment to DISA Technologies, Inc.'s source materials license for remediation of abandoned uranium mine waste. The amendment would permit the use of FLOPAM AN 934 SH, an anionic polyacrylamide flocculant, in high-pressure slurry ablation operations. According to the NRC, FLOPAM use is expected to improve uranium and thorium concentration in fines concentrates while ensuring process water compliance. The commission determined that associated impacts on land use, water resources, soils, ecological resources, occupational health, and waste management are not significant. The NRC emphasized site-specific reviews will precede any new deployments, and DISA must continue compliance with all applicable discharge standards. Site mobilization will require further notification and evaluation.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

EPA Denies Petition on Clean Air Act Title V Permit for Copperstone Gold Mine

The Environmental Protection Agency issued a final order dated June 23, 2026, denying a petition from the Center for Biological Diversity that sought to invalidate Arizona Department of Environmental Quality’s Title V operating permit for Bonanza Explorations, Inc., at the Copperstone Gold Mine. The EPA determined the permit met Clean Air Act requirements, and declined to object to its issuance. The decision is open to judicial review, with a filing deadline of September 21, 2026. The permit covers an underground mining operation in La Paz County, Arizona.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Presidential Executive Order to Secure Defense Supply Chains and Critical Materials Acquisition

President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order on July 20, 2026, focused on securing U.S. defense supply chains and ensuring compliant sourcing of critical materials for military equipment. The order enforces strict adherence to 10 U.S.C. 4872, restricting the use of sensitive materials from geopolitical adversaries. Waivers for non-compliant materials will require approved mitigation plans. The Department of War will establish regulations for supply chain mapping, supplier vetting, and prohibitions on unreliable foreign sources. Contractors must submit detailed documentation and implement risk mitigation actions. Non-compliance or fraudulent reporting may result in penalties, including contract termination.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

White House Proclamation Adjusts Aluminum Import Tariffs to Incentivize Domestic Investment

President Trump issued a proclamation under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 to address national security risks from aluminum imports. The Secretary of Commerce is directed to create an incentive program permitting approved U.S. aluminum smelting investors to import primary aluminum at reduced tariffs. Compliance will be monitored, and tariff benefits can be withdrawn if commitments are unmet. The action aims to increase U.S. production capacity for military and strategic uses.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

International Trade Commission Initiates Investigation on Silicon-Carbon Anode Materials for Batteries

The U.S. International Trade Commission instituted an investigation (No. 337-TA-1513) into alleged violations related to the importation and sale of silicon-carbon composite anode materials used in battery cells. The complaint, filed by Sila Nanotechnologies, Inc. and Georgia Tech Research Corporation, cites infringement of four patents. Respondent companies from China are named in the case, and outcomes may include exclusion orders and cease-and-desist directives following the investigation. The formal scope includes lithium-ion battery anode products.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

House Bill 9858: To Establish the Critical Minerals Innovation Partnership

Bill 9858 was referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. The bill would establish the Critical Minerals Innovation Partnership and contains provisions for interagency coordination to advance critical minerals research and innovation.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Quantum-Enhanced Critical Minerals Mapping Act of 2026

Bill 9646, focusing on energy policy and quantum-enabled mapping for critical mineral deposits, progressed with hearings held in the relevant subcommittee.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Earth MRI Reauthorization Act of 2026

Bill 9640 aims to reauthorize funding and coordination for the Earth MRI geophysical mapping initiative. The bill was discussed at subcommittee hearings.

Sources: www.congress.gov

North Rim Restoration Act

Bill 5729 addresses restoration and resource management at the North Rim. It received hearings at the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Senate Bill 5101 and House Bill 9826: Prohibitions on Mid-Continent Limestone Quarry Expansion

Senate Bill 5101 and House Bill 9826 seek to prohibit the Secretary of the Interior from expanding the Mid-Continent Limestone Quarry near Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Both bills have been referred to their respective committees.

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

Senate Bill 5118: Public and Governmental Consultation on Oil and Gas Leasing

Senate Bill 5118 would require the Secretary of the Interior to meaningfully involve public, state, tribal, and local officials prior to offering parcels for oil or gas leasing. The bill is before the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Sources: www.congress.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Critical mineral refiner Nth Cycle to go public in $585 million SPAC deal: Nth Cycle announces plans to become publicly traded via a SPAC merger valued at $585 million.
• Brazil uses forensic science to trace gold’s origin and tackle illegal mining in the Amazon: Brazilian authorities use fingerprinting technologies to address illegal gold extraction in the Amazon region.
• Sweden declares mining national security interest to counter dependence on China: Sweden identifies mining as a national security priority and seeks to decrease reliance on Chinese mineral imports.
• Newmont tops profit estimates on higher gold prices, sees steady output: Newmont reports second-quarter profits above expectations, supported by sustained gold prices and guidance for stable production.
• China's CiDi eyes overseas sales of autonomous mining machines this year: Chinese firm CiDi is preparing to market autonomous mining equipment to international customers within 2026.
• Devon Energy mulls $4 billion sale of Eagle Ford, Powder River assets, Bloomberg News reports: Devon Energy considers divesting its Eagle Ford and Powder River assets for an estimated $4 billion.
• Nuclear Energy Revival Puts Westinghouse in Prime Position: Westinghouse stands to benefit from renewed nuclear energy investment and international partnerships.
• Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc: Blanket Exploration Results: Caledonia Mining has released new exploration results from its Blanket property.
• New Zealand gas exploration interest picks up after years in doldrums: Exploration activity for gas in New Zealand resumes, following a period of low interest.

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