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.

Dates: 2026-01-24 to 2026-01-30

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🏛️ This Week's Congressional Calendar
• 🇺🇸 Federal Government News
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

This Week's Congressional Calendar

• Oversight Hearing on Federal Economic Development Programs in Indian Country: The House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs has scheduled an oversight hearing on February 3 to examine performance of federal economic development programs in Indian Country. The event will take place in Room 1324 of the Longworth House Office Building.

Federal Government News

USDA Finalizes Rule Modernizing Oil and Gas Operations on National Forest System Lands

On January 28, the U.S. Department of Agriculture issued a final rule updating regulations for Federal oil and gas resources in the National Forest System. The revised rule clarifies Forest Service responsibilities in leasing analysis, operator compliance, and surface use plans, and coordinates with the Bureau of Land Management’s regulatory framework. The rule streamlines consent analysis for leasing, incorporates updated procedures for compliance and bond adequacy reviews, and details operator liability and reclamation obligations. It maintains robust standards for inspection, notification, and noncompliance responses. The regulation’s impact analysis found projected net benefits from improved efficiency, with minor anticipated increases in reclamation bond requirements for some operators. The rule takes effect February 27, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

BOEM Requests Information for Commercial Leasing of Outer Continental Shelf Minerals Offshore Alaska

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management published a request for information on January 29 to initiate potential leasing of minerals on the Outer Continental Shelf offshore Alaska. The RFI covers areas such as Norton Sound, Goodnews Bay, the Aleutian Arc, and seamounts in the Gulf of Alaska, totaling approximately 113.7 million acres. Stakeholders, including industry, agencies, and Indigenous communities, are invited to submit detailed input regarding geological conditions, multiple-use conflicts, fisheries, infrastructure, lease terms, royalty rates, and appropriate tract sizes by March 2, 2026. The notice responds to recent Executive and Secretary’s Orders seeking expedited mineral development, particularly for critical minerals vital to national security and supply chains.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

OSM Confirms Rescission of Subsidence Control Standards for Underground Mines

On January 27, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement set the effective date for a direct final rule rescinding portions of performance standards regulating subsidence controls for underground mines. The removed provisions concern rebuttable presumption of causation for property damage from earth movement near mine workings, which were rendered inoperative by court order in 1999. OSM determined removal of the obsolete language eliminates regulatory confusion and does not affect current evidentiary burdens or existing regulations. The rule becomes effective January 27, 2026, following a minimal comment period response.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

OSM Delays Rulemaking on Reclamation and Backfilling and Grading Standards

The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement is postponing the effective dates for the "General Reclamation Requirements" and "Backfilling and Grading" rules, originally scheduled for January 27, 2026, now delayed until March 30, 2026. Both rules seek to eliminate regulatory provisions that have been inoperative since 2007 and 1992, respectively, but delays follow receipt of public comments requiring review to determine if withdrawal or modification is warranted.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov

Council on Environmental Quality Launches 'CE Works' Digital Platform for Environmental Reviews

On January 29, the Council on Environmental Quality announced the 'CE Works' pilot, a new digital system for federal environmental reviews under NEPA. Developed in partnership with the General Services Administration and initially deployed with the Bureau of Land Management’s Moab Field Office, the platform digitizes categorical exclusion determinations, routing approvals and generating public records to enable faster permitting for energy and infrastructure projects. Broader rollout is expected across agencies.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Mining Stocks on Cusp of Supercycle as AI Boom Stokes Metals: Analysts report rising mining sector optimism amid surging metals demand driven by AI investment.
• Critical minerals: licensing, tariffs, and the new supply-chain risk: Regulatory review highlights emerging licensing and tariff challenges for the global critical minerals supply chain.
• India to unveil incentives for lithium, nickel processing, sources say: Indian government is preparing financial incentives to boost domestic lithium and nickel processing capacity.
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