September 06, 2026 to September 12, 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
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

This Week's Congressional Calendar

• House Natural Resources Committee Markup on Mineral and Resource Bills (Sept 15, 2026): The House Natural Resources Committee meets on September 15 to mark up bills including H.R. 1555 (Bureau of Land Management Mineral Spacing Act), H.R. 9640 (Earth MRI Reauthorization Act of 2026), and others related to mineral management.
• Senate Environment and Public Works: Markup on Air Quality and Uranium Licensing (Sept 16, 2026): The Senate EPW Committee meets September 16 to consider S.5045 (Clean Air Act amendment on prescribed fires), S.3135 (vehicle derate/shutdown functions in cold weather), and S.5249 (licensing alignment for uranium enrichment facilities).
• House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee: Nuclear Spent Fuel Policy Hearing (Sept 15, 2026): The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy convenes September 15 for a hearing on 'Nuclear Spent Fuel Policy: Examining Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campuses,' with representatives from DOE, Nuclear Energy Institute, and others.

Federal Government News

Nuclear Regulatory Commission Proposes Major Rule on In Situ Uranium Recovery and Decommissioning Timeliness

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) issued a proposed rule to revise regulations governing uranium in situ recovery (ISR) facilities and extend timelines and flexibilities for licensee decommissioning across all licensed nuclear materials facilities and reactors. The proposal, spanning 10 CFR parts 30, 40, 50, 52, 53, 70, and 72, would establish ISR-specific groundwater protection criteria, codify previously guidance-based requirements, and update references to EPA’s numerical groundwater standards. The rule proposes new criteria for mechanical well integrity, background groundwater characterization, restoration targets, post-restoration monitoring, and corrective action procedures for excursions and leaks. For all NRC licensees, the rule would extend the period with no principal activities before required decommissioning (36 months for Part 30 and 48 months for Parts 40, 70, and 72), introduce streamlined extension request processes, and leverage existing specific exemption authority for reactor decommissioning timeline extensions. The NRC prepared a draft regulatory analysis and invites public comment through October 13, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Defense Department Releases Final Environmental Assessment and FONSI on Tennessee Non-ferrous Smelting Facility

The Department of Defense announced availability of the Final Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact for Project Crucible, an integrated non-ferrous smelting and refining facility in Montgomery County, Tennessee. The assessment considered impacts on air quality, water resources, cultural and biological resources, and socioeconomics. The EA process included consultation with the US Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, State Historic Preservation Officer, and federally recognized Indian Tribes. No significant environmental effects were identified. Formal Endangered Species Act consultation determined the project may affect, but is not likely to adversely affect, listed species, and National Historic Preservation Act consultation identified mitigation measures for archaeological resources. The Final EA and FONSI are available at the Department’s project page as of September 11, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

EPA Approves Clean Air Act General Permits for Stone Quarrying in Indian Country

On September 9, 2026, the Environmental Protection Agency announced final action approving General Permit requests under the Tribal Minor New Source Review Program for three stone quarry and rock crushing facilities: Fisher Sand & Gravel (Grey Mesa Gravel Pit, San Juan County, NM); PG&E, LLC (Ehrenberg Quarry, La Paz County, AZ); and Archer Western (San Juan Lateral Water Treatment Plant Rock Crusher, NM). These permits authorize facility construction and operation under established criteria for minor sources in Indian Country. The approvals are now final agency action. Terminations for two permits were documented due to facility closures in late 2025.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

EPA Lists Environmental Impact Statements Available for Federal Review

The Environmental Protection Agency released its weekly notice of Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) available for public comment or review, covering filings from August 24–31, 2026. The list includes draft and final EISs issued by various agencies, such as the U.S. Air Force (Homeland Defense Radar in the Northwest Region), U.S. Forest Service (Oil and Gas Leasing Availability in Texas), U.S. Coast Guard/U.S. Navy (Northwest Training and Testing), and the Office of Surface Mining (Navajo Mine permit in New Mexico). The EPA notice includes project contacts and relevant deadlines for public participation.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

BLM Proposes Permitting Rule for Oil and Gas Production Sites in National Petroleum Reserve–Alaska

The Bureau of Land Management published a proposed rule that introduces a permitting process specific to oil and gas production sites and related rights-of-way within the National Petroleum Reserve–Alaska. The rule aims to create a standardized, expedited decision window of 60 days for applications that meet specified proximity and environmental criteria, consolidating multiple approvals and requiring all compliance data at the outset. An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) accompanies the proposal, which references recent developments such as the Willow Plan, and incorporates new permitting definitions, eligibility requirements, and mitigation conditions. Public comment is open through November 9, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

White House Amends Executive Orders on Defense Production Act Delegations

On September 8, 2026, President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order amending Executive Order 13603 and Executive Order 14391 concerning delegations under the Defense Production Act (DPA). The updated order empowers both the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Energy to independently exercise DPA authority for energy-related matters, with disputes referred to the National Energy Dominance Council or, if relevant to defense infrastructure, also the National Security Council. The revisions apply to delegations over production, construction, and distribution in the energy sector, clarifying departmental authority and procedural channels for inter-agency disputes.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Insight: Congo extends state control over mining with bid to lock down geological data: Congo is moving to increase governmental oversight by restricting geological information access in the mining sector.
• COMMENTARY: Can Africa seize its moment in the race for critical minerals?: Andy Home examines if Africa can capitalize on current global demand for battery and strategic minerals.
• India's Lohum ships first lithium ore from Zimbabwe, starts overseas mining: Lohum, an Indian firm, has exported its first lithium ore from Zimbabwe, marking new international operations.
• Breakingviews - COMMENTARY: Anglo-Teck wait shows mining M&A’s rising toll: Commentary on delays in Anglo-Teck merger activity reflecting complexity and costs of current mining M&A.
• To Drill or Not to Drill? Britain Nears Decision on Aging North Sea Oil Fields.: The UK government faces imminent choices on whether to proceed with further drilling in mature North Sea basins.
• Opinion | China Overplayed Its Hand on Critical Minerals: The Wall Street Journal argues China’s dominance in minerals may be giving rise to global counter-moves.
• EXCLUSIVE: Solvay in talks with One Investment Management on rare earths partnership: Solvay is engaged in discussions with One Investment Management for collaboration on rare earths projects.
• In Australia's shale patch, Americans bring money, tech and lessons learned: U.S. firms are investing in the Australian shale sector, contributing technology and capital.
• Tunkillia Environmental Scoping Report Approved: Australia’s Tunkillia gold project has received approval for its environmental scoping report.
• Indian steel prices set to rise further on coking coal costs, demand revival: Indian steel producers expect higher prices due to coking coal costs and stronger market demand.

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