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.

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Dates: 2026-02-02 to 2026-02-08

📋 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 Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee to Review Multiple Mineral and Land Bills: The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining will hold hearings on February 12 covering bills related to mineral leasing, wilderness areas, offshore critical minerals, and hazardous fuels reduction at 3:00 p.m. in Dirksen 366.
• House Natural Resources Committee Markup Including Critical Mineral Consistency Act: The House Natural Resources Committee will mark up H.R. 755, the Critical Mineral Consistency Act of 2025, and other bills on February 11 at 1:45 p.m. in Longworth 1324.
• House Rules Committee Meeting on Securing America’s Critical Minerals Supply Act: The House Rules Committee schedules a meeting on H.R. 3617, Securing America’s Critical Minerals Supply Act, and other bills for February 9 at 4:00 p.m. in Capitol H-313.

Federal Government News

United States and India Framework for Interim Reciprocal Trade Agreement

The United States and India announced a framework for an Interim Agreement on reciprocal trade, continuing their bilateral negotiations initiated in 2025. India will reduce tariffs on U.S. industrial goods, agricultural products, and food imports. The U.S. reciprocates with tariffs on Indian textiles, chemicals, and machinery, with planned removal of tariffs on select pharmaceuticals and aircraft parts. Both sides intend to address non-tariff barriers and establish rules of origin. India will purchase $500 billion worth of U.S. energy, metal, aircraft, and technology products over five years. Provisions also aim to expand technology trade and supply chain resilience, with commitments to address digital trade barriers.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

FERC Environmental Assessment for Nueva Era Dos Pipeline Project

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission released the Environmental Assessment for the Nueva Era Dos Pipeline Project, authorizing construction of a 3,603-foot, 36-inch-diameter natural gas pipeline across the Texas–Mexico border. The project provides up to one billion standard cubic feet of natural gas per day to industrial consumers in Mexico. Public comments on the Assessment are open until March 2, 2026. The EA concludes approval would not constitute a major federal action significantly affecting the human environment but is not a final decision document. Full documentation is available via FERC’s website.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

International Trade Commission Issues Limited Exclusion Order on Chinese Lithium Batteries

The U.S. International Trade Commission has issued a Limited Exclusion Order barring the import of certain rechargeable batteries and components from Shenzhen Yichen S-Power Tech Co. LTD due to patent infringement. This follows complaints from LithiumHub, LLC and related entities under Section 337 of the Tariff Act. Chair Karpel dissented regarding the refusal to issue a Cease and Desist Order. The Commission set a bond of 100% of the entered value for affected goods during Presidential review and formally terminated the investigation.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

PHMSA Notice: Applications for New Hazardous Materials Transport Special Permits

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) published a notice detailing new special permit applications for hazardous materials transportation. Notable applications involve the shipment and certification of lithium-ion batteries—including prototypes, large packagings, and designs for air transport—as well as requests related to compressed gases and tank car leakage detection. Comments are due by March 4, 2026, to PHMSA’s Record Center.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

NRC Considers Transfer of Depleted Uranium Deconversion License

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is reviewing an application to transfer the materials license SUB-1011 for depleted uranium deconversion and fluorine processing from International Isotopes Fluorine Products to Green Salt Products, LLC. The planned transfer includes changes in management and financial assurance for the undeveloped facility near Hobbs, New Mexico. Public comments are accepted until March 9, 2026; requests for a hearing must be filed by February 26.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

Critical Mineral Dominance Act

S. 4090, the Critical Mineral Dominance Act, was received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. The bill covers energy policy and critical minerals.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Strengthening America’s Turning Point Act

H.R. 1550, Strengthening America’s Turning Point Act, has been ordered reported without amendment by the House Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. It concerns public lands and natural resources.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Southcentral Foundation Land Transfer Act of 2025

S. 2098, the Southcentral Foundation Land Transfer Act of 2025, was considered in Senate Committee on Indian Affairs with hearings held. The bill pertains to public lands and Native tribal issues.

Sources: www.congress.gov

BRUSH Fires Act

H.R. 3553, BRUSH Fires Act, has been referred to the House Subcommittee on Federal Lands. The legislation focuses on public land management and wildfire policy.

Sources: www.congress.gov

LASSO Act

H.R. 34, LASSO Act, was referred to the House Subcommittee on Federal Lands. It addresses public lands administration.

Sources: www.congress.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Barrick to press ahead with IPO of North American gold assets, names Hill CEO: Barrick announces North American gold asset IPO and names Mark Hill as CEO.
• Environmental groups sue EU commission over Portugal's lithium mine: Legal action filed against the EU Commission regarding Portugal’s lithium mine approval.
• Japan Ocean-Mining Test Successfully Hauls Up Potentially Valuable Mud: Japan conducts successful ocean-mining test extracting mud with rare earth content.
• Sustainable Switch: US and EU stockpile critical minerals: US and EU expand critical mineral stockpiles aiming to secure supply for key industries.
• What to watch in new Trump $12 billion critical-minerals plan: Analysis on the administration’s $12 billion plan for critical mineral reserves.
• Idemitsu and partners to build natural graphite anode supply chain: Consortium led by Idemitsu announces new natural graphite anode supply chain initiative.

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