October 18, 2026 to October 24, 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

• 🇺🇸 Federal Government News
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

Federal Government News

Presidential Determination Invokes Defense Production Act for U.S. Petroleum Sector

President Trump issued a determination on October 22, 2026, under Section 303 of the Defense Production Act, instructing the Secretary of War to address domestic petroleum production, refining, and logistics. The action arises from Executive Order 14156, which declared a National Energy Emergency. The determination states that unaddressed vulnerabilities in petroleum infrastructure could impact national defense and that current industry capacity cannot meet national security needs in a timely manner due to permitting, financial, and supply chain constraints. The Secretary of War will implement federal support measures—including purchases, financial incentives, and waivers—to expand U.S. petroleum capacity as authorized under the Act. The memorandum directs publication in the Federal Register and overrides prior inconsistent directives.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

USGS Revises Ferrous Metals Surveys for Iron and Steel Scrap and Pig Iron

The U.S. Geological Survey proposes to renew and revise its 'Ferrous Metals Surveys' information collection, which aggregates domestic production and consumption data for 13 ores and steel-related materials. The revision introduces a new monthly canvass (USGS Form 9-4148-M) for 'Iron and Steel Scrap and Pig Iron' and switches the existing Form 9-4116-MA from a mixed annual/monthly to annual-only reporting (Form 9-4116-A). The estimated annual database will receive 2,718 responses from 980 respondents under a reduced reporting burden—899 hours annually. Covered entities include U.S. producers and consumers of nonfuel minerals. The data assist federal agencies and others in critical minerals assessments. The collection is voluntary, with comments open until December 21, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

NRC Opens Comment on Domestic Licensing of Source Material Information Collection

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is seeking comments by November 23, 2026, on its request to renew information collection for domestic licensing of source material under 10 CFR part 40. This documentation supports compliance determinations for the handling, transfer, and storage of radioactive source and byproduct materials. License application renewals are required every 15 to 40 years, with recordkeeping on an ongoing basis. Approximately 813 annual respondents generate 1,516 responses, with an estimated annual total burden of 18,469 hours. The collection supports evaluations affecting the uranium and broader mining sector.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

EPA Seeks Input on Renewal of Oil Spill Product Listing Information Collection

The Environmental Protection Agency plans to submit a renewal to OMB for information collection under Subpart J of the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan. Manufacturers are required to provide toxicity and efficacy data in order to list oil spill mitigating products and sorbents. Following June 2023 regulatory revisions, as of June 2026, only products meeting amended criteria remain listed. Seven products from seven manufacturers are currently on the NCP Product Schedule; 12 sorbents appear separately. The EPA estimates five manufacturers will seek product listing annually, with anticipated compliance impacts across mining and energy industries that manufacture or use dispersants and related products.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

BLM Terminates Environmental Impact Statement for Section 368 Energy Corridor Revisions

The Bureau of Land Management announced on October 23, 2026, the termination of an Environmental Impact Statement and associated Resource Management Plan amendments concerning revisions to Section 368 Energy Corridors. The initial EIS, noticed on December 1, 2023, aimed to facilitate environmental reviews for linear energy infrastructure. However, the BLM now finds that improved processing tools allow such activities to continue without the need for an EIS. The notice rescinds prior plans and ends the EIS process.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• The New Wild West of Gold Mining Is West Africa: West Africa emerges as a key hub for new gold mining operations amid shifting global supply chains.
• ESGold Surpasses 4,000 Metres Drilled at Montauban, Expanding Drilling Beyond the Historic Mine: ESGold advances its exploration program by drilling over 4,000 meters at Montauban, extending activities past the legacy mine boundaries.
• Britain Is Said to Approve New Gas Drilling in the North Sea: The UK government reportedly approves new gas drilling, signaling continued development in the North Sea basin.
• Britain Approves Long-Stalled Gas Drilling Project in the North Sea: UK regulators formally greenlight the Jackdaw gas project, breaking a logjam in the North Sea permitting process.
• Opinion | To Give Investors Certainty, Reform Permitting: Industry commentary outlines how regulatory reform could provide greater certainty for mining and energy sector investors.
• EXCLUSIVE: Chevron uses Permian playbook to breathe life into Argentina’s ‘Dead Cow’ oil region: Chevron applies U.S. shale expertise to expand oil extraction in Argentina's Vaca Muerta formation.
• EXCLUSIVE: TSMC seeks factory-equipment alternatives to thwart China's rare earths grip, sources say: TSMC explores alternative materials to mitigate supply risks from China’s dominance in the rare earths market.
• Permitting deal draws lobbying blitz as hurdles mount: Stakeholders across the mining and energy sectors ramp up lobbying around congressional permitting reforms.
• How the gold boom is fuelling tree loss from Ghana to the Amazon: Gold mining expansion is linked to increased deforestation in regions spanning Ghana to the Amazon.

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