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: 2026-03-01 to 2026-03-07

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

Federal Government News

EPA Issues Final Guidance on Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act

The Environmental Protection Agency released final guidance on financial assurance requirements under the Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act of 2024. The Act creates a pilot program for up to 15 permits targeting low-risk remediation at abandoned mine sites. Applicants must provide proof of financial resources or establish a third-party financial assurance mechanism, with secured funds used for project completion if requirements are unmet. The guidance, which is non-binding, became effective March 5, 2026, following revisions based on last year's public comments. It does not impose legal obligations and is available in docket EPA-HQ-OLEM-2025-0586 online. Contact Jamey Watt at EPA for further information.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

BSEE Finalizes Regulatory Revision for Offshore Downhole Commingling

The Department of the Interior's Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) has revised Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) downhole commingling regulations per the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB). Operators must now request approval to commingle oil and gas from multiple reservoirs within a single wellbore, which BSEE will grant unless conclusive evidence shows safety or resource recovery issues. The update aligns with OBBB section 50102 and retains technical data submission requirements, measurement protocols, and operational safety compliance. BSEE responded to public comments raised about the rule but affirmed the change is mandated by statute. The rule became effective March 2, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Federal Oil and Gas Valuation Information Collection Request Announced

The Office of Natural Resources Revenue (ONRR), within the Department of the Interior, issued a notice seeking comment on renewing its Federal Oil and Gas Valuation information collection. The renewal pertains to verifying proper reporting and payment of royalties, evaluating allowance limits, and processing marginal property relief requests. Businesses affected include 120 Federal lessees and 7 States, with a total estimated annual burden of 9,913 hours. Stakeholders are invited to comment on the accuracy, burden, and potential improvements to the submission process by May 4, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

BIA Requests Comment for Leases and Permits Information Collection Renewal

The Bureau of Indian Affairs is soliciting public comment on its proposal to renew the 'Leases and Permits' information collection. Individuals and businesses seeking to lease trust or restricted Indian land under 25 CFR part 162 are subject to these requirements, which support review and approval of leases, amendments, assignments, subleases, and related documents. The total estimated annual burden is 81,899 hours across 99,340 respondents. Comments must be submitted by April 2, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

ITC Initiates Five-Year Reviews of Steel Pipe Duty Orders

The U.S. International Trade Commission has initiated five-year reviews to evaluate whether revoking countervailing and antidumping duty orders on seamless carbon and alloy steel standard, line, and pressure pipe from Czechia, Russia, South Korea, and Ukraine would result in material injury recurrence. Interested parties must respond by April 1, 2026, with comments on response adequacy due May 8, 2026. The review will determine whether full or expedited evaluations are appropriate.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

Critical Mineral Consistency Act of 2025

Bill 755, titled the Critical Mineral Consistency Act of 2025, pertains to energy policy and was received in the Senate. The bill was read twice and placed on the Senate legislative calendar under General Orders as Calendar No. 348.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Geothermal Cost-Recovery Authority Act of 2025

Bill 398, Geothermal Cost-Recovery Authority Act of 2025, was ordered to be reported by unanimous consent in the House. The measure focuses on geothermal resource cost recovery and awaits further legislative action.

Sources: www.congress.gov

GEO Act

Bill 301, GEO Act, applies to energy policy and was ordered to be reported by unanimous consent in the House. The bill advances cost recovery and oversight for geological operations.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Reversionary Interest Conveyance Act

Bill 952, Reversionary Interest Conveyance Act, addresses public lands and natural resources. The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources ordered the measure to be reported favorably without amendment, moving it forward for further consideration.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Apache County and Navajo County Conveyance Act of 2025

Bill 1829, Apache County and Navajo County Conveyance Act of 2025, was ordered to be reported in the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. The bill centers on land conveyance for public lands in Arizona.

Sources: www.congress.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• DIGITAL Co-Invests $4.0M in Novamera's Surgical Mining Technology to Strengthen North American Critical-Minerals Supply: Novamera receives $4 million investment to advance surgical mining for critical minerals in North America.
• Canada, India Strike $1.9 Billion Uranium Supply Agreement as They Firm Ties: Canada and India finalize a uranium supply deal valued at $1.9 billion to strengthen bilateral ties.
• NRCan Awards Nano One $3M To Support LFP Cathode Material Supply Chain Initiative: Nano One receives $3 million from NRCan to bolster lithium iron phosphate cathode supply chain efforts.
• SMX's Silver-Traceability Technology Strengthens Security, Transparency, and Supply-Chain Resilience Amid Global Market Turbulence: SMX launches silver traceability technology to increase supply chain security and transparency during volatile market conditions.
• SMX Strengthens Transparency and Security for Australia’s Rare Earth Supply Chains to the US: SMX expands rare earth supply chain security and transparency for Australia-US mineral trade.
• Not Just Oil: In Venezuela, U.S. Interior Secretary Pushes for Mining Access: U.S. Interior Secretary is negotiating mining access with Venezuelan officials, broadening resource focus beyond oil.
• Venezuela to ensure security of mining companies, exceed oil production goals, US Interior Secretary says: Venezuela pledges security measures for mining companies as U.S. Interior Secretary seeks increased oil output agreements.

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