Critical Minerals

European Commission Issues Guidance on Applying EU Water Laws to Mining and Critical Raw Materials Permits

In May 2026 the European Commission issued non-binding guidance (C(2026)3216) clarifying how EU water laws, especially the Water Framework Directive, should be applied in permitting new and existing projects, with a strong focus on mining and critical raw materials. The guidance gives regulators more clarity and flexibility to authorise strategic projects without breaching non-deterioration obligations on water bodies, signalling that mining, metals and other green-transition investments may see faster, more predictable water-related permitting while still facing strict chemical-status safeguards.

25 May 2026, 17:13environment.ec.europa.euEuropean UnionEuropean Economic Area

EU EESC Issues Opinion on Sodium Battery Manufacturing and Strategic Autonomy

The EU’s Economic and Social Committee has issued a non-binding opinion urging accelerated development of a sodium battery manufacturing ecosystem to boost strategic autonomy, energy system resilience and alignment with the Green and Blue Deals. This signals likely future EU support and expectations for PFAS-free, low-impact, circular sodium battery value chains, with implications for battery makers, materials suppliers and energy infrastructure planners across Europe.

25 May 2026, 15:34eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

California State Water Board Issues Section 401 Certification for Corps Regional General Permit 5 (Energy Emergency Activities)

In May 2026 the California State Water Board adopted a Section 401 certification order for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Regional General Permit 5, setting strict impact limits and conditions for energy and critical minerals projects that discharge dredge or fill material to waters in the Sacramento District. Once the Corps issues RGP 5, eligible pipeline, transmission, transportation and bank-stabilisation works will have an expedited but tightly constrained route to authorisation, so project sponsors should assess whether their activities fit the new thresholds, exclusions and reporting obligations or require individual certification instead.

24 May 2026, 21:38waterboards.ca.govUnited States

US NIST MEP Issues Notice of Intent for Advanced Manufacturing and Critical Minerals Pilot Program

NIST’s Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership has issued a Federal Register notice of intent for a competitive pilot program to fund advanced manufacturing technology frameworks in aerospace additive manufacturing and domestic critical minerals supply chains in 2026. The notice creates no immediate compliance obligations but signals substantial upcoming funding and coordination opportunities that could reshape US supply chains, technology expectations, and competitiveness for manufacturers in these strategic sectors.

24 May 2026, 21:36federalregister.govUnited States

US House Draft FY27 Interior and Environment Bill Would Cut EPA Funding by Nearly 20%

In May 2026, the US House Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee chair outlined a draft FY27 spending bill that would cut EPA funding by nearly 20% while maintaining major water-infrastructure grants, tribal health and education funding, and expanded support for domestic energy and critical minerals. If enacted, this package would tighten resources for EPA regulatory programmes even as it prioritises state and tribal water projects, wildland firefighting, and resource extraction, signalling potential medium-term shifts in US environmental enforcement capacity and policy direction.

23 May 2026, 11:16appropriations.house.govUnited States

US Commerce Issues Final Affirmative Countervailing Duty Determination on Unwrought Palladium From Russia

The United States has issued a final affirmative countervailing duty determination on imports of unwrought palladium from Russia, confirming 109.10 percent subsidy rates and continuing suspension of liquidation and cash deposit requirements as of late May 2026. This points to likely long-term trade restrictions once the ITC rules on injury, so industrial users and traders of palladium should reassess sourcing, pricing, and reliance on Russian-origin supply ahead of that decision.

23 May 2026, 11:16federalregister.govUnited States

European Commission Answers EP Question On Silicon Metal And Critical Raw Materials Act

In May 2026 the European Commission answered an EP question on silicon metal, clarifying that existing 2025 safeguard measures do not cover silicon while acknowledging tightening supply and highlighting Critical Raw Materials Act mechanisms and risk assessments. The reply signals potential future use of EU trade-defence instruments and CRMA strategic-project status to support silicon metal production, so producers and downstream users should monitor this file even though no immediate measures or obligations are introduced.

23 May 2026, 09:12europarl.europa.euEuropean Union

China State Council Adopts Implementation Regulations for the Mineral Resources Law (Order No. 839)

China’s State Council has issued the Implementation Regulations for the Mineral Resources Law (Order No. 839), which take effect nationwide from 15 June 2026 and replace earlier mineral resources implementing rules. The new framework tightens strategic mineral resource governance, links mining rights to ecological restoration and reporting obligations, and will require mining and resource-intensive companies to reassess permits, project designs, and long-term supply strategies.

23 May 2026, 08:56mee.gov.cnChina

EU–Chile Parliamentary Meeting Flags Chile Reconstruction Bill, Environmental Decree Withdrawals and EIA Reform Plans

An EU–Chile parliamentary meeting heard that Chile’s new Kast government has tabled a National Reconstruction Bill combining tax cuts, fiscal stability for strategic sectors and a rationalisation of environmental impact assessment and permitting, while also withdrawing 43 pending environmental decrees from the previous administration. For companies active in mining, energy and infrastructure, this signals a potential shift towards faster approvals and more predictable conditions for critical raw materials projects, but also a need to watch how forthcoming Chilean legislation balances investment with environmental safeguards and EU expectations on trade-and-sustainability commitments.

22 May 2026, 18:51control.eup.glcloud.euEuropean UnionChile

South Korea To Implement Battery Recycled-Material Certification Scheme From May 2027

South Korea is preparing a new certification scheme for regenerated battery materials and updated black-mass recycling criteria, ahead of the Act on the Management and Promotion of Used Batteries taking effect in May 2027. Battery recyclers and downstream users should plan for tighter quality, documentation, and sourcing controls as 2026 pilots and enforcement-rule changes under the Waste Management Act shape detailed future compliance obligations.

22 May 2026, 10:22mcee.go.krSouth Korea

UK Adopts Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) Regulations 2026

The UK has brought into force wide-ranging amendments to its Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) regime from 20 May 2026, tightening trade, shipping, energy and construction prohibitions and updating critical goods schedules. Businesses trading in oil products, LNG, uranium, advanced chip and quantum goods, or providing construction and maritime services should urgently reassess Russian exposures, contract portfolios and routing to stay within the new bans and limited grandfathering windows.

21 May 2026, 06:35legislation.gov.ukUnited Kingdom

EU Commission Call for Evidence on ESPR Delegated Act for Iron and Steel Products

The European Commission has launched a call for evidence to prepare a delegated act under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation that would set sustainability and circularity requirements for iron and steel products across the EU. If the delegated act proceeds on the lines outlined, future rules on carbon footprint, recyclability, recycled content and digital product passports for steel could significantly influence investment, procurement and design decisions in steel‑intensive value chains.

20 May 2026, 19:57eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

Netherlands Sets 2026 Climate and Green Growth Legislative Planning, Including F-Gases Sanctions Bill

The Dutch government has issued a 2026 planning letter for the Climate and Green Growth portfolio, flagging a packed pipeline of bills and policy papers including an F-gases sanctions bill and implementation steps for the Net Zero Industry Act, RED III, EU ETS and critical raw materials strategies. This roadmap gives energy-intensive and chemical operators in the Netherlands early sight of when major climate and decarbonisation measures will move, enabling proactive compliance planning, investments and advocacy before detailed obligations land.

20 May 2026, 19:57zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nlNetherlands

EU Parliament Approves Stronger Screening of Foreign Investments in Strategic Sectors

In May 2026 the European Parliament endorsed a new EU regulation that will make screening of foreign direct investments in strategic sectors mandatory across all member states, pending final Council approval and subsequent entry into force. Once implemented, the regime will tighten controls on acquisitions in areas such as defence, semiconductors, critical raw materials and financial services, reshaping how non-EU investors structure deals and how EU companies plan future capital and technology partnerships.

20 May 2026, 19:26europarl.europa.euEuropean Union

EU Parliament ITRE Draft Report – Amendments 22–258 to Regulation (EU) 2024/1252 (Critical Raw Materials Act)

In April 2026, the European Parliament’s ITRE committee tabled 237 amendments to the Commission’s proposal to amend Regulation (EU) 2024/1252 on critical raw materials, tightening strategic-project rules, corporate supply-chain risk assessments, and labelling and recycled-content requirements for permanent magnets. If agreed, these changes would harden expectations on large manufacturers to map and diversify critical raw-material supply chains, increase circular use of rare earths and other CRM inputs, and could lead to export controls and new EU-level financing and governance tools that materially reshape CRM-dependent value chains.

20 May 2026, 19:20europarl.europa.euEuropean Union

European NGOs Publish Joint Position On Revision Of EU WEEE Directive

In May 2026 a coalition of European environmental NGOs led by the EEB published a detailed joint position calling for an ambitious overhaul of the EU WEEE Directive into a directly applicable regulation with binding waste-prevention, reuse and CRM-recovery measures. If even partly reflected in the Commission’s forthcoming revision, producers and importers of electrical and electronic equipment could face significantly tighter design, EPR, collection and data obligations over the next decade, with knock-on impacts on product strategy, repair models and supply-chain planning.

20 May 2026, 17:52eeb.orgEuropean Union

US Senate Introduces S. 4521 on Mineral Extraction Partnerships at Army Industrial Facilities

A US Senate bill (S. 4521) would amend defence law to let the Army partner with private companies to extract strategic and critical minerals at Army organic industrial base facilities under contracts that shift extensive environmental and financial-liability responsibilities to the private operators. If enacted, it would open a new channel for critical mineral projects on Army-owned sites while imposing stringent compliance, indemnification, and bonding requirements on participating companies and signalling a wider push to use defence infrastructure to bolster mineral supply security.

20 May 2026, 10:01govinfo.govUnited States

EU Commission Opens Call For Evidence On European Critical Raw Materials Centre

From 19 May to 11 August 2026, the European Commission is consulting on a legislative initiative to create a European Critical Raw Materials Centre to coordinate joint purchasing, stockpiling, investment support and market intelligence for critical raw materials. The Centre could significantly reshape how EU manufacturers, defence and clean‑tech supply chains access rare earths and other critical inputs, so affected companies should follow this consultation closely to understand emerging tools, governance and potential future obligations.

20 May 2026, 08:09ec.europa.euEuropean Union

Australia: Standing Committee on Primary Industries Holds Dubbo Hearing on Critical Minerals Social Licence

An Australian parliamentary inquiry into social licence and economic development outcomes in critical minerals projects is holding public hearings, including a 19 May 2026 session in Dubbo, while continuing to accept written submissions. Although the inquiry does not yet create binding obligations, its evidence gathering and eventual report may shape future federal policy and regulatory expectations for critical minerals operators, investors, and supply chains.

20 May 2026, 07:11aph.gov.auAustralia

Win-Tech Comments on DoD Revolutionary FAR Overhaul Phase 2: CMMC, CUI and Specialty Metals

On 15 May 2026, US aerospace machine shop Win-Tech submitted a detailed comment letter to the Pentagon’s Revolutionary FAR Overhaul Phase 2 process, warning that current DFARS cybersecurity and specialty-metals rules are overburdening small defence manufacturers. If DoD does not recalibrate CMMC flowdown, CUI marking, and domestic metals and tooling requirements to real-world supply-chain capacity, many sub-tier shops may exit defence programmes, undermining readiness and complicating compliance for primes.

20 May 2026, 07:10media.licdn.comUnited States