March 26, 2026 - 

In that building behind me right now, there’s a push by Congressional Republicans for a reconciliation bill that would include permitting reform. The Senate Budget Committee said yesterday that it is working on it, with several republican leaders saying on the record that permitting reform is at the top of their wish list of priorities for inclusion. With a razor thin majority, the real question will be what the Republicans can get through without support from the other side of the aisle.

In US government mining investment news, the US International Development Finance Corp. is converting the $31 million loan it made to graphite producer Syrah Resources into equity. With the swap, the DFC will own a stake of about 20% in the company, which operates one of the world’s biggest graphite mines in Mozambique.

You’ll want to check out the Wall Street Journal’s coverage of Florence Copper’s project in Arizona, which made its first metal this month and is ramping up to be the country’s third largest producer of refined copper by year-end.