Impacts of Emerging Regulations: Part 4- the Current State of Responsible Minerals
With the global surge in demand for critical minerals, the security of supply has become paramount. With its vast mineral reserves, Africa is poised to play a leading role in the energy transition. The continent’s potential...more
Deep-sea mining activities on the seabed and ocean floor beyond national waters are a risky and capital-intensive venture. The unpredictability of little-known ecosystems and environmental impacts translate into regulatory...more
Deep-sea mining activities in the seabed and ocean floor beyond national jurisdiction, including the collection of polymetallic nodules, are governed by the UN Convention of the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the agreement...more
In part one of an explainer series about international deep-sea mining regulation, Louise Woods and Elena Guillet share advice for setting up sponsorship agreements between contractors and sponsoring states. The ISA has...more
Chris Taufatofua, Partner, Vinson & Elkins, explains how technology innovation to identify alternatives to critical minerals can accelerate the wider energy transition. The accelerating rate of climate change and the...more
Reliable supplies of critical raw materials are essential for the green transition and to ensure the competitiveness of key national industries. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) in the US and the European Union’s Critical...more
The IRA and CRMA are the clearest results of a race to reclaim control over critical raw materials following the global supply chain vulnerabilities exposed during the pandemic and exacerbated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine,...more
In an era marked by the transition to greener energy sources, there is an intricate dance between achieving net-zero emissions and the critical role mining plays in this endeavor. This compilation of articles titled “Striking...more
Debate continues on whether the UAE Consensus achieved at COP28 represents a promising step forward or a missed opportunity in the drive towards climate neutral energy systems. However, the agreement that countries should...more
As outlined in the first installment of our series, "Striking the Balance: Permitting Reforms for Mining and the Energy Transition", to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, mining development is essential for providing the...more
On March 28, 2024, the federal government announced, amid market uncertainty, that it would be extending the 15 percent Mineral Exploration Tax Credit (METC) for investors in flow-through shares for one additional year, until...more
This is the first article in Womble Bond Dickinson’s Energy & Natural Resources thought leadership series titled Striking the Balance: Permitting Reforms for Mining and the Energy Transition. In this series, we’ll explore the...more
After 30 years of extraordinary growth, China’s economy – the world’s second largest – appears to be entering a new phase of slower expansion. The real estate sector – which accounts for around one-third of Chinese GDP and...more
Meet Jackie Donald, a senior associate from our global mining practice and one of the delegates attending the global Mining Indaba 2024 conference this year, which is focused on the development of mining interests in Africa....more
Welcome to Mayer Brown’s Critical Minerals Newsletter which focuses on some of the key legal issues and developments that have been affecting the sector over recent months....more
La Agencia Nacional de Minería (ANM) expidió la Resolución 1006 del 30 de noviembre de 2023, en la cual declaró 19 minerales de interés estratégico para Colombia. Con base en el Artículo 108 de la Ley 1450 de 2011, se otorgó...more
As we embark on our third year of Latin America Focus, the ever-evolving landscape in the region brings fresh opportunities and challenges for local, regional and international businesses. After an extremely positive...more
On September 26, 2023, the British Columbia Supreme Court issued a ruling in Gitxaala v. British Columbia (Chief Gold Commissioner) that will affect the future of mining in British Columbia. In this case, the court found the...more
With the success of the Chandrayaan-3 this August, India became the fourth country to land a spacecraft on the moon. Improved fabrication methods like 3D printing, plus larger-scale production of essential materials for...more
Geography—as much as geology—is driving commercial activity and opportunities for mining & metals firms as decarbonization accelerates - The old adage—credited to J. Paul Getty—goes, "The meek shall inherit the Earth, but...more
A lithium mine has been discovered within the McDermitt Caldera, located along the Nevada-Oregon border. This finding is significant in that it may hold between 20 million and 40 million metric tons of this rare metal, which...more
The global transition to clean energy is accelerating. Belatedly, attention is starting to move to mineral sourcing, particularly whether the necessary critical minerals will be available in the United States. A recent...more
On 2 August 2023, India’s Parliament passed the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2023 (“Amendment Bill”) to amend the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (“Act”). The Act...more
The second part of 28th Session of the International Seabed Authority’s Council continues in Jamaica with the international community lying anxiously in wait. One major international actor is notably absent from the...more
Recent disruptions in the global food supply chains have highlighted Africa's urgent need to become self-sufficient in food production. Traditionally, the continent has turned to small-scale community-based agricultural...more