Earlier this summer, the District of Columbia Court of Appeals issued a decision affirming the lower court’s decision that the Mining Law of 1872 does not impose a limit on the number of mill sites that a mining claimant may...more
We have been following the International Seabed Authority (“ISA”) Council’s negotiations and drafting of the Exploitation Rules, Regulations and Procedures (“Exploitation RRPs”) for the deep seabed beyond national...more
On July 10, 2024, Grassy Narrows First Nation (Grassy Narrows) launched a challenge against Ontario’s Mining Act (the Mining Act), claiming that the system for granting mining claims pursuant to the legislation (the Mining...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
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
À compter du 6 mai 2024, il sera désormais nécessaire d’obtenir une autorisation pour travaux d’exploration à impacts (une « ATI ») auprès du ministère des Ressources naturelles et des Forêts (le « Ministère ») avant de...more
Beginning on May 6, 2024, an authorization (ATI) from the Quebec ministry responsible for mines, the Ministère des Ressources naturelles et des Forêts (MRNF), will be required before conducting impact-causing exploration work...more
Mined materials are in the products we use every day—our cars, jewelry, phones, laptops, and buildings—and technology for the energy transition means that more of these materials are needed for wind, solar, and electric...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
El Gobierno Nacional de Colombia modificó mediante el Decreto 0242 de 2024 las tarifas de retención y autorretención aplicables a las empresas del sector minero y de hidrocarburos. Estas modificaciones fueron realizadas con...more
It has been a little over a year and a half since the enactment of the Inflation Reduction Act (“IRA”) promoted by the Biden Administration, and critical mineral producers and their investors are rushing to find ways to...more
By now, most Canadian mining companies ought to be aware of the Fighting Against Forced Labour and Child Labour in Supply Chains Act (the Act) which came into force on January 1, 2024. The Act imposes a reporting obligation...more
The road to decarbonisation - From the copper belts of Zambia and the lithium and cobalt deposits in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to the manganese mines in Gabon, the African continent holds much of the promise...more
The Namibian government established a new licensing system for the oil and mining sectors, in order to address a backlog of applications which had developed over recent years. In this Legal Update, we examine some provisions...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
On December 7, the Maine Board of Environmental Protection (BEP) voted to post to public comment amendments to two Department of Environmental (DEP) sets of rules. The first proposes changes to Chapter 200, Metallic Mineral...more
In California Construction and Industrial Materials Association v. County of Ventura (2023) 97 Cal.App.5th 1, the California Construction and Industrial Materials Association and the Ventura County Coalition of Labor,...more
Unlike other jurisdictions, such as the US and Angola, the UK does not have a single mining / mineral code or legislative framework. Instead, different laws and regulations apply according to the mineral type and the nature...more
In a published opinion filed November 13, 2023, disposing of consolidated appeals, the Second District Court of Appeal (Div. 6) affirmed judgments denying writ petitions that sought to invalidate a Ventura County ordinance....more
The Inflation Reduction Act (“IRA”) has garnered criticism from the European Union (“EU”) due in large part to its domestic sourcing requirements. Some in Canada have echoed this criticism, including Michael Harvey, vice...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
Mining companies may soon be faced with the results of the first comprehensive review of the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves (the JORC Code or the Code) in 11 years....more
Since the 1990s, Latin American states have sought to attract large-scale foreign investment by implementing specific policies and regulatory regimes aimed at attracting investors from abroad. This trend has, however,...more
While the unexpected and unpredictable commodity price swings over the last year have undoubtedly captured the attention of mineral and royalty owners across the United States, careful attention should also be paid to a few...more