Mining and Minerals

Recent Articles

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  07/03/2024

  International

  Environmental and social factors in mining: a spotlight on Colombia

  Environmental and social considerations have been critical to the business of mining since long before the term ESG gained its current popularity. Mining activities are politically sensitive because they allow private companies to appropriate and profit from a state’s finite natural resources, and because they normally entail significant impacts on the natural environment and nearby communities. As a result, mining tends to be highly regulated and require environmental licences and permits, which must be supported by environmental and social impact assessments and other studies and work programmes...

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  19/01/2024

  International

  CBAM: Just over a week to comply

  As the deadline for the first Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) report approaches on January 31st, it is crucial for undertakings engaged in importing relevant goods into the European Union to understand their obligations - which take practical effect this month. The CBAM, established by Regulation (EU) 2023/956, represents a significant step in the EU’s efforts to combat climate change and carbon leakage, aligning with the overarching goals of the European Green Deal and the Paris Agreement.Key Practical Points on CBAM:Scope of CBAM: This mechanism applies to specific goods listed...

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  12/10/2023

  International

  Energy Transition, Minerals and the Circular Economy

  The ongoing energy transition requires a large-scale and accelerated switch to renewable energy generation and the electrification of transportation and industry, in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Those technologies will result in a significant increase in demand for a range of minerals and metals, including copper and aluminium (for electricity transmission), cobalt, nickel, lithium, lead, manganese and graphite (for batteries), rare earths (for permanent magnets used in wind turbines and electric batteries) and even steel (for use in wind turbines). The International Energy Association...

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  05/09/2023

  International

  Deep sea mining: navigating in murky waters

  On 9 July 2023, the latest deadline for finalising the draft exploitation regulations for deep sea mining in international waters expired without agreement.1 This deadline resulted from a letter from the pacific state of Nauru in 2021 stating an intention to apply for approval of a ‘plan of work’ for exploitation of deep sea minerals. The letter triggered a sub-clause within the Agreement relating to the implementation of Part XI of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982, (“the 1994 Implementing Agreement”) which gave the International...

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  30/08/2023

  International

  CBAM Implementing Regulation and Extensive Additional Reporting Guidance Published

  Earlier this month, the European Commission (“EC”) adopted an Implementing Regulation (“IR”) and released extensive Guidance Documents (“Guidance”) on the practicalities of reporting requirements for the transitional phase of the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (“CBAM”) framework. This first material phase of CBAM will commence on October 1, 2023 (“Transitional Period”). The Guidance complements the IR in providing vital instructions for both installation operators (exporters) outside the EU and importers of CBAM goods within...

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  17/07/2023

  International

  Resource Nationalism in Battery Metals: Risks and Mitigation

  With continued warfare in Ukraine, conflict in Sudan and tensions between the U.S. and China, the state of international relations appears increasingly volatile. This fractious landscape sits abreast two further global challenges: the climate crisis, and the economy. Extreme weather and high inflation in many countries have exacerbated concerns over energy and resource security and supply chain resilience, prompting consumer nations to act to secure supplies of minerals that are essential for the energy transition. Meanwhile, a resurgence of resource nationalism has seen a number of key producing...

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