Mining Law Committee – From the Editors – October 2026
A note from the Newsletter Editors of the IBA Mining Law Committee, Virginia Schweitzer and Xiaofeng Cheng.
Released on Sep 28, 2026
The Los Bronces–Andina Alliance: a unique mining joint venture in Chile
In 2025, Anglo American and Codelco announced the Bronces–Andina alliance, a first-of-its-kind partnership which fully integrates two major copper mines – owned by different companies – into a single coordinated operation without merging their ownership. This innovative structure allows Anglo American’s Los Bronces mine and Codelco’s Andina mine to be run under one unified mine plan, unlocking significant extra value and production that neither could achieve alone.
Released on Sep 28, 2026
Mapping energy transition minerals permitting initiatives: a research project funded by the IBA Special Projects Fund
The accelerating demand for energy transition minerals has prompted a new wave of permitting-related reforms in a range of mining jurisdictions. Governments are increasingly treating mineral development as a strategic priority for industrial policy, energy security and supply-chain resilience, and are redesigning legal and administrative frameworks accordingly. A set of these reforms are often described in general terms as ‘streamlining’ or ‘fast-tracking’, but there has so far been no systematic legal analysis of how they are designed, how they operate, and how they differ.
Released on Sep 28, 2026
Algeria’s new mining law: between liberalisation and sovereignty
After more than a decade under Law No.14-05 of 24 February 2014 (Law 14-05), Algeria has reshaped its mining regime with the adoption of Law No. 25-12 of 3 August 2025 (the New Mining Law), published in the Official Gazette, No. 52 on 7 August 2025.
Released on Sep 28, 2026
Critical minerals and global governance
Critical minerals are essential to advanced industries such as electronics, defence, and renewable energy, yet growing demand has intensified concerns over supply risks, geopolitical tensions, and environmental impacts. The Covid-19 pandemic exposed structural vulnerabilities in global supply chains, reinforcing the urgency of securing stable and sustainable access to these resources.
Released on Sep 28, 2026
Guidance on the resettlement of mine communities in South Africa
Mining is a significant contributor to the South African economy. It not only creates job opportunities, but also creates opportunities for the development of small and medium enterprises through the award of procurement opportunities, enables the empowerment of historically disadvantaged individuals and also enables the development of communities affected by the mining activities.
Released on Sep 29, 2022
Energy transition and the challenges that lie ahead for the Mozambican mining industry
Mozambique was one of the 200 countries represented at the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), which brought together almost every nation on earth to discuss how to tackle the global issue of climate change.
Released on Sep 29, 2022
A new era in the Angolan mining landscape: the consequences of the recent split of the Angolan mining national concessionaire
After 2013, with the increase in shale oil production and the consequences of the commodities crisis, Angola entered into a significant crisis, its economy depending, at the time, on oil and gas production and 95 per cent of public revenues coming from the industry.
Released on Sep 29, 2022
Indonesian mining regulations: notable changes and developments in recent years
The Indonesian government has introduced major regulatory developments in the mining sector, which demonstrate its eagerness to improve investment in the mining sector and to protect national interests. This is apparent from the government’s efforts to simplify licensing procedures, provide fiscal incentives and determine mandatory but more clear-cut divestment requirements. Despite the rather hefty number of regulations issued in recent years, it remains to be seen whether the government is going to issue more definitive implementing regulations in the future.
Released on Sep 29, 2022
Responsible mining opportunities and laws in Myanmar
Mining remains the most untapped sector in Myanmar. With the introduction of laws that more closely mirror international standards and a more generally investor-friendly regime and legal framework, the Myanmar mining sector is poised to swiftly enter the ranks of big resource producing nations.
Released on Sep 21, 2021
Recent developments in Brazilian mining regulations – licensing, tailings dams and mine closures
The mining sector is one of the most strategic and essential to the development of the Brazilian economy, but also one of the most complex. It was the last to have a regulatory agency and after a long period of discussions and challenges new rules are finally being issued to promote its development.
Released on Sep 21, 2021
The requirement for empowerment in the South African mining sector: looking for legal certainty from the courts
South Africa is a country rich in minerals and the mining sector plays a pivotal role in the economy. Bringing about legal certainty and finality on the requirements for empowerment in the South African mining sphere is an issue that is highly anticipated.
Released on Sep 21, 2021
The new Portuguese regulation on mineral deposits
This article addresses the entry into force of Decree Law No 30/2021, of 7 May, proceeding with the regulation of Law 54/2015, of 22 June, which establishes the legal framework on mining activities in Portugal, including prospecting, exploration and exploitation of geological resources.
Released on Sep 21, 2021
Book review: The Law and Governance of Mining and Minerals: A Global Perspective
In her ambitiously conceived recent book, The Law and Governance of Mining and Minerals: A Global Perspective, Dr Ana Elizabeth Bastida offers important and welcome new paradigms for contemporary studies and teachings about international mining law and governance.
Released on Sep 21, 2021