COVID-19 and the impact on competition law – mining

15 April, 2020
This article was originally posted to Competition Notes on April 6 2020. The rapid spread of COVID-19 across the world, and notably Europe, in recent weeks is placing increasing strain on our economies, in addition to the tragic human impact. Several implications for competition law have already emerged. In the update below, we summarise (non-exhaustively) … Read more

English High Court allows group claim to proceed against UK-domiciled mining company in relation to acts of subsidiary company abroad

21 June, 2016
The English High Court has rejected jurisdiction challenges by UK-domiciled mining company Vedanta Resources PLC and its Zambian-domiciled subsidiary Konkola Copper Mines PLC, allowing a group claim brought by 1,826 Zambian villagers in respect of alleged environmental pollution from the copper mine in Zambia to proceed against both companies: Lungowe & others v Vedanta Resources … Read more

Update on transparency reporting – compliance with EU reporting requirements by extractive companies on government payments is determined to be an acceptable substitute for Canada

01 September, 2015
In an earlier post we noted that the Canadian federal government had brought new legislation into force on 1 June 2015, the Extractive Sector Transparency Measures Act, which establishes reporting requirements of payments made to governments by mining (and other extractive) companies. This followed the earlier implementation by Norway and the UK of similar reporting … Read more

Update on – Reporting by extractive companies on government payments – UK regime is now in force

09 January, 2015
In September 2014 we posted an update commenting on Reporting by Extracted Companies. Stating that Companies with debt or equity securities listed in the UK and large, unlisted companies incorporated in the UK (including subsidiaries of non-UK parent companies) operating in extractives or logging are required to produce annual reports on payments to governments for … Read more

Anti-bribery and the mining push into developing countries

22 February, 2012
2011 was an active year for law enforcers on the foreign bribery and corruption front. Australian business found itself in a new era – where law enforcers around the world have been pursuing bribery and corruption issues with renewed vigour and increased cross-jurisdictional co-operation. If they weren’t before, Boards are now asking their managements teams … Read more