Tenth Annual Mining Law Summit
November 18, 2025
University of Arizona Law
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE OF MINING: The Political and Technical Landscape
Sponsored and hosted by The University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law Global Mining Law Program and the School of Mining Engineering and Mineral Resources.
SYNOPSIS
The mineral development in today’s political and technical landscape can be daunting. New laws, executive orders and decisions of courts have made efforts to remove roadblocks while technology has generated the use of non-traditional minerals while artificial intelligence has altered the application of knowledge. The 2025 Mining Law Summit looks at these factors and offers some insights.
This free virtual conference, on November 18, 2025, will combine recorded presentations from internationally recognized authorities with live participation in answering questions and providing commentary.
SCHEDULE (9 a.m.–2 p.m. MST; times approximate)
9 a.m. WELCOME
Jason Kreig, Interim Dean, James E. Rogers College of Law
INTRODUCTION
Kray Luxbacher, Executive Director and Head School of Mining Engineering and Mineral Resources, and John Lacy, the Director of the Global Mining Law Center, will introduce the program.
FIRST TOPIC: The Legislative and Administrative Picture
Douglas B. Silver, internationally known explorationist, mineral economist and financier, as well as a frequent commentator, will discuss the contents of the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” as it applies to mineral development, as well as the January 8, 2025, March 20, 2025, and April 2025, Executive Orders.
SECOND TOPIC: Mineral Investment Analysis
Ross Bhappu, president of Energy Fuels Corp., formerly president of Resource Capital Funds, will provide his perspective on the investment climate for the minerals industry related to nuclear fuels, rare earths and other minerals.
THIRD TOPIC: Watch This “Space”
Stephen Fleming, who describes himself as an “obsolete engineer and recovering venture capitalist,” the retired Vice President of Strategic Business Initiatives Research, Discovery and Innovation at the University of Arizona and organizer of the Arizona Space Business Roundtable, will discuss the advances in extraterrestrial mineral development and the potential role of the university.
FOURTH TOPIC: What’s the Issue in Greenland?
Greenland has been in the news recently based on President Trump’s suggestion that the United States might exercise some jurisdiction over the island’s mineral potential. This is against a background of an ongoing arbitration over the Kvanefjeld Rare Earth Element Project. Anya Mallett, an international mining lawyer, will offer her views on the island’s mining laws, the current dispute and the historic interest of the United States in Greenland.
FIFTH TOPIC: Artificial Intelligence & Critical Minerals
Michael Vandenbergh, Vanderbilt Law School, will examine developments “beyond operations,” as the Artificial Intelligence boom intensifies demand for critical minerals—rare earths have been called the “feedstock for physical AI.” This session explores the legal and governance implications across supply-chain, national-security, and environmental-stewardship domains.
SIXTH TOPIC: The Role of Artificial Intelligence
Mary W. (Lia) Walker, the Innovation Lead, Freeport-McMoRan [FMI] and co-lead, Global Mining Guidelines [GMG] AI & Data Applications Group, will address the update to GMG’s AI in Mining white paper, joined by Nathalie Risso, UA Mining Engineering, developing FMI-supported curriculum in machine learning in mining.
DISCUSSION AND COMMENTARY
Melissa Sanderson, President, Mel Sanderson Consulting LLC, a frequent contributor to mineral resource issues and a member of several mining company boards looking specifically at rare earth deposits, will provide her perspective on the current landscape and the presentations made at the Summit.
Registration is free and open through Nov. 17
Using Zoom, the 2025 Summit format will include:
- substantive presentations previously recorded;
- discussion by the organizing committee following each presentation with the presenter(s) who can be available live to respond;
- registrant-submitted questions via the Zoom chat feature; and
- a live wrap-up discussion between the registrants, the organizing committee and the available speakers, including any chat questions that have not been addressed.
Watch the 2024 Mining Law Summit on YouTube.
FIRST TOPIC: Water and Mining Operations—From the 19 Century to the Present. Looking at the historical backdrop
Mining Historians and water lawyers will discuss the history of water rights acquisition for mining operations. John Lacy, Director, Global Mining Law Center, James E. Rogers College of Law, University of Arizona, Eric Nystrom, Assoc. Professor of History, Univ. of Nevada–Reno and Carlos Ronstadt, Law Offices of Carlos Ronstadt.
SECOND TOPIC: Hydrogeology/Mine Water 101: From Feasibility Studies & Permitting to Water Supply & Dewatering
Tim Bayley, Principal Hydrogeologist, Montgomery & Assoc., will provide the technical background necessary to evaluate the technical aspects of water use in mining operations.
THIRD TOPIC: Community/Company Agreements in the Americas: Negotiation and Implementation
This topic will provide perspective on connections between impact and benefit agreement and environmental and social impact assessment. It will be presented by Ginger Gibson, Ph.D. (The Firelight Group, British Columbia) with commentary from Ana Bastida, Ph.D. (Univ. of Dundee—Centre for Energy, Petroleum and Mineral Law and Policy).
FOURTH TOPIC: The Role of Good Neighbor or Impact Benefit Agreements
This topic will explore current efforts to bring to bear expertise available at the University of Arizona for community-engaged, independent assessment and planning work in the context of mineral development.
See you Nov. 18, 2025