Mining Law Summit

Ninth Annual Mining Law Summit
November 7, 2024
University of Arizona Law

THE MINING-WATER INTERFACE:
The Role of Good Neighbor or Impact-Benefit Agreements

Sponsored and hosted by The University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law Global Mining Law Program and the School of Mining and Mineral Resources.

SYNOPSIS

The prospect of mineral development and the potential impact on neighboring water uses can be a divisive issue. The social license for mining operations has, indeed, generated significant attention in the past decade. The 2024 Mining Law Summit looks at these concerns and the use, and limits, of voluntary company/community agreements. This year’s Summit aims to situate integrated perspectives on notions of (good) neighborliness in the context of water and mining for an improved, comprehensive risk assessment and concomitant of stakeholder engagement. Further, when “best laid plans” come to naught, what practical guidance can be brought to bear in the vein of responsible and sustainable mining.

This free online conference, all day Nov. 7, 2024, will combine recorded presentations from internationally recognized authorities with live participation in answering questions and providing commentary.

Register Today

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, UArizona, 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, PhD (The Firelight Group, British Columbia) with commentary from Ana Bastida, PhD (Univ. of Dundee—Centre for Energy, Petroleum and Mineral Law and Policy).

FOURTH TOPIC:

Capacity-Building for Community 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. Participants to be announced.

SCHEDULE (9 a.m.–2 p.m. MST; times approximate)

to come

Download Schedule

Registration is free and open through Nov. 6

REGISTER NOW

Using Zoom, the 2024 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.