Mining Law and Policy Concentration

Master of Legal Studies

A group of people in hard hats explore a mine

The MLS concentration in Mining Law takes advantage of the world-class educational resources in mining and mining law available at the University of Arizona, including at the College of Law, the Global Mining Law program, the Lowell Institute for Mineral Resources, the Department of Mines and Minerals, and other science-related departments, such as the Department of Geology. As a result of these resources and the strong collaboration between the law school and departments undertaking mining-related research across campus, we are able to offer students both broad and deep training in a variety of aspects of mining, from the business side of mining to regulatory compliance with tax, environmental, and human rights-related laws and norms.

Students may choose 30 units from the coursework listed below to complete the Master of Legal Studies with a concentration in Mining Law. Courses are offered in-person and/or online. Check the Schedule of Classes for delivery semesters.

Mining Law and Policy ONLINE Concentration

The listings below indicate the college or department offering the course, the course number, name and number of units possible. Courses are offered in-person unless designated with an asterisk.

* Indicates courses offered in person and/or online

Introductory Courses (recommended, but optional)

  • LAW 585* Introduction to U.S. Legal Systems (2 units)
  • LAW 507* Legal Analysis, Writing, and Research (3 units)
  • LAW 640B* Law if the Use of Public Land Resources (1 unit)
  • LAW 640G* Introduction to the International Mining Industry (1 unit)

Mining Law:

  • LAW 640* International and Comparative Mining Law (3 units)
  • LAW 640A* U.S. Public Land and Mining Law (3 units)


Environmental and Sustainability:

  • LAW 696I* International Environmental Law (3 units)
  • MNE 697P* The Emerging Framework for the Development of Mineral Resources (3 units)
  • MNE 697K Introduction to Social and Environmental Assessment (1 unit)
  • LAW 669 Environmental Law (3-4 units) or Law 554* Environmental Law and Policy (3 units)


Tax and Valuation

  • LAW 640H* Global Mining Tax, Law, Policy, Sustainability and Disclosure (3 units)
  • MNE 697F*  Valuation of Mineral Assets and Projects (2 units)
  • MNE 697G* Acquisition and Financing of Mineral Projects (1 unit)


Acquisition and Due Diligence

  • LAW 640C* Contractual and related Issues for Land Acquisition and Mineral Development (3 units)
  • MNE 697B* Corporate Organization and Governance in Mining (1 unit)
  • LAW 640F* Managing Public Lands under NEPA (2 units)


Mine Health and Safety

  • LAW 640E* International Mining Health and Safety Law and Practice (1 unit)
  • MNE 576* Mine Ventilation (4 units)
  • MNE 526* Health and Safety in Mining (1 unit)
  • PHPM  696P - Public Health Policy and Management Field Seminar (2 units)


Additional Electives

Complete the remaining units needed to complete a total of 30 units in courses of the student's choosing in either the College of Law or another department or college at the University. Among the various units, the University offers the following substantive courses relevant to the business, and the law and policy of mining.

Although not all courses are offered every semester, a list of possible electives can be found on the course schedules pages.

Courses Relevant to Mining and Indigenous Peoples:

  • LAW 643D* Native American Natural Resources (3 units)
  • LAW 527 International Human Rights and Indigenous Peoples (2 units), Plus Law 696N Substantial Paper Seminar (1 unit)
  • LAW 525 Native Economic Development (1-3 units)

Courses Relevant to Mining and International Business Transactions:

  • LAW 644B International Commercial Transactions (2 -3 units) or Law 544B* Introduction to International Commercial Transactions (3 units)
  • LAW 643M Foreign Investment in Developing Economics: Its Regulation and Protection (2-3 units)
  • LAW 603I International Business and Investment Structuring (2 units)
  • LAW 697P Comparative Commercial Law (3 units)

Courses Relevant to Mining Transactions and Finance

  • LAW 614B* Governance, Risk Management and Compliance (3 units)
  • LAW 616 Business Organization (3-4 units) or Law 516* Introduction to Business Organizations Law (3 units)
  • LAW 617* Corporate Finance (3 units)
  • LAW 640C* Contractual and related Issues for Land Acquisition and Mineral Development (3 units)
  • LAW 644B International Commercial Transactions (2 -3 units) or Law 544B* Introduction to International Commercial Transactions (3 units)
  • LAW 696L International Trade Law (2-3 units) or Law 553A* International Trade Law and Policy (3 units)
  • LAW 643M Foreign Investment in Developing Economics: Its Regulation and Protection (2-3 units)
  • LAW 603I International Business and Investment Structuring (2 units)
  • LAW 633C Secured Transactions Article 9 (2-4 units)
  • LAW 638C Business Planning (2-3 units)
  • LAW 600A Contracts (4 units)
  • LAW 655P Corporate Governance (1-3 units)
  • LAW 647A Corporate Taxation (3 units)
  • LAW 644H International Commercial Arbitration (2-3 units)
  • LAW 658 Securities Regulation (2-3 units)
  • LAW 697P Comparative Commercial Law (3 units)
  • LAW 627 Oil and Gas Law (1-3 units)
  • LAW 650C Energy law (1-3 units)
  • MNE 697D Introduction to Engineering Contract Law (1 unit)

Courses Relevant to the Science, Technology, and Intellectual Property of Mining

  • LAW 655R Intellectual Property Law (2-3 units) or Law 555* Intellectual Property (3 units)
  • LAW 655C Patent Law (2-3 units)
  • LAW 697Z Patent Practice (2 units)

Courses Relevant to Mining, Law and the Environment

  • MNE 697K Introduction to Social and Environmental Assessment (1 unit)
  • LAW 576 Natural Resource Law and Economics (3 units)
  • PA 581 Environmental Policy (3 units)
  • HWRS  515 - Introduction to Water Resources Policy (3 units)
  • HWRS  543A - Risk Assessment for Environmental Systems (3 units)

Courses Relevant to Mining, Lands and the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

  • LAW 540* Introduction to Human Rights Law (3 units)
  • LAW 550A* Native American Law and Policy (3 units)
  • LAW 643D* Native American Natural Resources Law (3 units)
  • ARL 541A  Natural Resource Management in Native Communities (3 units)
  • LAW 579A Indigenous Peoples' Rights Under International Law (1 unit)
  • LAW 631A Federal Indian Law (3 units)
  • LAW 696D Indigenous Peoples' Law Clinic (2-6 units)
  • LAW 525 Native Economic Development (1-3 units)

Courses Related to Mining, Economic Development, and the Rule of Law

  • LAW 696L International Trade Law (2-3 units) or Law 553A* International Trade Law and Policy (3 units)
  • LAW 697E* International Human Rights Law (3 units)
  • LAW 695B Gender and the Law (1-3 units)
  • LAW 697B Globalization and Transformation of Culture (1-3 units)
  • LAW 603N Property, Social Justice and the Environment (1-3 units)
  • LAW 697D International Human Rights Advocacy Workshop (1-3 units)
  • LAW 670 Public International Law (2-3 units)

 

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