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 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.
FIRST TOPIC: The Legislative and Administrative Picture
Douglas B. Silver, an 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 April 15, 2025, Presidential Memorandum, the April 30, 2025, CEQ Memo to Agency Heads and the July 23, 2025, Executive Order.
SECOND TOPIC: Mineral Investment Analysis
details to come
THIRD TOPIC: Rare Earths, Lithium and Supply Chain Issues
details to come
FOURTH TOPIC: Technical Frontiers and the Law
Jane Bambauer, Professor University of Florida, the law and governance lead on major National Foundation funded quantum computing consortium.
DISCUSSION AND COMMENTARY:
Debra W. Struhsacker, a hardrock mining policy expert with over 30 years of hands-on expertise with the environmental and public land laws and regulations.
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