Resource scarcity, regulatory hurdles, and an unpredictable global environment combine to make the metals and mining industry a challenging litigation landscape. Williams & Connolly’s attorneys’ considerable experience in regulatory issues, governmental investigations, and litigation in this industry enables our firm to assist clients in a wide range of relevant and timely legal issues.
Our attorneys have represented companies, executives, and sovereign nations in trials, arbitrations, commercial litigation, as well as employment and labor disputes. Our attorneys also have experience dealing with import tariff litigation, Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) investigations, trade-secret litigations, Foreign Corrupt Practice Act (“FCPA”) claims, and class actions.
Representative Experience
Recent matters we have handled for clients in the mining and metals industry include:
- Lead counsel for an African mining company in a SEC Foreign Corrupt Practices Act investigation relating to a Black Economic Empowerment transaction in connection with a mine.
- Lead counsel to the Republic of Serbia in an ICSID arbitration in a case involving an underwater coal mining operation that was developed by a state-owned power company.
- Representing a large international steel manufacturer in state-court litigation alleging that air and dust emissions from a steel manufacturing plant contained toxic chemicals that caused cancers and other serious personal injuries and property damage to dozens of plaintiffs in the surrounding neighborhood.
- Representing a steel importer in a challenge to the Section 232 tariff to the importation of steel.
- Representing a global financial institution in connection with two separate commodities price fixing class actions.
- Representing a foreign bank and private mining company in connection with an FCPA matter.
- Representing an energy company in litigation involving 50 plaintiffs and six separate lawsuits based on birth defects allegedly linked to environmental exposure to airborne coal ash dust.