Our Website Uses Cookies
We and the third parties that provide content, functionality, or business services on our website may use cookies to collect information about your browsing activities in order to provide you with more relevant content and promotional materials, on and off the website, and help us understand your interests and improve the website.
For more information, please contact us or consult our Privacy Notice.
Your binder contains too many pages, the maximum is 40.
We are unable to add this page to your binder, please try again later.
This page has been added to your binder.
- Home
- Practices and Industries
- Mining and Metals
Covington represents mining & metals industry clients in various anti-corruption, competition, corporate, dispute resolution, environmental, insurance coverage, intellectual property, legislative, policy, regulatory, and trade matters.
Our clients include leading producers of bauxite, copper, gold, silver, iodine, iron, lithium, zinc, molybdenum, construction aggregates, and phosphates (and its derivative products), as well as financiers and major equipment suppliers to mining companies.
We are strategic advisors guiding clients through the complex issues driving the industry’s key business decisions.
OCP SA in Commercial, Strategy, and Prospective Investments
Advising OCP S.A. in all aspects of its commercial and strategy and its prospective investments in North Africa, Latin America, Europe, U.S. and Turkey by means of joint ventures, equity and mergers and acquisitions.
Rio Tinto and Intalco Aluminum Corporation in Superfund Matters
Representation of Rio Tinto and Intalco Aluminum Corporation in litigation and negotiations concerning Superfund remediation and natural resource damages at various mine sites in the U.S. and Canada, including Holden Mine, Blackbird Mine and Britannia Mine.
Newmont Mining and Sumitomo in Arbitration
Representation of a joint venture of Newmont Mining and Sumitomo in an arbitration under UNCITRAL Rules relating to the Indonesian government’s efforts to terminate an agreement regarding exploitation of copper and gold resources.
DOJ Investigation Concerning FCPA Matters
Representation of a mining company in a Department of Justice investigation concerning anti-corruption (FCPA) matters and related civil RICO litigation.
SEC’s Conflict Mineral Rule and Resource Extraction Issuer Disclosure Rule
Representing clients on a wide range of matters under the SEC’s conflict mineral rule and resource extraction issuer disclosure rule, including reviewing supply chain policies and advising clients on due diligence in connection with products containing conflict minerals.
Contract and Treaty Law Dispute Against African Government
Representing one of the world’s largest mining companies in a contract and treaty law dispute against an African government relating to the violation of stabilization and other comments in a development agreement and related acts of indirect expropriation.
JLG in Merger of Heavy-Duty Commercial Vehicle Companies
Represented JLG in its $3.2 billion merger with Oshkosh Truck.
Joy Global Acquisition of Heavy Construction Equipment Manufacturer
Represented Joy Global Inc. in its $1.1 billion acquisition of LeTourneau Technologies from Rowan Companies, Inc. and the subsequent $375 million sale of LeTourneau's drilling systems business to Cameron International.
Joy Global Acquisition of Mining Equipment Manufacturer
Represented Joy Global in its $1.5 billion acquisition of International Mining Machinery Holdings Ltd.
CERCLA Site Private Tort Litigation
Defend mining company in connection with private tort litigation brought in connection with a cleanup at a CERCLA site.
Holden Mine CERCLA Site
Advise Rio Tinto in connection with the Holden mine CERCLA site in Washington state, including commenting on proposed ROD and advising on various aspects of the ongoing cleanup.
Molycorp Inc.
Represent Wilmington Trust Co., as administrative agent and collateral agent for debtor in possession financing in this Chapter 11 case.
OCP Investment in Brazil
Represented OCP in its R$145 million acquisition of an approximately 10% stake in Fertilizantes Heringer S.A.
“Rare Earths” WTO dispute
Advised a sovereign state and other stakeholders regarding a WTO dispute with respect to China’s restrictions on the export of commodities and “rare earth” minerals.
Joy Global Transactions
Advised Joy Global in connection with several transactions, including its acquisition of LeTourneau Technologies from Rowan Companies and its sale of LeTourneau’s drilling systems and offshore products businesses to Cameron International.
Canadian Mining Company in a UNCITRAL Arbitration
Representing a Canadian mining company in a UNCITRAL arbitration arising from EPCM and Project Management contracts in connection with a gold mining project in South America.
Peruvian Mining Company in an ICC Arbitration
Representing a Peruvian mining company in an ICC arbitration against U.S. EPCM and EP contractors in a dispute arising from the design and construction of a copper mine in South America.
Steel products antidumping investigation
Represented Procter & Gamble in antidumping investigation related to diffusion-annealed, nickel-plated flat-rolled steel products.
Represented Mining Company in ICSID and SCC Arbitrations
Represented Newmont Mining in related ICSID and SCC arbitrations against Uzbekistan concerning termination of rights to exploit mineral resources.
Representation of a Steel Manufacturer in its Acquisition by a Foreign Mining Company
Represented Oregon Steel Mills in its acquisition by Evraz, a steel and mining company with operations in Russia, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan.
High Profile Section 337 Dispute Between U.S. Steel and the Chinese Steel Industry
Representation of Baoshan Iron & Steel Co., Ltd. in a trade secret, antitrust and false designation of origin dispute in the International Trade Commission involving processes for making Advanced High Strength Steel. In November 2016, Sturgis Sobin, Derek Ludwin, and James O’Connell were named “Litigators of the Week” by American Lawyer for an initial determination at the ITC on behalf of our client. This was the first price-fixing case in almost 40 years at the agency, terminating U.S. Steel’s antitrust claim.
Silica and asbestos liability claims
Counseling companies with rising volumes of asbestos and silica liability claims in the energy, automotive, construction, mining, respiratory protection, and railroad industries.
May 16, 2019, The Washington Post
John Veroneau is quoted in The Washington Post regarding Presidential Trump’s decision to remove tariffs on industrial metals from Mexico and Canada. Mr. Veroneau says, “He thinks the government needs to be much more active in making decisions about cross-border trade flows, which is a departure from his predecessors.”
March 20, 2018
WASHINGTON—DCA Live has named Covington’s Adam Studner to its “2018 Rising Stars of Law 40 Under 40” list. Mr. Studner’s practice focuses on white collar criminal matters, internal corporate investigations, and compliance counseling. He regularly represents clients in Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and corruption-related internal investigations and risk ...
March 15, 2018
LONDON—Robin Mizrahi has joined Covington as a partner and Laure Berthelot as special counsel in the firm’s Project Development and Finance practice. Based in London, Mr. Mizrahi and Ms. Berthelot will work closely with the firm’s project finance lawyers in Dubai, Johannesburg, London, New York, Seoul, and Washington. Their arrival follows the firm’s opening in ...
February 22, 2018
NEW YORK—Latinvex has named Covington partners Nicole Duclos and Gabriel Mesa among “Latin America’s Top 100 Lawyers” in 2018. Ms. Duclos represents clients in international commercial and investment arbitration, as well as transnational litigation. Clients interviewed by Latinvex praised Ms. Duclos’ extensive arbitration experience, noting that she is “ready to ...
August 29, 2017, American College of Environmental Lawyers
May 8, 2017, The Daily Signal
Sandy Hoe is quoted by The Daily Signal in an article regarding the potential impact of President Trump's 'Buy America' policy on steel mills. Despite steel mill operators' concerns surrounding increased costs and potential layoffs, Hoe explains that "[t]he April executive order doesn't change any law." He adds, "It is a lot like a lot of [Trump's] executive ...
April 17, 2017, Covington Alert
On April 7, 2017, the SEC’s Division of Corporation Finance (the “Division”) issued a statement indicating that it will not recommend enforcement action to the SEC if companies subject to the SEC’s conflict minerals reporting rule only file disclosure under the provisions of paragraphs (a) and (b) of Item 1.01 of Form SD, and not under paragraph (c) of Item ...
March 28, 2017, Covington Alert
On March 16, 2017, following a lengthy legislative process, the European Parliament approved a final regulation implementing a new due diligence and reporting regime for “conflict minerals” (i.e., tin, tantalum and tungsten, their ores, and gold) imported in the EU. The regulation will enter into force 20 days after formal approval by the Council of Ministers ...
February 27, 2017
NEW YORK—Latinvex has named Covington partners Gabriel Mesa and Nicole Duclos among “Latin America’s Top 100 Lawyers” in 2017. Mr. Mesa counsels corporations in joint ventures and private mergers and acquisitions in Latin America and other emerging markets, as well as in the United States. A client described Mr. Mesa as "an excellent lawyer,” noting that his ...
February 3, 2017, Global Investigations Review
Ian Hargreaves and David Lorello are quoted in a Global Investigations Review article regarding Hargreaves’ recent arrival to Covington. According to Hargreaves, the firm’s “pre-eminence in dispute resolution, and its immense strength and global recognition as a market-leader in white-collar crime matters and investigations” fueled his decision. Lorello says, ...
January 31, 2017
LONDON—Ian Hargreaves has joined Covington as a partner in the firm’s European Dispute Resolution practice resident in London. Mr. Hargreaves’ arrival follows that of litigation partners Craig Pollack, Greg Lascelles, Elaine Whiteford, and Louise Freeman over the past six months. Mr. Hargreaves advises on major European white collar and related civil and ...
2 Disputes Lawyers Move To Covington Amid KWM Collapse
January 17, 2017, Law360
Jeremy Wilson is quoted in a Law360 article regarding the arrival of Craig Pollack and Louise Freeman to the firm’s European Dispute Resolution practice. According to Wilson, “The firm’s growing footprint in London is a reflection of client demand that is fueled by the increasingly challenging regulatory and compliance environment, and the fact that London is, ...
January 16, 2017
LONDON—Craig Pollack and Louise Freeman have joined Covington as partners in the firm’s European Dispute Resolution practice resident in London. Mr. Pollack will also serve as co-chair of the firm’s Global Disputes Initiative with former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and former U.S. Under Secretary of State Alan Larson. Mr. Pollack focuses on complex high ...
May 12, 2016
WASHINGTON, DC — Covington advised China Molybdenum Co., Ltd (“CMOC”) on certain aspects of its agreement to acquire Freeport-McMoRan Inc.’s indirect 56% Interest in Tenke Fungurume for $2.65 billion in cash plus contingent consideration of up to $120 million. CMOC is primarily engaged in the mining, processing and marketing of mineral products. The acquisition ...
A good time to be a mining lawyer?
May 6, 2016, Mining Journal
Theodore Garrett is quoted in this Mining Journal article looking at the landscape of the mining industry for lawyers. According to Garrett, “The industry seems to be poised for a recovery as markets stabilise around the world. Mining projects have a long time horizon, and our clients are in the process of developing a number of important projects.”
December 22, 2014
WASHINGTON, December 22, 2014 — The Global Competition Review (GCR) has named Covington & Burling to its Global Elite, a list of the top 20 competition practices worldwide, ranking it among the top practices in both Brussels and Washington, D.C. Each year, GCR undertakes extensive analysis of competition law groups in 50 jurisdictions around the world. In ...
UK Issues Proposed Rule to Implement EU Extractive and Logging Industry Reporting Requirements
October 1, 2014, Covington E-Alert
5/16/2011
WASHINGTON, DC, May 16, 2011 — Joy Global Inc. (NASDAQ: JOYG), a worldwide leader in high-productivity mining solutions, reported today that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire 100 percent ownership interest in LeTourneau Technologies, Inc. (“LeTourneau”) from Rowan Companies, Inc. (“Rowan”) (NYSE: RDC) for $1.1 billion in cash. LeTourneau designs, ...
- Mining Journal, “World’s Top Mining Law Firms” (2015)
By clicking on filters, the website automatically displays information related to specific interests.
Example: To find Covington’s representative matters, news, and insights related to product liability and mass tort defense class actions, take the following steps:
- Begin on the Product Liability and Mass Tort Defense practice page
- On the section labeled Use Menu Below to Filter Matters and Results, click the arrow next to Litigation and Investigations under the Practices heading
- On the expanded list, click on Class Actions
- Refreshed information will be displayed under the Representative Matters and News and Insights sections of the page
- To refine the information further, click on Life Sciences under the Industries heading