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5-Day Training Course

Critical Minerals

Policy, Governance, Law, and Regulation

Course Overview

Critical minerals are essential for modern technologies like clean energy and AI, making them a strategic priority for countries. Their importance raises risks of geopolitical and commercial disputes between producers, consumers, and investors.

While traditional mining agreements remain relevant, countries are increasingly adopting protective policies such as export restrictions and stockpiling. However, cooperation is necessary to avoid conflicts and ensure mutual benefits.

Law and regulation are crucial in fairly distributing value across the minerals lifecycle—from extraction to recycling—while minimizing disputes and addressing long-term stakeholder concerns.

This training course provides a practical overview of the policy, governance, legal, and regulatory aspects of the critical minerals value chain, including contracts, finance, trade, dispute resolution, and environmental and social issues.

This Energy Training Centre course will highlight:

  • Introduction to the Critical Minerals Value Chain
  • Key Legal and Fiscal Arrangements
  • Finance and Funding
  • Trade, Investment Protection, Dispute Resolution
  • Environment, Decommissioning, Remediation

Course Objectives

Participants will have a working knowledge of the policy, governance, legal, and regulatory issues relating to the critical minerals value chain and how to apply this knowledge in practice.

At the end of this Critical Minerals course, you will understand:

  • What critical minerals are and their significance for the energy and digital transitions
  • The legal and fiscal arrangements required to enable their extraction and refining
  • The finance and funding arrangements relevant to critical minerals projects
  • Trade and investment protection considerations as well as the means available to resolve disputes
  • Environmental, decommissioning, and remediation considerations in critical minerals developments

Training Methodology

Participants will gain greater understanding of the subject matter through presentations by an experienced international expert designed to inform and broaden their perspectives. Case studies will be reviewed and discussed bearing in mind some of the realistic scenarios participants may encounter. An interactive approach encourages discussion of problems and possible solutions. 

Who Should Attend

This Critical Materials course is suitable to a wide range of professionals, but will greatly benefit:

  • Policymakers, Ministerial, and Ministerial Committee Levels
  • Governing Body and CEO Levels
  • Executive Management and Directors
  • Contract Negotiators and Managers
  • Legal Managers, Legal Counsel
  • Commercial, Financial, and Business Managers

Course Curriculum

  • Introduction to critical minerals and definitions
  • Significance for energy and digital (AI) transitions
  • Key policies, including supply security, promotion of exploration and production, sustainable and responsible practices, diversification, strategic partnerships
  • Mining and refining – significance for legal and regulatory regimes
  • Projections – the disjunction between need and supply, and the impact of long lead times
  • Challenges and opportunities for developing and emerging economies
  • Property law considerations – who owns what, and what are the consequences?
  • The offshore dimension – sovereignty, sovereign rights, and the International Seabed Authority
  • Lessons from hydrocarbons – avoiding the mistakes
  • Leasing, licensing, and permitting – the need for speed without cutting corners
  • Contracting – key considerations in negotiations, the importance of relationality
  • Fiscal considerations for developing countries – benefit sharing
  • The importance of transparency and good governance, including stakeholder engagement
  • Finance for critical minerals projects
    • Debt and equity finance
    • Project Finance
    • Joint Ventures
    • Offtake agreements
    • Streaming Agreements
    • Royalty Agreements
    • Ranking of creditors – intercreditor agreements
  • Responsible mining and sustainable finance
  • ESG and greenwashing
  • Government funding, including subsidy regimes and loan guarantees
  • Trade dimension, including consistency of protectionist state practices with WTO obligations
  • Investment risks, including political, legal, technical, commercial, environmental, societal
  • Investment Protection
    • Problems caused by emerging concerns with fossil fuel investment protection
    • Need for protection for energy transition investment – especially in developing countries
    • Options for investment protection – bilateral, possibility of multilateral?
  • Dispute Resolution
    • Mediation
    • Conciliation
    • Early neutral evaluation
    • Expert determination
    • Adjudication
    • Arbitration
  • The emerging paradox of critical minerals – vital for the green energy transition, but bringing their own (and probably underestimated) environmental impact
  • Environmental regulation for critical minerals projects
  • Decommissioning of mining and refining infrastructure
  • Remediation/rehabilitation of mines including specific local considerations 
  • Ensuring liabilities are established (and covered) early and clearly
  • Lessons from hydrocarbons
  • Latest developments

Certificates Awarded

Certificate of Completion

After successfully completing this training course, participants will be awarded The Energy Training Centre Certificate of Completion — a respected validation of their dedication to continuous learning and professional excellence. This certificate signifies that participants have gained the essential knowledge and skills required to make a measurable impact in their field.

Upcoming Sessions
London, UK
Dubai, UAE
London, UK
Dubai, UAE
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Frequently Asked Questions

Our training courses are conducted at partnered hotels located within the specified training areas. Please note that venue assignments may vary based on availability. For the most current information, do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected].

Yes, we do. We provide tailored training courses designed to meet the specific requirement of larger group of individuals. These customized training courses can be conducted both classroom and online formats, allowing you the flexibility to choose you preferred dates and duration.

Please contact us at [email protected] to discuss your group’s training needs, and we’ll work with you to create a personalized training course that aligns with your objectives.

Upon successful completion of the training course, you will receive The Energy Training Centre Certificate of Completion with corresponding learning hours.

Yes, special discounts are available upon request if you have more than one registrant for a course. For further information please email us at [email protected]

We offer two convenient payment options:

  • Bank Transfer – You can make payment via bank transfer. Once your registration is confirmed, you will receive an invoice with the banking details for the transfer. We would require you to supply a swift copy for us to confirm receipt of funds.
  • Payment Link – Alternatively, we provide a secure payment link that you can use to complete your payment after your registration has been confirmed.

Upon receiving your registration details, either via email at [email protected] or through our online registration form, we will send you the following by email within 24-48 hours of registration.

  • Joining Instructions
  • Invoice/receipt (where appropriate)

There are two convenient options to register for a training course:

  • Online Registration Form – Register for your desired training course by completing the online registration form available on our website. Simple click on the registration button or select your preferred dates and provide the requested information.
  • Email Registration – You can email us your intention to register at [email protected]. Our team will guide you through the registration process and provide assistance you may need.

We understand that time zones may be different between our Senior Consultants and our delegates. Our standard online course timings (11:00 AM to 4:00 PM, GMT+4 – Dubai, UAE) may be adjusted upon confirming the programme. Our team shall communicate between the confirmed registered delegates and suggest a suitable course timing for all.

Our standard course duration for our classroom programmes is 6 hours per day while our online session is 5 hours per day.

Our training courses span across diverse industries, encompassing sectors such as but not limited to:

  • Power & Utilities
  • Oil & Gas
  • Financial Institutions
  • Government and Regulatory bodies
  • Manufacturing & Production Industry

Our commitment lies in continuously refining and expanding our training course offerings to align with evolving industry landscapes. We encourage individuals to explore our website or engage with our dedicated support team for the latest information on available courses, ensuring access to the most pertinent and current educational resources.

Yes, The Energy Training Centre is certified and recognized by several prominent industry standards. Specifically, it holds certifications from ILM, Continuing Professional Development (CPD), and the Project Management Institute (PMI).

  • ILM (ID# 002398B) – This certification indicates that our training programmes meet high standards for leadership and management development, ensuring that they are designed to enhance participants’ skills in these critical areas.
  • Continuing Professional Development (CPD) – Our recognition by CPD reflects our commitment to providing educational opportunities that support ongoing professional growth and skill enhancement. This accreditation ensures that our training courses are relevant and effective for professionals seeking to advance their careers.
  • Project Management Institute (PMI) – Being recognized by PMI signifies that our training programmes align with industry best practices in project management. This certification assures participants that our offerings are in line with the standards required for effective project management and are valuable for those pursuing or maintaining PMI credentials.

These certifications underscore our dedication to providing high-quality, industry-relevant training that fosters professional growth and meets established standards. Additionally, we are actively pursuing further certifications and affiliations to enhance our offerings and ensure we remain at the forefront of industry best practices.

About Energy Training Centre

Energy Training Centre is a leading provider of professional development programs for the energy and public sectors. With over 15 years of experience, we have trained more than 50,000 professionals across the Middle East and beyond.

Our expert-led courses are designed to meet the evolving needs of modern organizations, combining theoretical knowledge with practical applications that deliver immediate value to your career and organization.

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