Module: CP50040 – International and comparative mineral law and policy

RESEARCH PAPER OUTLINE

Student name: [name]
Student ID: [number]
Proposed Title: Implications of international standards for domestic mining regulation in
Myanmar
Word count: 523 words (from ‘Abstract’ to ‘References’, excluding any references)

Abstract (199 words)

The increase in international standards and mechanisms relevant to mining has implications for
its domestic regulation. Most apparent is the 2011 development of the UN’s Guiding Principles
on Business and Human Rights, and their subsequent adoption and implementation through the
complaint process of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. In recent years, the
OECD’s Secretariat has issued sectoral guidances outlining what responsible business conduct
involves for mining (2016), extractives (2017) and business in general (2018). These
accompany other developments focussing on supply chain investigation and responsibilities,
such as the 2015 Chinese Due Diligence Guidelines for Responsible Mineral Supply Chains,
and the 2019 London Metals Exchange proposals around Responsible Sourcing. Other mining-
related international guidance can be found in various initiatives, both geographic (eg. EU,
China) and sectoral (eg. conflict minerals, financier requirements).

This paper examines these developments, focussing on the regulation of mining in Myanmar
(which is currently undergoing reform of its mining laws). The paper summarises Myanmar
mining law, and how the country’s legal system interacts with international law; and also
examines the relevant international developments around mining. The analysis focusses on the
implications (both legal and commercial) if Myanmar’s mining law is inconsistent with
contemporary international standards.

Contents
1 Introduction (5%)
2 International standards & developments relevant to mining (15%)
3 Myanmar domestic law, reform, and relevance for international law (15%)
4 Regulatory Impact Assessment (10%)
5 Myanmar’s mining laws and international developments (50%)
6 Conclusion (5%)
Outline: Implications of international standards for Myanmar mining law 2

Chapters

1 Introduction (5%)
Summary/introduction of the issues to be examined and the current situation of mining and its
regulation in Myanmar.

2 International standards & developments relevant to mining (15%)

Describes the dearth of formal international law specifically on mining but the growing
standards and mechanisms regarding responsible business conduct. In particular, focusses on
the due-diligence recommendations repeatedly urged of mining and metals companies – in the
workplace and also value chains from raw product to end-user.
• International law around mining: Aarhus Convention 1998; Escazú Convention 2018;
CESCR GC24 Business activities 2017; ILO 169 1989; Jo'burg Declaration 2002;
Minamata Convention 2013; Southalan 2012; CCPR GC36 Right to life 2018;
CESCR GC24 Business activities 2017; CRC GC16 Business sector 2013; ICGLR
2010
• UN Guiding Principles (UNGPs) and the concept of ‘due diligence’: UN 2011; UN 2012;
Castan Centre for Human Rights Law 2016; Debevoise 2017; OECD 2011; OECD
2018; OECD 2017a; OECD 2017b; OECD 2016
• Application of the UNGPs, esp. re: mining: AUS NCP 2009; CAN NCP 2015; NOR NCP
2016; NLD NCP 2019
• Regional & sectoral guidance: EITI 2013; IGF 2013; NRGI 2014; Potts & o'rs 2018;
Kimberley Process 2002; CCCMC 2015; LME 2018

3 Myanmar domestic law, reform, and relevance for international law (15%)
Summarises relevant aspects of Myanmar’s legal system and the use/reference to international
law. Also briefly records the country’s existing mining laws and proposals for their reform.
• Myanmar’s legal system & use of international law: Simpson 2018; CHN & MMR 2001
• Myanmar’s mining law, and potential reform: Mines Law 1994 & Myanmar Mines Rules
2018; Constitution (MMR) 2008; Kyi 2019
Outline: Implications of international standards for Myanmar mining law 3

4 Regulatory Impact Assessment (10%)

Overview of the process of regulatory impact assessment (RIA) and its reference to
international obligations in guiding domestic law reform.
• RIA overview & application: Parker & Kirkpatrick 2007; Jacob 2010; Southalan & o'rs
2015
• The questions/guidance from RIA: OECD 1995

5 Myanmar’s mining laws and international developments (50%)

The detailed examination and application of what international developments suggest regarding
situations like Myanmar. The questions of RIA will be used to guide analysis of the Myanmar
law, and the potential implications if/where that law is inconsistent with contemporary
international developments.
• Analysis of current Myanmar mining law and its consistency with international standards:
Simpson 2018; Simpson & o'rs 2018; Götzmann & o'rs 2018
• Current/previous use of international standards regarding Myanmar mining law: Adam
Smith International 2015
• Potential legal implications from inconsistency
• Potential commercial implications from inconsistency: LME 2018
• Policy approaches & recommendations: Addison & Roe 2018; Cameron & Stanley 2017;
Barrera-Hernández & o'rs 2016

6 Conclusion (5%)
To be developed after further research and analysis.

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