UPEC at Lead up Avocats: Baptiste Rigaudeau and Anne-Sophie Tonin teach a seminar on international mining disputes
On Friday 22 May 2026, Baptiste Rigaudeau and Anne-Sophie Tonin, partners at Lead up Avocats, taught a two-hour seminar on mining sector dispute resolution to the students of the LLM in Advanced International Business Litigation of Université Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC). The seminar was held at the firm’s offices, 12 rue Tronchet, Paris 8.
A sector in realignment
The seminar addressed three dynamics that are reshaping mining disputes today: the race for critical minerals (lithium, copper, nickel, cobalt, rare earths); the gold price rally; and the acceleration of environmental, social and governance (ESG) requirements.
Programme
For the programme, the seminar followed four parts: (i) the legal framework applicable to the mining cycle; (ii) a reasoned typology of mining disputes; (iii) the multi-tiered architecture of dispute resolution; and (iv) emerging disputes.
About the LLM in Advanced International Business Litigation
At UPEC, LLM Contentieux International des Affaires Approfondi is a Master 2-level postgraduate diploma, created in 2015 by the Law Faculty of Université Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC). It is co-directed by Professors Arnaud de Nanteuil, François Mailhé and Kamalia Mehtiyeva. Teaching is delivered in French and English, in Paris, in Créteil and at the headquarters of the ICC.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What are international mining disputes?
International mining disputes are the disputes that arise between mining operators (juniors, majors, traders) and their host States, contractual counterparties or financiers, in connection with the exploration, development, operation or closure of a mineral deposit. They combine mediation, ADR, commercial arbitration, investment arbitration and litigation.
Which arbitral institutions handle mining disputes?
ICSID dominates mining investment arbitration. ICC dominates mining commercial arbitration. The CCJA plays a growing role in francophone Africa. Both the LCIA and SCC are also frequently used.
Does Lead up Avocats handle mining matters in Africa?
Yes. Lead up Avocats regularly acts for mining operators and States in West and Central Africa and in Latin America.
Read more
- Visit the Expertise page of Lead up Avocats
- See the profile of Baptiste Rigaudeau
- See the profile of Anne-Sophie Tonin
- Read our analysis on post-acquisition disputes in Africa
- Official page of the LLM Advanced International Business Litigation (UPEC)
- ICSID statistics: ICSID Caseload Statistics
- OHADA arbitration framework: OHADA Uniform Act on Arbitration