About James Otto
Independent Consultant
I am an independent consultant with an extensive background in mining law and mineral economics.
Global Experience
I've worked for clients in over 65 nations including governments, the private sector, multi-lateral agencies and educational institutions. My assignments are mainly related to natural resources law, policy, and taxation, country risk analysis, sustainable development and natural resources sector driven poverty alleviation.
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Collaboration
I frequently team with specialist firms and other consultants to execute projects.
Legal
Natural Resources Law
I am a member of the Colorado Bar and have practiced international mining law for over 35 years. I was the founder of the mining law program at the Centre for Energy, Petroleum and Mining Law and Policy at the University of Dundee (Scotland) and the founding Director of the Environmental and Natural Resources Law Advanced Degree Program at the University of Denver College of Law. I have assisted many governments to draft mining policies, laws, regulations and agreements (for example mining laws for the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, Brunei Darussalam, Egypt, Malawi, Malaysia, Mozambique, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Saudi Arabia, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Trinidad & Tobago, Yemen ...).
Resources Led Community Development
Marriage of Economics and Law
The sustainable development of communities affected by extractive industries projects is a concern to companies, governments and communities. To address this topic requires an understanding of project economics, law and communities. I have done pioneering work in this subject and have drafted community development mining law provisions for many governments. I am the author of the World Bank's model Community Development Agreement Regulations and Guidelines.
Mineral Economics
Economic Studies
I am widely considered a leading expert on mine taxation and have prepared studies and recommendations to underpin taxation systems in many nations. My text books on the subject have been published by the World Bank, United Nations and others. Other economic studies have ranged from assessing the economic viability of mining undersea minerals, to supply/demand studies of copper and rare earths, to guidance for exploration strategies. Previously, I was the Director of the Institute for Global Resources Policy and Management at the Colorado School of Mines (USA).
Country Risk Analysis
Country Risk Ranking System
Companies have many choices when deciding where to invest their scarce capital. This often requires a balancing of country risk and geological potential. Two of the world's largest mining companies have used my country risk ranking system to aid their exploration strategy decisions.
Teaching, Training, Workshops
Short Courses
Negotiations Training
Negotiations Training
Courses custom designed to the Client's needs (for example: mine taxation, mining law drafting, country risk analysis ...).
Negotiations Training
Negotiations Training
Negotiations Training
Preparing and supporting teams responsible for natural resource project negotiation (for example: mining agreements, community development agreements ...)
Workshop Facilitation
Negotiations Training
Workshop Facilitation
Facilitation of multi-stakeholder workshops to facilitate consensus (for example: national mineral policy development, landowner compensation processes ...)