Under a new U.S. law, companies must report to the SEC and disclose on their web sites whether any materials in their products originate in the DRC. Photo: Reuters/Katrina Manson

Rules being written into the Dodd-Frank Act intended to crack down on the use of “conflict minerals” mined in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo will also impact Canadian issuers trading in the United States.

Cassels Brock’s Paul Stein says the new program will help educate lawyers with real mining knowledge.

In keeping with its business law focus, Western University’s Faculty of Law is expanding its mining law and finance program thanks to a $750,000 donation from Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP.

Bill C-300, “an act respecting corporate accountability for the activities of mining, oil or gas in developing countries,” has generated heated public debate, as well as strong opposition from the Canadian mining sector.