Mining companies face increased scrutiny under US anticorruption investigations

The threat of anticorruption investigation and possible prosecution by US authorities against extractive companies has continued to grow, with investigations becoming more transnational in scope, audience members at Norton Rose Fulbright’s Latin America mining breakfast heard on Tuesday. The most compelling anticorruption case currently, revolved around the embattled Brazilian oil-giant Petrobras, which faced accusations of alleged corrupt practises, bribery and other illegalities. Norton Rose Fulbright Brazil practice cohead and partner Andrew Haynes suggested it could prove to be the largest corruption scandal in modern history.