About

Brazilian mining company Companhia Brasileira de Metalurgia e Mineração (CBMM) are specialists in the mining and processing of niobium, which is used to create a steel-strengthening alloy. CBMM is the world’s leading supplier of niobium and niobium technology, which are produced in its facilities based near the city of Araxá in the Western Minas Gerais state. Fabiana Medeiros’ knowledge of and experience in the mining sector has been called ‘vast’ by one source, who also highlights her ‘important role conducting the litigation cases involving the company, as she has a great business view and practice of law’. The process of creating the unique niobium alloy is closely guarded by the company; in fact, when CBMM took on Asian investors, they refused to allow technical due diligence in order to keep their manufacturing process a secret. This level of privacy has posed interesting questions for Medeiros and the legal team, who are tasked with intellectual property protection and risk management.