Indonesia’s decision to halt nickel ore exports was celebrated by its domestic nickel smelters. Courtesy of Vale

Canadian mining companies and investors are becoming more likely to look outside the country for investment opportunities. According to Statistics Canada, in the first two quarters of 2019, Canadian energy and mining companies invested over $16 billion dollars in foreign jurisdictions, which is more than they spent in the prior three quarters combined. Opportunities abroad can come with their own risks, however, as political and legislative volatility can have significant impacts on how mining companies operate.