Baker McKenzie‘s multidisciplinary mining practice group draws on its deep well of vastly experienced transactional M&A, projects, project finance, regulatory and disputes lawyers to act on huge, high-value mining projects and represent some of the world’s largest mining houses – demonstrating equal aptitude on both transactional and contentious work in the space. Practice head Richard Blunt focuses on EMEA-based M&A, joint ventures, private equity and project development. Mike Webster is another key name to note within the department – his specialism lies with advising on the development of major mining-sector assets. Senior associate Rhiannon Williams excels on construction and high-end mining project development matters.
Mining and minerals in London
Baker McKenzie
Practice head(s):
Richard Blunt
Other key lawyers:
Mike Webster; Susannah Davies; Andrew Hedges; Rhiannon Williams
Testimonials
‘I always enjoy working with this team because the team members clearly enjoy working with each other, and their level of trust and support of each other allows them to provide seamless, excellent legal advice. On the practice management side, my regular calls with the team and periodic updates on billing and other administrative matters allow me to keep tabs on the portfolio of matters that Baker McKenzie handles for me across the globe.’
‘Baker McKenzie is by far the best firm I work with – and I work with many excellent firms in the countries where our business operates.’
‘Richard Blunt is truly outstanding, in terms of providing not just excellent legal advice, but also advising on the practical application of the same. He is consistently someone I can go to when I just want a sounding board on the pros and cons of a particular approach. He is able to do this in part because he understands my company’s culture and risk tolerance so well.’
Key clients
Advanced Metal Industries Cluster Company Limited (AMIC)
Anglo American
Anglo Pacific Group
Arcelormittal
Audley Capital
Chaarat Gold Holdings
Graymont
Impala Platinum Holdings Limited
Mantos Copper/ Capstone Copper
National Titanium Dioxide Company (AMIC)
Nyrstar
Rio Tinto
Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma’aden)
Vale
ZCCM Investment Holdings
Work highlights
- Continuing to advise the management team of Mantos Copper (the owner of the Mantos Blancos and Mantoverde mines in Chile) on the company’s merger with Canada’s Capstone Mining, to create Capstone Copper, a new business listed on the Toronto stock exchange.
- Advising Rio Tinto International Holdings Ltd in relation to its participation in an auction process run by Credit Suisse and the preparation of all transaction documents for the sale of the Rincon Lithium Project in Salta, Argentina and its associated businesses.
- Advising the Zambian state-owned company ZCCM Investment Holdings (ZCCM) in respect of the proposed replacement its ordinary shareholding interest in Kansanshi Mining plc (KMP), the owner and operator of the Kansanshi copper mine and smelter in Zambia, with a mineral royalty.
Herbert Smith Freehills LLP
The ‘team of experts’ that comprises the mining practice group at Herbert Smith Freehills LLP is frequently instructed by high-end international mining clients across a full suite of matters, including transformative M&A transactions, project finance, and mine development, alongside dispute resolution and crisis management issues in the space. The team continues to devote much of its time to advising natural resources clients on critical ESG-related matters. Practice head Greg Mulley is vastly experienced in the space, excelling on public and private mining M&A in addition to business-critical issues including shareholder activism, financial distress and crisis management. Helen Beatty comes highly recommended for her ‘long expertise in the mining & minerals sector’ and excels on major project finance matters across the mining and energy transition sectors. Laura Hulett is a key name for cross border M&A, project finance and development, joint ventures and restructurings.
Practice head(s):
Greg Mulley
Other key lawyers:
David Walton; Paula Hodges KC; Laura Hulett; Helen Beatty; Shaun Williamson
Testimonials
‘Team of experts very nice to work with. Provide bespoke and useful advice to deal with difficult situations.’
‘Helen Beatty: long expertise in the mining & minerals sector.’
‘Provide practical and effective solutions to legal problems. Very commercial lawyers. Reliable.’
‘Deeply experienced in key mining regions and with complex projects for the world’s largest mining companies.’
‘In-depth knowledge and experience in the mining finance sector Great collaboration across UK, Australia and SA and ability to pull in the right expertise across teams and offices, regardless of geography Very responsive and always available.’
‘Helen Beatty is an extraordinary partner and a pleasure to work with on transactions. She is able to create momentum in transactions and also always solution-driven, looking to find a way forward between borrower(s) and lenders(s). David Walton is highly experienced, and is an expert for complicated structuring issues, given his vast experience across continents.’
Key clients
Anglo American
BHP
ArcelorMittal
Ma’aden
Ecora Resources
Ferrexpo plc
Adriatic Metals plc
Greatland Gold Plc
Neometals Ltd
Dynamic Mining
Cornish Lithium
Norilsk Nickel
Orion Mine Finance
KEFI Gold and Copper Plc (“KEFI”)
Kinross Gold Corporation
Petrogal, S.A.
Mercuria Energy Trading SA
Base Resources
Itochu
Hainan Mining Co. Limited
Work highlights
- Advising Ferrexpo plc in relation to its crisis management response to the incursion by Russian armed forces into the territory of Ukraine.
- Advising Ma’aden on various M&A matters including its announced investment in Ivanhoe Electric and mining exploration joint venture in Saudi Arabia.
- Advising Adriatic Metals plc in connection with the financing for the development of its Vareš base metals project in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Linklaters LLP
Linklaters LLP‘s mining and minerals practice is praised as a ‘deeply experienced team with broad experience across key jurisdictions’ and acts on critical mandates encompassing corporate M&A, financing, regulatory and compliance issues, alongside leveraging the firm’s wider specialist expertise in antitrust, regulatory, tax, IP and environmental law to provide a full-service mining offering. Advising on clients’ ESG strategies remains a core focus for the group, including decarbonisation-related M&A, sustainability-linked financings and strategic investments in ‘green metals’ required for the energy transition. Toby Grimstone co-heads the department alongside James Inglis and Robert Cleaver. Corporate partner and fellow co-head Aisling Zarraga specialises in public and private M&A, joint ventures and equity issues. Ian Hunter advises mining companies on major M&A transactions and equity offerings, whilst Andrew Jones has over 20 years of experience of developments, acquisitions and financings of mining-sector projects in Africa.
Practice head(s):
Toby Grimstone; James Inglis; Rob Cleaver; Aisling Zarraga
Other key lawyers:
Ian Hunter; Andrew Jones
Testimonials
‘Deeply experienced team with broad experience across key jurisdictions. The individual lawyers are smart and solutions-focused.’
‘Andrew Jones and Dominic De Gama Campos. Both are imaginative and adept at finding commercial solutions to hard problems.’
‘The team has great in depth experience across all the key issues, but in natural resources it’s important to bring this together with experience of how these issues come together in a sector context as well as a wide range of jurisdictions. Linklaters has this depth and breadth of experience which adds to the quality of advice.’
‘I would highlight Aisling Zarraga at partner level who is not only responsive but thoughtful in bringing together many aspects involved in decision making in which she makes sure she seeks commercial input as well as the legal aspects. She therefore has a really strong following of those that trust her judgement. Emma Simpson at associate level is also a great talent – showing great judgement on all the issues she handles alongside clear diligence, commitment and integrity.’
‘High level of expertise and quality of advice differentiates this team from others out there. Highly professional and collaborative. Have been involved in highly complex transactions, and thanks to the team, we delivered great outcomes for clients. Pleasure to work with.’
Key clients
Glencore
Anglo American plc
BHP Group Limited
Metinvest B. V
De Beers UK Limited
Silfin NV
Hochschild Mining plc
Nordea Bank Abp
Gold Fields Limited
Citigroup Global Markets Limited
Work highlights
- Advised Anglo American Capital plc (a wholly owned subsidiary of Anglo American plc) in connection with its issue of €745m 4.750% Guaranteed Sustainability-Linked Notes due 21 September 2032 under its US$15bn Euro Medium Term Note Programme, guaranteed by Anglo American plc.
- Linklaters advised Glencore on the sale of one of its mining operations in Peru to Alpayana S.A. The sale is an important strategic milestone for Glencore, as part of its exit from mine and project investments along the ‘Silver Belt’ in South America. In October 2021, Glencore agreed to sell the Sinchi Wayra and Illapa silver-zinc-lead mines in Bolivia.
- Linklaters advised BHP on its multiphased investment in the Kabanga Nickel Project, one of the largest development-ready nickel sulphide deposits in the world, located in the north-west of Tanzania.
Norton Rose Fulbright
Norton Rose Fulbright‘s impressive deal flow sees consistent high-end mandates related to complex mining projects and transactions with a focus on battery metals, electric vehicles and the energy transition, with a notable increase in greenfield battery metals projects and battery processing. Private equity and debt financing across projects and transactions is another key specialism of the ‘experienced team’, which is particularly well-known for its experience in Africa. The London-based team also possesses demonstrable know-how on disputes, regulations and investigations in key global mining markets. Practice leader and pre-eminent project finance lawyer Martin McCann lends his expertise to all aspects of debt financing in the mining sector. Corporate partner Raj Karia advises sector-specific clients on M&A, ECM, joint ventures and restructuring transactions. Daniel Metcalfe is a key name for financing complex cross-border transactions in emerging markets.
Practice head(s):
Martin McCann
Other key lawyers:
Raj Karia; Daniel Metcalfe; Felicity Brown; Jon Perry
Testimonials
‘Experienced team in mining project finance, and particularly for projects in Africa. Very commercial and consistently provide constructive advice. Very prompt turn-around times and a proactive approach.’
‘Daniel Metcalfe is very competent without an ego. Constructive and thoughtful in his advice, whilst always considering the commercial objectives of each party. Proactive and responsive.
‘Jessica Melville, great energy and a strong understanding of mining project finance. Able to clearly articulate issues and provide relevant and timely advice.’
‘A fantastic offering from the Norton Rose team which covers all aspects of the mining practice, from corporate to project finance. Excellent international experience; very commercial and user-friendly; great reputation within industry; strong in all areas.’
‘Martin McCann – top-in-class industry knowledge, highly commercial and savvy; very solutions focused; thinks high level and strategically. Felicity Brown – excellent attention to detail and market experience; very user-friendly. Jon Perry – excellent, calm and very effective negotiator; very strong corporate experience.’
‘Great coordination across offices and teams: UK/SA/Canada – seamlessly working across geographies, bringing in the right expertise for the transaction. Very hands-on partners, available when required, and well experienced in the mining sector.’
‘Daniel Metcalfe is a very experienced partner for mining transactions in Africa, well-liked for both borrower counsel and lenders’ counsel. He is very thorough in his work and a pleasure to have on transactions.’
Key clients
Anglo American
AngloGold Ashanti
Appian Capital Advisory
Barrick Gold
Brazilian Nickel
Centamin plc
EDC
Eramet Group
Eurasian Resources Group (ERG)
Horizonte Minerals
ING
KfW
La Mancha Capital Advisory
Natixis
Nedbank
RK Mine Finance
Shalina Resources
Societe Generale
Taurus Mining Finance
Trafigura
Work highlights
- Advised Horizonte Minerals on a US$660 million finance package, in relation to the construction and development of the Araguaia ferronickel mine in Brazil.
- Advised Natixis on the USD$650 million debt financing transaction to fund the acquisition of Minas de Aguas Teñidas S.A (MATSA) and its copper projects by Sandfire Resources Limited.
- Advised Altus Strategies plc on its share-for-share merger of equals with Elemental Royalties Corp. creating a global gold royalty company.
White & Case LLP
White & Case LLP enjoys a reputation as an ‘extremely responsive, well-connected, practical team with a wealth of knowledge about, and experience in, the industry’. The global team acts on behalf of an impressive international client list on the full-suite of both transactional and contentious matters, including company issues, banking and capital markets, dispute resolution, ESG, project finance, restructuring and M&A, among others. Practice leader Rebecca Campbell is praised as ‘one of the best in the business – practical, smart, responsive, creative, and very connected’ and ‘the one you want on your side when you are working on a complicated mining deal.‘ Experienced M&A and equity investments lawyer David Lewis is a key name for the full range of corporate matters in the mining and minerals space, whilst Kamran Ahmad devotes much of his practice to project development and financing.
Practice head(s):
Rebecca Campbell
Other key lawyers:
David Lewis; Kamran Ahmad; James Foo
Testimonials
‘Global franchise, able to work on large projects with complex issues and requirement from different legal areas.’
‘Very commercial partners and associates, with a deep knowledge of the mining and metals market. In particular, Rebecca Campbell and Alex Field.’
‘Extremely responsive, well-connected, practical team with a wealth of knowledge about and experience in the industry, up to date on the latest trends in transactional structures. Great to work with and a keen focus on creative approaches to getting a deal done.’
‘Rebecca Campbell is one of the best in the business – practical, smart, responsive, creative, and very connected. She’s the one you want on your side when you are working on a complicated mining deal. James Foo is an accomplished associate, insightful, experienced, and is well positioned to grow in his career.’
Key clients
Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Ivanhoe Mines
Vale SA
Provisional Liquidator of Konkola Copper Mines
Ivanhoe Electric
HPX
Fireball/Chifeng Gold
Lenders to Centamin
EGA
Sedibelo Resources
Daniel W. Kappes and Kappes, Cassiday & Associates
Kornikom EOOD
Nevada Copper
Work highlights
Ashurst
Ashurst‘s specialist London-based mining offering is well-known in the marketplace for its ability to advise across the full life-cycle of global mining projects in emerging markets across the globe, particularly Francophone and Anglophone Africa. The team is highly specialised in private M&A, project development and financing in the mining space – with particular emphasis on projects relating to critical minerals and metals – on behalf of major international mining companies. ESG-related issues remains another core pillar of the group’s practice in the space. Dual-qualified English and French lawyer Yann Alix heads up the team, specialising in M&A transactions and project development in the sector. Public company takeovers and mergers specialist Tom Mercer, and African project finance practice leader Matthew Wood, are fellow important points of contact.
Practice head(s):
Yann Alix
Other key lawyers:
Matthew Wood; Tom Mercer
Key clients
Rio Tinto
Anglo American
Petra Diamonds Limited
Minerals Development Oman
Managem
Sherritt International Corporation
Newcrest Mining
Iluka Resources
Société des Mines de Fer de Guinée (SMFG)
Pan American Silver Corp
Alpayana
Emmerson plc
International Lawyers Project (NGO)
Work highlights
- Advised Pan American Silver Corp on its US$4.8 billion offer with Agnico Eagle Mines Limited for Yamana Gold Inc.
- Advised Alpayana on the acquisition of Compañía Minera Los Quenuales from Glencore Finance and Sandown Resources.
- Advised Appian on its joint venture with Altamin Limited to develop the Gorno Zinc Project in Italy.
Clifford Chance LLP
Clifford Chance LLP fields a strong London-based mining and metals offering, which is well-versed in advising on large-scale cross-border M&A and financing transactions across Europe, Africa, Asia and the Middle East. The group is well-supported by the regulatory, investigations and financial crime team to provide comprehensive compliance support, as well as possessing significant mining arbitration experience. As part of a global practice group, the team is jointly headed up by three practitioners; project finance partner James Pay, who is based in London, and focuses on sophisticated metals offtake, joint ventures, and logistics contracts in connection with M&A and mining finance transactions, as well as co-heads Simon Greenberg and Nicolas Cookson, based out of the Paris and Düsseldorf offices, respectively. Global co-head of international arbitration Audley Sheppard KC handles contentious matters in the space, whilst Sachin Trikha focuses on large scale international commercial arbitration matters.
Practice head(s):
James Pay; Simon Greenberg; Nicolas Cookson
Other key lawyers:
Audley Sheppard KC; Sachin Trikha; Luke Tolaini
Testimonials
‘Very engaged and proactive in their advice. Super professional in all their doings. Very good availability, also at senior/partner level.’
‘Informal and easy to discuss with. Accessible to challenges and engage in discussions and also have the ability to adapt their arguing as the case moves along.’
Work highlights
- Advising Glencore plc in defence of claims brought by over 400 institutional shareholders, alleging that shareholders suffered multi-billion sterling losses as a result of statements made to the investing public.
- Advising Eramet in connection all aspects of its joint venture development with BASF SE to develop a large scale nickel and cobalt hydrometallurgical (high pressure acid leaching (HPAL)) refining complex in Weda Bay, Indonesia.
- Advising the Mandated Lead Arrangers in relation to the USD1.2 billion term loan refinancing for We Soda Limited, the largest natural soda ash producer in the world.
Mayer Brown International LLP
Mayer Brown International LLP‘s dedicated mining sector group is praised as ‘very experienced with stand-out expertise in mining sector and project management’ and excels in project development, financing structures, construction and M&A on the non-contentious side, alongside mining sector litigation, arbitration and restructurings. The team sees consistent cross-border work, operating in emerging jurisdictions in Africa, Asia and Latin America, alongside established markets such as Japan and the United States. Ian Coles chairs the group, representing banks and major financial institutions on premium mining transactions, in addition to providing advice on financing and the development of domestic mining industries. Rachel Speight is a go-to name for cross-border structures and project financings in the natural resources and infrastructure sectors. Robert Hamill‘s strong track record in the mining sector encompasses corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions and joint ventures.
Practice head(s):
Ian Coles
Other key lawyers:
Rachel Speight; Jonathan Hosie; Robert Hamill; Danuta de Vries
Testimonials
‘Very experienced with stand-out expertise in mining sector and project management. Great depth and breadth across the firm. Outstanding delivery and service.’
‘Robert Hamill, Jonathan Hosie and Ian Coles are exceptional in their field; friendly and commercial. Knowledgeable and very well-connected.’
‘Great mining industry knowledge and contacts, particularly from Ian Coles.’
‘Ian Coles as head of the mining practice, Rob Hamill for ECM and Rachel Speight for debt are also very good’.
‘Rachel Speight is a market leader in the projects and mining practice group. She is responsive, bright, hands on and a solid partner to have on your side.’
‘The combination of the mining sector knowledge and experience along with project finance and client-oriented knowledge and experience made the Mayer Brown team exceptionally strong and helpful to work with.’
‘Rachel Speight brought an exceptional combination of mining sector knowledge and project finance expertise and experience to our transaction. Her hard work and clear, focused, and always helpful advice were always appreciated and on point.’
‘Knowledge of project finance structures and precedents, and experience in mining project finance in emerging markets. Willing to search for acceptable solutions and not just rely on precedents. Very helpful in looking into issues that come up during the transaction.’
Key clients
Almonty Industries
Africa Finance Corporation
Centamin
Natixis
General Motors
Afreximbank
ING
Natixis
Societe Generale
Meridian Mining
Macquarie Bank
Work highlights
- Represented Almonty Industries, the leading Canada-based global mining company. Our UK-wide mining team advised Almonty Industries in connection with the financing and development of the Sandgong tungsten mine project in South Korea.
- Advised General Motors Co. (GM) in an investment with Lithium Americas Corp. (Lithium Americas) to develop the Thacker Pass mine in Nevada, which is the largest known source of lithium in the US and the third largest in the world.
- Advised Centamin plc as borrower in a $150 million senior secured sustainability-linked revolving credit facility (with a $50 million increase option) arranged by Bank of Montreal, Nedbank Limited, HSBC Bank plc, ING Bank, a branch of ING-DiBa AG who are all to be lenders.
Simmons & Simmons
Simmons & Simmons retains its robust reputation for advising on complex and high-profile global mining projects – including battery metals projects – alongside its expertise in advising private equity investors in relation to strategic mining investments, and proficiency in setting up funds. The team also acts on high level contentious work, including major international mining disputes and investigations. Iain Duncan heads the UK energy and natural resources team, advising on the full spectrum of matters in the mining sector. Dual-qualified English and French lawyer Yves Baratte advises international corporate clients, funds, financial institutions and governments on complex international mining projects. The team was bolstered in February 2023 by the arrival of pre-eminent practitioner in the space Alexander Keepin from Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner. Keepin is well known in the market for his equity capital markets and mining work, including advising investment banks and issuers on M&A transactions, across the energy, natural resources and energy transition space.
Practice head(s):
Iain Duncan
Other key lawyers:
Alexander Keepin; Isabella Roberts; Stuart Dutson; Yves Baratte
Key clients
Terrafame Limited
Mantoverde SA
Mantos Copper S.A
Alro S.A.
Orion Resource Partners
De Beers UK Limited
Mondo Minerals
First Quantum Minerals Limited
Nomad Royalty Company Limited
Resource Capital Funds
Lansdowne Partners Austria GmbH
Work highlights
- Advised Orion Resource Partners (USA) LP/Orion Resource Partners on its financing of certain elements of Horizonte Minerals plc’s US$633m fundraising package to fully fund its Araguaia nickel and cobalt project in Brazil.
- Acted for Mantoverde SA, the owner of the Mantoverde copper mine in Chile, then a subsidiary of Orion Resource Partners and Audley Capital and Mitsubishi Materials Corporation, and Mantos Copper Bermuda Limited, in connection with the upstream business combination of Capstone Mining Corp.
- Advised Terrafame in the provision of supply intermediation finance by Macquarie Bank Limited in respect of the on-sale of battery grade nickel sulphate produced at Terrafame’s facilities at Sotkamo, Finland to Asian domiciled end-buyers and related advance funding for the product of up to USD 90 million to Terrafame together with the option for Terrafame to request the provision of additional financing for a particular cargo on an ad hoc or committed basis, at the discretion of Macquarie Bank Limited.
Bird & Bird LLP
Bird & Bird LLP provides a full service offering to mining companies, frequently advising on the full life-cycle of mining projects across the globe. Financing, M&A transactions, exploration licences, restructurings and IP issues are among the core competencies of the team in the space. ‘Fantastic operator’ Clive Hopewell solely leads the team.
Practice head(s):
Clive Hopewell
Other key lawyers:
Elizabeth Reid; Nick O’Donnell
Testimonials
‘Very experienced in the mining and tech sectors. Responsive, innovative and anticipate issues early on and focus on key areas. Commercial, friendly and work well under pressure.’
‘This team provides a first class service, are very proactive and think about potential issues and how to overcome them before they actually become larger issues.’
‘Clive Hopewell is a fantastic operator who as well as being a great lawyer is also very commercial as well.’
‘A solid, experienced team with depth at associate level. Commercially minded and pragmatic.’
‘Elizabeth Reid – in particular – has a pragmatic outcome driven approach.’
Key clients
Barrick Gold Limited
Anglo American (De Beers)
Gemfields (Faberge)
Centamin plc
Harvest Minerals Limited
Eurobattery Minerals AB
Griffen Mining Limited
H&P Advisory Ltd.
Cloudbreak Discovery plc
Strand Hanson Limited
WH Ireland Limited
Tirupati Graphite Plc
Shore Capital stockbrokers limited
Asiamet Resources Limited
Canaccord Genuity Ltd
Jangada Mines plc
SP Angel Corporate Finance LLP
Work highlights
- Advising a Chinese entity on the possible takeover offer for Shanta Gold – the East Africa-focussed gold producer, developer and explorer.
- Advised brokers, H&P Advisory Ltd. (“Hannam & Partners”) and SP Angel Corporate Finance LLP on Cornish Metals Inc.’s £40.5 million fund raise to advance the South Crofty tin project in Cornwall, England.
- Advising SGM (a joint venture between Centamin and the Egyptian Government) on all the contracts for the design, build and operation of a 36MW solar farm and 7.5MW battery located on Centamin’s sukhari gold mine in Egypt.
Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner
Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner is known in the space for its broad expertise across M&A, equity finance and mining debt finance. The team frequently represents major public mining companies, large-scale mining funds and other major industry players on major mandates, alongside representing governments on mining agreements. Mark Richards leads the team.
Practice head(s):
Mark Richards
Other key lawyers:
Alexander Hadrill; Andrew Fay
Key clients
Peel Hunt LLP
Wheaton Precious Metals
Vision Blue Resources
Ncondezi Energy Limited
Pensana Metals Limited
Trident Royalties
Alkemy Capital Investments Plc
ING Bank N.V
Société Générale S.A
BNP Paribas S.A
Work highlights
- Advised Stifel Nicolaus Europe Ltd, as sole bookrunner, nominated adviser and broker, and Panmure Gordon (UK) Limited, as manager and broker, for Amaroq Minerals Ltd, in relation to Amaroq’s £30 million fundraising packages comprising a UK placing, Icelandic placing and Canadian subscription.
- Advised BMO Capital Markets Limited and Peel Hunt LLP, acting as joint bookrunners in connection with the oversubscribed institutional placing for Horizonte Minerals plc. The institutional placing formed part of an £147.2 million equity fundraise which was part of a wider funding package of US$633 million.
- Advised Greatland Gold plc on its upsized US$35 million placing.
Fieldfisher
Fieldfisher‘s fully integrated cross-departmental team advises mining companies in relation to global projects, particularly those in Europe, Africa and the CIS region. Alternative mining finance and energy transition matters are other core pillars of the group’s work, including work pertaining to technology metals and critical minerals used for renewables and EVs. Mining and metals group leader Jonathan Brooks advises on both corporate and commercial mining matters, from joint-ventures to IPOs and M&A. Dominic Gurney-Champion advises mining companies on debt and equity funding, asset and corporate acquisitions, as well joint ventures.
Practice head(s):
Jonathan Brooks
Other key lawyers:
Dominic Gurney-Champion
Key clients
Africa Finance Corporation
African Lion Gold plc
Amalgamated Metal Corporation plc
Amur Minerals Corporation
Atalaya Mining plc
Beowulf Mining plc
Blue Gold International
Central Asia Metals plc
CleanTech Lithium plc
Copperzone Resources Ltd.
Cornish Metals Inc.
Cycladex Limited
Dalradian Gold Limited
Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
finnCap
FLSmidth
Fox-Davies Capital
Fusion Capital AG
Invesco
Kodal Minerals plc
Liberum Capital
Minexx Ltd
Nimba Development Company
Orion Minerals Ltd
Osisko Gold Royalties
Panmure Gordon
Savannah Resources plc
SigmaRoc plc
SP Angel Corporate Finance
Strand Hanson
Tamesis Partners
Tara Resources AG
Tembo Capital Mining
Tennyson Securities
Terrafame
Trafigura Pte Limited
Traxys Europe S.A.
Vardar Minerals Limited
Venus Minerals Limited
Work highlights
- Advising Amur Minerals Corporation on the sale of its wholly owned subsidiary, AO Kun-Manie, to Bering Metals LLC, a Russian-incorporated company controlled by Russian entrepreneur, Vladislav Sviblov.
- Advising Atalaya Mining plc in its long-running dispute with Astor Management concerning payment of deferred consideration for Atalaya’s acquisition of the world-renowned Rio Tinto copper mine in Andalucia, Spain.
- Advising Beowulf Mining on a £9.1 million capital raising to fund the development of Beowulf’s Kallak North project in northern Sweden, an intended future supplier of world class, net zero CO2 emission iron concentrates.
Gowling WLG
Praised for its ‘excellent international understanding’, the team at Gowling WLG has a robust track record for complex cross-border work including mining project management, alongside handling start-up transactions, joint-ventures and farm-ins, as well as equity and debt financing work. Mining sector private and public M&A transactions also form a core component of the group’s practice in the space. Practice leader Charles Bond is well-versed advising clients in emerging and established markets on corporate matters. Consultant Andrew Wright is another key contact.
Practice head(s):
Charles Bond
Other key lawyers:
Susan Johnson; Andrew Wright
Testimonials
‘We see Charles Bond and his team as our trusted advisor on many areas, effectively as part of our own team’
‘They are very personal and transparent, take the time to understand the company and have an excellent international understanding, which allow open discussions.’
‘We developed a clear partnership very quickly, and the team accepted Gowling’s people as part of the company with shared objectives.’
‘Good working relationship, always helpful in tricky situations and try to overcome any obstacles in proactive way.’
‘Honest, reliable service with excellent problem-solving skills.’
‘Charles Bond, Sue Johnston and their teams provide incomparable service. They are always available and provide comprehensive advice and drafting that can be confidently relied upon time and again.’
Key clients
Horizonte Minerals plc
Canaccord Genuity Limited and Sprott Inc.
Altus Strategies plc
Bushveld Minerals Limited
Strand Hanson Limited & Peterhouse Capital Limited
Hummingbird Resources plc
Andrada Mining Limited
Zamare Minerals Limited
Liberum Capital Limited and Peterhouse Capital Limited
Pyx Resources Ltd
Work highlights
- Advised Horizonte Minerals plc, the dual listed (AIM/TSX) mining company, on a conditional raise of US$80m for the further development of its Araguaia nickel project in Brazil. The fundraise shares will represent40.9%of the issued ordinary share capital of the company prior to the fundraise. The deal was challenging on account of the speed of execution as the company required the capital quickly in an inflationary environment.
- Advised Canaccord Genuity Limited and Sprott as joint bookrunners on mining development and exploration company Greatland Gold PLC’s US$35 million cashbox placing. The deal was unusual because of the cashbox element where no shareholder meeting is required and has become less frequent in the current market (and was used again for speed of fundraising in a challenging market).
- Advised Zamare Minerals Limited, a copper/cobalt explorer focused on the Zambian side of the Central African Copperbelt, on its proposed listing on AIM. The project is currently on hold but it was well advanced and will recommence once the market improves.
Hogan Lovells International LLP
Hogan Lovells International LLP provides a full-suite of legal services to oil & gas clients, spanning exploration, development and production – with the group’s recent deal flow including project development, construction, financing, M&A, litigation and ESG matters, among others. Adrian Walker has over 25 years experience in the space and co-leads the team alongside global co-head of energy and natural resources Sarah Shaw.
Practice head(s):
Adrian Walker; Sarah Shaw
Other key lawyers:
Kieron O’Callaghan
Key clients
ENRC
London Metal Exchange
Work highlights
Milbank
Milbank‘s London-based mining practice is best known for advising lenders on large scale mandates, including transformative development and financing structures. The team has deep expertise in mining-sector restructurings and places emphasis on work focusing on critical metals and minerals required for the EV battery sector. Global project finance lawyer John Dewar leads the team, possessing particular expertise in multi-sourced financings.
Practice head(s):
John Dewar
Other key lawyers:
Seyda Duman
Testimonials
‘Deep mining industry knowledge.’
‘Great to work with the mining team.’
Key clients
KfW IPEX-Bank GmbH
Nyrstar
EBRD
IFC
BNP Paribas
Standard Chartered Bank
Export-Import Bank (US)
Export Finance Australia
JBIC
K-EXIM
African Development Bank
ABSA
EIB
EDC
National Bank of Greece
Alpha Bank
Piraeus Bank
Société Générale
ING
HSBC
International Finance Corporation
MIGA
OeKB (Austrian ECA)
Bank of China
Work highlights
- Advised on the Oyu Tolgoi project financing, originally signed in 2015 which involves financing of the underground mine in Mongolia by international financial institutions and export credit agencies (including IFC, EBRD, US Ex-Im, EFIC, and EDC), along with a large number of commercial banks.
- Advised National Bank of Greece S.A. and Piraeus Bank S.A in connection with the provision of €680 million financing to Hellas Gold Single Member S.A., a wholly owned subsidiary of Eldorado Gold Corporation, for the development of the copper and gold Skouries mining project located within the Halkidiki Peninsula of Northern Greece.
- Represented KfW IPEX-Bank GmbH as lender in the US$75,100,000 term loan facility, the US$20,000,000 cost overrun facility and the $9,800,000 debt service facility, for the financing and operation of the Sangdong Tungsten Mine Project in the Republic of Korea, one of the largest tungsten mines in the world.
Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP
Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP has a robust track record in the mining & minerals space, handling a wide range of contentious matters ranging from those arising out of the operation of mining concessions to those arising under mining off-take and marketing agreements, project finance and trade finance loan facilities. Ted Greeno co-chairs the energy disputes practice and is noted for his substantial experience in the space. Stephen Jagusch and Anthony Sinclair are other key points of contact for disputes in the sector.
Practice head(s):
Ted Greeno
Other key lawyers:
Stephen Jagusch KC; Anthony Sinclair
Key clients
Samax Resources Ltd
Geita Gold Mine Ltd
Armstrong Teasdale
Armstrong Teasdale advises clients engaged in exploration and early exploitation of mining and mineral licences on a full range of transactions, chiefly public and private M&A, debt and equity financing, commercial disputes and commercial contracts. Transactions for listed companies on the London Stock Exchange is a core competency of the team, which is led by Joan Yu and Peter Kohl – heads of the UK capital markets and corporate practice groups, respectively.
Practice head(s):
Peter Kohl; Joan Yu
Other key lawyers:
Una Deretic
Testimonials
‘I believe that the AT Mining Team is the most outstanding in London because they have a combination of full spectrum legal experience, from public companies, corporate, litigation and government relations. They seek solutions, not problems, and are not afraid to tell the client the realities of a deal, a case or a situation.’
‘The mining team Peter Kohl, Una Deretic and Joan Yu have always delivered excellent and timely advice. They know how to navigate a company away from choppy waters threatening issues. Their experience with public companies is second to none, and the international reach is today essential.’
Key clients
Jade Resources Limited
Gerald Metals Groups
Highcountry Cameroon Limited
Metals Exploration Plc
Pembridge Resources Plc
Jade Resources Limited
Invinity Energy Systems Plc
Mississippi Lime
Work highlights
- Advised AIM-quoted Invinity Energy Systems Plc on a strategic investment of £2.5 million by Everbrite Technology Co., Ltd by way of a conditional subscription of new shares. Everbrite is a leading Taiwanese manufacturer of industrial technology, and the investment was intended to support a closer strategic relationship between the two companies in Taiwan and further afield.
- Advised AIM-quoted Metals Exploration Plc on its capital reorganisation and capital reduction.
DLA Piper
DLA Piper provides its international client base with a full-service mining offering that encompasses finance & projects, real estate, planning, litigation, environmental, regulatory, corporate, IPT, tax and HR issues. The team is co-led by James Carter and Petra Billing, who act for operators and landowners in the space – including in litigation and dispute resolution.
Practice head(s):
James Carter; Petra Billing
Other key lawyers:
Mark Keeling; Sarah Thomas
Key clients
Aggregate Industries (UK) Limited/ Lafarge Holcim
Tarmac/CRH PLC
CNL Minerals Limited
Ibstock PLC
Sibelco UK
Douglas Concrete Limited
Tata Steel UK Limited
Syrah Resources
Government of Kenya
The Coal Authority
Republic of Guinea
Cemex UK Operations Limited
Work highlights
- Advising on all day-to-day property, minerals litigation, health and safety, and regulatory issues for Aggregate Industries across its UK portfolio of properties.
- Advising Pantoro Limited on its AUD138 million acquisition of Tulla Resources plc (ASX listed) by Pantoro Ltd (ASX listed) by way of a scheme of arrangement governed under Part 26 of the Companies Act 2006.
- Handling various high end property matters, minerals litigation, environmental and H & S and regulatory advice for the client across its UK portfolio of properties.
Hill Dickinson LLP
The mining and minerals team at Hill Dickinson LLP acts on the full spectrum of legal work arising out of mining projects, including employment, banking, corporate, construction and litigation. Corporate and commercial practice head Michael Bennett leads the team, acting for the firm’s premium clients in the space.
Practice head(s):
Michael Bennett
Other key lawyers:
Jonathan Morris; Francois de Lange; Michael Corcoran
Key clients
Sigmaroc PLC
Arlington Group Asset Management Limited and W H Ireland Limited
Firering Strategic Minerals PLC
Cadence Mineral PLC
Artemis Resources Limited
Critical Metals PLC
Bradda Head Lithium Limited
Bluejay Mining PLC
East Star Resources PLC
Alien Metals Ltd
Work highlights
- Advised AIM-listed quarried materials group SigmaRoc on its acquisition of Johnston Quarry Group Limited and Guiting Quarry Limited for a consideration of £35.5 million.
- Advised Arlington (as financial adviser and joint broker) and WHI (as joint broker) in connection with the admission of First Tin PLC, a tin development company with advanced, low capex projects in Germany and Australia, on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange, that resulted in a market cap of £80 million.
- Advised AIM- listed Firering (a mining company focused on the production of primarily lithium and tantalum in the Côte d’Ivoire) on its earn-in and joint venture arrangements with Ricca Resources Pty Ltd, valued at US$18.6 million.
Pinsent Masons LLP
Pinsent Masons LLP is particularly strong on cross-border work and covers the full spectrum of the mining lifecycle, from mining exploration and concessions to M&A, financing and M&A matters. Market lead Akshai Fofaria has a strong track-record for mining projects in Africa and other emerging markets.
Practice head(s):
Akshai Fofaria
Other key lawyers:
Rob Morson
Key clients
Bank of China
Aveng Moolmans
Gangfeng Lithium
Talisman
Government of Tanzania
Verkor
Work highlights
- Advising Verkor on their model option and streaming arrangements associated with Verkor’s new Giga Factory in Grenoble.
- Assisting Tynagh Renewables in relation to structuring a development and lease option arrangement which allows for the exploitation of mining tailings (waste) and long-term exploitation of hard-rock minerals at the Tynagh Mine in Ireland.
- Advising Ganfeng Lithium on their convertible loan and equity investment into Silk Road Nickel, the first and only pure nickel company listed on the Singapore Exchange.
Squire Patton Boggs
Squire Patton Boggs leverages the firm’s global reach to advise on the entire spectrum of mining-related matters, including M&A, fundraisings and project financing. Chris Swart and Barry Stimpson jointly lead the team.
Practice head(s):
Chris Swart; Barry Stimpson
Key clients
H&P Advisory Ltd.
W H Ireland Limited
Metals Exploration plc
Anglo Asian Mining plc
Condire Management LLC
Canaccord Genuity Limited
Moxico Resources Plc
Argyle Street Management Ltd
Peel Hunt
Mimbula Minerals Limited
Work highlights
- Advised Metals Exploration Plc, an AIM-quoted company which operates the producing Runruno gold mine in the Philippines on its £135 million debt restructuring.
- Advised Canaccord Genuity Limited on a £98.2 million Block Trade Agreement to dispose of a 22% stake in Atalaya Mining plc on behalf of ICBC Standard Bank plc following its enforcement of security.
- Advised WH Ireland Limited in respect of the dual listing on AIM of ASX-listed, Artemis Resources Ltd with a market capitalisation of £52 million, and £5 million placing.
Sullivan & Cromwell LLP
Sullivan & Cromwell LLP acts on large-scale mining and metals industries projects, alongside a range of complex M&A, capital markets, restructuring, tax and disputes matters. Practice head Stewart Robertson has over 35 years experience advising on transactions in emerging markets.
Practice head(s):
Stewart Robertson
Other key lawyers:
Silvia Brünjes
Testimonials
‘S&C are consistently outstanding in terms of focussing on key issues that matter in getting the deal done- and not like so many other firms, showing no such understanding and “lawyering” the deal to death. And this detracts in no way from the technical excellence of the team and their negotiating skills.’
‘The Sullivan & Cromwell team are a highly experienced team that offer best-in-class client service in the global project financing and financing space. The firm has deep experience in financing mining projects around the world and significant experience working with lenders.’
‘Stewart Robertson and Silvia Brünjes are extremely capable advisors (our top choice for partners at UK law firms) in the global project financing space. They are highly knowledgeable, experienced and unflappable. Stewart’s business judgment is exceptional. They are both very accessible and easy to work with.’
Work highlights
Watson Farley & Williams LLP
Watson Farley & Williams LLP‘s global mining practice, which is praised for its ‘extremely strong technical and sector specific knowledge’, advises high-end clients across various jurisdictions on the full life-span of mining projects including M&A, equity capital markets, debt and project finance, and dispute resolution. Jan Mellmann heads the practice and is an expert in corporate finance and M&A work.
Practice head(s):
Jan Mellmann
Testimonials
‘Extremely strong technical and sector specific knowledge.’
‘Jan Melman and Daisy East were both incredible. They were available, knowledge and clear in their delivery of information.’
‘Watson Farley has the wonderful advantage of Jan Mellmann. He has spent time building a relationship with us and our firm for many years; his ability to manage his international teams and translate legally and culturally for us has made them our number one choice for resources work in Europe. One of the most commercial and technically sound firms.’
‘Jan Mellmann. He has spent time building a relationship with us and our firm for many years; his ability to manage his international teams and translate legally and culturally for us has made them our number one choice for resources work in Europe.’
‘Very competent, practical advice.’
‘Jan Mellman is a strong lawyer and always gives timely, practical advice.’
Key clients
The Republic of Guinea
Altamin Limited
Teichmann Company Limited
Southwind Corporation
Celsius Resources Limited
Work highlights
- Advising the Republic of Guinea on the US$15bn Simandou project, the world’s largest mining and related rail and port infrastructure project.
- Advising Altamin Limited on its joint venture agreement with Appian Natural Resources Fund II, via Appian Italy B.V., for Appian to invest A$96m into the Gorno zinc project in Northern Italy.