GRATA International is renowned for its expertise in the natural resources sector, having represented foreign investors in oil, gas and uranium alongside support to foreign investors in the mining industry. The team is specialised to handle matters with government authorities, including the Ministry of Energy and Ministry of Industry. Almat Daumov is the head of the natural resources team and has experience in advising investors, whereas Yerbolat Yerkebulanov deals with subsoil use, EPC contracts and regulated procurements within the oil and gas and mining sectors. Baizhan Bekzhanov handles all matters related to the mining industry, with experience originating out of his work as a legal counsel for a large uranium company in Kazakhstan.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘Grata is the oldest and the most respected law firm in Kazakhstan. The firm has a wealth of experience and local knowledge ’
‘Baizhan Bekhzhanov is a really excellent partner who knows the industry very well. He is responsive and commercial; always delivers great service to his clients. Askar Konysbayev is a seasoned litigation partner with a lot of cases under his belt. ’
‘The team is strong and client-entered.’
‘Baizhan Bekzhanov is a great professional. ’
‘Baizhan Bekzhanov is a key partner in the firm. He has broad experience in different fields such as Environmental, subsoil use, and commercial law. He provides us with a piece of advice not only from a legal point of view but also from a practical point of view. This is very important in such a jurisdiction like Kazakhstan.’

Key clients

Barrick Gold Corporation
Rio Tinto Exploration Kazakhstan
Altius Petroleum International B.V.
Korea National Oil Company (KNOC)
Sandvik Mining and Construction Kazakhstan Ltd.
Eni S.p.A.
HeatTeq Refractories Services B.V.
Caspi Neft
VOSTOK NEFT Service
Great Wall
ILF Consulting Engineers
KMG Nabors Drilling Company
ENKA
Borealis AG

Lawyers

Leading individuals

Maxim Burak

GRATA International

Maxim Burak is a Partner at GRATA International in Astana. Maxim got a lot of experience and deep knowledge in the oil and gas industry, subsoil use and corporate transactions. Maxim’s experience includes obtaining the refusal of the state from the priority right to purchase the alienated subsoil use rights in mergers and acquisitions, consulting subsoil users on local content, implementation of full legal support additional agreements to contracts for subsoil use, in particular regarding the extension of the exploration period and the percentages of Kazakhstani content and implementation Due Diligence contracts on subsoil use.