Mining in Canada

Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP

Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP continues to be a leader in the mining space, harnessing the experience of teams in Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary, to provide comprehensive support to major multinational mining companies throughout every stage of a project’s lifecycle. The group’s full service covers matters ranging from multi-jurisdictional M&A, joint ventures, leveraged buyouts and reorganizations to project finance, exploration and development, metal streams and royalties, high-stakes litigation and regulatory compliance. The practice is led in Vancouver by M&A and corporate finance expert Jen Hansen, who brings expertise to complex business combination transactions, take-over bids and domestic and cross-border public offerings; and Jennifer Traub, who advises issuers and investment dealers in connection with public and private securities offerings. At the Toronto office, mining industry authority and firm executive chair Mark Bennett draws on extensive experience assisting resource companies across the Americas, Eastern Europe, Africa and Australia on property acquisitions and dispositions. Other key figures include securities specialists Jay Goldman and Paul Stein in Toronto, and Gordon Chambers in Vancouver. Also of note are Jamie Litchen in Toronto; and David Redford in Vancouver, who has developed a strong practice assisting with securities law requirements for mineral resource issuers.

Responsables de la pratique:

Jen Hansen; Jennifer Traub


Autres avocats clés:

Mark Bennett; Jay Goldman; David Budd; Jennifer Wasylyk; Paul Stein; Alex Pizale; Gordon Chambers; Jamie Litchen; David Redford


Principaux clients

Wheaton Precious Metals Corp.


Lithium Americas Corp.


Lithium Americas


IsoEnergy


Dundee Precious Metals


Artemis Gold


Fasken

The powerhouse mining practice at Fasken remains a market leader, harnessing the deep bench strength of locations in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal and Quebec City, as well as offices overseas in London, Johannesburg and Beijing, to advise issuers, underwriters and major international mining companies (such as Barrick Gold, Glencore, BHP) involved in high-value, multi-jurisdictional transactions. The practice is headed in Toronto by M&A and project finance authority John Turner, who brings experience to assisting resources companies active throughout Latin America, Africa and Eastern Europe; and Andrew Gabrielson in Vancouver, who specializes in transactions and commercial agreements related to the exploration, development, acquisition and divestiture of mining and energy projects. Brian Graves in Toronto manages plans of arrangement, complex takeover bids, public and private securities offerings and securities regulatory matters. Other key figures include Johanna Fipke in Vancouver, who provides expertise in M&A, land tenure, finance and project exploration; Frank Mariage, who specializes in mineral exploration in Montreal; and Michael Bourassa in Toronto, an expert in international mining due diligence issues.

Responsables de la pratique:

John Turner; Andrew Gabrielson


Autres avocats clés:

Johanna Fipke; Brian Graves; Georald Ingborg; Nancy Eastman; Michael Bourassa; Frank Mariage; Michael Boehm


Principaux clients

Barrick Gold


Glencore


BHP


Zijin Mining Group


South32 Limited


Gold Fields


IAMGOLD


Goldcorp


De Beers Group


First Quantum Minerals


Sibanye-Stillwater


Eldorado Gold


Ecora Resources


Sprott Private Resource and Streaming (B) Corp.


Teck Resources Limited


Panasonic Energy


Zhaojin International Mining Co.


GoGold Resources


Principaux dossiers


  • Acting as lead counsel for Allkem LTD, Lithium in its merger (valued at $10.6bn) with Livent Corp, forming a miner of lithium used in electric vehicle batteries and high-tech devices.
  • Advised Zhaojin International Mining Co., a Chinese gold producing, processing and smelting company, and the largest shareholder of Sabina, in Sabina’s C$1.1bn sale of all of its issued and outstanding common shares to B2Gold.
  • Acted for First Quantum Minerals in connection with its upsized offering of $1.3bn principal amount of 8.625% senior notes due 2031.

McCarthy Tétrault

The mining group at McCarthy Tétrault leads in the marketplace, employing the bench strength of its national presence and offices abroad in London and New York, to advise major multinational mining companies (including Glencore, Silvercorp and Rio Tinto), on high-value, multi-jurisdictional M&A transactions. The practice is led by M&A expert Eva Bellissimo in Toronto, who provides expertise in complex corporate finance matters; Shea Small, who operates out of the Toronto and London offices, and who brings over 25 years of experience to the practice space; and Roger Taplin in Vancouver, a specialist in joint ventures and metal streaming. Also of note are Daniel Bornstein in Toronto, who brings strength to assisting clients with permitting matters and Aboriginal and environmental law; and Shawn Doyle, head of the firm’s Latin America group, who operates out of the Vancouver and Chile offices, and who displays a strong regional skill set.

Responsables de la pratique:

Eva Bellissimo; Shea Small; Roger Taplin


Autres avocats clés:

Daniel Bornstein; Shawn Doyle; Shaun Khullar; Claire Lehan


Principaux clients

Allied Gold


Appian Capital Advisory


B2Gold Corporation


Codelco


Cameco Corporation


Cuprous Capital Limited


CMOC Group Limited


Silvercorp Metals


Glencore International


M4E Lithium


Moneta Gold


Newcrest


Rio Tinto


Stellantis


Sumitomo Metal Mining


Skeena Resources


Taseko Mines Limited


Vale


Wheaton Precious Metals


Yintai Gold Co.


Bennett Jones LLP

The experienced team at Bennett Jones LLP  draws on the deep bench strength of its locations in Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, Ottawa and New York, to advise issuers, underwriters, agents and multinational mining companies involved in high-value, cross-border M&A, in addition to complex matters related to project finance, capital markets, construction, securities and the environment. Head of the mining group since March 2024, Andrew Disipio assists clients with complex public and private M&A, take-over bids, joint ventures, share and asset acquisitions and corporate reorganizations. Mining industry sector expert Sander Grieve KC handles M&A and global mining exploration, development and extraction. Other key figures include Abbas Ali Khan, a specialist in securities and corporate commercial law, who works in the Vancouver and Toronto offices; Linda Misetich Dann, who negotiates and structures asset and share acquisitions and strategic alliances; and James Clare. Unless stated, all the lawyers mentioned work in Toronto.

Responsables de la pratique:

Andrew Disipio


Autres avocats clés:

Sander Grieve KC; Abbas Ali Khan; Linda Misetich Dann; James Clare


Principaux clients

Attorney General of Alberta (Supreme Court of Canada Decision)


Conuma Resources Limited


Nippon Steel Corporation


SolGold


i-80 Gold Corp.


Osisko Metals Incorporated


Sandbox Royalties Corp.


First Majestic Silver Corp.


Magna Mining


Benga Mining


Cabin Ridge Project Limited


Keyera Corp.


Superior Gold


Battery Age Minerals


Osisko Mining


Royal Helium


Canada Nickel Company


O3 Mining


Millennial Precious Metals Corp.


Burley Minerals


American West Metals Limited


Westbridge Renewable Energy Corp.


Premium Nickel Resources


Kinterra Capital


Piedmont Lithium


Electric Elements Mining Corp.


Critical Resources Limited


92 Energy


Terra Uranium Limited


Sierra Metals


Western Exploration


Silver Mountain Resources


Lithium Universe Limited


Summit Minerals


Avani Resources


Osisko Green Acquisition Limited


Abermarle Corporation


Victoria Gold Corp.


Frontier Lithium


Hot Chili Limited


Bank of Montreal


National Bank Financial


Cantor Fitzgerald Canada Corporation


Haywood Securities


Echelon Wealth Partners


Clarus Securities


Paradigm Securities


Principaux dossiers


  • Representing Nippon Steel in its proposed $1.15bn investment in Elk Valley Resources, a steelmaking coal business to be spun-out as an independent public company from Teck Resources.
  • Advised SolGold in its $108m acquisition of Cornerstone Capital Resources by way of a statutory plan of arrangement.
  • Assisted i-80 in its approx. $60m acquisition of Paycore Minerals by way of a share exchange transaction, for the purpose of consolidating the mining assets of these two companies in Eureka County, Nevada.

Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP channels the bench strength of national offices in Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver, Montreal and Ottawa, and abroad in London and New York, to advise junior, major and intermediate mining companies (including First Quantum Minerals and Teck Resources) and financial institutions involved in high-value, cross-border M&A and corporate finance. The firm’s offering extends to cover streaming transactions, post-restructuring, ESG and emerging technologies matters. M&A expert John Wilkin heads the team in Toronto, bringing expertise to securities law finance and corporate governance matters. Other key individuals include practice area authority Bob Wooder in Vancouver; Charles Kazaz in Montreal, a specialist in mine acquisitions and divestitures, mining agreements with First Nations, mine reclamations and closure issues; and Kathleen Keilty in Vancouver, who advises issuers and underwriters on public offerings, private placements and equity and debt securities related to mining M&A transactions.

Responsables de la pratique:

John Wilkin


Autres avocats clés:

Bob Wooder; Charles Kazaz; Kathleen Keilty; Trish Robertson; Susan Tomaine; Sam Adkins; Liam Churchill


Principaux clients

Sabina Gold & Silver Corp.


First Quantum Minerals


NexGen Energy


Maverix Metals


Ero Copper Corp.


Orca Gold


Resource Capital Fund VII


Capstone Copper Corp.


Teck Resources


Arctic Canadian Diamond Company Limited


Fortuna Silver Mines


Seabridge Gold


Atlantic Minerals Limited


Argentina Lithium & Energy Corp.


Go2Lithium


Skeena Resources


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised First Quantum Minerals on its C$1.55bn equity bought deal offering.
  • Advised Equinox Gold Corp. on its $995m acquisition of Orion Mine Finance Management LP’s 40% interest in Greenstone Gold Mine GP.
  • Advising Teck Resources on three separate large-scale expansions to existing mines in British Columbia and Alaska.

Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP

With locations in Toronto, Montreal and New York, Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP brings deep bench strength to high-value transactions, investments and projects on a global scale. In addition to providing day-to-day services, the practice advises senior, mid-size and junior mining clients on a full range of matters across the practice area, including cross-border M&A, joint ventures, property purchases, dispositions, litigation, project finance, taxation and environmental and Aboriginal compliance matters. The team is led by mining authority Melanie Shishler, who assists with complex public and private acquisitions, divestitures, private equity investments and royalty and streaming transactions; and Richard Fridman, who draws on experience advising governments and corporations in negotiations relating to mining rights, land claims and the required licensing for multinational operations. Other key figures include Jared Solinger, who frequently advises Barrick Gold Corporation, and Andrew Mihalik, who was promoted to partner in January 2024. All lawyers mentioned work in the Toronto office.

Responsables de la pratique:

Melanie Shishler; Richard Fridman


Autres avocats clés:

Jared Solinger; Andrew Mihalik


Principaux clients

Barrick Gold Corporation


Agnico Eagle Mines Limited


BHP


The Pallinghurst Group


New Gold


Patriot Battery Metals


Los Andes Copper Ltd.


IAMGOLD


The Blackstone Grou


Lundin Mining Corporation


Vale Canada Limited


Burgundy Diamond Mines


Turquoise Hill Resources


Royal Bafokeng Platinum


Nemaska Lithium


Cornerstone Capital Resources


Premium Nickel Resources Corporation


Titan Mining Corporation


Baffinland Iron Mines Corporation


Vizsla Silver Corp.


Gold Road Resources Limited


Waterton Global Resource Management


Principaux dossiers


  • Acted for Agnico Eagle Mines Limited in its joint topping bid with Pan American Silver Corp. for the acquisition of Yamana Gold.
  • Acted for Copper Mountain Mining Corporation in its $439m all-share acquisition by Hudbay Minerals by way of a court approved plan of arrangement under the Business Corporations Act, and for Copper Mountain Mining Corporation in its $230m sale of the low-risk Eva Copper Project and surrounding exploration tenements to Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited.
  • Acted as Canadian counsel to Red 5 Limited, an Australia-based gold miner, in a merger of equals with Silver Lake Resources, creating a mid-tier gold company with a combined value of approximately A$2.2bn.

Lawson Lundell LLP

With offices throughout British Columbia, Calgary and the Northwest Territories, Lawson Lundell LLP harnesses regional strength to advise major international mining companies on high-value M&A and project development. The practice's comprehensive service covers mining finance, permitting mine construction, mining infrastructure, litigation and tax, labour and environmental matters. The Vancouver-led team is led by Khaled Abdel-Barr, who brings strength to complex joint ventures, strategic alliances and royalty and streaming agreements; and Karen MacMillan, who provides expertise in cross-border M&A and matters involving the ownership and development of major projects. Other key figures include Stuart Breen, who draws on over 25 years of experience in the practice space, and Michael Li, a specialist in corporate governance and securities regulatory matters. All lawyers mentioned work in the Vancouver office.

Responsables de la pratique:

Khaled Abdel-Barr; Karen MacMillan


Autres avocats clés:

Stuart Breen; Michael Li


Principaux clients

Newmont Corporation


B2Gold Corp.


Hudbay Minerals


Stikeman Elliott LLP

Stikeman Elliott LLP marshals the deep bench strength of 5 national locations and offices in New York, London and Sydney, to provide a comprehensive service to domestic and multinational private and public mining companies (such as Ivanhoe Mines and Teck Resources). The practice’s full offering covers matters ranging from M&A, public capital transactions, joint ventures and stream and royalty finance to restructurings, taxation and environmental matters. The group is headed by securities expert Ivan Grbesic, who advises issuers and underwriters in connection with initial public offerings and private placements; and Amanda Linett and Steven Bennett, who both specialize in M&A, private equity and corporate finance transactions. Respected mining industry authority Jay Kellerman brings over 30 years of experience in the practice space to the team. Other key figures include Daphne MacKenzie, who handles complex project finance, restructurings, insolvency and public debt securities matters; and David Massé in Montreal, who displays expertise in project finance and development. Unless noted, all lawyers mentioned work in the Toronto office.

Responsables de la pratique:

Ivan Grbešić; Amanda Linett; Steven Bennett


Autres avocats clés:

Jay Kellerman; Daphne MacKenzie; David Massé


Principaux clients

Orion Fund JV Limited


SSR Mining


Oaktree Capital Management


Arena Minerals


IsoEnergy


Ivanhoe Electric


Ivanhoe Mines


92 Energy Limited


Teck Resources Limited


Osino Resources Corp.


Torys

The Toronto-led mining team at Torys pairs the strength of a network of offices in Montreal, Halifax, Calgary and New York, with the experience of its team, to advise large, mid-cap and junior mining companies, issuers, underwriters and selling security holders on matters ranging from high-value, multi-jurisdictional M&A, project finance, joint ventures and commodity transactions to mining arbitration, restructuring, permitting matters and negotiations with Indigenous groups. The team is headed by Michael Pickersgill, who brings a track record of expertise to M&A, corporate finance, earn-in agreements, and royalty, streaming and offtake arrangements. Other key figures of note include Michael Amm, who handles complex strategic investments, joint ventures, corporate financings and who, like Braden Jebson, manages complex royalty and streaming transactions; Don Bell, who draws on experience advising on mining projects in North and South America, Asia and Africa; and John Terry and Kevin Morris, who both specialize in capital markets transactions, board governance advice and shareholder activist issues.

Responsables de la pratique:

Mike Pickersgill


Autres avocats clés:

Michael Amm; Braden Jebson; Don Bell; John Terry: Kevin Morris; Michael Jason; Carly Klinkhof


Les références

‘They have lots of experience and network in the mining sector. sometimes the discussion between those lawyers are helpful to put forward the negotiation.’

Principaux clients

Orion Mine Finance


Franco-Nevada Corporation


Alamos Gold


BHP Group Limited


Nevada Copper Corp.


Triple Flag Precious Metals Corp.


Dowa Metals & Mining Co.


Anglo American


Teck Resources Limited


Sherritt International Corporation


Wyloo (formerly Ring of Fire Metals)


Zijin Mining Group Co.


MMG Australia Limited


Pala Investments Limited


Marubeni Corporation


Mitsubishi Materials Corporation


Americas Gold and Silver Corporation


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised Teck Resources Limited on its $580m sale of a 50% interest in Minas de San Nicolás, to Agnico Eagle Mines Limited.
  • Assisted Orion Mine Finance, as owner of Dalradian Resources Inc., in the sale of a $75m gold stream on the Curraghinalt Project in Northern Ireland to Wheaton Precious Metals.
  • Advised MMG Australia Limited, as Canadian counsel, in its $1.735bn acquisition of Cuprous Capital, which indirectly owns and operates the Khoemacau Mine located in northwest Botswana.

Borden Ladner Gervais LLP

Borden Ladner Gervais LLP draws on the full bench strength of over 800 lawyers across 5 national locations in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal, to provide major domestic and international mining companies, public and private issuers, underwriters and institutional investors, with a comprehensive range of services across the practice area. They cover M&A, joint ventures, streaming, project finance, due diligence, in addition to environmental, tax and Indigenous matters. The national team is led by Fred Pletcher in Vancouver, who brings over 30 years of mining industry experience to assisting clients with development projects, acquisitions and dispositions, exploration properties and option agreements. Other key figures include Graeme Martindale also in Vancouver) who specializes in initial public offerings, public and private equity and debt financings, and compliance and corporate governance matters; and M&A and corporate finance expert Timothy McCormick in Toronto.

Responsables de la pratique:

Fred Pletcher


Autres avocats clés:

Graeme Martindale; Tim McCormick


Principaux clients

Pan American Silver Corp.


Ressources Québec


Cameco Corporation


Eldorado Gold Corporation


Imperial Metals Corporation


Kinross Gold Corp.


POSCO Canada Limited.


Sandstorm Gold


Bear Creek Mining Corporation


BMO Capital Markets


CIBC Capital Markets


TD Securities


National Bank Financial


Lumina Gold Corp.


Luminex Resources Corp.


Cormark Securities


Almaden Minerals


IDM Mining


Dentons

The mining practice at Dentons leverages the strength of its global network and experienced team to advise major multinational mining companies (including BlackRock Metals) involved in high-value, multi-jurisdictional financings and complex M&A. The firm's full offering extends to project development, environmental matters and high-stakes litigation and arbitration. The practice is headed by Greg McNab, an expert in mining and capital markets in Vancouver; Robin Longe in Vancouver, a specialist in joint ventures, in addition to the purchase and sale of mines and mining-related assets. Other key figures include Leanne Krawchuk KC in Edmonton, who brings expertise to M&A and supply and streaming agreements; François Brabant in Montreal, who specializes in securities and corporate governance matters; and Ora Wexler in Toronto, who draws on experience in M&A and royalty transactions.

Responsables de la pratique:

Greg McNab; Robin Longe


Autres avocats clés:

Leanne Krawchuk KC; François Brabant; Ora Wexler


Principaux clients

Arcadium Lithium


Energy Fuels


Aya Gold and Silver


BlackRock Metals


Boliden Mineral


Sun Valley Investments


Sama Resources


Sierra Metals


Cerrado Gold


Ascendant Resources


Principaux dossiers


  • Advising on $10.6bn all-stock transformational merger of equals between Livent Corporation (Livent) and Allkem Limited (Allkem), two global lithium chemicals companies, to create Arcadium Lithium plc (Arcadium Lithium), a global integrated lithium chemicals producer.
  • Advising Aya Gold & Silver on its C$92m underwritten (bought deal) prospectus offering of common shares.
  • Representing BlackRock (BRM), which, in connection with the CCAA Proceedings, has entered into an agreement of purchase and sale with its principal secured creditors pursuant to a certain bridge credit agreement in the approx. amount of C$90m.

Gowling WLG

Powered by 7 national locations and a presence spanning the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Asia, the mining practice at Gowling WLG delivers expertise in mid-market matters, assisting domestic and multinational mining operations on a wide range of matters, from mineral exploration and project finance to joint ventures, environmental issues and high-value, cross-border M&A. The team is headed by R. Ian Mitchell, an expert in securities and corporate finance, who advises on M&A, public offerings, private placements and regulatory compliance. Other figures of note include Erik Goldsilver, who brings over 20 years of experience guiding projects throughout their entire lifecycle; France Tenaille, who brings expertise in Latin America, having practiced in both Ontario and Venezuela; and, in Vancouver, business department head Brett Kagetsu and Cyndi Laval, who specialises in advising publicly-listed companies in the resources industry. Key support is provided by associate James Stewart (also Vancouver). Unless noted, all lawyers identified work in the Toronto office.

Responsables de la pratique:

R. Ian Mitchell


Autres avocats clés:

France Tenaille; Brett Kagetsu; Cyndi Laval; Erik Goldsilver; James Stewart


Principaux clients

Mineros


Sandstorm Gold


K92 Mining


Aura Minerals


Zijin Mining Group Co.


Trafigura


IAMGOLD Corporation


Largo


Elemental Altus Royalties Corp.


Rokmaster Resources Corp.


Amerigo Resources


Minera Alamos


Gold Springs Resource Corp.


Silver X Mining Corp.


West Vault Mining


Platinum Group Metals


Canaccord Genuity Corp.


Mawson Gold Limited


Capella Minerals


Rugby Mining Limited


Principaux dossiers


  • Counsel to Mineros with respect to its Canadian IPO and concurrent Colombian public offering, and listing on the TSX.
  • Counsel to Aura Minerals with respect to its acquisition of Big River Gold Limited and joint venture with Dundee Resource