Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP advises the full range of clients in the mining and minerals sector, from majors and new entrants to private capital investors, lenders, and trading houses. The team offers cross-practice advice on the M&A, disputes, project finance, and ESG aspects of mine development, pit-to-port infrastructure, transactions, financings, and mine closure matters. At the helm is Greg Mulley, a veteran in corporate and M&A matters including public takeovers, private M&A, ECMs, joint ventures, corporate governance, distress, and restructuring. Helen Beatty covers debt products and structures, PPP and project finance, holdco financings and acquisitions, and streaming and royalties. Laura Hulett is a specialist in projects throughout EMEA and Latin America, while Shaun Williamson is also a key contact.

A go-to team for leading majors, Linklaters LLP works across the full spectrum of mining and minerals mandates. The team is well-versed in high-profile and strategic M&A transactions and elsewhere demonstrates a growing caseload in the financing of critical minerals and energy transition transactions, in high-profile capital market offerings, and in critical corporate governance and investigations matters. The team is led by Robert Cleaver, an expert advisor to corporates, funds, and financial institutions; James Inglis, a leading mining M&A specialist; Emma Simpson, who is experienced in cross-border public and private M&A and corporate reorganisations and advisory work; and Igor Rogovoy, who specialises in debt and equity capital markets matters and cross-border M&A. Other standout individuals include Aisling Zarraga, who acts for majors in transactional mandates, and Ian Hunter, who brings focused advice to mining companies and natural resources companies.

Norton Rose Fulbright‘s mining and minerals team advises on some of the largest mining transactions and provides multidisciplinary expertise across major regions. The team has deep knowledge of the critical minerals space, including in energy transition mandates, and is advising on an increasing number of private equity and M&A transactions. Longstanding expert Martin McCann leads the team and is a specialist on a range of matters, from greenfield projects to financial restructuring. Raj Karia is a further key contact and acts for a diverse array of clients including mining majors, leading investment banks, junior mining companies and private equity investors. Other notable team members include Daniel Metcalfe, an expert in cross-border finance in emerging markets, and Felicity Brown, a specialist debt finance and projects lawyer.

Advising on the full spectrum of global projects and with a specialism in emerging markets, Ashurst acts for majors, listed mining companies, and global investors. The team specialises in private M&A and on project finance mandates, particularly concerning rare earth and critical minerals assets, and elsewhere leverages cross-practice expertise in mining sector disputes. The practice is led by Yann Alix, a specialist in M&A transactions and project development in energy and resources, particularly in Africa. Further key contacts include corporate finance expert Nick Williamson, acquisition finance specialist Tim Rennie, and notable arbitration authority Tom Cummins.

Boasting deep relationships with listed mining companies and leading mining majors, Baker McKenzie offers key authorities on multi-jurisdictional mandates. From exploration, financing, and development to production, acquisitions, mine closure, and remediation, the team is equipped across the whole life-cycle of projects. Heading the team is Richard Blunt, who brings to the sector a wealth of expertise in energy, natural resources, and infrastructure transactions. Other key lawyers include the ‘superb’ Rhiannon Williams, an expert in construction and project development matters across EMEA and the Caribbean, and Mike Webster, who is particularly well-versed in transactions across EMEA, Asia, and the Caribbean.

Mayer Brown International LLP leverages global expertise across projects, transactions, disputes, trade, and regulations. The team acts for mining majors, corporates, governments, commercial banks, and development finance institutions on impactful mandates across EMEA, Asia, and North and South America. The team is led by Rachel Speight, an expert in project finance who is highly sought-after among international financial institutions. Ian Coles, a longstanding sector expert, consults for the team across a range of bank and debt finance matters.

Clifford Chance LLP’s mining and minerals team works cross-practice on complex transactions for mining majors, junior companies, funds, private equity investors, and financial institutions. Combining energy and mining and metals sector expertise, Craig Nethercott serves as the London head of a globally integrated team. Robert Crothers is a notable contact and a specialist in advising listed companies in M&A, joint ventures, and equity issues. Luke Tolaini supports the team in litigation and investigations, especially in crisis and risk management and enforcement matters.

Gowling WLG‘s mining and minerals team brings expertise in start-up transactions, joint ventures, farm-ins, M&A, and equity, debt, and project financings. A globally integrated practice, the firm is equipped to assist clients regarding mining and corporate operations across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and southeast Asia. Leading the natural resources sector group is Charles Bond, who combines expertise in capital markets matters as well as public and private M&A within the minerals space. Other contacts include Andrew Wright and Alex Davidson, a further equity capital markets specialist who advises a variety of listed clients in the mining sphere.

The cross-practice mining and minerals team at Hill Dickinson LLP advises international commodity and trading houses and logistics and transportation companies across equity capital markets matters, joint ventures, farm-ins and farm-outs, and financing contracts. At the helm is Michael Bennett, a corporate and commercial specialist who brings experience in international flotations, placings, open offers, and dual listings to the sector. Jonathan Morris is an expert in strategic investments and equity placements; Francois de Lange regularly advises on company-level M&A and commercial agreements; and Sam Hudson specialises in AIM placements and subscriptions.

Leveraging and complementing the firm’s global mining expertise, Pinsent Masons LLP is experienced across the full spectrum of matters. The firm boasts a well-equipped bench, assisting on exploration, concessions, asset acquisitions, and permitting, as well as company-level M&A, financing, and compliance. The team takes up a key position on the panel of mining majors and operates extensively across Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, Oceania, and the UK. Leading the UK and wider international team is Akshai Fofaria, who specialises in all stages of the mining value chain, particularly in relation to clients’ African operations.

Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP specialises in disputes across the mining and minerals sphere. Representing some of the industry’s leading companies in multi-jurisdictional mandates, the team handles disputes related to mining concessions, breaches of drilling and mining services contracts, project and trade finance, and investment treaty arbitrations. Leading the team is Ted Greeno, a specialist in litigation, arbitration, and expert determinations in the energy and natural resources sector across EMEA and the Americas. Bringing a wealth of knowledge on mining sector legislation and operations, Anthony Sinclair is a standout advisor in the team, specialising in international commercial arbitration, investment treaty arbitration, and public international law.

Recognised for its advice on projects, M&A, capital markets, restructuring, tax, and disputes, Sullivan & Cromwell LLP‘s mining and minerals team specialises in high-value mandates in key global jurisdictions. From mining majors to junior mining companies and strategic and alternative investors, the team supports a diverse array of clients across the project lifecycle. Stewart Robertson, a longstanding expert in project financings who brings experience advising on large-scale projects, serves as practice head. The team also draws on the strength of Jonathon Hannah and Silvia Brünjes, who bring a wealth of knowledge in the mining and metals and energy and natural resources spaces.

Druces LLP‘s mining and minerals team boasts strength across capital markets transactions and acts for AIM- and main market-listed mining companies, investment banks, brokers, and institutional investors in fundraising, M&A, corporate governance, and regulatory matters. The team is particularly adept in emerging markets, including Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East. A corporate and capital markets specialist, and experienced contact in global emerging market matters, Jack Dervyn leads the team.

A leading practice for deals up to the mid-market segment, Fieldfisher‘s mining and minerals team utilises their European expertise across to advise clients on natural resources transactions across Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas. The team also boasts a specialism in alternative mining financing. Leading the team is Melanie Talbot, who acts for UK and internationally listed companies in natural resources, life sciences, and technology sectors, and Oliver Abel Smith, who is experienced in asset, acquisition, real estate, commodity, and trade finance matters.

The mining team at Squire Patton Boggs brings cross-jurisdictional capabilities across corporate and M&A, equity capital markets, projects and licensing, trade finance, sanctions compliance, and disputes. Demonstrating a 'very efficient and pragmatic approach', the team is highly sought-after among producers, investors, and brokers for advice on impactful deals. A particular expert in fundraisings, equity placings, and mining services contracts, the 'excellent' Jayson Marks leads the mining team, supported by the direction of broader energy practice head Trevor Ingle.

Watson Farley & Williams LLP draws upon multi-jurisdictional expertise spanning EMEA, Asia, and the Americas to advise junior mining companies, investment houses, and sovereigns on matters spanning the full mining lifecycle. Leveraging its sector focus on energy and infrastructure, the firm is well-equipped to advise on high-value and landmark mining and related infrastructure projects. The mining and commodities group is led by Jan Mellmann, a corporate lawyer who brings experience in finance, M&A, and capital markets matters. Daisy East is a project finance expert, while Tony Edwards specialises in investments and joint ventures.