Baker McKenzie LLP benefits in this sector from its strong cross-jurisdictional capabilities and draws its expert mining lawyers from its M&A, projects, project finance, regulatory and disputes teams. The team, with its ‘deep industry knowledge’, has extensive experience advising on a range of multi-billion dollar transactions and acting for some of the biggest mining houses. Richard Blunt heads the team focusing on clients in the EMEA region with expertise in M&A, joint ventures, private equity and project development. Mike Webster specialises in advising on the development of major energy, mining and infrastructure assets. Rhiannon Williams has extensive experience in construction and project development matters across the EMEA region and the Caribbean.

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP has strong capabilities in contentious mining matters, including those with geopolitical considerations and crisis situations, drawing upon its strong disputes practice and cross-border expertise. The team tends to be at the forefront of industry developments, regularly advising its clients on ESG-related matters, the wider energy transition, and battery minerals. The ‘strong and experienced bench of lawyers’ come together to provide clients with a full-service mining practice, which includes M&A, project finance, disputes, and IP expertise. Greg Mulley leads the practice and has particular experience with complex cross-border transactions, and contentious and distressed situations. Laura Hulett’s experience spans the entire mining chain through multiple jurisdictions, while Helen Beatty advises both lenders and sponsors on the financing of major projects across the mining sector. Shaun Williamson is also, of note, experienced in advising on a range of corporate transactions within the mining sector.

Linklaters LLP has a strong focus on the corporate and financing aspects of mining, including M&A transactions, project financing, capital markets, and investments. It advises across the entire supply chain from acquisition and financing to development, expansion, and disposal. The team leverages its other departments to provide regulatory, taxation, IP, and ESG advice. James Inglis, Robert Cleaver and Emma Simpson jointly head the London team. Aisling Zarraga specialises in public and private M&A, joint ventures, equity issues and general corporate advice. Ian Hunter advises on major M&A transactions and equity offerings, as well as on general corporate governance. Toby Grimstone specialises in international banking with a focus on structured financing within the mining sector.

Norton Rose Fulbright advises across the full life cycle of mining projects. With its ‘strong knowledge of the mining industry’, the team strives to be at the forefront of developments within the mining industry, with strength in matters relating to non-traditional sources of funding, critical minerals, and the energy transition. The team is led by Martin McCann, who specialises in debt financing. Raj Karia has a wealth of experience advising companies and investment banks on M&A, equity capital markets, joint ventures, and restructuring transactions. Daniel Metcalfe is knowledgeable in advising lenders and borrowers on complex cross-border finance transactions in emerging markets. The ‘intelligent, diligent and efficient’ Felicity Brown advises on project finance and alternative finance transactions with a particular focus on offtake transactions and private capital into mining.

White & Case LLP’s mining team have a reputation for being ‘best in the class at blending experience with creativity’. Regularly acting for a number of mining majors, the team is experienced in handling high-value and complex deals regarding M&A, project financing, disputes and private equity across multiple jurisdictions, including cutting-edge areas of mining. The team is led by Rebecca Campbell, who operates in cutting-edge areas of the industry, particularly regarding technology and ESG. Kamran Ahmad is experienced in mining projects across Africa, encompassing the full spectrum of projects from greenfield mining project development and financing, to strategic investments into producing assets, and is a leader in the development of Pakistan’s mining sector. James Foo is experienced in advising financial institutions, sponsors and corporates on complex cross-border transactions.

Ashurst’s specialist mining practice provides expertise on mining projects at all stages, operating in multiple jurisdictions. The group has a focus on emerging markets, particularly in francophone and anglophone Africa. Drawing on the strength of its M&A, project development, financing, and dispute resolution practices, the team is comfortable handling high-value, complex, and international deals. The team is led by Yann Alix, a dual-qualified French and English lawyer who specialises in M&A transactions and project development. Nick Williamson specialises in M&A and corporate finance, while Tim Rennie has extensive experience in corporate lending, working with both financial institutions and corporate borrowers.

Clifford Chance LLP‘s mining team excels in M&A, trading, and capital markets, supported by expertise in regulation, investigations, financial crime, arbitration, and ESG. With a strong international presence, the team handles high-value mining projects for a diverse range of clients. The team is led by Simon Greenberg in Paris, Nicolas Cookson in Düsseldorf, and Mark Gilgren in Perth, alongside the head of the London team, Craig Nethercott. Robert Crothers specialises in advising UK-listed and international corporate clients on M&A and joint ventures. Paul Landless specialises in structured finance, derivatives, financial markets and commodity trading. Sachin Trikha has extensive experience in large-scale infrastructure and construction disputes, with a focus on complex breach of contract claims.

Mayer Brown International LLP’s ‘experienced and knowledgeable team’ benefits from the practice’s strong cross-border abilities. The team handles projects on most continents, including Africa, Asia, and North and South America, with a strong focus on emerging markets. The team is capable of a full range of mining work, including advisory, transactional, and contentious mandates. The team benefits from its strong mining specialists, including the head of the team, Ian Coles, who is well-known in the market and is particularly experienced in representing financial institutions, sponsors and governments on their mining transactions. Rachel Speight is known for her work representing banks and sponsors in cross-border structured and project financings.

The team of ‘exceptionally skilled professionals’ at Simmons & Simmons is known for its ‘outstanding performance’ and ‘wide industry coverage’. Iain Duncan steers the group from the London office, regularly handling joint ventures, acquisitions and investments. Other key contacts within the firm include Alexander Keepin, who is ‘arguably the best mining lawyer in the City of London’, Patrick Wallace, who has 30 years of power, oil and gas and infrastructure experience, Adam Cooper, who has a strong track record of project financing in emerging market jurisdictions, in addition to Andrew Petry, whose banking and finance expertise secures him a clientele of financiers, project sponsors, borrowers, public sector entities and infrastructure funds.

Bird & Bird LLP provides a full service for its mining clients, advising on M&A, financing, exploration, construction and more across a wide range of jurisdictions. The firm has a strong IP practice, advising its mining major clients on their brand protection matters. Clive Hopewell spearheads the practice, specialising in international fundraisings and M&A, both public and private. A recent addition, Michael Dawes, bolsters the firm’s practice of acting on global transactions, with experience in emerging markets such as Africa.

Fieldfisher’s cross-departmental mining team advises companies and their funders on a range of mining matters, with particular strengths in mining finance. With a strong international reach, it represents its clients in a range of jurisdictions, with clients particularly well-represented in Europe, Africa and the CIS region. Melanie Talbot and Oliver Abel Smith jointly head the team. Talbot specialises in flotations, fundraisings, and takeovers for both UK and international listed companies. Smith has expertise in asset, acquisition, real estate, commodity, and trade finance, experienced in advising financial institutions, sponsors, corporations and investment managers.

Gowling WLG‘s team of specialist lawyers advises on a range of mining matters, with particular strengths in mining finance, project management and coordination, and international dispute resolution and has capabilities in a range of jurisdictions, particularly within Canada. Known for his wide international network of contacts and extensive experience within this sector, Charles Bond leads the team with particular experience in equity capital markets and both public and private M&A. Andrew Wright has a wealth of experience in bringing international companies to the UK markets, while Alexander Davidson advises on a range of corporate matters including IPOs on AIM, and mining finance.

Hill Dickinson LLP advises a wide range of UK and international mining clients, including exploration and production companies, commodity houses, insurers and reinsurers. The team provides a diverse range of services, able to draw from the strengths of their commodities, capital markets, litigation, banking and employment teams. Jonathan Morris heads the team, having advised on a significant number of ECM deals and IPOs and has particular expertise in AIM and the Main Market. Michael Bennett offers extensive experience acting on African mining transactions, having previously advised as a solicitor in Zimbabwe.

Milbank’s mining team is best known for its work advising lenders in this space and is particularly strong in project financing. The team has deep expertise, and its dedicated mining team works closely with its New York office, providing its clients with further expertise and a strong international focus. John Dewar is well-regarded in the space for his work on the development and financing of energy projects. Seyda Duman has extensive experience advising commercial banks, export credit agencies and other financial institutions.

Pinsent Masons LLP‘s strength lies in its team of genuine mining experts and its ability to cover the full mining lifecycle with expertise in M&A, project financing, mining development, operations, and strong disputes and regulatory practice. The firm also boasts a significant international capability, particularly in Africa, Asia, and Australia, as well as the UK, focusing on creating deep connections within local markets to benefit clients. With ‘great experience and legal gravitas’, dual French and English qualified, Akshai Fofaria leads the team and heads the front-end international mining practice. Forfaria thrives in navigating complex legal environments and specialising in projects and transactions. Rob Morson has extensive experience within Africa and has in-depth practical knowledge of construction and the procurement and development of complex mining infrastructure projects.

Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP is a disputes-focused practice within a litigation firm. It is noted for its extensive knowledge of the industry and the workings of projects within the mining sector, with strong capabilities in competition law disputes, tax disputes and corporate investigations from a range of mining clients. Ted Greeno leads the team and is noted for his long-standing experience within the industry. Stephen Jagusch KC specialises in international commercial and investment treaty arbitration, while Anthony Sinclair has significant experience handling disputes arising out of concession agreements, licences, EPC contracts and a host of other agreement disputes related to the mining sector.

Sullivan & Cromwell LLP is particularly experienced in complex M&A, capital markets, restructuring and dispute matters with a focus on high-value and complex work with strong capabilities in high-risk jurisdictions. Stewart Robertson heads the practice, with extensive experience in major transactions within emerging markets. Jonathon Hannah specialises in project development and finance, having represented developers, sponsors and banks. Silvia Brünjes focuses on multi-source financing and development, advising sponsors and lenders, with experience in a broad range of financing transactions.

DLA Piper offers full-service both nationally and internationally, with strengths in finance and projects, real estate, planning, and regulatory work. Operating as a national team, it is co-headed by Sheffield and Birmingham-based Petra Billing and London-based James Carter. Billing specialises in all aspects of minerals law and related litigation and dispute resolution, while Carter specialises in complex commercial arbitration and litigation across a range of sectors.

Druces LLP focuses on capital markets work within the mining sector and is experienced in handling a range of corporate finance transactions. The team is headed by Dominic Traynor, who specialises in capital markets and has worked on a number of admissions and re-admissions to AIM, Standard Listings, and Aquis. Jack Dervyn is of note, with expertise in advising exploration and production companies.

Squire Patton Boggs‘ cross-practice team draws strength from its cross-border capabilities and is particularly experienced in the extraction, trading, processing, and transportation aspects of mining. Trevor Ingle heads the energy and natural resources group, while Jayson Marks spearheads the mining team. Marks has strong capabilities acting for issuers and banks on ECM matters.

Watson Farley & Williams LLP‘s mining practice has particular strengths in M&A, capital markets, project finance, and dispute resolution. The team is jointly headed by Singapore-based Sumeet Malhotra and London-based Jan Mellmann. Mellmann specialises in corporate finance and M&A, which includes joint ventures, corporate restructurings, and commercial agreements.