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Mining

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Long term experience across global markets

Our international mining group provides specialist legal support to mining investors, operators and financial institutions in the world’s most important mining jurisdictions. We can advise on high-value transactions across Canada, the UK, Africa, Central and South America, the Middle East and Australia, helping you acquire, finance and develop mining projects in both established and emerging markets.

Our mining lawyers take a multidisciplinary approach, bringing together legal expertise in corporate M&A, capital markets, finance, regulatory compliance and dispute resolution, enabling us to execute transactions efficiently while mitigating risks.

Lifecycle advice

Our teams have the expertise to guide and support you throughout the legal aspects of the whole mining lifecycle, from exploration, through mine development to production.

On the way, based on our deep industry knowledge, we provide advice in all areas of corporate and financial law (including complex structured finance transactions, capital raising, M&A, joint ventures and private equity transactions), commercial law (such as arrangements relating to exploration, mine development, processing, off-take, transportation and distribution) and the various forms of dispute resolution.

Our international mining group provides specialist legal support to mining investors, operators and financial institutions in the world’s most important mining jurisdictions. We can advise on high-value transactions across Canada, the UK, Africa, Central and South America, the Middle East and Australia, helping you acquire, finance and develop mining projects in both established and emerging markets.

Our mining lawyers take a multidisciplinary approach, bringing together legal expertise in corporate M&A, capital markets, finance, regulatory compliance and dispute resolution, enabling us to execute transactions efficiently while mitigating risks.

Lifecycle advice

Our teams have the expertise to guide and support you throughout the legal aspects of the whole mining lifecycle, from exploration, through mine development to production.

On the way, based on our deep industry knowledge, we provide advice in all areas of corporate and financial law (including complex structured finance transactions, capital raising, M&A, joint ventures and private equity transactions), commercial law (such as arrangements relating to exploration, mine development, processing, off-take, transportation and distribution) and the various forms of dispute resolution.

How we can help

No matter what project you're considering, what stage of development you're at or what issue you need to resolve, we can help. Our team of world-class mining lawyers know the drill.

Funding

We understand that exploration and mining companies need substantial cash injections at all stages of development. We have built up an impressive contact list, as well as being able to assist on the legal side. As a respected mining law firm, we can introduce you to investment banks and project financiers.

Funding

We understand that exploration and mining companies need substantial cash injections at all stages of development. We have built up an impressive contact list, as well as being able to assist on the legal side. As a respected mining law firm, we can introduce you to investment banks and project financiers.

Listings

Listings

Our team has helped companies obtain primary and secondary admissions of their securities to both on the stock markets for over 30 years, We've worked with a large number of mining and exploration companies – ranging from small-scale start-ups to multinational corporations. This includes numerous clients listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX), TSX Venture Exchange (TSXv), London Stock Exchange (both AIM and the Main Market), New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) and the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE).

Project finance

Project finance

When your exploration moves to the development phase, you'll require project finance. Whether you need advice on debt or equity, which bank to choose, or assistance with negotiating terms, we can help. We have an international Project Finance team consisting of project development and project finance experts involved in some complex and challenging project finance work undertaken in the UK and internationally.

International arbitration and investment treaties

International arbitration and investment treaties

We have extensive experience in advising on the effect of Investment Treaties and negotiating with governments. We can help you structure your group so that you obtain the advantage of any such treaty. When problems arise, such as disputes and expropriation, we have an international arbitration team who will be by your side through the entire process.

Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)

Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)

ESG concerns are becoming more prevalent across all parts of the mining life cycle. We can help ensure you meet requirements put in place by governments, financiers, social stakeholders and community groups.

Client work

Mining - Client work - Lucky Minerals Inc

Zijin Mining Group Co.

Zijin Mining Group Co.

We were counsel to Zijin Mining Group Co. Limited on the acquisition of Guyana Goldfields Inc. for C$323 million. We also advised on its purchase of La Arena gold mine in Peru for US$245 million cash from Pan American Silver Corp. and a US$50 million contingent payment upon commencement of commercial production from the La Arena II project.

Mining - Client work - Bacanora Lithium Plc

Bacanora Lithium PLC

Bacanora Lithium PLC

Our mining team acted for Bacanora Lithium on its redomicile, acquisition and sale of its lithium project in Germany, its $150 million debt raise and subsequent placing and retail offer to raise US$62 million, and its takeover offer by Ganfeng Lithium for £248 million.

Mining - Client work - Phoenix Copper Limited

Hummingbird Resources PLC

Hummingbird Resources PLC

We advised Hummingbird Resources Plc on the joint venture of its Dugbe gold project in Liberia with TSXV listed Pasofino Gold, the acquisition of the Kouroussa Gold Project in Guinea and Hummingbird’s recent takeover by Coris Bank.

Mining - Client work - Zijin Mining Group Co Limited

Horizonte Minerals

Horizonte Minerals

We supported Horizonte Minerals plc on its £80 million fundraisefor further development of its Araguaia nickel project in Brazil.

Mining - Client work - Lucky Minerals Inc

Zijin Mining Group Co.

Zijin Mining Group Co.

We were counsel to Zijin Mining Group Co. Limited on the acquisition of Guyana Goldfields Inc. for C$323 million. We also advised on its purchase of La Arena gold mine in Peru for US$245 million cash from Pan American Silver Corp. and a US$50 million contingent payment upon commencement of commercial production from the La Arena II project.

Mining - Client work - Bacanora Lithium Plc

Bacanora Lithium PLC

Bacanora Lithium PLC

Our mining team acted for Bacanora Lithium on its redomicile, acquisition and sale of its lithium project in Germany, its $150 million debt raise and subsequent placing and retail offer to raise US$62 million, and its takeover offer by Ganfeng Lithium for £248 million.

Mining - Client work - Phoenix Copper Limited

Hummingbird Resources PLC

Hummingbird Resources PLC

We advised Hummingbird Resources Plc on the joint venture of its Dugbe gold project in Liberia with TSXV listed Pasofino Gold, the acquisition of the Kouroussa Gold Project in Guinea and Hummingbird’s recent takeover by Coris Bank.

Mining - Client work - Zijin Mining Group Co Limited

Horizonte Minerals

Horizonte Minerals

We supported Horizonte Minerals plc on its £80 million fundraisefor further development of its Araguaia nickel project in Brazil.

Mining - Client work - Lucky Minerals Inc

Zijin Mining Group Co.

Zijin Mining Group Co.

We were counsel to Zijin Mining Group Co. Limited on the acquisition of Guyana Goldfields Inc. for C$323 million. We also advised on its purchase of La Arena gold mine in Peru for US$245 million cash from Pan American Silver Corp. and a US$50 million contingent payment upon commencement of commercial production from the La Arena II project.

Mining - Client work - Bacanora Lithium Plc

Bacanora Lithium PLC

Bacanora Lithium PLC

Our mining team acted for Bacanora Lithium on its redomicile, acquisition and sale of its lithium project in Germany, its $150 million debt raise and subsequent placing and retail offer to raise US$62 million, and its takeover offer by Ganfeng Lithium for £248 million.

Mining - Client work - Phoenix Copper Limited

Hummingbird Resources PLC

Hummingbird Resources PLC

We advised Hummingbird Resources Plc on the joint venture of its Dugbe gold project in Liberia with TSXV listed Pasofino Gold, the acquisition of the Kouroussa Gold Project in Guinea and Hummingbird’s recent takeover by Coris Bank.

Mining - Client work - Zijin Mining Group Co Limited

Horizonte Minerals

Horizonte Minerals

We supported Horizonte Minerals plc on its £80 million fundraisefor further development of its Araguaia nickel project in Brazil.

Mining - Client work - Lucky Minerals Inc

Zijin Mining Group Co.

Zijin Mining Group Co.

We were counsel to Zijin Mining Group Co. Limited on the acquisition of Guyana Goldfields Inc. for C$323 million. We also advised on its purchase of La Arena gold mine in Peru for US$245 million cash from Pan American Silver Corp. and a US$50 million contingent payment upon commencement of commercial production from the La Arena II project.

38

Leading rankings in Chambers & Partners UK 2025, including Mining: International

8

Mining lawyers named in Lexology Index: Mining Guide

65

Leading rankings in The Legal 500 UK 2025, including Mining and Minerals

2025

The Legal 500 UK Green Guide recognises our firm for its commitment to ESG

Key contacts

Charles Bond

Charles Bond

Partner

Head of Capital Markets
Leader of Natural Resources Sector (UK)

London
View our team
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Related sectors

EnergyOil & GasTech

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Gowling WLG is an international law firm comprising the members of Gowling WLG International Limited, an English Company Limited by Guarantee, and their respective affiliates. Each member and affiliate is an autonomous and independent entity. Gowling WLG International Limited promotes, facilitates and co-ordinates the activities of its members but does not itself provide services to clients. Our structure is explained in more detail on our Legal Information page.

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