Rising Stars

Natural resources (transactions and regulatory) in Australia

Allens

The practice at Allens, which works out of offices across the country, is described by one client as a ‘strong client-focused team’ with a ‘good mixture of experience and fresh perspective.’ Kate Axup and Igor Bogdanich lead the team, focusing on oil as well as gas and mining, respectively. On the mining side, the group often acts for major domestic and international mining companies, and on the oil and gas side, the practice regularly assists clients with key operational agreements such as JOAs. Elsewhere in the team, Richard Malcolmson has a quarter of a century’s experience advising Australian and international businesses on a range of transactions in the natural resources space. Jodi Reinmuth is also a key name, and often appears in project finance matters, another area of expertise for the group.

Practice head(s):

Kate Axup; Igor Bogdanich


Other key lawyers:

Mark McAleer; Richard Malcolmson; Jodi Reinmuth


Testimonials

‘Strong client-focused team. Good mixture of experience and fresh perspective.’

Key clients

Brookfield Asset Management Inc.


Core Lithium Limited


Liontown Resources Limited


Livent Corporation


Newcrest Mining Limited


Peabody Energy Corporation


Rio Tinto Iron Ore


Rio Tinto Limited


Santos Ltd


Talga Group Limited


Tamboran Resources Limited


Warrego Energy Limited


Work highlights


  • Advised Newcrest Mining Limited on the PNG aspects, and taxations aspects of, the acquisition of 100% of the issued shares in Newcrest Mining Limited by Newmont Mining.
  • Advised Livent on its agreed merger with ASX listed (with secondary TSX listing) Allkem to form an AU$15.7 billion global lithium chemicals producer.
  • Advised Brookfield Asset Management Inc. and MidOcean Energy consortium on the proposed acquisition of Origin Energy Limited, the Australia based integrated energy company primarily engaged in electricity and gas retailing.

Ashurst

Gaelan Cooney, who acts as the firm’s Global mining chair, and Paul Lingard head up Ashurst’s team, which is known for its breadth, demonstrated by its ability to assist experienced producers, junior explorers, as well as banks and investors that provide funding to them. The group deals with a range of natural resources and critical minerals, such as lithium, rare earths and copper, and retains a presence in its clients’ projects from inception until end.  The firm has recently bolstered the team through Lingard's arrival from Norton Rose Fulbright in August 2022. Contentious matters expert Catherine Pedler and project finance specialist associate Marina Tinning are standout practitioners in the team.

Practice head(s):

Gaelan Cooney; Paul Lingard


Other key lawyers:

Catherine Pedler; Marina Tinning


Testimonials

‘Ashurst were very proactive and timely in delivering advice to ensure that the company was in full compliance with the legislation and also advised on the commercial arrangements with the respective brokers. The engagement was over a very short period and hence the Ashurst team worked quickly and diligently to meet the required deadlines.’

‘The individual partners took it upon themselves to get actively involved in the transaction and deliver timely advice followed by prompt follow-up to ensure that nothing was missed. The manner in which they work was very efficient and friendly whilst providing good feedback on what actions were required to be undertaken to meet the deadline.’

‘Paul Lingard is consistently excellent, good to deal with either as a client or a counterparty and leads a tight-knit quality team. Ashurst in Perth has now has enough bench strength to take on large transactions in the energy and resources sectors.’

Key clients

Arafura Rare Earths


Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility


Cargill International Trading


Thunderbird Operations


Sibanye-Stillwater


Whitehaven Coal


Anglo American


Harmony Gold


Albemarle


Vulcan Energy


Energy Resources Australia


Sojitz Corporation


Lithium Power International


Appian Capital


Lithium Plus Minerals


Work highlights


  • Advised Sibanye-Stillwater and Sibanye Australia (an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Sibanye-Stillwater) on Sibanye Australia’s unsolicited off-market takeover bid under Chapter 6 of the Corporations Act to acquire all of the ordinary shares in New Century for $1.10 cash per share.
  • Advising Arafura Rare Earths on raising debt finance for the Nolans Project, a rare earths project located north of Alice Springs in the Northern Territory.
  • Advising Albemarle on the expansion of its USD$1.5bn Kemerton-based lithium hydroxide refinery, which is designed to process nearly 1 million tonnes of spodumene ore concentrate per annum, sourced from the Talison Greenbushes operation.

Corrs Chambers Westgarth

Tracey Greenaway, who joined the firm in Perth in June 2022 from Allens, leads the team at Corrs Chambers Westgarth. Greenaway bolsters the group’s oil and gas sector knowledge and strength advising international and domestic oil and gas majors on M&A matters. Other additions to the team include Adam Stapledon, James Abbott and Simon Huxley from Allen & Overy in July 2022. Anthony Lepere is a key name to note in corporate and project development work, with an emphasis on complex, cross-border M&A. The group often works on high-value transactions such as a major iron ore joint ventures, as well as cross-border transactions, regularly collaborating with the firm's Papua New Guinea office.

Practice head(s):

Tracey Greenaway


Other key lawyers:

Anthony Lepere; Simon Huxley; James Abbot; Adam Stapleton


Key clients

Rio Tinto


Newcrest Mining and Harmony Gold


Gold Road Resources Limited


Copper Mountain Mining Corporation


Peak Rare Earths Limited


Hancock Prospecting


Zijin Mining Group


Tembo Capital Mining Fund III LP


Global Lithium Resources Limited


Silver Lake Resources Limited


M Resources Trading


New Wilkie Energy Pty Limited


Trident


Greenstone Resources


Work highlights


  • Advised Rio Tinto on all aspects of the entry into a joint venture with respect to the Western Range iron ore project in the Pilbara, Western Australia with China Baowu Steel Group Co. Ltd.
  • Advised Zijin Mining on its investment in in Xanadu Mines and the establishment of a strategic partnership develop and finance the Kharmagtai Copper Gold Project in Mongolia.
  • Advising Newcrest Mining and Harmony Gold on all aspects of the Wafi-Golpu Copper and Gold Project in Papua New Guinea, including the negotiation of an investment framework with the government of Papua New Guinea.

Herbert Smith Freehills

Practitioners at Herbert Smith Freehills often work on the full life cycle of high-value and complex deals in the energy market, in particular within the mining sector. This includes acting for IGO Limited in a billion-dollar deal which occurred amid significant volatility in nickel prices following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Nick Baker, who acts as head of energy for Australia, leads the team alongside Jay Leary, who is global head of mining. Mark Hatfull was promoted to partner in May 2022 and is a key figure in the team when it comes to oil and gas mandates. As co-head of the firm’s global infrastructure group, David Ryan is instrumental when it comes to energy matters with an infrastructure element to them. Sian Newnham is another key name to note.

Practice head(s):

Nick Baker; Jay Leary


Other key lawyers:

David Ryan; Mark Hatfull; Sian Newnham


Work highlights


King & Wood Mallesons

King & Wood Mallesons’ natural resources team remains at the forefront of the energy transition in Australia, working on climate change and decarbonisation. Craig Rogers and Lorenzo Pacitti co-head the team from Brisbane and Perth respectively. Pacitti is the new head of the group’s mining sector, and managing partner Rogers is key for energy and infrastructure projects, which lends itself to the group’s work on multidisciplinary projects. Another key team member is Robert Edel, former practice head, who concentrates on project development and M&A in the mining, energy and infrastructure sectors and has been a prominent feature in the group’s many transactional matters, as well as in assisting mining companies which are now revisiting their M&A strategies as a result of climate change. Scott Langford has worked with some of the largest mining and resources companies in the country and Paul Schroder ‘is excellent at managing client expectations.’

Practice head(s):

Craig Rogers; Lorenzo Pacitti


Other key lawyers:

Robert Edel; Scott Langford; Paul Schroder


Testimonials

‘Significant expertise in the mining and natural resources field and, in particular, in the transaction space. KWM also offers a one-stop shop for environment in addition to the transactional and regulatory space. I’ve been very impressed by both KWM’s ability to work on complex transactions while providing world-class legal advice.’

‘Our firm contact is Paul Schroder who is excellent at managing client expectations and responding to emergency requests while providing great advice and surrounding himself with talent both in and outside Australia.’

Key clients

Glencore plc


Alumina Limited


Aurizon Holdings Limited


Iluka


Wesfarmers Limited


China Baowu Steel Group Corp., Ltd.


Northern Star Resources Limited


29Metals Limited


Bellevue Gold Limited


EMR Capital Management Limited


Gold Road Resources Limited


Perenti Global Limited


Work highlights


  • Advising BHP on its AU$9.6bn acquisition of Australian copper producer OZ Minerals Limited by way of scheme of arrangement.
  • Advising Newmont Corporation on its proposed AU$26bn acquisition of Newcrest Mining Limited by way of scheme of arrangement.
  • Advised Iluka Resources on its AU$1.2bn Eneabba rare earths project development and its strategic partnership with Northern Minerals.

Clayton Utz

The team at Clayton Utz excels in ‘balancing legal risks and business realities, based on knowledge and understanding on the industry and their good stock of precedents.’ The group has strong knowledge of the mining sector, assisting clients with mining projects across a range of commodities, including iron ore, coal, copper, gold, lithium, tungsten, rare earths, uranium and bauxite. Practice head Stuart MacGregor was heavily active in matters relating to the acquisition and disposal of mining assets for local and global corporates in 2022. On the regulatory side, Mark Geritz is a key name to note when it comes to mining, oil and gas, renewables and infrastructure matters. Brett Cohen is a standout lawyer in the team for renewable energy projects.

Practice head(s):

Stuart MacGregor


Other key lawyers:

Samy Mansour; Mark Geritz; Brett Cohen


Testimonials

‘The team is characterized by responsiveness, expertise in the industry and a business-oriented mindset. The team is committed to responsiveness, especially for M&A transactions, as time is of the essence and the business will accelerate or stop all of a sudden.’

‘We can rely on Samy Mansour because he will always respond promptly. The team always provides us with practical solutions by balancing legal risks and business realities, based on knowledge and understanding on the industry and their good stock of precedents.’

‘Samy Mansour is one of the key personnel that gives the team its strong characteristics.’

Key clients

Tattarang Group (including Squadron Energy, Australian Industrial Energy, and Australian Industrial Power)


Macquarie


Wright Prospecting


Ecora Resources PLC (previously Anglo Pacific PLC)


Senex Energy


Commonwealth of Australia (Australian Federal Government)


Idemitsu Australia


Itochu Corporation


Mitsui


Australia Pacific LNG (APLNG)


Origin Energy


Enel Green Power


Alcoa


Glencore


Transgrid


Arrow Energy


Perth Airport


Work highlights


  • Advised Wright Prospecting Pty Ltd on the modernisation of its joint venture arrangement with Rio Tinto (which dated back to 1972) in relation to the Rhodes Ridge project, located in the East Pilbara in Western Australia.
  • Advised Japan Australia Rare Earths B.V. (JARE) on further strengthening its partnership with Lynas Rare Earths Australia (Lynas).
  • Advising Mitsui & Co on its divestment of its 20% interest in BHP Mitsui Coal Pty Ltd (BMC) following BHP’s divestment to Stanmore of its 80% interest in BMC.

Gilbert + Tobin

Gilbert + Tobin‘s expertise includes financing and hedging facilities, acquisitions, and a range of regulatory matters. Practice head Michael Blakiston is a specialist in mining and resources law and is well supported by associate Callum Fleming who has a strong track record of acting in capital markets transactions in the energy and resources as well as engineering and mining services sectors. Claire Boyd has a special interest in farm-in arrangements and joint ventures, and a range of corporate advisory matters. As a whole, the group has a strong knowledge of a range of commodities within the mining sector such as salt and uranium, as well as expertise in mining legislation and regulation.

Practice head(s):

Michael Blakiston


Other key lawyers:

Callum Fleming; Claire Boyd


Testimonials

‘Gender diversity is present in this firm. The availability of the team is very good too.’

‘Extremely knowledgeable and available which is particularly important in the ASX listed space.’

‘Experienced team which is well managed and always available. The work is accurate and well researched. There is a good team behind the managers who communicate very well.’

Key clients

OZ Minerals Limited


Mincor Resources NL


IMDEX Limited


Mineral Resources Limited


Syrah Resources


Covalent Lithium Pty Ltd


Wesfarmers Limited


Catalyst Metals Limited


Firefinch Limited


Altamin Ltd


Lunnon Metals Limited


Thunderbird Operations Pty Ltd


Carbonaut Limited


Sandfire Resources Limited


Yancoal


Work highlights


  • Advised OZ Minerals on the proposed AU$9.5bn acquisition of OZ Minerals by BHP Lonsdale Pty Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of BHP Group by way of scheme of arrangement.
  • Advised IMDEX Limited on its up to AU$224m equity raising (by way of underwritten institutional placement, underwritten ANREO and non-underwritten conditional placement) to partially fund the proposed acquisition of Devico AS.
  • Advised Mincor Resources NL on the $760m unsolicited on-market takeover offer made by Andrew Forrest’s Wylie Consolidated Investments Pty Ltd.

MinterEllison

MinterEllison demonstrates a ‘great depth of capability and ability to provide a full service across all areas’, including a range of acquisitions and divestment matters in the natural resources space. Among the ‘great partners and great senior associates’ is group head Simon Scott in Brisbane, who has a history of working on M&A matters and commercial matters in the natural resources arena, particularly mining. Bryn Davis has since departed the practice. The group works out of the firm’s offices across the country, including Adelaide and Darwin, emblematic of the group’s ability to provide clients with a national presence and strong knowledge of the local market.

Practice head(s):

Simon Scott


Other key lawyers:

Jordan Phillips; Andrew Corletto


Testimonials

‘Great partners and also great senior associates and lawyers.’

‘Great depth of capability – able to provide a full service across all areas.’

‘Strong commercialism based on reality and common sense.’

Key clients

Albemarle Corporation


Andromeda Metals


Anglo American


ConocoPhillips


First Quantum Minerals


Flinders Mines


Huayou International Mining (Hong Kong)


Incitec Pivot


Inpex Corporation


Jellinbah Group


New Hope Group


Peabody Energy


Rio Tinto (including Oyu Tolgoi LLC)


South32


Stanwell Corporation


Vintage Energy


Wiggins Island Coal Export Terminal


Yancoal Australia


Work highlights


  • Advised Albemarle on both of its multibillion-dollar transactions with Mineral Resources Limited (MRL).
  • Advised WSP Australia, a subsidiary of TSX-listed WSP Global Inc., on all aspects of its $275m acquisition of Calibre Professional Services One from Calibre Group.
  • Represented Highfield Resources Limited in an equity fundraising and project financing for its flagship Muga Project in Spain.

Allen & Overy

Allen & Overy‘s large team, which is predominantly based in Perth and Sydney, stands out for its cross-border expertise. This is characterised by Meredith Campion, who as well as assisting Australian clients, has experience working on large projects and transactions in Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America. Former practice head Geoff Simpson retired in April 2023, and has been replaced by Matthew Johnson, who is the co-lead of the firm’s global mining sector. Goran Galic is an energy, resources and projects specialist, and is a go-to practitioner in the group for regulatory matters. Clients instructing the team include large clients active in the natural resources sector.

Practice head(s):

Matthew Johnson


Other key lawyers:

Meredith Campion; Goran Galic


Testimonials

‘Good competence, pragmatism without compromising accuracy, availability and enthusiasm.’

‘Matthew Johnson has displayed practical knowledge and impressive ‘people skills’ in satisfying complex corporate requirements and a moving corporate target.’

Key clients

Allied Gold


Sandfire Resources


Resolute Mining Limited


Peninsula Energy Limited


Vale


Pilbara Minerals


Fortescue Metals Group


Wyloo Metals


Paladin Energy


Work highlights


  • Advising Allied Gold on the proposed business combination, financing and reverse takeover, together with a listing of the resulting issuer’s common shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
  • Acting for Resource Capital Funds (RCF) on its investment in Genesis Minerals Limited as part of Genesis’ acquisition of St Barbara Limited’s Leonora assets in Western Australia.
  • Advised dual-listed Resolute Mining Limited (ASX/LSE:RSG) on a fully underwritten institutional placement and partially underwritten accelerated non-renounceable entitlement offer which raised a total of AU$164m.

DLA Piper

DLA Piper undertakes a large amount of work in the projects space and works in a range of industries including alternative and renewable energy, mining, oil & gas, power, water and waste. At the helm is specialist mining lawyer Alex Jones, who is commended for his ‘experience across all elements important to any new or existing natural resources project‘. Along with the rest of the team, Jones is also described as having ‘deep experience both in years and number of practitioners with practical knowledge in the natural resources field’. Elsewhere in the team, Joanne Steer is a key name to note for advising clients in the hard rock mining industry.

Practice head(s):

Alex Jones


Other key lawyers:

Rhys Davies; James Nicholls; Joanne Steer; Matthew Roberts


Testimonials

‘Deep experience both in years and number of practitioners with practical knowledge in the natural resources field.’

‘I can’t think of another practitioner with Alex Jones’ level of experience across all elements important to any new or existing natural resources project. Alex is practical, displays commercial nous and is proactive in his advice. It is not unusual to have him call me to discuss a project aspect we may not have considered or not considered important.’

‘Matthew Roberts is an excellent listener. He will do so without interruption, and then will provide a considered response addressing all issues raised.’

The team understands the resources industry based on years of practising in this area. They also have the depth and breadth across the team to handle everything we need including corporate, regulatory, employment, projects and dispute resolution.’

‘Thorough knowledge about the specifics of the mining industry and how the regulatory/approvals side interacts with the commercial aspects of our business.’

Key clients

AVZ Minerals Limited


Aspen Technology, Inc


EV Metals Group plc


Leichhardt Salt Pty Ltd


PT Unilever Oleochemical Indonesia


Nickel Industries Limited


Genesis Minerals Limited


Byrnecut Burkina Faso SARL


Pantoro Limited


Riversgold Ltd


Canaccord Genuity Australia Limited


Kingsrose Mining Limited


Nio NextEV


Regis Resources Limited


Helmerich & Payne International Holdings, LLC


Work highlights


  • Acting for AVZ Minerals Limited in relation to its development of the Manono Lithium and Tin Project, a large mine in a remote eastern province of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
  • Advising NASDAQ-listed software provider Aspen Technology, Inc. on its proposed acquisition of the Australian-headquartered mining software business Micromine Group, from private equity firm Potentia Capital and others, for approximately AUD900m in cash.
  • Acting for EV Metals Group plc on the contracts for the construction of a major lithium chemicals plant in Saudi Arabia.

Johnson Winter Slattery

Standout recent mandates for the group at Johnson Winter Slattery include upstream oil and gas project development work, and downstream projects. Practice head Bruce Adkins is well known for his expertise in energy and resources, M&A and project development. The team also comprises Jee-Seon Lee, who has over 20 years’ energy and resources experience. Tom Barrett was promoted to special counsel in 2022 and is another name to note, often assisting energy clients with operational matters.

Practice head(s):

Bruce Adkins


Other key lawyers:

Stuart Clague; Tom Barrett; Jee-Seon Lee


Testimonials

‘The practice operates as an efficient team, not just a collection of individuals. The deep experience and expertise of the team is always available, but the right level of resource is applied where appropriate in order to provide the appropriate level of service and cost.’

‘Bruce Adkins is available to provide his expertise and experience at all times and is able to stay abreast of the fine details of a broad range of matters. He is there when required but stays in the background when not required and lets others get on with the work.’

‘Stuart Clague is vastly experienced and user friendly. It is a pleasure to work with him and his relaxed style and competence. When Stuart is involved, you know the matter is under control.’

Key clients

Base Resources Ltd


GB Energy Holdings Limited


3D Oil Limited


Bowen Coking Coal Limited


Magnetic Rail Group Pty Ltd.


Coeclerici Far East Pte Ltd


New Hope Corporation Limited


Cooper Energy Limited


Work highlights


  • Advising in relation to the project structuring for the construction and procurement contracting on the Toliara project.
  • Continuing to assist GB Energy to progress the development of its underground gas storage project in Gippsland, Victoria.
  • Advised on its company transforming acquisitions of the Bluff coal mine (from the Controller of Carabella Resources) and the Burton coal mine and Lenton coal project (from New Hope Corporation) which saw BCB emerge as the newest miner of coking coal in Queensland’s Bowen Basin.

Jones Day

Jones Day is praised for its technical excellence and its 'market-leading expertise in respect of natural gas', which is a key strength of the team. Former practice head Andrew Smith retired in November, and subsequently Dan Howard took on the role of leading the ‘small but powerful team‘ out of the firm’s Brisbane office, bringing a significant amount of expertise in the areas of electricity, mining and infrastructure projects to the practice. Tony Wassaf is a key name to note for mining pipeline matters.

Practice head(s):

Dan Howard


Other key lawyers:

Tony Wassaf


Testimonials

‘Jones Day has market-leading expertise in respect of natural gas. The team provides exceptional legal and regulatory advice on gas and pipeline matters, combined with a broader deep understanding of the WA gas market. Their advice is both technically excellent and tailored to our company’s commercial drivers.’

‘There is a small but powerful team at Jones Day. They consistently produce high-quality work in a timely manner on our natural gas matters. No task is too great or small and their support is constant. The team members are always friendly and professional, which makes them very easy to work with.’

Key clients

CleanCo Queensland Limited


Esprey Limited


Yara Pilbara Fertilisers Pty Ltd (Yara)


Mirae Asset Global Investments Holdings Ltd and Global X Management Company Inc


Slipstream Resources Pty Ltd


Thunderbird Operations Pty Ltd


Mineral Deposits (Operations) Pty Ltd


Coronado Curragh


Idemitsu Australia Pty Ltd


Scramble Resources Corp


Work highlights


  • Advising Coronado Coal LLC on a potential merger with a Fortune 500 coal mining and energy company.
  • Advising CleanCo Queensland on the implications for its gas trading business as a result of the introduction of the Federal government’s emergency gas price cap and reasonable pricing provisions.
  • Advising Coronado Coal on its major procurement items that are critical to the operation of the Australian mining operations.

McCullough Robertson

McCullough Robertson offers clients a strong national presence, operating in Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria. Their experience includes solar, hydro, wind, battery storage, and bioenergy projects. Senior commercial and corporate lawyer Damien Clarke and Kate Swain, who is a go-to practitioner for compliance and regulatory matters, jointly head up the team. Several of the group’s clients are large Australian as well as international energy companies. The group is also notable in its experience in the electricity sector.

Practice head(s):

Damien Clarke; Kate Swain


Other key lawyers:

Dominic McGann


Testimonials

‘Stable partners and experience across the sector.’

‘Focused on long-standing personal relationships rather than transactionally focused.’

Key clients

Malabar Resources Ltd


Bowdens Silver


Falcon Oil & Gas


New Hope Corporation Limited


Bowen River Utilities


Peabody Energy Australia


Vitrinite Pty Ltd


Senex Energy Limited


Diatreme Resources Limited


Tri-Star Group


Sojitz Corporation


CS Energy


Omega Oil & Gas Limited


AGL Energy Limited


Vedanta Resources Limited


Sungrow Power Australia Pty Ltd


Work highlights


  • Advising Vedanta on its intended sale of the Mt Lyell Copper Mine located on Tasmania’s west coast.
  • Advising Bowdens Silver on its silver deposit project, including reviewing the detailed EIS required for the State Significant Development application.
  • Advising Diatreme Resources on its flagship Galalar Silica Sands Project, a greenfield high purity silica sand mine in an Aboriginal community.

Norton Rose Fulbright

At Norton Rose Fulbright, Lisa Koch in Sydney jointly leads the team together with Gavin Scott in Brisbane, whose work centres around mining and petroleum projects. The group is particularly active in critical minerals within the battery sector, as well as being heavily involved in deep-sea mining. The team adopts a multidisciplinary approach, and hosts a range of practice area expertise, including disputes and M&A transactions. Keira Brennan is a go-to practitioner in the team for joint ventures in the energy sector.

Practice head(s):

Lisa Koch; Gavin Scott


Other key lawyers:

Keira Brennan


Testimonials

‘They are able to create a team with the appropriate expertise for each transaction throughout their global network. They also put LegalTech into great use, efficiently managing large volume document review and transaction progress.’

Key clients

Anglo American


Shell Australia


Chevron


Tokyo Gas


Snowy Hydro


Ampol


Bright Energy Investments


Arrow Energy


bp


South32


BHP


ExxonMobil


ENEOS


TotalEnergies


Australian Vanadium Limited


Work highlights


  • Advised Tokyo Gas on the sell down of its minority interest across 4 LNG projects, including Gorgon, Ichtys, Pluto and QCLNG to US based private equity firm EIG.
  • Advised Queensland-based mining company, Stanmore Resources Limited (Stanmore), on its acquisition of BHP’s 80% interest in BHP Mitsui Coal (BMC) and subsequent acquisition of Mitsui’s 20% interest in BMC.
  • Advising Australian Vanadium Limited (AVL) on the development and financing (including grant funding) of its Australian Vanadium project in Western Australia.

Piper Alderman

Referred to as ‘reliable, knowledgeable and responsive‘, Piper Alderman fields a national, cross-practice team which assists a variety of clients in the energy sector who are involved in natural resources, mining, and minerals. Practice co-heads are Josh Steele in Brisbane, a key contact for corporate matters, and projects and finance lawyer Martin Lovell. Former practice head Ashley Watson is instrumental in the team’s work in this space, in particular when it comes to gold exploration and mining, tenements, land access, and infrastructure matters.

Practice head(s):

Josh Steele; Martin Lovell


Testimonials

‘Reliable, knowledgeable and responsive. Partner-level access is excellent and the team is always available for timely advice in various disciplines.’

‘Josh Steele has consistently provided excellent commercially practical advice in a very timely manner.’

‘Straightforward commercial and legal advice for any scenario.’

‘Josh Steele and his team have provided us with another year of excellent service.’

Key clients

ADBRI (Adelaide Brighton Limited)


Arrow Minerals Limited


Beach Energy Limited


Bengal Energy


Coppermoly Limited


Unico Silver Limited


Elementos Limited


Epiroc


Galilee Energy Limited


Grange Resources Limited


Gypsum Resources Australia


Hanson Construction Materials


IGO Limited


Iltani Resources Limited


Lucas Total Contract Solutions


Narryer Metals Limited


Pegmont Mines Ltd


PNX Metals Limited


Power Minerals


Prodigy Gold NL


Work highlights


  • Advised Epiroc on its successful acquisition of Remote Control Technologies Pty Ltd, so as to solidify Epiroc’s presence in the mining automation industry in Australia, Latin America and North America.
  • Advised Unico Silver Limited on its strategic acquisition of the advanced Pinguino silver gold project.
  • Advising the administrators of Balmaine Gold Pty Ltd in respect of the operation, environmental issues and interim financing of the Ballarat gold mine.

White & Case

John Tivey, Christopher Flynn, Joel Rennie, and Jared Muller are the quartet leading the White & Case team, which operates across all areas of energy, oil and gas, and mining projects, and often appears in international projects. Brendan Quinn has a strong project finance practice, which lends itself to energy projects or matters with a financial aspect to them. Emblematic of the team more widely, Flynn advises Australian and multinational companies on transactions and projects in an array of sectors including upstream and LNG.

Practice head(s):

John Tivey; Christopher Flynn; Joel Rennie; Jared Muller


Other key lawyers:

Brendan Quinn


Testimonials

‘Highly professional and capable. Consistently delivers as promised. Compares favourably to others.’

‘Strong focus on client care and delivery. High quality delivery and advice. Highly skilled pragmatic and practical approach.’

‘Great industry knowledge and experience.’

‘Strong client-care and delivery focus. High quality delivery and advice. Highly skilled pragmatic, practical approach.’

Key clients

EIG/MidOcean


Neoen Australia Pty Ltd (Neoen)


Golden Plains


AusNet


Star of the South


Perdaman Urea Plant


Genesis FRV


Southern Green Hydrogen Project


Nexif Energy


Petroliam


Vast Solar


Igneo


Canadian Solar


Tenaga


Epic Energy


Malabar Resources Limited


Sun Cable


Work highlights


  • Advised EIG/MidOcean Energy Holdings Pty Ltd on its proposed acquisition of Origin Energy Limited  as part of a consortium with Brookfield.
  • Advised MidOcean Energy Holdings Pty Ltd on all aspects of its acquisition of Tokyo Gas’ interests in four Australian LNG projects (Pluto LNG, Gorgon LNG, Ichthys LNG and QCLNG) for US$2.15bn
  • Acted for Malabar Resources Limited in the financing of the construction and operation of its Maxwell Underground Mine with 141Mt JORC Reserves (770Mt JORC Resources) located in the Upper Hunter region of New South Wales.

Dentons

John Mollard, the firm’s regional head of mining and resources, David Perks, co-regional head of natural resources, and Kym Livesley, regional head of energy, jointly lead the natural resources team at Dentons. Perks is referred to by one client as ‘an exceptional M&A and energy and resources lawyer’ who ‘consistently provides quality, commercial advice and is easy to work with.’ The group counts some large global energy pioneers amongst its clients.

Practice head(s):

John Mollard; David Perks; Kym Livesley


Testimonials

‘David Perks is an exceptional M&A and energy and resources lawyer. He consistently provides quality, commercial advice and is easy to work with. Highly recommended.’

Key clients

Ganfeng Lithium Group Co., Ltd


Santos


Silex Systems


Radicle


Montem Resources Limited


Rio Tinto


Bougainville Copper Limited


Acacia Coal Ltd


Anchor Resources Limited


Bowen Energy


Buru Energy


Brookfield


World Fuel Services


Centaur Resources Limited


Work highlights


  • Advised Jiangxi Ganfeng Lithium Co., Ltd (Ganfeng) on a US$17m joint venture with Leo Lithium Limited (Leo Lithium).
  • Assisted Silex System with an AU$100m issuance of approximately 24.7m new ordinary fully paid shares in the company by way of an institutional placement and undertake $20m SPP.
  • Assisted Montem Resources with an agreement with TransAlta TMPH LP, a wholly owned subsidiary of NYSE and TSX listed TransAlta Corporation to sell 50% of its Tent Mountain Renewable Energy Complex (TM-REX) in Alberta, Canada.

Squire Patton Boggs

Squire Patton Boggs‘ offering spans both coasts in Australia and meshes corporate and projects expertise with expertise in the renewables, oil and gas, LNG, hydrogen, CCS/CCUS, minerals, power and energy storage sectors. Key figures include corporate law experts Tony Chong in Perth and Michael Gajic in Sydney. The multidisciplinary group as a whole continues to grow its transport practice alongside its mining, energy and renewables work.

Other key lawyers:

Tony Chong; Michael Gajic


Key clients

Metals Acquisition Corporation


Thiess


ITOCHU Corporation


Tyler Huang


Argonaut Resources


Forico


Denison Gas


Work highlights


  • Advised US-based, NYSE-listed SPAC, Metals Acquisition Corporation (MAC) on its acquisition of the CSA Copper Mine (the CSA Mine).
  • Advised Thiess on its AU$350m off-market takeover bid to acquire ASX-listed MACA Limited, Western Australia’s fourth largest contractor and largest mining services business (according to Business News’ Data & Insights), with more than 3000 employees.
  • Advising ITOCHU Corporation which, through a wholly owned subsidiary ITOCHU Minerals & Energy of Australia Pty Ltd (IMEA), on incorporating and funding a special purpose vehicle, IMEA Canada Inc., to purchase 49.6% of the issued share capital of investment management company, 9404-5515 Quebec Inc (Quebec Inc.) from EQP Cooperatief U.A.