Allens has a strong position in the natural resources space, advising high-profile multinational and Australian mining and minerals companies on an ongoing basis, and working with said clients on major transactions and projects of significant value. The team has a presence across Australia, and also regularly acts in cross-border and multi-jurisdictional matters, with project development and regulatory expertise across the Asia-Pacific region. Sydney's Richard Malcolmson heads up the firm's mining team, and advises major clients including Genesee & Wyoming and Rio Tinto on strategic and sector-critical transactions, regulatory issues, and projects. Melbourne-based Igor Bogdanich is recognised as a key player in the sector for his work on complex M&A, joint ventures, and resources projects, maintaining long-standing relationships with key clients. Perth's Gerard Woods has great experience advising multinationals on international minerals projects, regularly working in Papua New Guinea, while Jodi Reinmuth advises public and private sector clients on project development and approvals.

Herbert Smith Freehills's mining-focused team provides a full service offering to a variety of major national and international mining companies, encompassing transactional and regulatory support, project development and approvals, contentious and litigation support, and general corporate advice. The team regularly acts on cross-border matters, with Perth-based practice head and global co-head of mining Jay Leary advising a number of major clients on complex strategic acquisitions, joint ventures, and development agreements. Adam Strauss in Sydney is a well-regarded transactional and corporate counsel to key mining clients. Brisbane's Sian Newnham advises on construction projects and operational matters, and is particularly active in the coal mining sector. Also in Brisbane, recently-promoted partner Melissa Swain-Tonkin is noted for her work with financial investors on equity investments and joint investments in the minerals and resources sector. Ian Williams has taken a senior counsel position.

King & Wood Mallesons is highly active within the mining and minerals sectors, advising on large-scale project developments and major transactions, including the formation of Australia's largest gold company through the combination of Newmont and Goldcorp. The team operates across Australia, and is also heavily involved in projects in Africa and Asia, regularly advising Chinese companies in their investments across the region. Brisbane's Craig Rogers co-leads the practice as head of infrastructure and projects, with Perth-based global mining head Robert Edel taking the lead on mining and minerals work, advising on all aspects of projects and regularly advising on cross-border operational and transactional issues. Melbourne's Scott Langford advises major resources companies on transactions, takeovers, joint ventures, and other commercial matters, while Perth's Alan Murray is noted for his strategic advice to clients in the mining and upstream oil & gas sectors. Sydney-based Paul Schroder specialises in cross-border resources M&A, acting for Chinese investors, private equity sponsors, and multinational companies.

Allen & Overy is widely recognised for its consistent involvement in high-value global mining and resources transactions, regularly advising international minerals and metals companies, banks, and financial sponsors on deals and projects in Australia and the wider Asia-Pacific region. The practice is integrated globally, regularly collaborating with other offices on deals. The firm also regularly works for major domestic clients on operational and transactional matters. Geoff Simpson leads the team, and is prolific within the transactional energy and resources space, advising on domestic and cross-border M&A deals, joint ventures, capital markets, and projects-related matters. Meredith Campion has an international energy practice, primarily acting for foreign investors and entities in Australia on acquisitions and takeovers, while Adam Stapledon specialises in financing matters, including acquisition finance and syndicated lending. Goran Galic is noted for his role in long-term projects and complex regulatory matters.

Clayton Utz has a strong and diverse natural resources team, with bench strength in key areas such as Perth and Brisbane. The firm has consistent relationships with major mining and minerals companies both domestically and internationally, advising clients on transactions, project development, and regulatory issues. In particular, the firm has increased its involvement in cross-border mandates involving inbound investment. The team is led by Brisbane's Stuart MacGregor, who works with high-profile mining and resources companies alongside private equity investors, as well as regularly advising public bodies on industry developments. Perth's Brett Cohen is heavily involved in large-scale minerals projects across Australia, while Brisbane-based Mark Geritz is highly regarded for his regulatory and litigation expertise, handling contentious elements of major projects. Sydney's Samy Mansour plays a key role in major cross-border transactions, and is praised by clients. Perth's Liz Humphry advises energy and resources clients on a range of commercial and corporate matters.

Gilbert + Tobin brings corporate, regulatory, and projects expertise to its work in the natural resources sector, advising clients on financing, transactions, development, and operation. The team regularly advises Australian clients on overseas projects alongside high-profile domestic work. A growing area of focus for the firm is the battery minerals sector, with teams advising on a large proportion of lead and lithium mining projects across Australia. Michael Blakiston co-leads the team, focusing on corporate advice to mining clients, including on transactions, joint ventures, financing, and fundraising. Sydney-based Christopher Flynn is the other co-head, and focuses on project development work. Claire Boyd advises on a combination of transactional and regulatory issues, such as state agreements and land access. Marshall McKenna specialises in regulatory issues, including native title agreements and litigation. Melbourne's Phil Edmands is noted for his work on high-profile mining and mining infrastructure M&A.

McCullough Robertson works across the natural resources space, with partners heavily involved on both the transactional and regulatory side. The team acts for a number of major minerals and mining houses on all aspects of their work, including corporate M&A and transactional support, investments, joint ventures, ESG considerations, and project licensing. Mandates include projects relating to gold, bauxite coal, and a growing share of the battery minerals market, with the practice also acting in a number of cross-border mandates. The practice is led by Damien Clarke, who advises clients on transactions, commercial strategy, and tax considerations, including complex asset development and ownership structures, alongside Louise Horrocks, a regular adviser on M&A within the mining industry, alongside energy transition, project investments, and funding in the renewables sector.  On the regulatory side, Dominic McGann is highly experienced in native title and cultural considerations relating to project approvals, with Liam Davis also noted for his role in securing complex approvals. All lawyers are in Brisbane.

MinterEllison has a broad national practice that acts for major mining houses, government departments, industry bodies, and regulators across a wide range of natural resources-related matters, encompassing mining projects, joint ventures and M&A, and a variety of regulatory matters. The team offers extensive sector knowledge across a variety of products, including coal, gold, and battery products such as lithium, and also regularly acts on cross-border mining and minerals projects across the Asia-Pacific and worldwide. Brisbane's Simon Scott leads the team, acting for large international resources companies on projects and high-value transactions. Adelaide-based Andrew Corletto works on a variety of corporate and regulatory matters, including transactions, project development, and licensing agreements. In Perth, Adam Handley specialises in advice to Chinese investors operating in the Australian minerals sector, while Brisbane's Jordan Phillips acts on transactions and project operations in a variety of jurisdictions.

Baker McKenzie bolstered its mining and resources offering with the arrival of three partners in its Brisbane office. Tanya Denning specialises in end-to-end energy and resources projects work, Derek Pocock focuses on capital markets and transactional work for resources-focused clients, and Jim Peterson has extensive experience in resources and mining. Elsewhere, Sydney's Sean Duffy leads on natural resources and mining work, acting for clients across Australia and in the US. The practice is noted for its regular role in cross-border transactions and projects, collaborating closely with international teams in the Asia-Pacific.