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Australia
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Natural resources (transactions and regulatory)

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Piper Alderman

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Piper Alderman’s practice spans an array of industries, including the mining, metals and critical minerals sectors. The team is recognised as a trusted advisor to many of Australia’s major quarrying companies, as well as assisting clients in the oil and gas sector with M&A transactions, project finance and native title issues. Based in Brisbane, practice head Josh Steele is a name to note for capital raisings, M&A, farm-in and joint venture agreements. The team's strength in finance, property, and infrastructure projects and construction in the natural resources sector was strengthened with the addition of six new partners in 2024 and 2025: Catherine Wheeler, who joined from HopgoodGanim, and Hai-Dang Nguyen, Brent Henderson, Cris Cureton, David Starkoff and Campbell Davidson, all from Squire Patton Boggs.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Exceptional service, responsiveness and deep experience in the industry and more broadly. Always receiving practical advice and alternative workable suggestions to consider.’

  • ‘As a client, what I value most about Piper Alderman is their genuine commitment to building strong, lasting relationships. They take the time to understand our business, not just our legal needs, which makes their advice practical, commercial, and tailored.'

  • 'What makes the firm unique is how approachable and responsive the team is—you're never just another client. Their strength in litigation and commercial law gives me confidence, but it’s their collaborative style and deep industry knowledge that really sets them apart.'

  • 'Compared to other firms I’ve worked with, Piper Alderman feels more like a partner than a service provider. Their culture of inclusion, innovation, and teamwork shines through in every interaction. It’s clear they’re focused on delivering real value, not just legal answers—and that’s what makes the difference.’

  • ‘What sets the team at Piper Alderman apart is their exceptional responsiveness and the sense that they are genuinely invested in our success.'

Key clients

  • Adelaide Brighton
  • Alkane Resources Limited
  • Epiroc Australia
  • Galilee Energy Limited
  • Gamuda Engineering Pty Limited
  • GMA Garnet Group
  • GPT Group
  • Grange Resources Limited
  • Greatland Pty Ltd
  • Heidelberg Materials Australia Pty Ltd
  • Horizon Power
  • Santana Minerals Limited
  • Tianqi Lithium Kwinana Pty Limited
  • Tomingley Gold Operations Pty Limited
  • Unico Silver Limited
  • Zentree Investments Limited and Packer & Co Limited

Work highlights

Advising Constance Iron Limited on the acquisition of iron ore mineral rights over the Norseman Project Area, in preparation for its list on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange.
Advising ASX-listed gold and base metals explorer, PNX Metals Limited, on its merger with ASX-listed Patronus Resources Limited by way of scheme of arrangement.
Acted in an application to intervene in Federal Court proceedings that Energy Resources of Australia Pty Ltd (ERA) commenced against the Minister for Resources and Minister for Northern Territory & Others arising from a decision not to renew a mineral lease which had been granted to ERA in the 1980s.

Practice head

Josh Steele; Martin Lovell

Other key lawyers

Hai-Dang Nguyen; Catherine Wheeler; Brent Henderson; Cris Cureton; David Starkoff; Campbell Davidson.