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Canada • Energy and natural resources
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Mining

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Gowling WLG

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Gowling WLG centres its mining practice on the mid-market, advising international and domestic mining clients listed in Canada, the UK and Australia. The team assists clients in a number of different mining industries including precious and base metals, specialty and battery metals and critical minerals. The team is well-equipped to handle mineral exploration, site development and project financing as well as corporate financing issues and M&A. R. Ian Mitchell leads the Toronto-based practice and is a transactions-focused mining lawyer. Cyndi Laval resides in Vancouver and is experienced in handling mining law issues and corporate finance, while France Tenaille forms part of the Toronto team and is key to the issues involving Latin America and Cuba.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Gowling WLG’s mining practice combines deep industry knowledge with a pragmatic, solutions-oriented approach that consistently delivers strong outcomes. The team are highly experienced in complex, cross-border mining matters and bring both commercial acumen and technical legal expertise to the table. Their collaborative style ensures efficient, coordinated advice across multiple practice areas.’

  • ‘Cyndi Laval stands out as an exceptional partner - highly knowledgeable, commercially astute, and deeply committed to client success. She combines a thorough understanding of mining law with practical, business-focused advice that consistently advances our objectives. Cyndi is remarkably responsive, even on complex or time-sensitive matters, and has an exceptional ability to distill intricate legal and regulatory issues into clear, actionable solutions.’

  • ‘A very well-rounded team, that can integrate experts in different legal areas as necessary for the transaction without losing rhythm at all. ’

  • ‘France Tenaille stands-out for her commercial approach. She is particularly recommendable to deal with Latin American clients who are looking for a lawyer with industry knowledge that can get the deal done. ’

  • ‘The team operates on another level, possessing an unparalleled understanding of the Argentine market and legal environment. Among all the Canadian law firms we work with, they have consistently demonstrated the deepest knowledge of Argentina’s unique regulatory, commercial, and cultural landscape, especially as it relates to the mining industry.'

  • ‘France Tenaille is the premier Canadian lawyer of choice for any company seeking to do business in Latin America. With her unique multicultural background—Venezuelan and Canadian—she offers an exceptional blend of legal expertise and business acumen. Her deep understanding of both cultures enables her to seamlessly bridge the gap between Canada and Latin American countries, ensuring clients receive invaluable strategic guidance tailored to their cross-border needs.'

Key clients

  • Amerigo Resources
  • Aura Minerals
  • Canaccord Genuity
  • Capella Minerals
  • Elemental Altus Royalties
  • Gold Springs Resource
  • Iamgold
  • K92 Mining
  • Largo
  • Mawson Gold
  • Minera Alamos
  • Mineros
  • Platinum Group Metals
  • Rokmaster Resources
  • Rugby Mining
  • Sandstorm Gold
  • Silver X Mining
  • Trafigura
  • West Vault Mining
  • Zijin Mining Group

Work highlights

On January 13, 2025, we acted on behalf of Aura Minerals Inc. ("Aura") to acquire Bluestone Resources Inc. This completes a previously announced acquisition of Bluestone by way of a plan of arrangement. Aura is a gold and copper mining company focused on project development and operations in the Americas. Our team was co-led by France Tenaille and Ian Mitchell and included Brett Kagetsu and Paul Carenza.
On October 23, 2024, Kinross Gold Corporation (TSX: K, NYSE: KGC) entered into a definitive option agreement with Puma Exploration Inc. (TSXV: PUMA, OTCQB: PUMXF), through its wholly- owned subsidiary KG Exploration (Canad

Practice head

R. Ian Mitchell

Other key lawyers

Cyndi Laval; France Tenaille; Brett Kagetsu; Linda Hogg

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