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
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Client satisfaction: Billing & efficiency
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.’
Key clients
- Amerigo Resources
- Aura Minerals
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.
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.
Practice head
R. Ian Mitchell
Other key lawyers
Cyndi Laval; France Tenaille; Brett Kagetsu; Linda Hogg