Mining & Metals

Overview

BCLP’s international mining and metals practice fields a team of lawyers with experience in all aspects of transactions involving the mining sector. We assist clients in every stage of mining, from initial exploration through to mine development and production and sales to end-buyer matters. We have a deep understanding of the legal and practical challenges that the industry faces when operating in developing or emerging markets.

The mining and metals legal team spans the globe, with lawyers in London, Singapore, Hong Kong SAR, Dubai and multiple locations across the USA, including Denver. We have advised on major sector-related transactions involving opportunities in Africa, Indonesia, Mongolia, North and South America and many other countries around the world.

We have extensive experience in transactions involving all major commodities, including the mining of gold, copper, battery metals, coal, iron ore, uranium, diamonds and gemstones and rare earths.

The BCLP mining and metals team can assist with every aspect of business in the sector, from M&A, investment and financing, project and construction finance, hedging and derivatives transactions, environmental law, leasing and property law, royalty agreements, offtake agreements, export control and sanctions, distribution chain and trade regulation, commodities trading and project and infrastructure construction. We also have a specialist team to help to resolve disputes wherever they arise, from shareholder matters to technical specialists of feedstock.

Our global team of lawyers work together to share knowledge and experience across jurisdictions and time zones, giving clients the benefits of a truly cross-border and comprehensive service.

Private Equity in mining

2019

Gold H1

As part of our sponsorship of the Precious Metals Summit taking place in Beaver Creek, Colorado, we have focused a report on Private Equity investments in the gold mining sector for the first half of 2019.

The report was also published by Bloomberg, as part of their coverage of the mining sector.

2018

Private equity activity in the mining sector

For the past five years we have produced an annual 'Private Equity in Mining' report, which takes a look at private equity activity in the mining sector. The 2018 report was published in Bloomberg and can be viewed below

Awards

Legal 500 UK recognise London partner Tom Eldridge as a ‘Leading Individual’ in the Mining and Minerals category.
Chambers and Partners UK recognise London partner Tom Eldridge as a ‘Band 2 Leading Individual’ in the Energy & Natural Resources: Mining: International - UK-wide category.
The Legal 500 UK ranks BCLP in 'Tier 2' for Mining & Minerals.

Awards

Legal 500 UK recognise London partner Tom Eldridge as a ‘Leading Individual’ in the Mining and Minerals category.
Chambers and Partners UK recognise London partner Tom Eldridge as a ‘Band 2 Leading Individual’ in the Energy & Natural Resources: Mining: International - UK-wide category.
The Legal 500 UK ranks BCLP in 'Tier 2' for Mining & Minerals.

Meet The Team

James F. Cress

Of Counsel, Denver

+1 303 866 0290

Meet The Team

James F. Cress

Of Counsel, Denver

+1 303 866 0290

Meet The Team

James F. Cress

Of Counsel, Denver

+1 303 866 0290

Related Practice Areas

Energy Transition
Securities & Corporate Governance
Environment
International Trade
Employment & Labor
M&A & Corporate Finance
Construction Disputes
Private Equity

Experience

Advised Resolute Mining Limited in relation to its acquisition of all of the shares of Toro Gold Limited by way of a takeover under the Companies (Guernsey) Law 2008 for US$274m.
Advised Resolute Mining Limited on the admission of its ordinary shares to the standard listing segment of the Official List of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and to the London Stock Exchange (LSE) for trading on its Main Market for listed securities.
Advised Numis Securities who is acting as nominated adviser and joint broker to Chaarat Gold Holdings Limited on its readmission of the ordinary share capital to trading on AIM. Chaarat Gold Holdings Limited is an AIM listed gold development company focused on the exciting Tien Shan Gold Belt in the Kyrgyz Republic, home to some of the largest gold deposits in the world.
Advised Berkeley Energia in connection with the admission of its ordinary shares to the standard listing segment of the Official List of the FCA and to trading on the Main Market for listed securities of the London Stock Exchange.
Advised JPMC and Peel Hunt on USD $186m underwritten fundraise for Central Asia Metals and its re-admission following USD $402.5m acquisition of the SASA mine.
Advised Berenberg as sole bookrunner in relation to a placing for Asiamet Resources Limited, raising £7.2m (c.US$10m) of gross proceeds for the Company at 11p per share.
Advised Peel Hunt in relation to a fundraising for Shanta Gold Limited, the AIM listed East Africa-focused gold producer, developer and explorer on raising US$14.0m (£11.0m) by way of placing and direct subscription. We also advised Peel Hunt in relation to a US$10.5m placing for Shanta Gold.
Advised a syndicate of brokers on a USD $20m fundraising for AIM and TSX-listed Avesoro Resources in connection with and to partially fund the USD $69.5m acquisition of the Youga and Balogo gold mines in Burkina Faso.
Advised on the Arrangement Agreement in relation to Endeavour Mining’s acquisition of Avnel, by way of a Canadian securities laws-compliant Guernsey scheme of arrangement, in an all-share transaction.
Advised Prairie Mining on its standard listing on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange. Prairie Mining is developing the Lublin Coal project in Poland and has recently agreed an up to A$83m capital injection from mining private equity fund, CD Capital.
Advised a Sovereign Wealth Fund on its USD$100m subscription which cornerstoned a wider USD$275m and up to USD$368m equity fundraising and USD$392m debt restructuring of Premium Main Market listed Kenmare Resources.
Advised Societe Generale on a secured revolving credit facility and intercreditor arrangements with a gold stream purchaser for Teranga Gold in relation to the Sabodala gold mine project in Senegal.
Advised Commerzbank AG as arranger of a US$80m facility to be allocated to Highland Gold for financing gold mining operations in the Russian Federation.
Advised a Canadian public royalty-owning corporation in relation to an acquisition, joint venture and sale of numerous gold and copper projects in Europe, Mexico and U.S.
Advised the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic on new terms for the Kumtor gold mining project.
Advised a syndicate of brokers on a US$20m fundraising for AIM and TSX-listed resources company in connection with and to partially fund the US$69.5m acquisition of gold mines in Burkina Faso.
Advised Peel Hunt on the USD$9m fundraise for AIM listed Serabi Gold.
Advised the government of a small South American country in negotiation of a gold mining concession and mineral venture agreement with a Canadian company, including review of local law and environmental issues.
Advised a US-based gold company regarding the acquisition of a major gold concession in the Union of Myanmar (formerly Burma) and negotiation with Ministry of Mines of a joint development agreement for the concession.
Advised on appeals to the Interior Board of Land Appeals (IBLA) in support of modification of expansion of gold mine operating plans in Nevada.
Advised a major North American gold company in the acquisition of large exploration and development interests in Nevada and the negotiation of joint venture agreements for their development.
Advised a Singapore-based coal trader in relation to commission and coal marketing agency agreements (governed by English law) and letters of mandate relating to the sale of mining assets in Indonesia.
Advised a major Midwestern utility on federal, state and fee coal lease royalty issues and state severance and ad valorem tax issues arising from restructuring of long-term coal sales contracts from mines in Wyoming and Montana.
Advised on the due diligence aspects of an investigation and advice regarding the acquisition of the largest United States platinum mining operation.