Energy & Natural Resources: Mining
Canada Guide 2025 : Nationwide - Canada
Band 2
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+1 416 863 0900Chambers Review
Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg enjoys a superb reputation in the mining space nationally, with its Toronto office held in particularly high regard. The firm continues to play a leading role on major M&A and capital markets deals in the mining sector, leveraging its relationships with a number of high-profile clients. The practice also advises several mining-focused private equity funds and is well equipped to provide clients with full-service support on projects and transactions involving mine properties across Canada, the USA, Latin America, Africa, Europe and Asia. The team is also seasoned in supporting mining companies with their day-to-day operations. The group leverages its expertise in international tax to assist clients with cross-border mining investments.
Work Highlights
- Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg acted for Copper Mountain Mining on its USD439 million all-share acquisition by Hudbay Minerals by way of a court-approved plan of arrangement under the Business Corporations Act.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The lawyers are not only able to guide us through difficult issues, but also identify potential issues well before they occur."
"The team is very knowledgeable, has unique experience of our situation and is able to think laterally."
"The lawyers are incredibly flexible, dedicated and responsive. Their writing is also very strong."
"What distinguishes the lawyers is their ability to provide timely and insightful guidance, ensuring that clients receive the best possible outcome."
"Davies’ strength as a firm is handling complexity while also thinking commercially and acting quickly."
"The lawyers are not only able to guide us through difficult issues, but also identify potential issues well before they occur."
"The team is very knowledgeable, has unique experience of our situation and is able to think laterally."
"The lawyers are incredibly flexible, dedicated and responsive. Their writing is also very strong."
"What distinguishes the lawyers is their ability to provide timely and insightful guidance, ensuring that clients receive the best possible outcome."
"Davies’ strength as a firm is handling complexity while also thinking commercially and acting quickly."
Notable Practitioners
Toronto-based Melanie Shishler is renowned for her representation of major mining companies in an impressive range of international and domestic transactions. She is sought out for her expertise on corporate transactions and agreements, with particular strength advising on matters involving the gold sector.
"Melanie is sensational. She is the best M&A lawyer in the country: extremely smart and dedicated, and her work is consistently excellent in quality."
"She is astute, commercial and strategic, with deep knowledge in a wide range of areas."
"Melanie is one of the most thoughtful, creative and hard-working lawyers in Canada, certainly with regard to mining-related matters."
Richard Fridman acts on a wide range of corporate mandates in the mining sector, involving M&A, securities and joint ventures on behalf of mining and investment companies. He operates out of the firm's Toronto office and has notable experience of handling cross-border issues.
"His responsiveness and ability to navigate complex legal matters with ease make him a trusted advisor in M&A transactions."
"Richard Fridman is commercial and solution-oriented, technical, thorough, gives practical advice and is experienced."
"He is incredibly bright and understands complex and intricate situations. He is very commercial."
Andrew Mihalik is a Toronto-based partner with a corporate practice in the mining industry. He assist clients with public and private M&A and corporate governance.
"He is a massive workhorse and his experience level far surpasses his year of call."
"Andrew is a very hard-working, bright lawyer. He displays an excellent level of service, a high level of sophistication and a business-oriented attitude."
Ranked Lawyers at
Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP
Nationwide - Canada