Energy & Natural Resources: Mining | Canada

Cassels Brock & Blackwell is a major law firm in the mining world that is regularly seen on the most significant transactions in Canada and further afield. The team is noted for its impressive bench strength, and maintains deep and longstanding relationships with major multinational as well as junior mining companies. It also acts for a number of significant investment banks and advises on projects in Latin America, Europe, Africa, Australia and Asia. The group has played a key role in several noteworthy streaming transactions and represents numerous precious and base metal companies.

Fasken is consistently cited as one of Canada's most impressive mining law firms, with extensive transactional and 'dirt law' experience. The Canadian members of its global mining group represent several industry heavyweights and mid-tier companies, as well as exploration start-ups. The team is notably active on mining-related private equity transactions, and regularly advises on multi-jurisdictional matters alongside the firm's mining lawyers in London and Johannesburg. The core mining team is supported by an experienced bench of disputes practitioners well versed in issues relevant to the sector.

McCarthy Tétrault houses a strong mining practice typically involved in international transactions, particularly in China, Latin America and Africa. The firm's global mining and metals team has built and maintained strong working relationships with several industry heavyweights and is increasingly active on behalf of mining-focused private equity houses. Other clients include streaming companies and developers. The team is regularly retained by institutional mining clients and offers notable strength in M&A, finance and capital markets transactions, as well as complementary expertise in infrastructure and Aboriginal law issues.

Bennett Jones is noted for its frequent representation of mid-tier mining companies in a broad range of transactional mandates. The Toronto-based mining group acts for junior and major mining players, as well as financial institutions. It is well versed in mine development issues, such as exploration, mine construction agreements and permitting, and is equally highly rated for its wide-ranging expertise in mining project finance, encompassing private finance arrangements as well as IPOs and follow-on offers.

Blake, Cassels & Graydon operates a prominent mining practice in Canada, primarily based out of its Vancouver office. A popular choice among junior, mid-market and major mining companies in Canada and internationally, the firm frequently advises on high-value M&A, securities and financing deals, with mining clients benefiting from the expertise of the firm's top-tier finance practice. The group demonstrates growing expertise in alternative mine financing arrangements and is noted for its additional experience concerning environmental compliance and other commercial and operational issues. The Vancouver mining practice is supported by additional expertise in Toronto and Montréal.

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.

Lawson Lundell is widely considered to be one of the leading law firms for issues stemming from mining operations in British Columbia and the Canadian North. The mining group is also recognised for its mining development work in Central and Eastern Canada, as well as overseas. Its significant client roster includes junior mining companies in addition to well-established multinational players. The lawyers also offer substantial experience of corporate finance and mining M&A and are noted for their project development expertise, advising on early-stage exploration and a variety of operational issues. The team also assists clients with environmental and mine reclamation issues.

Stikeman Elliott is deeply embedded in the Canadian and global mining markets. The team regularly acts for international mining companies, including producers headquartered in Europe, Australia, Asia and the USA. The firm is especially highly regarded for its transactional mining expertise and provides a broad spectrum of transactional services to clients in this sector, advising on matters as diverse as IPOs and follow-on offerings to royalty transactions. The lawyers are particularly well known for their handling of significant mining M&A transactions.

Torys is highlighted for its rising profile in the mining field, with a particular focus on streaming transactions. Highly active in Toronto, the firm advises on a range of other mining finance deals, including those involving cross-border securities issues. The mining and metals team is well versed in assisting with the acquisition and disposal of mining assets. It is additionally experienced with regard to equity investments in the mining sector and the negotiation of joint venture arrangements.

Borden Ladner Gervais has an active mining practice in Vancouver, with particular expertise in M&A. In addition to its transactional team, the law firm draws upon the expertise of its disputes group to handle litigation and arbitration matters. The lawyers act for domestic and international mining companies on environmental and regulatory issues as well as development and operations mandates. As a full-service law firm, BLG assists clients with a range of ancillary matters, including commercial finance and tax.

Gowling WLG is an international law firm with notable mining expertise in its Toronto and Vancouver offices. The lawyers regularly act on high-value acquisitions as well as financing mandates. The group is particularly highlighted for its knowledge in the royalty and streaming sectors. As well as acting for clients in the precious and base metals space, the law firm also works for specialty metals companies. In addition to its domestic practice, Gowling frequently handles cross-border mandates and has particular expertise in the Latin American market.

Lavery, de Billy is a highly regarded Québec law firm with a particular strength in mining finance transactions, including streaming and royalty agreements. The mining law group is respected for its representation of junior exploration companies. The team also advises on Aboriginal law and construction matters relating to mining projects.

Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt represents several key mid-market mining companies, as well as industry heavyweights. Its mining lawyers benefit from the firm's prominent corporate/M&A practice to advise on a wide range of mining deals, including joint ventures, restructuring and public and private financing. The team is recognised for its ability to advise on matters across the full life of a mining project. The practice leverages the strength of its construction and infrastructure group to assist clients with mine developments.