Mining

Mining

Disruption and volatility define the mining industry. Business models are shifting as the industry deals with increased shareholder disputes and regulatory scrutiny, the shift to alternative financing structures and the globalization of the industry as a whole.

BLG has one of the most active mining M&A practices in Canada and was ranked No. 1 Canadian and global law firm by deal value in 2018 for the metals and mining industry (Global Data). We have acted for and advised domestic and international mining companies of all sizes, specialties and stages of development for over a century.

We provide the technical expertise to achieve our clients’ operational and strategic goals throughout the mining life cycle—from grassroots exploration to mining development, operation and closure.

Our team offers expertise in:

  • solicited and unsolicited M&A transactions
  • joint ventures and strategic alliances
  • finance and capital markets
  • high-stakes litigation
  • shareholder disputes
  • domestic and international arbitration and mediation 
  • regulatory compliance and investigations
  • infrastructure
  • regulatory and environmental compliance
  • project finance
  • labour and employment disputes
  • Indigenous relationship negotiations

Experience

  • BLG represented POSCO in Teck Resources US$9.0 billion sale of its entire interest in its steelmaking coal business, Elk Valley Resources (EVR), through a sale of a majority stake to Glencore, and sale of a minority stake to Nippon Steel Corporation (NSC) and POSCO, a South Korean steelmaking company.
  • Lumina Gold's US$300 million metals streaming agreement with Wheaton Precious Metals.
  • National Bank Financial, Stifel GMP and Canaccord Genuity co-leading the syndicate of investment dealers in Allied Merger Corporation's US$267 million private placement financing of subscription receipts in connection with the reverse take-over transaction of Mondavi Ventures Ltd. by Allied Gold Corp. and Allied Merger Corporation.
  • Pan American Silver Corp. in connection with the US$475 million sale of its 56.25% interest in the MARA Project, located in the Catamarca province of Argentina, to Glencore International AG .
  • Giampaolo Group in the formation of a US$700 million North American joint venture with Rio Tinto for the production and sale of marketable aluminum products with at least 33% recycled content.
  • Pan American Silver Corp. in its US$4.8 billion acquisition with Agnico Eagle Mines Limited of Yamana Gold Inc.
  • CIBC Capital Markets and Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, as joint bookrunners, in Cameco's US$747.6 million bought deal offering.
  • Cameco Corporation in its $187 million acquisition with Orano Canada Inc. of a 7.875% participating interest in the Cigar Lake Joint Venture from Idemitsu Canada Resources Ltd.
  • Triple M Metal in its joint venture with ArcelorMittal Long Products Canada to create Integrated Metal Recycling Inc.
  • Sprott Capital Partners LP and PI Financial Corp, as lead underwriters, on GoGold Resources Inc.’s (TSX: GGD) C$25 million bought deal financing.
  • The Special Committee of Nevsun Resources Ltd. in its successful defense against a $1.4 billion hostile bid from Lundin Mining Corporation, and negotiation of a friendly $1.86 billion white knight bid from Zijin Mining Group Co. Ltd.
  • Pan American Silver Corp. in its US$1.28 billion acquisition of Tahoe Resources Corp. to create the world’s premier silver mining company.
  • Ressources Quebec Inc., acting as mandatary of the government of Québec, in the private placement of common shares in Nemaska Lithium Inc., which formed part of an overall $1.1 billion project financing package.
  • Imperial Metals Corporation in its sale of a 70 per cent interest in the Red Chris mine in British Columbia to Newcrest Mining Limited for US$806.5 million and a follow-on joint venture between the parties for the ongoing operation of the Red Chris mine.
  • Morgan Stanley and M. Klein & Co, financial advisor that provided a fairness opinion, on the merger of Barrick Gold Corp of Canada with Randgold Resources Ltd, for a total of GBP 4.636 billion(US$ 6.062 billion), in a stock swap transaction, via a scheme of arrangement.
  • Blackstone Tactical Opportunities in its US$540 million construction financing package with Orion Mine Finance Group to Pretium Resources Inc.
  • TD Securities Inc., as lead underwriter, in the C$300 million bought deal of common shares, senior secured callable bonds and subscription receipts of Cobalt 27 Capital Corp. to fund a stream agreement.
  • The Special Committee of IDM Mining Ltd. in their $50 million acquisition by Ascot Resources Ltd.
  • Sandstorm Gold Ltd. in its US$32.75 million acquisition of a net smelter returns royalty on precious metals produced from the Fruta del Norte gold project in Ecuador, currently under construction by Lundin Gold Corporation.
  • Lumina Gold Corp. in its spin-out and initial public listing of Luminex Resources Corp.
  • Cameco in its joint venture restructuring with Kazatomprom on the Inkai mine.

 

 

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Your ambition. Our advice.
M&A at BLG.

 

At the heart of every M&A opportunity is an ambition — to harness a market opportunity, to forge a new partnership, to shape growth on your terms. Strengthen and support your goals, backed by BLG’s strong regulatory acumen and deep expertise in the sectors driving the Canadian economy today and tomorrow.

 

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Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)

 

How a business is evaluated in the market is no longer solely based on its financial success or the products and services it sells. It is also based on reputation and whether it is seen as responsible and responding to investor demands.

 

Clients trust BLG to help them understand and embed ESG into their business strategies.

 

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Testimonials

Chambers Canada

“Their performance was stellar. Their many qualities included their legal expertise, referrals to other law firms on an as needed basis, timely delivery of information and legal filings at all hours of the and night.”

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