Mining Law

• Earn-in agreements, joint venture agreements and partnership agreements related to mining properties 
• Joint ventures, options and farm-in/farm-out arrangements, off-take agreements and royalty agreements
• Regulatory advice on mining and land matters, structuring of security and title work in respect of mining rights, and due diligence in respect of mining production and exploration properties
• Environmental permitting for mining operations, pipelines and other related activities including environmental impact assessment and environmental and social impact assessments
• Regulatory compliance
• Construction and infrastructure development, including tendering, negotiating and drafting of project-related contracts, including EPC/EPCM, construction, civil works, rail, road and infrastructure matters, supply, lease and easement and aboriginal contracts
• Mine reclamation, decommissioning and closure issues, including financial assurance
• Aboriginal and community consultation
• Energy including renewable-energy production and transmission
• Dispute resolution and arbitration
• Domestic and international corporate taxation matters in respect of public and private mergers and acquisitions of entities operating in the resource industry

Representative Experience

• Galore Creek Mining Company (GCMC) with the legal requirements of the harmonized federal-provincial environmental assessment process. GCMC is advancing the development of the proposed Galore Creek mine, a large proposed gold mine in northwestern British Columbia.
• Seabridge Gold Inc. with legal requirements of the environmental assessment process for pursuing development of one of the largest proposed gold-copper mines in northern British Columbia. Integral to this advice has been working with Seabridge to create a strategy for aboriginal engagement.
• Matamec Explorations Inc. with the creation of a joint venture with Ressources Québec inc. in relation to the Kipawa heavy rare-earths deposit.
• A major mining company providing assistance and advice in relation to a major investigation conducted by Environment Canada and defence of prosecutions under the Fisheries Act (Canada) and the Metal Mine Effluent Regulation (Canada).
• A Canadian gold company in relation to establishing a qualifying environmental trust as financial assurance for mine closure liabilities.
• A Canadian gold mining company regarding its existing and anticipated agreements with aboriginal communities in the vicinity of its operating mine in Ontario.
• A mining company in negotiating and preparing port access and tug-boat and pilotage services agreements.
• A major mining company in preparing joint venture and mine management agreements with respect to a mining project in Newfoundland and Labrado.
• A major U.S. mining company in the purchase of its partners’ interests in a Canadian iron ore mining joint venture.
• A multinational mining company in negotiating a long-term railway transportation agreement with respect to a mine currently under development
• Redfern Resources/Chieftain Metals on environmental assessment, permitting and regulatory investigations in connection with the redevelopment of the Tulsequah Chief mine project in northwest British Columbia, including representing both companies in respect of a judicial challenge of its environmental assessment certificate and Fisheries Act approvals in relation to endangered caribou.
• A Canadian gold company in the purchase of numerous mining rights and associated royalty arrangements.
• A major mining company providing advice, representation and defence of a prosecution under federal and provincial environmental legislation with respect to a spill at a mineral processing facility.
• A Canadian gold company with assistance in relation to negotiating agreements related to the import and export of hazardous waste and assistance in conducting due diligence on the supplier of services.