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Latin America

Latin America
Latin America

Mineral-rich Latin America offers great potential for mining projects as many of the Latin American countries are opening their markets to foreign investment. High commodity prices and favourable conditions are attracting investors from all over the world. Those seeking to explore and develop mineral projects in Latin America require lawyers skilled in all project stages, from venture financing and exploration to development and production. The Blakes Latin America group is comprised of lawyers who are not only knowledgeable about South American businesses and culture but also skilled at advising companies doing business in the region on Canadian law in Latin America.

We advise on a wide range of transactions, including Canada-Latin America joint ventures, strategic alliances, inbound and outbound investments, and acquisitions and business expansion in Canada. We have acted for a number of large multinational corporations in connection with mining, telecommunications, energy and infrastructure projects, among others.

To best serve our clients, we aim high to ensure we are proficient  in all areas that are important to their businesses, including mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, banking, competition, antitrust and foreign investment, commodity tax and customs, taxation, technology, and real estate matters. Our clients can also rely on our expansive skills and practices devoted to energy, natural resources, forestry and mining, oil and gas, environmental, financial services, infrastructure, manufacturing, telecommunications, and technology. In fact, thanks to feedback from our clients, we have been recognized worldwide for our in-depth knowledge in mining and natural resources in key Canadian financial and capital markets.

When both foreign and domestic companies come to us for answers to vital legal questions, we provide them with the best strategic business advice possible and guide them through Canada’s legislative and regulatory framework, including foreign investment regulations and disclosure requirements. Clients also seek us out to represent and advise them on their inbound investments and cross-border M&A transactions and for our in-depth knowledge on financial services, capital markets and regulatory work. We have advised on many of the best-known global Canada-Latin America M&A and financing transactions and are frequently called upon to act for clients in transactions involving non-Canadian acquirers of Canadian businesses. As a leader in corporate finance, we have assisted companies seeking to list offerings on Canada's Toronto Stock Exchange and TSX Venture Exchange. With offices in Canada’s financial centres, Blakes is poised to assist international and domestic clients considering cross-border opportunities.

Recent Experience
  • Atico Mining Corporation on acquisition of the remaining 40 per cent of Compañia Minera La Plata S.A. in Ecuador.

  • ​G Mining Ventures Corp. on its acquisition of the Tocantinzinho gold project in Brazil from Eldorado Gold.

  • ​Lundin Gold Inc. (formerly Fortress Mineral Corp.) on its acquisition of the US$240-million Fruta del Norte gold project in Ecuador from Kinross Gold Corporation and offering of approximately C$200-million of subscription receipts that were used to fund the acquisition.

  • Aura Minerals Inc. in connection with its C$68-million equity financing and concurrent C$197-million secondary offering involving the initial public offering of Brazilian Deposit Receipts and concurrent listing on the Brazilian Stock Exchange. 

  • Quadra FNX on its US$3-billion joint venture with Sumitomo Metal Mining and Sumitomo Corporation to develop the Sierra Gorda mine in Chile.
  • Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV on its US$20.1-billion acquisition of the remaining stake in Grupo Modelo, S.A.B. de C.V.

  • Quadra FNX Mining Ltd. on the acquisition and operation of the Franke Mine.

  • Webtech Wireless Inc. in connection with its Brazilian operations, including oversight of litigation and related matters.

  • The underwriters in connection with the US$41-million financing of Extorre gold mines to fund exploration at its Puntudo, Don Sixto and Cerro Morro projects in Argentina.

  • A private European mining group on investments and acquisitions in Peru, Argentina and Central America.

  • Brazauro Resources Corporation on its C$122-million acquisition by Eldorado Gold Corporation.

  • Kinross Gold Corporation on the sale of its Gurupi project in Brazil to Jaguar Mining Inc. in 2009.

  • An investor with respect to the purchase of an electricity transmission company in Chile.

  • Remora Energy International in connection with the US$225-million acquisition of a 50 per cent stake in four Colombia Llanos Basin blocks. 

Awards & Recognition

Members of the Blakes Latin America group are consistently recognized as leaders in their respective areas by the following publications:

  • The Best Lawyers in Canada

  • Chambers Global: The World's Leading Lawyers for Business

  • IFLR1000: The Guide to the World's Leading Financial Law Firms

  • Lexpert's Special Edition on Leading Corporate Lawyers in Report on Business Magazine

  • The Lexpert/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada

  • Who's Who Legal

  • Chambers Global: The World's Leading Lawyers for Business

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