Mining and Natural Resources

How we can help

Top mining companies from around the world regularly seek out the counsel and advice of Osler’s Mining and Natural Resources practitioners. Osler lawyers have acted as lead counsel on a number of substantial mining M&A transactions. In addition, they can share the specialized insight they have gleaned through hostile bid defence mandates that have resulted in some of the most accretive value results.

Osler has the depth of experience and breadth of knowledge to advise domestic and international mining companies of all sizes and specialities on any matters they face through every phase of the business cycle — from initial exploration to the establishment of large-scale operations — and assist them in achieving their operational and strategic business objectives efficiently and cost-effectively.

When accessing capital, mining clients need to know the most appropriate course of action to take — from private financings through IPO to the most substantial follow-on financing transactions. Osler’s team regularly provides direction in corporate financings, such as:

• financing activities in equity and debt markets globally.
• structuring financing plans and processes.
• leading multi-jurisdictional financing teams on their behalf.
• commercial arrangements, including royalty and exploration and development agreements, and
• securities law and stock exchange compliance and reporting.

The regulatory regime governing the industry is complex. Osler’s Mining Group helps clients ensure that they understand and are complying with the applicable requirements, including those related to mining disclosure (National Instrument 43-101), mineral and surface rights, and environmental standards. Our lawyers can also advise on the obligation to consult with First Nations and Indigenous People affected by mining exploration and the need to respect treaty rights.

When companies run into issues related to exploration and development that they cannot resolve on their own, they can turn to Osler’s dispute resolution and litigation experts for direction and guidance. Our team has extensive experience in international arbitration, class action proceedings, and other dispute resolution matters.

Looking beyond strictly mining undertakings and into general business activities, Osler’s unique one-firm approach gives clients access to our knowledge and expertise across a wide range of services that intersect with natural resource ventures. We assist with project financing, solicited and unsolicited M&A transactions, employment and labour matters, and pension and benefit issues, joint ventures and strategic alliances, commercial arrangements, taxation, construction and infrastructure management, environmental dispute resolution and litigation.

Osler is also one of the few law firms in Canada with a specialized E-mobility practice. As the world transitions to electric vehicles — whether that’s cars and SUVs, buses, scooters and bikes or even boats and planes — this team can offer advice about the full range business and legal challenges that are involved in the entire product lifecycle that begins with companies exploring for resources, mining ore, processing minerals, and designing and building batteries, vehicles and component parts before continuing into vehicle testing, licensing, and eventually concluding with end-of-life disposal and material recycling.