Mining Projects

Blakes offers mining industry clients a multidisciplinary approach that draws on our extensive experience in the industry. We are counsel to major, intermediate and junior mining companies listed on various exchanges around the world, as well as investment dealers that act as advisors and underwriters to mining companies.

Blakes advises mining companies on a wide range of operational and commercial matters. We regularly advise on all aspects of tendering, negotiating and drafting of project-related contracts, including engineering, procurement and construction (EPC), engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM), construction, civil works, rail, road, infrastructure, supply, lease, as well as Indigenous contracting. We advise on mine reclamation, decommissioning and closure issues, royalty arrangements, and mineral rights concerns.

We have expertise on corporate social responsibility matters, including Indigenous rights and issues, and have assisted with Indigenous and community consultation and engagement, and negotiated and drafted agreements with Indigenous groups, including project support agreements or impact benefit agreements. We work with our clients to provide construction and infrastructure solutions for mine development projects, including road, rail, port and housing arrangements, as well as energy infrastructure such as renewable-energy production and transmission.

We also assist clients with respect to domestic and international corporate taxation matters for entities operating in the resource industry, as well as dispute resolution and arbitration.

The Firm's expertise and proven experience allow us to provide our clients with timely, practical and strategic advice while facilitating their mandates and assisting them in realizing their business objectives. Our Mining lawyers are highly ranked in national and international directories and ranking publications, and are involved in industry organizations such the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation, the Energy and Resource Law Section of the Canadian Bar Association National Environment and various committees of regulatory bodies.

Recent Experience

Barrick Gold Inc. on its acquisition of the Golden Giant Mine Properties and other properties at the Hemlo Camp in northern Ontario from Newmont Mining Corp.
IAMGOLD on the development of a 15 MW solar power plant at its Essakane gold mine in Burkina Faso.
Matamec Explorations Inc. on the negotiation and completion of a Property Rights Exchange Arrangements Agreement with International Explorers & Prospectors Inc. (IEP), Glencore Canada Corporation and Goldcorp Canada Ltd. with respect to the sale by Matamec and IEP of certain properties located in Hoyle and Matheson Townships in Timmins, Ontario.
Barrick Gold Corporation on the negotiation and completion of its transaction with Osisko Mining Inc. with respect of an exploration earn-in on the Kan property located in northern Quebec.
Barrick Gold Corporation on the negotiation and completion of its transaction with ATAC Resources Ltd. with respect of an exploration earn-in on the Orion Project, the central portion of ATAC’s Rackla Gold Property located in the Yukon and in the flow-through private placement by ATAC which formed part of a donation arrangement.
Matamec Explorations Inc. with the creation of a joint venture with Resources Québec inc. in relation to the Kipawa heavy rare-earths deposit.
Matamec Explorations Inc. on the sale to Metalla Royalty & Streaming Ltd. of its royalties on the Hoyle-Matheson Royalties and Montclerg properties.
CRH Canada Group Inc. on the approval of a significant dolomite mine in Southern Ontario, in a hearing before a joint panel of the Ontario Municipal Board and the Environmental Review Tribunal. Significant endangered species and wetlands and protection issues were addressed through ground-breaking public benefits and environmental protection agreements with affected municipal governments.
A major mining company on the renewal of its water licence, the filing of a revised closure plan and the negotiation of financial assurance for a closed site located in Nunavut.
A major mining company with respect to the acquisition of a mining camp located in the Labrador trough.
Bloom Lake General Partner Limited on a defence of a major multi-year investigation conducted by Environment Canada and defence of prosecutions under the Fisheries Act (Canada) and the Metal Mine Effluent Regulation (Canada) related to various several incidents including the breach of a tailings pond dam.