The depth of Stikeman Elliott's business and legal expertise, combined with our wide-ranging experience in mining projects in every corner of the world, has allowed us to become one of the leading legal advisors to the mining industry. Specifically, we offer advice on:

• Financings, both public and private, debt and equity;
  
• General securities law, including compliance and governance;
  
• Structuring and negotiating joint ventures and earn-in arrangements;
  
• Mergers and acquisitions, both public and private, hostile and friendly;
  
• Property acquisitions and dispositions; and
  
• Project finance.

Our expertise covers the entire spectrum of mining ventures, from precious and base metals and precious and semiprecious stones, to industrial minerals and coal. Our clients include Canadian and international mining companies, investment banks and lending institutions.

Stikeman Elliott's Global Mining Group regularly assists our clients in raising equity for exploration, resulting in the discovery of new deposits. We're there to help clients, large and small, bring exciting projects to the capital markets for the first time. We also assist in project financing these deposits and help our clients acquire other companies to enhance their portfolios. As one of our recent projects, we counseled Bema Gold Corporation in its US$425 million project financing for the construction of the Kupol Mine (winner of the Project Finance International Award - Mining Deal of the Year for Europe, the Middle East and Africa).

Chambers & Partners, a UK-based international legal publisher, has identified Stikeman Elliott as "a Canadian entity who has earned its spurs in the mining work across Africa." It cites the London office practitioners as having "developed an excellent grasp of the continent's markets" and further notes that rivals concede that the group's "first-class financial experience" gives it a serious edge in the privatisation work it handles so well.

Involvement in the Global Community

Our Global Mining Group is honoured to sponsor the Mining for Water's Challenge, which leverages the resources of the global exploration and mining community to provide more people in developing countries with access to clean, fresh drinking water. The Challenge is inspired by the efforts of young activist, Ryan Hreljac, and his Ryan's Well Foundation, and is being led by Orezone Resources Inc. The Foundation works to provide clean water and bring related health services to water-poor people in developing countries.

Global Rankings & Achievements

Stikeman Elliott's Global Mining Group is recognized as one of the best in Canada. The following are some of our recent collective and individual achievements:

2008

Who's Who Legal

• Jay Kellerman (Toronto) named as the #2 Mining sector lawyer in the world. Derek Linfield (London) and Michael Allen (Vancouver) given special mention as leaders in the field.

Best Lawyers in Canada 2008

• Jay Kellerman (Toronto) is recognized in the natural resources area, as well as Michael Allen (Vancouver) in the banking, corporate and project finance areas.

PLC Cross-Border Finance: Secured Lending Handbook 2007/08

• Michael Allen is recognized in this publication by Practical Law Company.

International Financial Law Review's 2008 IFLR 1000 (a guide to the world's leading financial law firms)

• Stikeman Elliott listed as a recommended law firm in the areas of capital markets, banking, M&A, project finance and restructuring and insolvency.

The Legal Media Group Guides to the World's Leading Lawyers - Expert Guides 2008

• Michael Allen is listed as an expert in the capital markets, project finance and banking areas.

• Jay Kellerman is listed as an expert in the energy and natural resources area and further listed in the Best of the Best 2006 for energy and natural resources.

Chambers UK 2008

• "London office of this celebrated Canadian firm has continued to make inroads into the mining area. Currently "exceptionally active in the London market," the firm is considered to have carved out a highly respectable foothold in both project finance and corporate mining work. Commentators declare the firm "strong" in this area, and also point to its expertise in capital markets work." 

• It notes that lawyer "Derek Linfield [London] is among the firm's most senior experts in mining matters," and "[t]he firm continues to serve an impressive array of prominent industry clients and has worked with a strong line-up of producers and financial institutions."

Chambers Global 2008

• Recognized as a tier 1 global law firm in the projects and energy: mining and minerals sectors and noted as "a heavyweight in the mining and metals sector."

• Michael Allen is recognized among the world's leading lawyers for business in the banking and finance area.

Lexpert/American Lawyer's Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada 2008

• Michael Allen is listed as a leading lawyer for project finance, banking and financial institutions and Jay Kellerman is listed as a leading lawyer for mining.

Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory 2008

• Stikeman Elliott's Global Mining Group is recognized as a leading firm in the mining sector and ranked as "most frequently recommended."
• Michael Allen is "most frequently recommended" in the project finance, banking and financial institution areas; and Jay Kellerman is "most frequently recommended" in the mining, corporate finance and securities areas.

2007

Chambers Global 2007

• Derek Linfield (London) is recognized as the highly respected contact in London, and he and Jeffrey Keey (London) are identified as key project finance contacts.

• Michael Allen (Vancouver) is recognized among the world's leading lawyers for business in the banking and project finance area.

Chambers Europe 2007

• Only Canadian firm recognized in the mining sector, and is cited as most prominent for its "solid, knowledgeable and dynamic approach."

• Recognizes Derek Linfield as ".the highly respected contact in London" in the international market of the energy: mining sector.

The International Who's Who of Mining Lawyers 2007

• Derek Linfield, Jay Kellerman (Toronto) and Michael Allen are listed among the world's leading mining practitioners. Michael Allen is also listed in the area of project finance.

• Recently noted Jay Kellerman as being "lavishly praised for his securities-related work" in the mining sector is further "recognised as a dean of the mining bar," and for "his expertise and stature, coupled with the knowledge of Michael Allen, are the reasons behind the firm's appearance in this list of the leading firms in the Canadian mining market."  Further noted Stikeman Elliott as internationally recognized as one of the "Best Represented Law Firms [in] Canada."

Lexpert/American Lawyer's Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada 2007

• Michael Allen is listed as a leading lawyer for project finance and Jay Kellerman is listed as a leading lawyer for mining.

Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory 2007

• Stikeman Elliott's Global Mining Group is recognized as a leading firm in the mining sector and ranked as "most frequently recommended."
• Michael Allen is "repeatedly recommended" in the mining and project finance areas; Jay Kellerman is "most frequently recommended" in the mining sector.
  
  

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Recent Group Activities

Mining Group lauded
Our Global Mining Group has been named as a premier practice by Who's Who Legal. Jay Kellerman is noted as the world's #2 mining lawyer, with Michael Allen and Derek Linfield receiving special mention.

#1 in Mining sector corporate finance for 2007
Stikeman Elliott was ranked #1 by the Financial Post as legal advisers on equity offerings in the Mining sector in 2007. The firm was first by deal value in acting for underwriters (over $2.2 billion) and in acting for issuers and underwriters combined (over $2.97 billion), including acting on the year's top deal, the $1.2 billion IPO by Franco-Nevada Corp. , and 5 of the top 10 largest deals of the year.  Partner Jay Kellerman was quoted in the accompanying Financial Post feature on the mining sector.    

Metallica Resources, Peak Gold, New Gold merger
The firm acted for Metallica Resources Inc. in its US$1.6 billion merger with Peak Gold Ltd. and New Gold Inc.

Leaders in Mining
Chambers & Partners recognizes the firm's prominent role in the mining sector, ranking it among the UK's Top 10 and only Canadian firm in the list for its "solid, knowledgeable and dynamic approach" and cites London principal Derek Linfield as a leading lawyer in the sector.

Firm's Global Mining expertise featured in Lexpert
The June 2007 Lexpert magazine features an article on the depth of expertise in Canada's mining sector, quoting Global Mining group head, Jay Kellerman. The firm is noted as among 'powerhouses in the legal market for mining services.

Secondary Listing on TSX: A Viable Option
London Managing Partner Derek Linfield issued an update on how obtaining a secondary listing on the TSX is now a viable option for mining companies listed on non-Canadian exchanges.

Risk Mitigation in Foreign Investments
In a recent paper, Richard Hay of the London office provides an overview of risk-mitigation strategies for cross-border and international investments, particularly in relation to natural resource assets in the event of political instability. The overview touches on techniques for shifting and reducing risks, investment protection agreements and dispute resolution.

Listing on London's Alternative Investment Market (AIM)
Two articles prepared by members of the Global Mining Group provide details on how companies become listed on the London Stock Exchange's AIM: "Listing on AIM" and "Continuing Obligations of a Company Listed on AIM". For further information, contact Derek Linfield.

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