Mining & Natural Resources
MLT is one of western Canada's most experienced law firms in the field of uranium, potash and gold exploration and mining. We have been involved from the earliest days in the development of potash and uranium in Saskatchewan, and also other hard rock minerals. MLT has been long-time counsel for many of the players, large and small. In uranium and potash matters, in particular, we are one of the most experienced law firms in Canada.
By way of summary, we have:
- extensively analyzed mineral and other titles;
- negotiated innovative purchase agreements, financing arrangements and construction contracts;
- designed complex joint venture, co-ownership and partnership structures;
- provided advice on public and private equity and debt financings, tax planning and reorganizations;
- assisted with environmental and other regulatory compliance;
- conducted negotiations and contract arrangements with governments and First Nations groups regarding development rights, resource management agreements, local sourcing and employment issues;
- provided real estate law advisory services;
- negotiated exploration and extraction-rights;
- addressed mineral tax and royalty issues;
- assisted with provincial, federal and other government relations.
We have successfully litigated numerous resource industry disputes, ranging from precedent-setting constitutional issues to royalty and other profit-sharing disputes, to basic interpretational and operational issues. Our lawyers have also acted in precedent-setting cases defining the nature of royalties and leasehold rights, as well as surface rights and labour issue arbitrations.
Key Contacts
Our Team
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Ongoing counsel to Cameco Corporation on various uranium joint venture and other matters.
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- Fond du Lac First Nation et al. v. Attorney General et al., 2010 FC 948. An action concerning the extent of the duty to consult First Nations on resource development issues.
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- Counsel to The Mosaic Company on Canadian potash mining matters.
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Ongoing counsel to AREVA Resources Canada Inc. on various uranium joint venture and other matters.
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Ongoing legal advisor to Claude Resources Inc. on various gold exploration, development and mining matters.
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Ongoing counsel to Titan Uranium Inc. on various matters including with respect to its recent merger with Uranium Power Corp. (2009).
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- Ongoing counsel to Golden Band Resources Inc. on various gold exploration, development and mining matters.
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- Lead Saskatchewan counsel in the sale of a potash mine operation.
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- Lead counsel on the design and implementation of a new forestry law construct to administer the Prince Albert Forest Management Area (2010).
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- Advisor to two major uranium joint ventures in negotiating and documenting an innovative co-ownership and toll-milling transaction.
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- CIC Mining Corp. v. Saskatchewan Government Insurance, [1994] TWLCA 94119. Successful defence in a six-week trial, and successful defence of appeal, involving complicated construction and insurance issues arising from substantial losses at a mine.
- Monday Feb 1st 2010 The Impact of MiningWatch v. Canada
- Wednesday Mar 28th 2012 Chambers Global Ranks MLT Number One in Saskatchewan