Department profile
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

Energy & Natural Resources: Mining: Development and Operations

Canada Guide 2026 : Nationwide - Canada

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Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

Rankings

About

Provided by Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

From junior explorers and mid-tier developers to global giants, mining companies worldwide turn to Blakes for strategic guidance and expert counsel on mergers and acquisitions, joint venture, project finance and corporate finance transactions, as well as a wide range of operational and non-transactional matters, such as corporate governance, taxation, title matters and environmental compliance. Our dedicated mining experts have experience in specialty areas such as mining disclosure and securities law regimes, streaming transactions and mining operations matters. We have acted for clients on projects across Canada, the U.S., Europe, Africa, Australia, Asia and the Middle East on the exploration, development and operation of mining projects involving a wide array of resources and minerals.

Our mining clients rely on our reputation as one of Canada’s leading law firms and our track record as a global leader in the provision of legal services to the mining industry.

Chambers Review

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Energy & Natural Resources: Mining: Development and Operations - Nationwide - Canada

What the Team is Known For
Blake, Cassels & Graydon operates a prominent mining practice in Canada, primarily based out of its Vancouver office. A popular choice among junior, mid-market and major mining companies in Canada and internationally, the firm frequently advises on high-value M&A, securities and financing deals, with mining clients benefiting from the expertise of the firm's top-tier finance practice. The group demonstrates growing expertise in alternative mine financing arrangements and is noted for its additional experience concerning environmental compliance and other commercial and operational issues. The Vancouver mining practice is supported by additional expertise in Toronto and Montréal.
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Work Highlights

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  • Blake, Cassels & Graydon acted for Filo in its USD4.5 billion multi-jurisdictional acquisition by BHP and Lundin Mining.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Blakes always demonstrates the highest duty of care to clients in complex and sophisticated transactions.

    Energy & Natural Resources: Mining: Development and Operations respondentCanada

  • The team takes time to understand the broader context within which we are operating, and this helps to inform the advice that they provide.

    Energy & Natural Resources: Mining: Development and Operations respondentCanada

  • The department that supports us understands the business well, including our culture, which is invaluable when providing us with advice.

    Energy & Natural Resources: Mining: Development and Operations respondentCanada

  • There is an exceptional depth of legal expertise within Blakes.

    Energy & Natural Resources: Mining: Development and Operations respondentCanada

  • The team's business acumen is strong and so clearly aligned with our needs that they feel more like internal counsel rather than external counsel.

    Energy & Natural Resources: Mining: Development and Operations respondentCanada

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Bob J. Wooder
    Bob J. Wooder

    Bob J. Wooder

    Bob Wooder is recognised for his skilled command of transactional mandates and is based out of the firm's Vancouver office. He frequently represents gold producers, mineral exploration companies and financial institutions in private equity financing and M&A.

    • Bob leads an incredibly strong practice at Blakes. He is reliable, commercially efficient and almost unparalleled in experience.

      Energy & Natural Resources: Mining: Development and Operations respondentCanada

    • Bob is very knowledgeable about our business, always responsive and gives great advice.

      Energy & Natural Resources: Mining: Development and Operations respondentCanada

    • Bob Wooder's commercial and strategic expertise in advising our business is exceptional.

      Energy & Natural Resources: Mining: Development and Operations respondentCanada
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  • Charles Kazaz
    Charles Kazaz

    Charles Kazaz

    Toronto and Montréal-based Charles Kazaz is noted for his considerable experience in relation to regulatory issues impacting the mining sector. He focuses his practice on assisting clients with mineral rights issues and environmental concerns surrounding mine reclamation and closure projects.

    • Charles Kazaz is the best in the business from my perspective.

      Energy & Natural Resources: Mining: Development and Operations respondentCanada
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  • Sam Adkins
    Sam Adkins

    Sam Adkins

    Sam Adkins has a strong practice where he focuses on Indigenous considerations and project development matters in the mining space.

    • Sam is very thoughtful in his work. I have a very high degree of confidence in his work and presence.

      Energy & Natural Resources: Mining: Development and Operations respondentCanada
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  • Kathleen Keilty
    Kathleen Keilty

    Kathleen Keilty

    Kathleen Keilty is a Vancouver-based lawyer recognised for her experience representing clients with mining M&A transactions. She is equally adept at guiding underwriters through public offerings.

    • Kathleen has an outstanding ability to understand regulators' needs, communicate them to the client and build a strategy around that knowledge.

      Energy & Natural Resources: Mining: Development and Operations respondentCanada

    • She is super responsive, delivers very good advice and is always accessible.

      Energy & Natural Resources: Mining: Development and Operations respondentCanada

    • Kathleen is a very strong negotiator with a solid understanding of the legal implications for a business.

      Energy & Natural Resources: Mining: Development and Operations respondentCanada
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  • John Wilkin
    John Wilkin

    John Wilkin

    John Wilkin is noted for his expertise in relation to both domestic and cross-border acquisitions and refinancings. He has additional significant experience in royalty and streaming financing transactions.

    • John is an excellent lawyer and provides exceptional client service.

      Energy & Natural Resources: Mining: Development and Operations respondentCanada

    • John is very experienced, commercial and outcome-driven. He is a real pleasure to work with, too.

      Energy & Natural Resources: Mining: Development and Operations respondentCanada

    • He is a very well-rounded and experienced adviser to the company.

      Energy & Natural Resources: Mining: Development and Operations respondentCanada
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  • Trisha Robertson
    Trisha Robertson

    Trisha Robertson

    Trisha Robertson is a Vancouver-based lawyer with noteworthy experience assisting clients with public company M&A transactions and financings. She regularly advises on acquisitions involving companies with assets in North and South America.

    • Trisha is an absolute rock star.

      Energy & Natural Resources: Mining: Development and Operations respondentCanada
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Ranked Individuals at Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP (6)

Nationwide - Canada

  • Profile image of Charles Kazaz

    Charles Kazaz

    Energy & Natural Resources: Mining: Development and Operations

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  • Profile image of Sam Adkins

    Sam Adkins

    Energy & Natural Resources: Mining: Development and Operations

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Members

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