Mining & Natural Resources

Mining & Natural Resources

Every mining project is unique, and calls for an understanding not only of regulatory issues, but also of the social context.

In mining industry projects, we provide legal advice from the exploration phase to the establishment of a mine and beyond. Our attorneys have a wide range of knowledge in the mining sector, which enables us to solve challenges relating to permitting, nature protection, relations with local people, and good employment agreements and benefit packages for your expat workers and their families. Our experts have solid experience in mining industry litigation and finance. Our insolvency team also has broad experience in the financial restructuring of mining companies.

We are well versed in the gravel and rock extraction industry, and have been involved in projects in different development stages relating to pure gravel extraction and rock quarry extraction. We also have experience with end-of-use landscaping requirements and re-activating sites that may have been dormant for decades.

  • City planning and land use
  • Land use agreements
  • Land lease agreements
  • Joint arrangement and easement agreements
  • Property formation and expropriation proceedings
  • Disputes and authority proceedings
  • Outsourcing projects

Latest references

We are assisting Novana Oy with the permitting of a vanadium recovery plant planned in Pori, Finland. Novana has reached an agreement with the highly specialised global steel company SSAB to recover the by-products of the steelmaking process into high-grade vanadium products. Novana has also concluded an agreement with Neometals, an innovative project development company. Neometals believes its proprietary process has the potential to place this vanadium recovery project within the lowest quartile of production costs globally. The recovery of metals from by-products in an environmentally friendly manner is a high priority for Europe. Novana aims to use the by-products from SSAB’s steel production to recover high-purity vanadium for use in energy storage solutions, principally vanadium redox flow batteries, without the need to mine and process vanadium using traditional methods. The recovery process will be powered by renewable energy. Approximately 75% of the global vanadium supply is produced in China and Russia. It is estimated that the Novana vanadium recovery plant once operational will create a significant opportunity to supply vanadium to the European vanadium market.
Case published 5.3.2021
We assisted Mawson in obtaining a new three-year exploration permit for the Kairamaat 2-3 exploration area located inside the Mustiaapa-Kaattasjärvi Natura 2000 area. Kairamaat 2-3 is a part of the flagship Rompas-Rajapalot gold-cobalt discovery (the exploration permit was granted on 18 January 2019). Mawson Oy is a subsidiary of Mawson Resources Limited (TSX:MAW), that has distinguished itself as a leading Nordic exploration company with a focus on the flagship Rompas-Rajapalot gold-cobalt discovery in Finland. The Finnish Mining Authority, TUKES, the responsible permitting authority, made a clear decision to regrant the permit for 3 years, while ensuring all environmental values of the permit area will be secured. The ruling was based on Mawson’s comprehensive Natura assessment and mitigation procedures to avoid impacts on the natural environment. As is standard under Finnish Administrative law, the permit is appealable within 30 days of the decision. However, the enforcement order allows commencement of work according to the legal enforcement of the earlier exploration permit conditions (i.e. drilling operations), until any appeals, if received, are addressed by the Administrative Court. Mawson Resources Limited is an exploration and development company with a focus on the resource expansion of its high-grade Rompas-Rajapalot gold-cobalt in Finland. Mawson has distinguished itself as a leading Nordic Arctic exploration company. Rompas-Rajapalot is a significant and strategic gold-cobalt resource for Finland with the recently published maiden resource already positioned as one of Finland’s current top three gold resources by grade and contained ounces and one of a small group of cobalt resources prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 policy within Europe.
Case published 15.2.2019
We advised Gasum Oy in its acquisition of 100% of the shares in Hærup Biogas ApS, which owns and operates a biogas plant in the northern part of mainland Denmark. This acquisition marks Gasum’s first biogas plant in Denmark, expanding its biogas production portfolio. Gasum’s strategic goal is to bring seven terawatt hours of renewable gas to the Nordic market yearly by 2027. The acquisition is one step towards achieving the strategic goal. Gasum is a Nordic gas sector and energy market expert. Gasum offers cleaner energy and energy market expert services for industry and for combined heat and power production as well as cleaner fuel solutions for road and maritime transport. The company helps its customers to reduce their own carbon footprint as well as that of their customers. 
Case published 3.12.2024
We are advising Helkama-Autokauppa Oy in the acquisition of the Škoda dealerships in Helsinki and Tampere from Hedin Automotive Finland. The transaction is subject to regulatory approval. Helkama-Autokauppa Oy operates as an independent dealer in the dealer network of Helkama-Auto Oy, the Finnish importer of Škoda cars, spare parts and accessories.
Case published 3.12.2024