Lawson Lundell's Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Blog follows new and interesting issues emerging in the legal and business communities. Our goal is to provide a source of valuable information and insight on a wide variety of matters for our readers.
Practice Expertise
- Mining
- Mergers & Acquisitions
- Corporate Finance
- Commercial Law
Areas of Practice
- Mining
- Mergers & Acquisitions
- Corporate Finance
- Commercial Law
- Native Peoples View More
WSG Practice Industries
Profile
Michael is a corporate and commercial lawyer focused on mining, energy and major project development. He advises mining companies, utilities and other project proponents across Canada on the commercial and Indigenous arrangements that support the development, construction and operation of major resource and energy projects. His work includes negotiating and drafting impact benefit and relationship agreements, exploration and funding agreements and other arrangements with Indigenous groups, as well as power purchase and sale agreements and other complex project and commercial agreements. Michael also advises clients on the structuring, negotiation, implementation and amendment of long-term project arrangements, and on the commercial, operational and risk allocation issues that arise as projects advance.
Michael also advises public and private companies on a broad range of corporate and transactional matters, including mergers and acquisitions, corporate reorganizations and restructurings, and other strategic transactions. He regularly advises mining and resource companies on corporate governance, securities regulatory matters and strategic commercial issues.
Michael also advises public and private companies on a broad range of corporate and transactional matters, including mergers and acquisitions, corporate reorganizations and restructurings, and other strategic transactions. He regularly advises mining and resource companies on corporate governance, securities regulatory matters and strategic commercial issues.
Languages
English
Bar Admissions
Called to the Nunavut Bar, 2026
Called to the Saskatchewan Bar, 2026
Called to the British Columbia Bar, 2012
Education
University of Western Ontario, J.D., 2011
King's College London, United Kingdom, M.A., 2008
University of Toronto, B.A., 2007
Areas of Practice
- Mining
- Mergers & Acquisitions
- Corporate Finance
- Commercial Law
- Native Peoples
Professional Career
Significant Accomplishments
* Continued representation of resource companies developing mining operations in Nunavut and on matters related to Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreements.
* Advises utilities and resource companies on the development, negotiation and implementation of power purchase agreements for solar and natural gas-fired generation facilities.
* Acted for KGHM International Ltd. and FNX Mining Company Inc. in connection with the negotiation and execution of an Impact Benefits Agreement with Atikameksheng Anishnawbek for the Victoria Mine Project in Ontario.
* Acted for a TSX-listed mining company in connection with negotiation of benefits agreements with Indigenous groups for its exploration/development-stage project in Ontario, including capacity funding and confidentiality agreements, negotiation protocols, business procurement processes and financial participation arrangements.
* Acted for Hudbay Minerals Inc. in its $1.48 billion acquisition of Arizona Sonoran Copper Company Inc., combining Arizona Sonoran's Cactus project with Hudbay's Copper World to form the third-largest copper district in North America.
* Acted for New Gold Inc. in its US$7 billion merger with Coeur Mining, Inc., creating a 100% North American precious metals producer with seven operating mines.
* Acted for B2Gold in connection with its acquisition of Sabina Gold & Silver Corp. (with a total equity value for Sabina of approximately C$1.1 billion).
* Acted for Barrick Gold Corporation in connection with the divesture of its interest in the Lagunas Norte mine in Peru to Boroo Pte Ltd (Singapore) for a total consideration of up to US$81 million, plus the assumption by Boroo of Barrick's closure liability relating to Lagunas Norte of US$226 million backed by an existing US$173 million bonding obligation.
* Continued representation of resource companies developing mining operations in Nunavut and on matters related to Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreements.
* Advises utilities and resource companies on the development, negotiation and implementation of power purchase agreements for solar and natural gas-fired generation facilities.
* Acted for KGHM International Ltd. and FNX Mining Company Inc. in connection with the negotiation and execution of an Impact Benefits Agreement with Atikameksheng Anishnawbek for the Victoria Mine Project in Ontario.
* Acted for a TSX-listed mining company in connection with negotiation of benefits agreements with Indigenous groups for its exploration/development-stage project in Ontario, including capacity funding and confidentiality agreements, negotiation protocols, business procurement processes and financial participation arrangements.
* Acted for Hudbay Minerals Inc. in its $1.48 billion acquisition of Arizona Sonoran Copper Company Inc., combining Arizona Sonoran's Cactus project with Hudbay's Copper World to form the third-largest copper district in North America.
* Acted for New Gold Inc. in its US$7 billion merger with Coeur Mining, Inc., creating a 100% North American precious metals producer with seven operating mines.
* Acted for B2Gold in connection with its acquisition of Sabina Gold & Silver Corp. (with a total equity value for Sabina of approximately C$1.1 billion).
* Acted for Barrick Gold Corporation in connection with the divesture of its interest in the Lagunas Norte mine in Peru to Boroo Pte Ltd (Singapore) for a total consideration of up to US$81 million, plus the assumption by Boroo of Barrick's closure liability relating to Lagunas Norte of US$226 million backed by an existing US$173 million bonding obligation.
Blogs
North of 60 Blog
Our North of 60 Blog provides commentary on current legal trends and developments, and legislative updates affecting businesses in Northern Canada.
Pensions and Employee Benefits Law Blog
Lawson Lundell's Pension and Employee Benefits Law Blog provides updates on the most recent legal developments impacting pension and employee benefit plans. We cover a range of topics, including recent case law and changes to relevant provincial and federal legislation.
Privacy & Data Management Blog
This blog is authored by members of the Privacy & Data Management Department. We follow new and interesting issues emerging in the legal and business communities. We follow emerging issues, legal developments, and new technology as they impact privacy and data management. We will focus on how organizations can protect, manage and innovate with information considering the various risks, regulatory and governance requirements.
The Business Law Blog
This blog is authored by members of the Litigation and Dispute Resolution Department. We intend to follow new and interesting issues emerging in the legal and business communities. The wide range of experience among the members of our litigation group will provide a diverse and insightful examination of current legal trends and topics. Our goal is to provide a source of valuable information and insight on a wide variety of matters for our readers.
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