The mining industry in Western Europe has a long history of development. Deposits of natural resources in the region, which are diverse from country to country, have been significantly depleted. The region is rich in coal and certain types of ores; however, oil and natural gas deposits are limited, and these minerals are predominantly imported. Shale gas reserves are available in the region.

The industry is technologically very advanced in order to meet the demand for sustainable production as well as stringent environmental standards, although constant upgrading and maintaining of infrastructure can be time and investment consuming.

Capital constraint, increasingly complex regulations—in the business of mining, these are just a few of the challenges you may face every day.

Our lawyers offer you industry specific expertise from mine exploration, project development and finance, to production. We help you navigate through the complex environmental assessment and permitting process.

Rely on our expertise in the successful development of resource projects in the region and globally. We cover:

• Mergers and acquisitions
• Mining licensing and permitting
• Environmental law
• Exploration agreements, production sharing agreements, concessions
• Joint ventures
• Project and trade finance, capital markets
• Dispute resolution
• Public law and regulation

Leverage our knowledge of law as well as our technical expertise in mining projects for successful strategic planning of investments and operations in Western Europe, as well as in the different realities of operating within the CIS and the CEE.

Insights

An Introduction to Business Structures as contained in the Revised Uniform Act relating to Commercial Companies and Economic Interest Groups

March 29, 2016

The OHADA laws have simplified the various vehicles available to persons doing business in West and Central Africa. The article provides a basic overview of the business structures available to investors, as well as the benefits of each structure, as contained in the revised Uniform Act relating to commercial companies and economic interest groups.

EU Commission launches consultation on Transparency Register

March 1, 2016

The European Union is contemplating mandatory registration of lobbyists and increased regulation of their activities through the introduction of a mandatory register in Brussels. The changes currently contemplated will have a direct impact on all interactions with the EU. Dentons’ Political Law team is well placed to assist clients around the world to influence the outcome of this important new European Commission policy proposal.

Landmark Sanctions Relief for Iran Takes Effect

January 18, 2016

Following certification by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that the Government of Iran had met its obligations under the P5+1 Nuclear Agreement, the United States and European Union have now relaxed substantial portions of their sanctions regimes against Iran. The central components of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) are the roll-back of sanctions against the Iranian petroleum, petrochemical, oil and natural gas sectors, restoration of financial ties to certain Iranian banks (including the Central Bank of Iran), and the elimination of the vast majority of US extra-territorial sanctions imposed after 2012.

Dentons' global Trade, WTO and Customs team analyzes the implications of these recent developments.

View all insights for Mining in Europe

News and Events

Recent Press Releases

Advising the Rio Tinto mining group on the sale of its Dunkirk plant to GFG Alliance

January 22, 2018

We advised the Anglo-Australian mining group Rio Tinto on the sale to GFG Alliance of its Dunkirk plant, Europe's largest aluminum smelter with an annual capacity of 280,000 tons, 570 employees and an annual turnover of approximately €500 million. The purchaser is the Gupta Family Group (GFG Alliance) managed by the Anglo-Indian billionaire Sanjeev Gupta.

Leïla Hubeaut joins Dentons to strengthen energy, mining and infrastructure offering in France and francophone Africa

January 10, 2018

Renowned lawyer Leïla Hubeaut has joined Dentons’ Paris office as a partner to strengthen the Firm’s Energy practice. She joins along with senior associate Ergen Ege. Leïla Hubeaut has strategic experience in project development, mergers and acquisitions, and joint venture transactions, mainly in the energy, mining, hydrocarbon, infrastructure, and telecommunications sectors. She focuses on North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Iran.

Dentons in Latin America

December 18, 2015

Global law firm Dentons, Colombia’s Cárdenas & Cárdenas, and Mexico’s López Velarde, today announced that the partners of each firm have approved the combination of the three firms, bringing the world’s largest law firm to two of Latin America’s top four economies.

View all press releases for Mining in Europe