Mining Law
Parr Brown has assisted mining companies in forming mining ventures and developing mineral properties in countries around the world. Our attorneys have an in-depth understanding regarding the formation and financing of exploration ventures, including choice of business entity, tax planning, negotiation and documentation of exploration agreements, operating agreements, farm-out agreements, and geological consulting agreements. We have assisted clients with venture relationships, the acquisition of mineral and related land use rights, permitting, project development, contracting, governmental relations, environmental matters, water rights and other areas of natural resource use and development.
We counsel both producers and large landowners regarding lease transactions and mineral title matters. Clients include mining and oil and gas companies, real estate developers, counties, municipalities, irrigation companies, and utilities.
Our mining legal services include:
- Extensive experience in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Peru, Indonesia, Chile and Africa.
- Exploration, operation, development, sales, and property and related asset transfers involving precious metals, industrial minerals, oil, gas, coal, salt and gemstones.
- All aspects of public land use and regulation such as ownership, access, usage rights, mining claims, mineral leases, permitting, patenting, operational agreements, acquisitions, divestitures, title and ownership analysis, boundary disputes, and regulatory compliance.
- Due diligence on mining claims, water rights and other property holdings.
- Resolution or litigation of disputes among parties to development agreements, leasing and mineral title matters.
- Assistance with disputes and proceedings involving the Bureau of Land Management, the Forest Service, the federal Interior Board of Land Appeals, the federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission, the Utah Board of Oil, Gas and Mining, the Utah School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration, the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands, and the Utah Division of Water Rights.
- Environmental due diligence, including environmental audits and title reviews.
- Toxic tort lawsuits and private cost recovery actions.
- Legislative activities and rule-making proceedings.
- Environmental issues arising in the context of international trade.
