13 March 20233 minute read

DLA Piper advises Kingsrose Mining Limited

Global law firm DLA Piper continues to advise Kingsrose Mining Limited (ASX:KRM) on various transactions as it pivots from gold mining to focus on nickel-copper-PGE exploration.

The spate of transactions that DLA Piper has advised Kingsrose on as part of its transformation process include:

  • the establishment of the Rana nickel joint venture with Global Energy Metals Corporation and Scandinavian Resources Holdings under which Kingsrose may earn up to 75% interest in the Råna nickel-copper-cobalt project in Norway via staged expenditure of up to $15 million over 8 years;
  • Kingsrose's entry into an option agreement with VIAD Royalties AB, a wholly owned subsidiary of EMX Royalty Corp, to purchase Rana Nickel AS, a Norwegian incorporated entity that holds a 100% interest in 19 exploration licences totally 183 square kilometres adjacent to the Råna Project;
  • Kingsrose’s exit from its gold assets via the 2022 sale of its Way Linggo Project to Capwill Global Limited, with the A$11.25 million proceeds and attendant 2% net smelter royalty keeping Kingsrose well financed to continue to assess additional inorganic and organic growth opportunities; and
  • the 2021 acquisition of Element-46 Limited and its ‘green energy metals’ Penikat Project in Finland and Porsanger Project in Norway.

DLA Piper has also recently advised Kingsrose on its participation in the BHP Xplor program, whereby Kingsrose was selected out of hundreds of applicants. The BHP Xplor program will provide Kingsrose with the opportunity to accelerate its growth and the potential to establish a long-term relationship with BHP and its global network of partners. In addition, Kingsrose will receive up to US$500,000 in cash payments from BHP and access to a network of internal and external experts, to help advance regional target generation for nickel massive sulphide deposits across two highly prospective but underexplored geological belts in Finland and Norway.

“We are pleased to have advised Kingsrose on its strategic pivot and modernisation and continue to assist Kingsrose in relation its current and future projects.  We greatly appreciate the opportunity to work with clients in respect of the ‘dust to dust’ execution of their holistic business strategies and we hope to be advising Fabian and his team for many years to come.” said Perth-based James Nicholls, Partner, DLA Piper.

DLA Piper's Kingsrose client team is led by James Nicholls (Partner), Kirsty Hall (Senior Associate) and Emily Donley (Solicitor); with assistance from Alex Jones (Partner) and Joanne Steer (Special Counsel) in respect to project-level arrangements including royalties and offtake; and Matt Davies (Partner) and Rosie Dickinson (Trainee Solicitor) in respect to UK legal matters.

For the 13th consecutive year, DLA Piper was the highest-ranked legal advisor in the world for M&A deal volume, according to Mergermarket's league tables. The firm was involved in 1,131 transactions worldwide in 2022.

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Media contact: Nicholas Davy, 0437 036 369