Oliver Wright

Partner

About

Oliver has extensive experience advising on a broad range of transactions across the mining and metals sector, regularly taking the lead on project development, financing, capital markets and M&A transactions. A recognized global leader in the mining a metals sector, he is ranked Band 1: USA-Nationwide: Mining & Metals (Transactional) by Chambers 2022.

Areas of FocusEnergy and Natural Resources Finance Projects and Project Finance

Bar admissionsNew YorkSolicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland

"Oliver has a good understanding of the mining sector and is a pleasure to work with...a very good lawyer with excellent drafting skills.”

— Sources quoted, Chambers 2022

SELECTED EXPERIENCE

Syrah Resources in the development and financing of the Vidalia Battery Anode Material Project in Louisiana, including a long-term supply agreement with Tesla and the first ATVM loan from the US DOE in more than a decade. The project is the first graphite active anode material project to be developed in the US (and the first outside of China)
The lenders (including ING and Soc Gen and Natixis) in a senior secured project financing for the Serrote greenfield copper-gold project in Brazil. Endeavour Financial acted as the financial advisor. This transaction was named the Latin America Mining Deal of the Year by IJGlobal 2021 and Mining Deal of the Year by Proximo 2022
Resource Capital Funds in the IPO of a SPAC
Resource Capital Funds in connection with a proposed debt and equity investment in a lithium project in Germany
A confidential client in connection with a merger of a confidential target with a rare earth mining project in Australia
SolGold in the development and financing of the Alpala copper-gold project in Ecuador, including a US$150 million Franco-Nevada net smelter returns royalty financing agreement
A major US-based global investment company in its secured debt and equity investment in a large portfolio of certain mining assets in the US, Canada, Peru, Brazil and Finland
AMCI in the IPO of a SPAC
AMCI in connection with a merger with LanzaTech, a carbon capture and use technology company
The sponsor in the development and financing of a steel recycling mill in Florida that will employ clean, state of the art technology to recycle scrap metal into finished steel products
Triple Flag Precious Metals in connection with a proposed acquisition of a portfolio of royalty interests
La Mancha Capital in connection with a proposed acquisition of an interest in a mine rehabilitation project in Idaho
China Molybdemum in the acquisition of the Kisanfu cobalt project in the DRC from Freeport McMoran
Martinus Rail in connection with a proposed acquisition and development of a rail spur project in Colorado and royalty structuring
A major international, diversified mining company in connection with a potential acquisition of a majority interest in an operating copper mine in Chile
A major international, diversified mining company in connection with a proposed joint venture combining an operating and development iron ore project in Brazil
Nouveau Monde Graphite, which is developing a fully integrated carbon neutral battery anode material business in Canada, in the listing of its common shares on the New York Stock Exchange
The underwriters in multiple public offerings of Piedmont Lithium, which is developing an integrated lithium business in the US
A Brazilian lithium project company in relation to the negotiation of several long-term offtake agreements with electric vehicle and battery OEMs
The sponsor in the proposed development, construction and financing (including a royalty tranche) of a potash fertilizer production facility in the US
Gerald Metals in the context of a workout of a copper mine in Mexico
Electrum Strategic Opportunities Fund, a New York-based private equity fund, in connection with a US$8 million and US$20 million private placement investment in two Australian junior mining companies, respectively, Breaker Resources and Red 5
Redwood Capital in a proposed secondary debt investment in a mine infrastructure facility in Australia
A confidential bidder in connection with the proposed acquisition of the Aguas Teñidas and Magdalena Mines in Spain