Mining and minerals

Our unique heritage means Stephens Scown has genuine expertise in the complex field of mining and minerals law in England and Wales.

For over 80 years, we have worked side by side with the industry, gaining a vast amount of practical, commercial and legal knowledge while helping clients to overcome challenges specific to the sector.

Today our team of dedicated minerals and mining specialists act for prominent companies including Imerys Minerals, Strongbow Exploration Inc, E & JW Glendinning Limited and Portland Stone Firms, as well as smaller operators and landowners with extensive mineral interests.

Our experience is real. Based in Devon and Cornwall, we are surrounded by the mining industry, past, present and future. We have been down the mines and walked in the quarries, so we are connected to the industry by far more than phone line or broadband cable.  Although based in the South West, we act for clients both nationally and internationally.

Our knowledge is broad. We can help you with any legal issues throughout the life of a mine, from development to closure, through restoration projects, from mineral leases to complex land assembly arrangements.

All this means that we can anticipate and solve problems before they impact on your business, saving you time and money.

We act for leading mineral extraction, holding and processing enterprises, and you’re just as likely to find us pulling our boots on as sitting behind a desk.

Our recent mining and minerals law experience

• Advising Wolf Minerals Ltd on the worlds third largest tungsten mine
• Advising Canadian company Strongbow Exploration Inc on the completion of the acquisition of the South Crofty tin mine in Cornwall.
• Advice on compliance with terms of environmental permits
• Registrations of mineral estates at the Land Registry
• Advice on the application of EIA Regulations
• Claims following planning Modification Orders
• Defending statutory nuisance claims
• Advice in respect of ROMP reviews
• Mineral safeguarding
• Negotiation of drilling contracts and permitted development for mine exploration
• Advice on liabilities arising from mineral rights ownership
• Restoration of mineral sites
• Long term supply agreements for supply of secondary aggregate material and associate plant leases
• Royalty arrangements for concrete block works