Resources and industrial businesses regularly face significant commercial transactions: acquisitions of assets, joint ventures for project development, capital raises to fund expansion, and transitions of ownership as businesses mature and custodians pass on businesses to the next generation. These transactions require legal advisers who understand the sector context, not just the legal mechanics.

We advise on business sales and acquisitions in the resources and industrial sectors, joint venture and project structures for mining, energy, and infrastructure projects, capital raising for resource companies, cleantech businesses, and manufacturers, and shareholder arrangements for family-owned and investor-backed industrial businesses.

We have particular experience advising on ownership transitions for established resources businesses, where the complexity often lies in managing stakeholder relationships, regulatory requirements, and the practical realities of transferring an operating business.

Last year, we advised a minerals company on the acquisition of a significant quarry asset in regional Victoria, including due diligence, structuring, and regulatory compliance.

Read more about our work on mergers, acquisitions and investments.

The commercial relationships that underpin resources and industrial businesses are often complex and high-value. Supply agreements, offtake arrangements, distribution agreements, and procurement contracts need to address pricing, delivery, quality, risk allocation, force majeure, and termination in a way that reflects the realities of these industries.

We draft and negotiate supply and offtake agreements for resource companies and manufacturers, distribution agreements for industrial products, procurement contracts for equipment, services, and materials, commercial terms and conditions for quotes, purchase orders, and standard trading, and licensing and technology transfer agreements for industrial applications.

For businesses that are entering new markets or establishing new supply relationships, we also advise on the commercial and legal risks of engaging with new counterparties, including due diligence on suppliers and customers.

Recent work of our team includes drafting a bespoke distribution agreement for an Australian cleantech manufacturer entering the European market, and advising a mineral processing company on its standard commercial terms for customer quotes.

Read more about our commercial contracts and advisory practice.

Resources and industrial businesses often have significant property commitments: warehouse leases, factory premises, site access agreements, and storage arrangements. The terms of these agreements can have a material impact on operating costs and business flexibility.

We review and negotiate commercial leases for industrial premises, advise on site access and licensing arrangements, and handle the property aspects of business transactions, including lease assignments and transfers on acquisition.

Resources and industrial businesses operate in a heavily regulated environment. Mining and exploration companies have specific licensing and reporting obligations. Manufacturers must comply with product safety, environmental, and workplace safety requirements. Businesses in the energy sector face evolving regulatory frameworks around emissions, renewables, and grid access.

We advise on corporate governance for resources and industrial companies, regulatory compliance and licensing obligations, solvency assessments and restructuring for businesses under financial pressure, and governance aspects of joint ventures and project structures.

For businesses with complex corporate structures, including holding companies, joint ventures, and subsidiary operations, we advise on the governance framework that keeps the structure compliant and effective.

We recently advised a Victorian mining client on securing its work authority approval and managing its relationships with a variety of regulators and government authorities.

Innovation is increasingly central to the resources and industrial sectors. Cleantech manufacturers are developing new processes and materials. Mining companies are adopting new extraction and processing technologies. Agricultural businesses are commercialising precision farming and biotech solutions. The intellectual property created through these efforts needs to be properly protected and commercially exploited.

We advise on IP protection strategies for industrial technologies, patent and trademark considerations for new products and processes, research collaboration agreements with universities and research institutions, grant agreements and compliance with government funding conditions, and licensing arrangements for the commercialisation of industrial IP.

We recently advised a cleantech manufacturer on its trademark strategy for a novel industrial product, and on the terms of a research grant from a major Australian research body.

Resources and industrial businesses have distinctive workforce challenges. Contractor and subcontractor arrangements are common, often across multiple sites. Employment agreements need to reflect the practical realities of site-based work, shift arrangements, and industry-specific safety requirements. Restraints of trade are important for protecting proprietary processes and client relationships.

For international businesses establishing operations in Australia, we advise on how Australian employment law applies to their workforce, including the differences between Australian and international approaches to restraints, termination, and contractor engagement.

We recently advised an international materials company on establishing its Australian operations, including employment structuring and the enforceability of restraint of trade provisions under Australian law.

Read more about our employment law practice