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Michael Bourassa Toronto Lawyer

Michael J. Bourassa

Partner Fasken
Knowing how to manoeuver on international issues and working with local counsel is a fundamental part of our practice for exploration and mining projects.
Jurisdiction Ontario, 1986
Language(s) English
Office(s) Toronto
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Overview

Michael Bourassa’s practice is focused on the mining industry. A member of the firm's Global Mining Group, he acted as the group’s co-ordinator from 2004-2012. He is a highly regarded practitioner with extensive experience in mining projects both in Canada and internationally.

Michael provides guidance on public financings, commercial mining agreements, corporate social responsibility, and litigation support. He also has a deep understanding of international mining due diligence issues related to title, technical matters, and environmental risks.

Michael currently serves as President of the Foundation for Natural Resources and Energy Law (formerly known as the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation) since July 2024 and continues to sit on council for the International Bar Association’s (IBA) Section on Energy, Environment, Resources and Infrastructure Law. He previously served as the Co-Chair of the IBA’s Mining Law Committee and was a Director of the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC). Michael frequently speaks and writes on important trends in the mining industry.

Widely renowned for his mining sector knowledge, Michael has been ranked in several leading legal publications including Chambers Global, Chambers Canada and the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory. He has also been named the Lexology Index (formerly Who's Who Legal) "Mining Lawyer of the Year" in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2017, 2023 and 2024, and been recognized in their International Who's Who of Mining Lawyers, for 13 consecutive years.

Achievements

Client Work

  • Represented IAMGOLD in defending breach of oral contract claim, [Case - IAMGOLD Corporation], Mining company defends breach of oral contract claim
  • SCR-Sibelco NV announces strategic joint venture with Avalon Advanced Materials Inc., [Deal - SCR-Sibelco NV], Belgian based global material solution company completes a joint venture agreement to develop Ontario lithium mining operations.
  • SCR-Sibelco NV completes a C$13 million investment, [Deal - SCR-Sibelco NV], Belgian based global material solution company completes an investment financing.
  • Zijin Mining signs share purchase agreement with Freeport-McMoran to acquire remaining interest in the lower zone of the Timok copper and gold mine in Serbia for up to US$390 million, [Deal - Zijin Mining Group Co., Ltd.]
  • HudBay Minerals Inc. Acquires Interest in Rosemont Copper Project JV, [Deal - Hudbay Minerals Inc.]
  • Gold Fields Acquires Joint Venture Interest in the Asanko Gold Mine for US$185 Million, [Deal - Gold Fields Limited]
  • Wuxi Baichuan Chemical Industrial acquires 10% of MetalsTech Limited, [Deal - Wuxi Baichuan Chemical Industrial Co. Ltd]
  • IAMGOLD announces strategic agreement with Sumitomo Metal Mining for the development of Côté Gold, [Deal - IAMGOLD Corporation], Deal valued at C$195 million.
  • Zijin Mining acquires 49.5% of Ivanhoe’s Kamoa Copper Project Stake for a total aggregate consideration of US$412 million, [Deal - Zijin Mining Group]

Career & Education

Education

  • LLB University of Saskatchewan
  • BSc (Hons), Physical Geography University of Saskatchewan

Memberships & Affiliations

  • President, Foundation for Natural Resources and Energy Law (formerly known as the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation)
  • Past-Chair, Ontario Bar Association, Natural Resources Section
  • Member, Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum
  • Past Director, Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada
  • Co-Chair, Mining Committee, International Bar Association 
  • Former Director and Former Trustee, Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation
  • Member, Canadian Bar Association
  • Member, Ontario Bar Association

Knowledge

Events

News

Publications

  • Getting the Deal Through – Mining Practice Guide 2019, 3/7/2019
  • Getting The Deal Through - Mining 2016 - Canada, 7/4/2016
  • Managing Local and International Criminal Law Risk for Mining Companies, 3/7/2016
Article, Editor Getting the Deal Through – Mining Practice Guide 2019
Article Managing Local and International Criminal Law Risk for Mining Companies White Collar Post

Speaking Engagements

  • Elements of an Effective Civil Code Sale of Goods Contract, 9/23/2015
  • Governing Ethics and Sustainability for Companies, An Evolving Legal Regime, 4/16/2013
  • International Bar Association’s Model Mineral Development Agreement, 3/26/2013
Governing Ethics and Sustainability for Companies, An Evolving Legal Regime CCCA National Spring Conference location location Toronto
International Bar Association’s Model Mineral Development Agreement Osgoode Certificate in Mining Law, Osgoode Professional Development location location Toronto

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