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.