Overview
Mining and Resources
The Australian resources sector is fast-moving, capital-intensive and tightly regulated. We provide specialist legal advice across the full lifecycle of mining and resources transactions, from early exploration and tenement acquisition through to development, production, ASX listing and exit.
Based in Perth and operating at the heart of Australia's resources market, we understand the regulatory frameworks under the Mining Act 1978 (WA), the Native Title regime, and the ASX continuous disclosure regime. We also understand the commercial realities: the cost of capital, the importance of optionality, and the risks of operating in remote and regulated environments.
Whether you are a junior explorer raising your first capital, a mid-cap producer pursuing a strategic acquisition, or an institutional investor reviewing a complex JV, we are here to help.
What we do
Our services.
Tenement transactions
Acquisitions, disposals, farm-ins, farm-outs and option agreements over exploration and mining tenements. Ministerial consent processes, due diligence and stamp duty.
Joint ventures and earn-ins
Structuring and documenting JV arrangements, including unincorporated JVs, incorporated JVs and earn-in agreements, with a focus on protecting tenement interests.
Capital raisings
Equity and hybrid raisings to fund exploration, development and production, working alongside your corporate adviser and broker.
ASX listings
End-to-end support for IPOs, reverse takeovers and dual listings of resources companies.
Royalty and streaming arrangements
Royalty agreements, streaming deals and net smelter return arrangements.
Native title and heritage
Indigenous Land Use Agreements (ILUAs), heritage protection agreements and access arrangements with Traditional Owners.
Why Luma
Technical precision, commercial focus.
We combine deep technical expertise with a commercial, sector-specific lens. We have advised on resources transactions for over a decade across a wide range of commodities. We are agile enough to respond to market opportunities, and experienced enough to handle the most complex transactions with confidence.
Experience
Recent work includes advising listed and unlisted resources companies on tenement transactions, joint ventures, farm-in agreements and project funding.
Advised on JORC compliance and ASX disclosure for resources companies, including resource and reserve announcements, exploration results and production targets.
FAQs
Common questions.
Acquiring a tenement requires careful review of the tenement title, encumbrances, expenditure conditions, native title and heritage agreements, environmental approvals, and any joint venture or royalty obligations. We coordinate the legal due diligence and assignment documentation.
A farm-in or earn-in agreement is a common structure in resources where one party (the incoming party) earns an interest in a tenement or project by funding exploration or development expenditure to an agreed level over a defined timeframe.
Mining joint ventures are typically structured as unincorporated joint ventures (with each party holding a direct tenement interest) or as incorporated joint ventures (through a separate company). Each structure has different tax, governance and risk implications.
Resources companies must comply with JORC Code reporting requirements for exploration results, mineral resources and ore reserves. Continuous disclosure obligations also apply to material changes in tenement holdings, exploration results, and project milestones.
Yes. Most mining tenements in Australia are subject to native title and Aboriginal heritage considerations. Early engagement with Traditional Owners and compliance with Indigenous Land Use Agreements or heritage protection laws is critical.
Resources companies typically raise capital through equity placements, rights issues, convertible securities, project finance, royalty financing or strategic partnerships. The right structure depends on project stage, dilution tolerance and risk profile.
Related insights
Our recent thinking on mining & resources.
Mining & Resources
Key Legal Risks in Tenement Sales: A WA Mining Guide
Key legal risks in Western Australian tenement sales, including Ministerial consent, native title, and due diligence considerations for buyers and sellers.
March 2026 · 5 min read
Mining & Resources
Joint Ventures and Farm-In Agreements in Australian Mining
Practical guidance on joint ventures and farm-in agreements for Australian mining and exploration projects, covering structure, key terms and common pitfalls.
May 2026 · 7 min read
Mining & Resources
Native Title and Indigenous Land Use Agreements in Mining
An overview of native title and Indigenous Land Use Agreements (ILUAs) for Australian mining and resources projects, including the right to negotiate, ILUA structures, and practical compliance.
May 2026 · 6 min read
Related expertise
Other areas we work in.
Capital markets
ASX Listings
We guide companies through ASX listings by IPO, reverse takeover or cross-listing, with lean execution that keeps your team focused on the business.
Capital markets
Capital Markets
Clear advice and seamless execution across placements, rights issues, convertible securities and hybrid instruments.
Transactions
M&A
End-to-end legal support for public and private M&A, from term sheet to completion.
Let's talk.
Whether you are navigating a major transaction or refining how your business operates, we provide legal advice that is timely, strategic and grounded in commercial reality.