Christopher is a project development specialist, with a focus on the development of large-scale mining projects in the Asia-Pacific Region. Christopher has extensive experience advising clients on mining and other joint ventures, acquisitions and divestments, and government agreements, as well as native title, tenure and land access arrangements for mining projects. He also advises regularly on sales and marketing agreements for a wide range of commodities, including iron ore, lithium, gold, copper, bauxite, mineral sands, rare earths, and other critical minerals. In 2025, Christopher was recognised by Legal500 as a “Leading associate” for Natural Resources in Australia.
Christopher’s experiences include advising:
- Iluka Resources: on the development of its Rare Earth Refinery Project at Eneabba, including State Agreement approvals, project structuring, and feedstock and offtake arrangements.
- BHP: on its $9.6 billion acquisition of copper and nickel producer OZ Minerals by way of a scheme of arrangement.
- BHP: on its WA iron ore operations, including State Agreement and mining approvals, joint venture arrangements, and rail and port operations.
- Alcoa: on mining tenure, State Agreement, and other approvals for its bauxite mining and alumina refining operations in Western Australia.
- Northern Star Resources: on its A$5bn acquisition of De Grey Mining Ltd by way of a scheme of arrangement.
- Greatland Gold: on its transformational acquisition of the Telfer Mine, Havieron Project and related Paterson Province assets from Newmont Corporation.
- Chevron Australia: on its WA Oil operations on Barrow Island and the Gorgon LNG and gas project.
- BHP: on its full portfolio of sales and marketing arrangements, including iron ore, coal, nickel and copper commodity sale contracts, as well as its maritime and shipping arrangements.
- Hancock Prospecting: on its $1.7 billion joint acquisition (with SQM) of lithium explorer Azure Minerals by way of scheme of arrangement.
Articles / deal releases to tag:
Mallesons advises Northern Star on its A$5 billion acquisition of De Grey
