Brett Cohen

Partner Perth

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An excellent practitioner, liked by his clients, who I'd have no hesitation in recommending.

– Chambers Asia-Pacific

Overview

Brett is a partner in our corporate group who focuses on the energy, resources and infrastructure sectors, and is the Partner in Charge of our Perth office. A corporate and commercial lawyer with a diverse practice, Brett advises on acquisitions and divestments, cross-border investment, project development, joint ventures, royalties and streaming arrangements and commodity/utility sales arrangements.

He has assisted a range of industry participants on transactions and projects in the mining, petroleum, power generation and distribution, renewable energy, infrastructure, water and agribusiness sectors.

Brett is recognised as one of Australia's leading corporate and natural resources lawyers in Chambers, Legal 500 Asia-Pacific, IFLR1000 Best Lawyers Australia, Who's Who and Doyle's Guide.

Notable Work

Squadron Energy (part of the Forrest family's Tattarang Group): on its acquisition of CWP Renewables, comprising a broad portfolio of wind, solar and firming projects in New South Wales and Victoria – one of Australia’s largest ever renewable energy transactions. Also advised Squadron Energy on the development of its regasification terminal and proposed gas-hydrogen power station at Port Kembla.
Tianqi Lithium Corporation: on its joint venture with IGO limited and divestment of a 49% interest in its Australian lithium operations, valuing the investment at $1.9 billion. Also advised on the development of its lithium hydroxide processing plant in Kwinana, Western Australia.
Glencore: on various matters in its nickel division, including acquisitions and divestments, project development, energy supply and procurement arrangements.
Alcoa: on major project acquisitions and divestments and upstream and downstream gas supply arrangements.
Wright Prospecting Pty Ltd: on the landmark agreement with Rio Tinto to modernise their joint venture for the Rhodes Ridge iron ore joint venture, one the largest and highest quality undeveloped iron ore deposits in the world. Also advised Wright Prospecting on royalty entitlements arising from the extraction of iron ore and proprietary interests in various mining tenements in Western Australia.
Synergy: Western Australia's largest electricity generator and retailer, on various renewable energy projects and investments.
Talison Lithium: one of the world's largest lithium concentrate suppliers, in relation to various project development and operational matters concerning its lithium mining and processing operations in Greenbushes, Western Australia (the world's largest lithium resource). Also advised Talison in relation to cornerstone electricity offtake arrangements from the East Rockingham Resource Recovery Facility waste-to-energy project
Mitsui E&P: on the development of the Waitsia project in WA – one of the largest undeveloped onshore gas resources in Australia, being developed by Mitsui as operator (Mitsui 50% / Beach Energy 50%).
ConocoPhillips: on the US$1.39 billion sale of its Northern Australian and East Timorese assets to Santos following a corporate restructure of ConocoPhillips' interest in APLNG.
Agrium Inc.: on its acquisition by scheme of arrangement of AWB for over AU$1 billion and its subsequent sale of the AWB commodities business to Cargill (US) for AU$870M.

Insights

Digging into mining royalties – what are they and how are they are used?

22 Aug 2024 | Article

Brett Cohen

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