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Freeths - Law firm

Mining & Minerals

Your legal rock

What is involved?

Raw materials such as aggregates and industrial minerals are vital to the two cornerstones of the UK economy – construction and manufacturing. We have unrivalled Mining and Minerals industry knowledge that you can tap into, whether you are a mineral operator or a landowner.

Although there is little deep coal mining left in the country, subsidence can happen years after mining has finished; sometimes with catastrophic consequences. We have specialised knowledge of the ceramics industry and act for many of the nation’s pottery companies. This ensures insightful expertise, enabling us to get to the heart of any issues you may have, so we can craft the ideal solution without delay.

We have experience of disputes including Mining Code compensation claims, express mineral reservations, trespass to minerals and injuncting unlawful working, trespass to and use of void space, exercise of mineral rights against surface owners and tenants, claims under the Coal Mining Subsidence Act and Manorial Mineral Rights.

Why choose Freeths?

  • We can help with acquisitions, joint ventures and the restoration and afteruse of sites
  • You’ll benefit from Freeths’ full spectrum of expertise in Real Estate, Planning and Corporate
  • We act for a number of national mineral operators, as well as large estates with leased reserves

At Freeths, we have nationally recognised experts in the law relating to mineral resources to guide you through the pitfalls of mineral extraction and other relevant issues. We understand the unique challenges of your industry. Combined with our strength and experience in planning and real estate, we can provide you with innovative and practical legal advice on mineral extraction and associated projects.

You can rely on us for help with options and mineral leases, mineral planning, sterilisation claims, energy from waste projects and negotiation of renewals and extensions. Our joined up approach and expertise also allows us to assist with planning and environmental compliance aspects of mineral extraction operations.

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Meet the team

Mining & Minerals Lawyers


Rachel Clack
Senior Associate

0345 272 5720

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Testimonials

"The team at Freeths offers support on both contentious and non-contentious mining issues, providing a full service to domestic clients. It acts for both owners and operators on a range of issues, and recently advised clients on the implications of mineral reservations to wind farms."

(Chambers & Partners)

Notable Work
  • Advising a power station and float glass production plant on the dangers of, remedies for and legal means to prevent mining too close to the station and plant – which, given the geological faulting in the area, could have caused serious damage and lost production from anticipated mining subsidence.
  • Successfully defending proceedings by 2 major house builders proposing to dig into the client’s near surface minerals for housing. The matter was resolved by the developers buying the minerals for several million pounds.
  • Obtaining an injunction for the mineral owner to prevent the theft of minerals from a quarry by an unauthorised operator.
  • Advising national operators in the aggregate and Portland stone markets, and private landed estates in Dorset and the Home Counties on new proposals.
  • Advising on the property and specialist minerals aspects of a major corporate joint venture.
  • Advising on the acquisition with inward investment of a new site for sand and gravel working in Staffordshire.
  • Negotiating on a major extension to an existing sand and gravel quarry in Essex.
  • Acting for a landed estate in a dispute with a tenant operator.
  • Advising on the grant of a new lease for sand and gravel working in Nottinghamshire.
  • Undertaking projects for innovative end use adding value following restoration.
  • Negotiating and settling claims for sterilisation of minerals (Mining Code) with a value in excess of £3 million.
  • Taking possession of the surface and working the minerals on an agricultural tenancy despite the objections and threats of legal action of the farmer and subsequently successfully defending a claim for compensation at arbitration.

Client service

‘Doing the right thing’ is at the heart of Freeths. Find out more about our excellent client service and the strong set of values that guide the way we work.

Our values

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Talk to us

Freeths are a leading national law firm with 13 offices across the UK. If you have a query about our services or just want to find out more, why not give us a call?

Contact: 03301 001 014

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