Clifford Chance

Clifford Chance advises Norilsk Nickel on sale of Avalon and Cawse nickel assets in Western Australia

Leading international law firm Clifford Chance has advised OJSC MMC Norilsk Nickel's Australian subsidiaries on the sale of their Avalon and Cawse nickel assets in Western Australia to Wingstar Investments Pty Ltd.

"This is the second asset sale on which Clifford Chance has advised Norilsk Nickel this year," said partner Justin Harris. "The market for resources assets around Australia remains highly active with Australian junior and mid-tier miners taking advantage of non-core asset sales by majors." 

OJSC MMC Norilsk Nickel group is the world's largest nickel and palladium producer and one of the largest producers of platinum and copper. The company originated in Russia more than 70 years ago and currently has operations in Russia, Finland, Botswana, South Africa and Australia.

Wingstar is an Australian resources-focused investment company with mining and exploration tenements in Western Australia.

The assets comprise the Avalon (formerly Bulong) nickel laterite deposit and processing plant, the Cawse open pit mine and processing plant, and associated infrastructure. Avalon and Cawse were put on care and maintenance in 2003 and 2008 respectively.

The sale is subject to regulatory approvals and satisfaction of other customary closing conditions and is expected to close in the second half of 2014.

Justin Harris led the Clifford Chance team advising Norilsk Nickel, assisted by corporate counsel Sean Houthuysen and environmental law counsel Robyn Glindemann.