Clifford Chance

Clifford Chance advises China Construction Bank on US$840 million financing for Zijin Mining's proposed acquisition of Nevsun Resources

Leading international law firm Clifford Chance has advised China Construction Bank as coordinator, underwriter and mandated lead arranger on the US$840 million syndicated loan financing for Zijin Mining Group Co. Ltd (Zijin)'s successful cross-border public offer for Canadian mining company Nevsun Resources Ltd. (Nevsun)

Based in Fujian, China, and listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE) and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX), Zijin is a mining company specialising in gold, copper, zinc and other mineral resource exploration and development and is one of the largest gold producer and the largest zinc producer in the People's Republic of China. Nevsun is a public company traded on both the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and currently holds exploration rights in Serbia, Eritrea and Macedonia. The primary syndication comprises 11 PRC and international banks.

The deal was executed by a team led by Beijing partner Timothy Democratis and supported by associates Icy Li, Chengcheng Wu and Decheng Zhang, and trainee Xuechun Ruan. New York partner Daniel Winick also advised on US legal aspects.

Timothy said, "We are proud to be working with China Construction Bank and the syndicate on the financing of one of the landmark 'Belt and Road' M&A deals of 2018. It highlights our expertise in advising PRC clients on both complex cross-border acquisition financings and large-scale syndications."