Geoff Simpson
Partner
Perth
Geoff Simpson
Partner
Perth
Contact Details
Geoff has 25 years’ experience leading a wide range of international and domestic mergers and acquisitions, auctions, joint ventures, projects, corporate advisory and equity capital markets matters, particularly in the energy and resources sectors.
Geoff has been voted by peers as one of Australia's Best Lawyers in each year of publication for, amongst other things, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Corporate/Governance Practice, Corporate Law and Commercial Law and has been recognised as the 2023 Best Lawyers “Lawyer of the Year” for Mining Law, Perth.
He is acknowledged as one of the world’s leading resources lawyers. Geoff is the only lawyer in Australia recognised in Who’s Who Global Elite 2020 in the energy sector. Chambers Asia Pacific 2020 says “Geoff Simpson enjoys immense respect as an “outstanding practitioner” in the transactional mining space, clients especially valuing his “very commercial” approach to “taking time to know what the client wants.” He also offers highly developed expertise concerning mining-related deals in Africa.” Who's Who Legal 2020 says “Geoff Simpson ranks as the top mining practitioner in the region this year. He is well versed in mergers and acquisitions within the mining market, where he represents Australian and international clients.” Chambers 2017 says “Geoff Simpson is regarded as one of the most eminent resources lawyers in Australia.” Who's Who 2018 says “Geoff is endorsed as "a leading light in the mining market".” Who’s Who 2017 rates him as the most highly regarded lawyer in Australia in energy, natural resources and mining. The 2016 version says “he is well established in the market as one of the leading mining practitioners worldwide.”
Geoff is A&O’s joint Global Head of Mining & Metals. He is also a member of the firm’s Global Clients and Markets Committee and is the Managing Partner of the Perth office. He has held directorships of listed public companies and is a former national president of the Energy & Resources Law Association (formerly AMPLA Ltd), the leading legal industry association and member of the advisory board of the University of Western Australia’s Centre for Energy, Mining and Natural Resources.
Expertise
Practices
Corporate Governance and Compliance
Environmental, Social and Governance
Sectors
Qualifications
Professional
Registered Foreign Lawyer, England and Wales, 2010
Admitted as a solicitor, Western Australia, Australia
Academic
Bachelor of Laws, University of Western Australia, 1987
Bachelor of Jurisprudence, University of Western Australia, 1986
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Experience highlights
Advising EFG International, a global private banking group based in Zurich, on its acquisition of 51% of the issued share capital of Australian wealth management and financial services provider, Shaw and Partners, the subsequent buy-back (which moved EFG to a 75% control position) and the subsequent acquisition of the remaining 25% of issued share capital of Shaw and Partners which EFG did not already own (which moved EFG to a 100% control position).
Advising EMR Capital on its acquisition of an 80% interest in the Lubambe Copper Mine in Zambia, and its acquisition of the Golden Grove mine in Western Australia.
Advising Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration Company (KUFPEC) on its acquisition of Shell Development Australia's participating interest in Wheatstone LNG Project, and on the Wheatstone-lago Joint Venture for USD1.125bn, with related off-take arrangements.
Advising Sandfire Resources on its acquisition and funding of the Minas de Aguas Teñidas S.A. mining complex from Mubadala and Trafigura for US$1.865bn.
Expertise
Practices
Corporate Governance and Compliance
Environmental, Social and Governance
Sectors
Qualifications
Professional
Registered Foreign Lawyer, England and Wales, 2010
Admitted as a solicitor, Western Australia, Australia
Academic
Bachelor of Laws, University of Western Australia, 1987
Bachelor of Jurisprudence, University of Western Australia, 1986
Other noteworthy experience
Advising:
- A gas and oil company in respect of Oil Search Limited’s bid for InterOil Corporation including the acquisition of various assets in Papua New Guinea.
- Mineral Resources in relation to the purchase of the Kumina Iron Ore project from BCI Minerals. The Kumina project is located in the West Pilbara region enabling Mineral Resources to leverage its existing workforce and logistics supply chain in the Pilbara, with the ore to be exported out of Port Hedland.
- Vale S.A. subsidiary Rio Doce Australia on the sale of various Australian projects/subsidiaries and associated royalty arrangements.
- KUFPEC Australia on (i) its rights (as a joint venture participant) in a gas joint venture in respect of WA-49-L when Apache Energy (now Quadrant Energy) was the operator; (ii) the sale of its interest in the Harriet Gas Production Joint Venture to Quadrant Energy; (iii) the acquisition of Quadrant Northwest's interest in the Tallaganda retention lease.
- Mubadala Petroleum on the farm in arrangements with Total associated with an offshore Indonesian project (Bengkulu).
- Aquarius Platinum on its scheme of arrangement which effected the “migration” of Aquarius to Bermuda and the subsequent listing and capital raising on AIM and then the LSE; its proposed merger and subsequent takeover of the JSE listed Kroondal Platinum Mines; issues associated with the takeover defence of Aquarius.
- Cameco and Mitsubishi in respect of the acquisition of the Kintyre Uranium project from Rio Tinto.
- Equinox Minerals on the AUD1.18bn market takeover of ASX listed Citadel Resource Group, their AUD4.8bn hostile cash-and-stock takeover bid for Lundin Mining, the proposed USD6.5bn all cash takeover by Minmetals and the successful takeover of Equinox Minerals Limited by Barrick Gold Corporation for AUD7.1bn (the number 1 M&A mining deal in 2011, Mining.com).
- Hindalco Industries on (i) the successful takeover bid by Metals X for Aditya Birla Minerals, a company in which Hindalco held a 51% interest; (ii) the subsequent sale by block trade of Hindalco's 6.8% interest in Metals X which had been received by Hindalco as consideration on acceptance of the takeover bid.
Pro-bono experience
- Advising World Bank Institute on governance for extractive industries.
- Advising Opportunity International Australia on bequest advice.
- Advising Mens Outreach Service in relation to legislative requirements to achieve registration as an Aboriginal Controlled Organisation.
Published work
- Simpson. G., (2008) “Common Deal Mechanisms and Agreements”, Adelaide: AMPLA Yearbook.
Recognition
Geoff Simpson ranks as the top mining practitioner in the region this year. He is well versed in mergers and acquisitions within the mining market, where he represents Australian and international clients.
Who's Who Legal 2020
Geoff Simpson garners praise from sources around the world for his "outstanding" practice. He advises on a wide range of matters in the sector including M&A, projects, corporate advisory and equity capital markets matters. Sources note that "he is well-established in the market as one of the leading mining practitioners worldwide.
Who’s Who Legal (Mining)
Geoff Simpson enjoys immense respect as an “outstanding practitioner” in the transactional mining space, clients especially valuing his “very commercial” approach to “taking time to know what the client wants.” He also offers highly developed expertise concerning mining-related deals in Africa.
Chambers Asia Pacific 2020
Geoff Simpson is regarded as one of the most eminent resources lawyers in Australia.” and “Geoff Simpson is the talented managing partner of the Perth office and is head of the firm's global mining group. He is widely praised by sources…
Chambers 2017
Awards & accolades
Who’s Who Legal: Thought Leaders
Global Elite 2016-2019
M&A Law Firm of the Year
IFLR Asia Awards, 2019
Energy & Resources Team of the Year
Australian Law Awards, 2018
