Richard Kriedemann, Chris Blane, Carolyn Oddie advised
Allens has assisted Rio Tinto – a global mining group with head offices in Melbourne and London, U.K. – with the Australian aspects of its US$6.7bn all-cash acquisition of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)-listed Arcadium Lithium.
The Allens legal team included Richard Kriedemann, M&A partner (Sydney); Chris Blane, M&A partner (Sydney); and Carolyn Oddie, competition partner (Sydney).
“The acquisition of Arcadium Lithium further cements Rio Tinto as a key player in the energy transition,” said Richard Kriedemann, lead partner for Allens, in the firm’s news release. “We are pleased to have played a part and congratulate all parties.”
“We see this as a key endorsement that the market can take a long term view of the lithium market, and we expect this may trigger further activity in the sector,” said Bryn Hardcastle, Allens partner and head of critical minerals, in the news release.
“With the growing global demand for sustainable energy solutions, we anticipate sustained interest in lithium assets as mining companies continue to evolve and innovate to meet these critical needs,” Kriedemann added in the news release.
Work of Linklaters
Linklaters, alliance partner of Allens, broadly advised Rio Tinto on the transaction as its lead counsel.
The transatlantic deal team of Linklaters was led by George Casey, corporate partner (New York); James Inglis corporate/M&A partner (London); Pierre-Emmanuel Perais, corporate partner (New York); and Lisa Chang, corporate partner and U.K. co-head of the firm’s technology sector (London).
The Linklaters deal team also comprised Josh Feit, counsel (New York); Fionna Ng, managing associate (London); and David Mba, associate (New York).
Following the acquisition, Rio Tinto plans to incorporate Arcadium’s lithium operations. The transaction seeks to make Rio Tinto a global leader in energy transition commodities, including aluminium, copper, high-grade iron ore, and lithium, according to the news release of Allens.
