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John Turner Toronto Lawyer

John S.M. Turner

Partner | Co-Leader, Global Mining Group and Capital Markets and Mergers & Acquisitions (CM and M&A) Group Chair Fasken
Despite recent market decline, new valuations are prompting strategic reappraisals by financial and mining industry players - some attractive possibilities are opening up.
Jurisdiction Ontario, 1989
Language(s) English
Office(s) Toronto
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Overview

John Turner is Leader of the firm’s Global Mining Group and Chair of the Capital Markets and Mergers & Acquisitions (CM and M&A) Group. His practice is focused in the resource sector, where he has been involved in many leading corporate finance and mergers and acquisitions deals.

One of Canada's national newspapers, the Financial Post, has described John as "one of the best dirt lawyers in Canada, if not the world."

John represents issuers and underwriters in capital markets and mergers and acquisitions transactions involving resource companies active throughout the globe.

He also regularly advises corporate boards, senior management and special committees on a breadth of transactional and governance matters.

Recognized by Chambers Global for his extensive mining law knowledge and experience, John also received Lexpert's "Zenith Award".

Achievements

  • Recognized nationwide as top tier (Senior Statesperson) in Energy & Natural Resources: Mining, Chambers Canada 2025 to 2026
  • Recognized as a Thomson Reuters Stand-out Lawyer, Thomson Reuters stand-out lawyers 2024 to 2026
  • Recognized in Mergers and Acquisitions Law in Toronto, The Best Lawyers in Canada 2021 to 2026
  • Recognized in Mining Law in Toronto, The Best Lawyers in Canada 2017 to 2026
  • Recognized nationwide in the Hall of Fame in International Mining Operations, The Legal 500 Canada 2014 to 2026
  • Recognized in the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory for Corporate Finance & Securities, Corporate Mid-Market, Mergers & Acquisitions and Most Frequently Recommended in Mining, Lexpert 2013 to 2026
  • Recognized nationwide in Canada as a Senior Statesperson in Mining (International & Cross-Border), Chambers Global 2012 to 2026
  • Recognized in Natural Resources Law in Toronto, The Best Lawyers in Canada 2006 to 2026
  • Recognized as Lawyer of the Year in Mining Law in Toronto, The Best Lawyers in Canada 2025
  • Recognized as a Thought Leader in Firm Management , Who's Who Legal 2022 to 2025

Experience

  • SolGold completes £867 million takeover by Jiangxi Copper Company Limited, [Deal - SolGold plc], Mineral exploration and development company and owner of the Cascabel copper-gold project in Ecuador acquired by major Chinese copper producer.
  • Zijin Gold International to acquire Allied Gold Corporation for approximately C$5.5 billion, [Deal - Zijin Gold International], Zijin Gold International to acquire Allied Gold for approximately C$5.5 billion in an all cash transaction.
  • GoGold Resources Inc. completes C$144 million bought deal financing to support the development of its Los Ricos projects, [Deal - GoGold Resources Inc.], Canadian mining company completes bought deal financing.
  • First Quantum Minerals completes US$1.0 billion gold streaming transaction on its Kansanshi copper mine in Zambia, [Deal - First Quantum Minerals], Canadian mining company completes gold stream financing.
  • GoGold Resources Inc., a Canadian mining company, completes a C$86.25 million bought deal financing to support the development and exploration of its Los Ricos South and North projects in Mexico., [Deal - GoGold Resources Inc.], GoGold Resources Inc. completes a C$86.25 million bought deal financing to advance its Los Ricos South and North exploration projects in Mexico.
  • SCP Resource Finance leads C$126 million best-efforts public offering of units of Robex Resources, [Deal - SCP Resource Finance LP], Advised SCP Resource Finance for a public offering of units by Robex Resources.
  • SCR-Sibelco NV announces strategic joint venture with Avalon Advanced Materials Inc., [Deal - SCR-Sibelco NV], Belgian based global material solution company completes a joint venture agreement to develop Ontario lithium mining operations.
  • SCR-Sibelco NV completes a C$13 million investment, [Deal - SCR-Sibelco NV], Belgian based global material solution company completes an investment financing.
  • Syndicate of Agents led by Sprott Capital Partners LP and CIBC Capital Markets completes US$65 million convertible debenture private placement for i-80 Gold Corp., [Deal - Sprott Capital Partners LP and CIBC Capital Markets], Nevada-focused mining company closes upsized “best efforts” private placement offering of up to US$65 million principal amount of secured convertible debentures

Career & Education

Education

  • LLM University of Cambridge
  • LLB Queen's University
  • BSc (Hons) Queen's University

Memberships & Affiliations

  • Member, Canadian Bar Association
  • Member, Ontario Bar Association

Knowledge

  • The CSA’s Overhaul of Mining Disclosure: Last Chance to Comment, 9/3/2025
  • Extra LIFE for Canada’s Capital Markets: The CSA Significantly Expands Capital Raising Under LIFE, 5/20/2025
  • Canada needs a clearer and more co-ordinated mining strategy, and quickly, 8/1/2024
  • Canada’s Federal Government Commits to Expedite, Streamline and Stimulate Mining Exploration and Permitting – But is it Enough?, 6/13/2024

Events

  • The Long 16 (years): Permitting in the 21st Century, 3/3/2025
  • Fasken Webinar Series – Mining Issues in a Changing World, 10/6/2021
  • A Roundtable Discussion with Senior Mining Executives, 10/6/2021
  • Key ESG Issues Facing the Mining Industry, 6/29/2020
  • Critical Minerals Supply Chains for Clean Technology: A New Economic Opportunity, 6/22/2020
  • International Mining Investment and Developments: The Path Forward, 6/15/2020
  • Mine Financing in the Current Environment, 6/8/2020
  • Current Issues Facing Canadian Mining, 6/1/2020

News

  • 59 Fasken Lawyers in 25 Practice Areas Recognized in the 2022 Chambers Global Guide, 2/17/2022
  • Lexpert® ALM 500 Directory 2022 Names 22 Fasken Lawyers, 1/6/2022
  • Five Fasken Partners Recognized in Who's Who Legal Thought Leaders: Global Elite 2022, 12/30/2021
  • Fasken Sweeps Benchmark M&A League Tables For 2020, 1/8/2021
  • Canadian Lawyer Magazine quotes Grant McGlaughlin and John Turner in an article on Firm M&A activity in second half of 2020, 12/9/2020
  • Fasken Takes the Lead: The Firm Tops the Canadian Mid-Year H1 2020 M&A League Table Rankings, 7/21/2020
  • Forty-Two Fasken Lawyers Ranked in 2020 Edition of Legal 500 Canada, 11/19/2019
  • Experienced M&A Lawyer Joins Fasken, 1/21/2019
  • Lexpert®ALM 500 Directory Names 18 Fasken Lawyers, 12/12/2018
  • Chambers Canada names Fasken “Employment Law Firm of the Year 2018” and Recognizes 93 of Fasken Lawyers in the 2019 Guide, 9/21/2018

Publications

  • Getting The Deal Through - Mining 2016 - Canada, 7/4/2016
  • Change is around the corner for gloomy mining sector, 3/9/2016
  • Getting The Deal Through - Mining 2015 - Canada, 6/1/2015
  • Getting the Deal Through - Mining 2014 - Canada, 6/30/2014
  • Getting the Deal Through – Mining 2013 - Canada, 7/1/2013
  • Getting the Deal Through - Mining 2012 - Canada, 7/1/2012
  • Global Overview, Getting the Deal Through - Mining 2012 - Canada, 7/1/2012
  • Getting the Deal Through - Mining 2011 - Canada, 7/31/2011
  • Global Mining: The Credit Crunch and Beyond, 6/17/2008
  • TSX Canadian "Foreign Property" Rule Changes, 5/1/2005

Speaking Engagements

  • TSX & TSX Venture Exchange: A Capital Opportunity, 11/28/2013
  • Optimizing International Mining Operations
  • M&A Global Developments: The Impact of China, India, and Trends in Africa
  • Industry Standards for Reporting Lithium Brine Resources/Reserves
TSX & TSX Venture Exchange: A Capital Opportunity Africa Oil Week 2013 location location Cape Town
Optimizing International Mining Operations Executive Seminar location location Toronto