Wells Parker
PEOPLE

Wells Parker

Partner
parker.wells@dorsey.com

Overview

WELLS HELPS CLIENTS ACQUIRE, FINANCE, DEVELOP AND OPERATE MINING AND ENERGY PROJECTS.

Wells represents mining and energy companies in domestic and international mergers and acquisitions and joint ventures.  His work includes the purchase and sale of public and private mining and energy companies and related projects, as well as earn-in and joint venture transactions, capital raising projects, finance, royalty and mineral streaming transactions, mineral and surface leasing, wind and solar leasing, and land transactions.

Wells represents energy developers negotiate, secure and review land leases, easements, crossing agreements and other related real property rights required in the development and operation of a solar, wind, energy storage and conventional energy projects. He works with developers in preparing and reviewing project development plans, surveys and title insurance commitments, and in performing title curative work in connection with financing and sale transactions. Wells has significant experience in the development of solar, wind and energy storage projects on public lands and in obtaining real property easements, leases and related real property interests on lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management, Forest Service and various state land management agencies.

Wells is nationally recognized by Chambers, a prestigious legal industry ranking service, with the highest ranking (Band 1) for Global USA in Energy, Mining & Metals (Transactional).  Wells serves on Dorsey’s Management Committee as a Business Group Head covering Dorsey’s Energy, Natural Resources and Environmental practices.

Education & Admissions

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School (J.D., 2006), Lead Articles Editor, Brigham Young University International Law & Management Review

University of Utah (B.A., 2003)

Admissions

  • Utah
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Utah

Experience

Representative Experience

Mergers & Acquisitions – Mining

  • Represented Teck Resources Limited in a 50:50 joint venture agreement with PolyMet Mining Corporation (Glencore subsidiary) and formation of the NewRange Copper Nickel joint venture to combine PolyMet’s NorthMet Project and Teck’s Mesaba Project.
  • Represented Manara Minerals, a joint venture of Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma’aden) and the country’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), in its acquisition of a 10% stake in Vale Base Metals Limited, the holding entity of Value SA’s energy transition metals business. The deal is valued at approximately $3.4 billion.
  • Represented Sprott Mining in the sale of the Jerritt Canyon Mine to First Majestic Silver Corporation for $470 million.
  • Represented GoldCorp as U.S. counsel in Newmont’s $10 billion merger acquisition of Goldcorp.
  • Represented Sumitomo Metal Mining in sale of the Pogo Gold Mine to Northern Star Resources for $260 million.
  • Represented Barrick Gold and Nevada Gold Mines in multiple mining project acquisitions across the western U.S.
  • Represented Energy Fuels in the sale of three subsidiaries that together held Energy Fuels' Alta Mesa ISR Project to enCore Energy Corp. for total consideration of $120 million.
  • Represented Arch Resources in sale of a domestic mining company with multiple producing mines and related assets in Utah for $423 million, and acquisition of the Jacobs Ranch mine in the Powder River Basin for $764 million.

Mergers & Acquisitions – Renewable Energy

  • Represented renewable energy developer in sale of two solar projects in Oregon.
  • Represented renewable energy developer in the sale of solar project in Utah.
  • Represented renewable energy developer in the acquisition of pumped storage hydroelectric projects in Minnesota.
  • Represented renewable energy developer in the purchase of five solar projects in Utah.
  • Represented renewable energy developer in the purchase of a wind project in Idaho.
  • Represented renewable energy company in due diligence review, purchase and finance for large wind project in Ohio.
  • Represented utility company in due diligence review and acquisition of wind project in Colorado.
 Renewable Energy Development

  • Represented renewable energy developer on leasing, easement and title curative process for multiple projects in Utah.
  • Represented renewable energy developer on real property acquisition and development for compressed air energy storage project in Utah.
  • Represented renewable energy developer on leasing, easement and title curative process for projects in Oregon, Washington and Idaho.

Mine Finance and Royalty Transactions 

  • Represented Mubadala Investment Company in $130 million investment in Equinox Gold Corp.
  • Represented Nevada Copper Corp. in $200 million credit facility.
  • Represented Franco-Nevada Corporation in acquisition of a royalty on Golden Meadows Project in Idaho for $15 million.
  • Represented International Minerals Corporation in sale of royalty on Ruby Hill gold mine in Nevada to Royal Gold, Inc. for $38 million. 

Joint Venture Transactions

  • Represented Teck Resources Limited in a 50:50 joint venture agreement with PolyMet Mining Corporation (Glencore subsidiary) and formation of the NewRange Copper Nickel joint venture to combine PolyMet’s NorthMet Project and Teck’s Mesaba Project.
  • Represented Kennecott Exploration Company (Rio Tinto) in multiple earn-in and joint venture transactions across western U.S.
  • Represented Barrick Gold and Nevada Gold Mines in multiple earn-in and joint venture transactions across western U.S.
  • Represented Golden Queen Mining Co. Ltd. in joint venture with Leucadia National Corporation for the Soledad Mountain Gold and Silver Project in California.
  • Represented international uranium company in joint venture transactions for the development of mining projects in Arizona.
  • Represented international gold mining company in transaction involving amendments to joint venture agreement relating to producing gold mine in Nevada.

Mining, Oil & Gas and Land Transactions

  • Represented independent power producers in wind and solar leases, easement agreement, and title curative in connection with project and tax equity financing.
  • Represented major coal company in leasing, permitting, construction and development of mine ventilation facility in Utah.
  • Represented oil and gas companies in leasing, easements and facility and transportation agreements for oil and gas projects.
  • Represented mining companies in property transactions including property purchase and sale agreements, mineral leases, surface use agreements, well suspension agreements, data sale agreements and royalty agreements.

Infrastructure and Economic Development Projects

  • Represented Canyon Fuel Company, LLC in the joint planning, permitting, development, construction and funding, with the Sevier County, Sevier Special Service District # 1, of the Quitchupah Creek Road.
  • Represented Nevada Copper Corp. in Federal land exchange and property acquisition with the City of Yerington for the development of the Pumpkin Hollow Copper Mine.

Pay for Success

  • Represented financial and legal intermediary for two PFS projects for Salt Lake County addressing criminal justice and homelessness. 
  • Advised service providers on draft legislation, PFS legal governance and transaction structure for the Employability to Careers PFS project being pursued by the State of Utah.
  • Represented service provider on PFS project designed to deliver environmental outcomes through agricultural conservation practices to address storm water pollution reduction requirements.

News & Resources

Articles

Interagency Working Group on Mining Laws, Regulations, and Permitting Release Final Report on Proposed U.S. Mining Reforms on Public Lands
Trump Administration Proposes Revisions to Streamline Environmental Review Process under National Environmental Policy Act
"The Due Diligence Process and Its Impact on the Deal," Due Diligence in Oil & Gas Transactions, Paper No. 1 (Rocky Mt. Min. L. Fdn. 2018). Updated and republished, Co-Author
Proposed Rulemaking to Update Environmental Review Process under National Environmental Policy Act – How Your Company Can Participate
Trump Administration Rulemaking Process to Redefine Scope of Clean Water Act – How Your Company Can Participate
“U.S. Legal Issues in Cross-Border Mining M&A Transactions,” An Introduction to Cross-Border Natural Resource Transactions, Paper No. 2, (Rocky Mt. Min. L. Fdn. 2017)
Impact of New Administration on Natural Resources Development in United States
"Acquisition and Exercise of Mineral Rights on Federal Lands," Mining Law Short Course, Paper No. 15 (Rocky Mt. Min. L. Fdn. 2014). Updated and republished, Co-Author
“Mining on Federal Lands,” Public Land Law, Regulation, and Management, Paper 5 (Rocky Mt. Min. L. Fdn. 2014).
Dorsey Mining in Difficult Markets Webinar
“Ownership and Development Conflicts Between Oil & Gas and Other Minerals," Horizontal Oil & Gas Development, Paper No. 9 (Rocky Mt. Min. L. Fdn. 2012).
"Acquisition and Exercise of Mineral Rights on Federal Lands," Mining Law Short Course, Paper No. 15 (Rocky Mt. Min. L. Fdn. 2010). Updated and republished, Co-Author
"Due Diligence Checklist - Infrastructure Issues: Power, Water, Transportation and Work Force Services," Handbook of Due Diligence Checklists, 243-261 (Rocky Mt. Min. L. Fdn. 2010), Co-Author
“Infrastructure Issues: Power, Water, Transportation and Work Force Services – What to Know and Where to Focus in Large Scale Natural Resource Transactions,” Due Diligence in Mining and Oil & Gas Transactions, Paper No. 19 (Rocky Mt. Min. L. Fdn. 2010), Co-Author
"Acquisition and Exercise of Mineral Rights on Federal Lands," Mining Law Short Course, Paper No. 18 (Rocky Mt. Min. L. Fdn. 2009) updated and republished, Co-Author
"Materials Act of 1947; Mining Leasing Act of 1920; Mineral Rights on Acquired Lands; and Interplay Between Locatable, Leasable, and Saleable Multiple Mineral Development Issues: Acquisition and Exercise of Mineral Rights on Federal Lands," Mining Law Short Course, Paper No. 17 (Rocky Mt. Min. L. Fdn. 2008), Co-Author

News & Press Mentions

Chambers Global 2024 Recognizes Dorsey Partners and Practices
200 Dorsey Lawyers Selected for Inclusion in 2024 Best Lawyers in America, Lawyers of the Year, and Ones to Watch
21 Dorsey Attorneys and Four Practices Recognized in 2023 Utah Legal Elite
Chambers USA 2023 Recognizes 23 Dorsey Lawyers and Four Practices in Salt Lake City
Chambers USA 2023 Recognizes Dorsey Lawyers and Practices
Utah 2023 Legal Elite
Chambers Global 2023 Recognizes Dorsey Partners and Practices
Chambers USA 2022 Recognizes Dorsey Lawyers and Practices
Seventeen Dorsey Attorneys Named to Utah ‘Legal Elite’
Super Lawyers Recognizes 16 Dorsey Attorneys in Salt Lake City
Twenty-three Dorsey Attorneys Named to Utah Legal Elite
Super Lawyers Recognizes 21 Dorsey Attorneys in Salt Lake City
Twenty-two Dorsey Attorneys Named to Utah ‘Legal Elite’
Super Lawyers Recognizes 22 Dorsey Attorneys in Salt Lake City
Chambers USA 2019 Recognizes Dorsey Lawyers and Practices
Twenty Dorsey Attorneys Named to Utah ‘Legal Elite’
Super Lawyers Recognizes 15 Dorsey Attorneys in Salt Lake City
Seventeen Dorsey Attorneys Named to Utah ‘Legal Elite’
SRC Energy purchases DJ Basin Assets for $608 million
Super Lawyers Recognizes 13 Dorsey Attorneys in Salt Lake City
Chambers USA 2017 Recognizes Dorsey Lawyers and Practice Groups in Salt Lake City
Chambers USA 2017 Recognizes Dorsey Lawyers and Practices
Super Lawyers Recognizes 14 Dorsey Attorneys in Salt Lake City
Chambers USA 2016 Ranks Dorsey Lawyers and Practices
Chambers USA 2016 Recognizes Dorsey Lawyers and Practice Groups in Salt Lake City

Legal Writings


Select Presentations

  • “Trends and Opportunities in the U.S. Renewables Space,” held in connection with Solar Power International, September 2019
  • “The Due Diligence Process and Its Impact on the Deal,” Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation, Special Institute on Due Diligence in Oil & Gas Transactions, Denver, CO, September 2018
  • “U.S. Legal Issues in Cross-Border Mining M&A Transactions,” Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation, Workshop on Cross-Border Natural Resource Transactions, June 2017 
  • “Real Property Due Diligence in Mining Transactions”, American Exploration and Mining Association, Annual Conference, Reno, NV, December 2016 
  • “Mining on Federal Lands,” Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation, Special Institute on Public Land Law, Regulation, and Management, Santa Fe, NM, May 2014
  • Mining in Difficult Markets: A Discussion of U.S. Legal Issues for Mining Companies and Advisors,” Dorsey Canada Practice Group Webinar, September 2013
  • “Ownership and Development Conflicts Between Oil & Gas and Other Minerals," Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation, Special Institute on Horizontal Oil & Gas Development, Denver CO, November 2012
  • “Acquisition and Exercise of Mineral Rights on Federal Lands," Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation, Mining Law Short Course, Boulder CO, May 2010
  • "Uranium Mining and Milling", Energy Law, University of Utah, S.J. Quinney College of Law, April 2008

Industries & Practices

  • Canada Cross-Border Transactions
  • Development & Infrastructure
  • Energy & Natural Resources
  • Environmental
  • Indian & Alaska Native
  • Mergers & Acquisitions
  • Mining
  • Oil & Gas
  • Project Development & Finance
  • Public-Private Partnerships
  • Real Estate & Land Use

Professional & Civic

Professional Achievements

  • Utah State Bar Association; Energy, Natural Resources and Environmental Law Section
  • Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation
    • Mining Chair for 2017 Annual Institute
    • Special Institutes Committee
    • Publications Committee
    • Membership Committee
    • Program Committee, Special Institute on the Nuts and Bolts of Mineral Title Examination, February 2012
  • Board Member, University of Utah Alumni Association, Young Alumni Board of Directors, 2014-2017

Accolades

Chambers Global 2023Chambers USA 2023  Chambers 2022  Chambers USA 2021  Ranked in Chambers USA 2020Ranked in Chambers USA 2019 Leading Individual

  Ranked in USA Chambers 2017 Leading Individual  Ranked In - USA Chambers and Partners 2016 - Leading Individual   

  • Recognized by Chambers Global (Energy: Mining & Metals (Transactional) in USA), 2023
  • Named a Best Lawyers® Lawyer of the Year, Energy Regulatory Law, 2023
  • Listed in Best Lawyers in America©, 2021-2024
  • Named one of “America’s Leading Business Lawyers” by Chambers USA (Environment, Natural Resources & Regulated Industries), 2019-2021, (Energy: Mining & Metals (Transactional)), 2022, (Natural Resources & Environment), 2023
  • Named “Up & Coming” by Chambers USA (Environment, Natural Resources & Regulated Industries), 2016-2017
  • Listed as a Mountain States Rising Star, 2016-2021
  • Named one of Utah’s Legal Elite by Utah Business Magazine, Energy & Natural Resources, 2015; 2018-2021
Wells Parker