Valuation of mineral assets is an important component of the WGM consulting practice. Valuation assignments are carried out under the direction of WGM’s Principal Consultant, Ross D. Lawrence. Several senior staff members have extensive valuation experience and expertise. Ross participates in the activities of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Business Valuators and the American Society of Appraisers, and is a member of the American Institute of Mineral Appraisers.

Mineral asset valuations are required for a number of purposes including: support for mergers and acquisitions; initial public offerings; reverse takeovers of mining companies; tax-related financing; divorce proceedings, lawsuits; disposition of assets, particularly by non-mining companies; corporate reorganization; and dissenting shareholder hearings. Our clients include mining companies, law firms, petroleum companies, banks and other owners of mineral assets.

Click here to download a PDF summarizing some of WGM's past valuation assignments.

 

 

Due diligence studies and the preparation of independent reports to support public and private project financings are important components of WGM's many services and we have extensive experience in these areas.

WGM ensures full compliance with NI 43-101 and other standards in its due diligence work and reportage.

 

 

Often overlooked in the execution of an exploration project is proper attention to land title and obligations under land tenure, joint venture agreements and government legislation. Minor details, which are ignored during the exploration phase, often become the subject of lawsuits over ownership of the property after an economic deposit is discovered.

WGM has the experience in the negotiation of joint venture, option, and mine operating agreements, land title compilations, and both mineral and surface right title validation. These activities are carried out using the expertise of WGM's senior staff and land management professionals.

WGM works in cooperation with the client's legal counsel from the initial stages of the proposed transaction to ensure that an agreement is drafted that is both practical and easy to manage, addresses the legal aspects and meets the client's specifications.

WGM also assists the client's legal counsel in providing the research necessary to verify title of mineral and surface rights, highlighting potential deficiencies and recommending costs effective solutions.

 

 

WGM makes the proficiency and skill of its geologists and engineers available for expert testimony.

Society requires the special knowledge of expert witnesses in order to make public hearings, litigation, laws and regulations fair and effective. Concise and honest expert information on geoscience and engineering is critical in public hearings about environmental and resource issues; committee hearings and legislative staff briefings; administrative regulations and hearings; and civil and criminal trials on things such as environmental conflicts, eminent-domain cases, personal injury and damage or value disputes.

Without the input of expert witnesses such as WGM, judicial and administrative decisions can result in ineffective regulations and outcomes, despite the best intentions of judges, juries and regulators.

In this undertaking we recognize the need to explain complex scientific information in a manner that is detailed, concise and clear. We know that in situations of conflict there is usually another expert authority on the "other side" - who is the most important part of the audience, thus demanding a high standard of professionalism. We recognize that our expert personnel need to testify only in fields, and toward issues, in which they are fully specialized and comfortable authorities - in a manner detached and unemotional. And finally, WGM recognizes the pre-eminent importance of full impartiality and honesty in this service we provide.

 

 

WGM's expertise and reputation in geoscience and engineering allows us to provide balanced fairness opinions for situations such as mergers and acquisitions involving companies that deal in mineral resources.

Our professional opinions in these matters are supported by extensive research and assessment into the situation at hand, and result in effective documentation to support entities as they move through the negotiation process.

 

 

As a consultant, WGM can produce a report that is compliant with the various standards around the world. Beyond our expertise in Canadian NI 43-101-compliant disclosure, WGM ensures full adherence to the standards of other nationalities and regulators in our due diligence, disclosure and other work. Key sets of guidelines and regulations we are expert in include...

 

The business case for CSR centres on the fact that businesses that fail to engage stakeholders impacted by their activities can materially jeopardize their ability to create wealth for the company, its shareholders and society. At its core, CSR is a strategic approach. Businesses, through their interactions with the wider community, are able to better anticipate and address associated issues and ultimately run a more successful business.

Experience has shown that businesses that successfully integrate CSR principles into their operations can benefit through:

• Better anticipation & management of risk
  
• Improved reputation management
  
• Enhanced employee recruitment, motivation and retention
  
• Improved competitiveness
  
• Enhanced operational efficiencies & cost savings
  
• Enhanced ability to adapt to change
  
• Strengthened social license to operate in the community
  
• Better investor relations and access to capital
  
• Improved relations with regulators
  

At WGM, we believe that CSR is a must in today's highly competitive global economy to add value to your business. With offices in Toronto, Vancouver and Beijing, WGM can provide you with a wide range of CSR related services including:

• CSR Strategy Development
  
• CSR Audits
  
• Stakeholder Dialogue
  
• Corporate Governance
  
• Sustainability Appraisals
  
• Community Consultation Guidance

 

 

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