Global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright has announced its advisory role to Euro Manganese Inc. in a landmark agreement with Orion, securing a US$100 million funding package. This significant financial injection is earmarked to propel the development of the Chvaletice Manganese Project in the Czech Republic, a venture poised to become a cornerstone of the European Union’s electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain.
The Chvaletice project is not just another mining operation; it’s an innovative waste recycling initiative. It focuses on reprocessing a substantial manganese deposit found within the waste of a decommissioned mine. This unique approach positions it as the sole manganese resource within the EU, holding immense strategic value for securing domestic battery material supplies and facilitating the broader energy transition. In a landscape increasingly concerned with sustainable and localized supply chains, Euro Manganese’s project stands out as a crucial development.
The funding agreement, advised upon by a multi-disciplinary team from Norton Rose Fulbright, led by Partner Martin McCann, underscores the growing maturity of the battery financing sector. McCann, supported by Counsel Phil Benger and Associate Chenez Dyer-Bray, and their team acted as international legal counsel to Euro Manganese, providing comprehensive legal guidance throughout the deal’s complexities.
“We are now seeing real maturity in battery financings and depth in our deal pipeline,” Martin McCann commented. He further emphasized the strategic importance of the project, stating, “Our client’s project plays a vital part in Europe securing its own reliable battery supply chain.” This deal highlights the increasing investment and focus on securing critical materials for the burgeoning EV market.
Norton Rose Fulbright’s involvement in this and other recent major financings, such as advising Eramet on its lithium financing and Appian on graphite investment aspects, cements its position as a leading legal advisor in the battery materials and energy transition space. McCann noted the firm’s strong pipeline, stating, “Our deal pipeline for next year looks even stronger,” indicating continued momentum in this critical sector.
With a formidable global team of over 1,500 lawyers specializing in energy, infrastructure, and natural resources, Norton Rose Fulbright boasts one of the world’s largest and most experienced practices in these domains. The firm has consistently been at the forefront of pioneering energy and infrastructure projects worldwide, demonstrating its expertise in navigating innovative and first-of-their-kind transactions across diverse sectors. This latest advisory role in the Euro Manganese funding package further solidifies their leadership in facilitating critical developments within the energy transition and battery material supply chains.
