What to discuss at the first meeting
Identify the project, land, entities and agreement or approval involved. Explain whether the work concerns access, commercial terms, regulation or a dispute.
A general property review may not cover the full resources or energy arrangement.
How the engagement may progress
Provide the agreement, notice or receiving authority’s instructions. Explain the objective and any international connection.
Ask about comparable work, professional qualifications and coordination with technical advisers. For certification, confirm exactly what the receiving organisation requires.
Agree on the deliverable, whether a document, opinion, negotiation, regulatory response or representation. Record assumptions and exclusions.
Fees and the scope of work
Identify charges for technical reviews, reports, translations, certification and external professionals. These may sit outside a standard consultation.
Ask for a written scope identifying the work you are authorising, the person responsible and when costs will be reviewed. If you only want advice on one step, say so before the firm begins wider work.
Dates to raise at first contact
Supply regulatory, transaction and overseas receiving dates. Ask about external processing time rather than treating an appointment as completion.
Questions to ask a mining, resources & energy adviser
- Which specialist approvals or technical issues need assessment?
- Who coordinates land, commercial and regulatory advice?
- What comparable work have you handled?
- Are additional qualifications or advisers needed?