Phil Edmands

Biography

 A former General Counsel Iron Ore and Managing Director Australia for Rio Tinto, Phil is a resources and energy expert practising in unregulated M&A, State Agreements, complex joint ventures, native title, commodity sale agreements, investment approvals, and all aspects of development of, access to and financing of mining projects and infrastructure. His experience includes: Leading the ultimately successful defence of the application for access to Rio Tinto’s 1700km Pilbara rail network - the largest private rail network in the world. Acting on Rio Tinto’s Simandou iron ore project in Guinea, West Africa - once developed the largest mine, rail and port project in Africa to date - including title defence, a US$700 million settlement agreement with the Government, and finance and project development negotiations. Legal and joint commercial lead for Rio Tinto on the proposed US100billion iron ore joint venture between BHPB and Rio Tinto. Acting on Australian aspects of a major international merger in the aluminium sector. Acting on major freeway and tunnel projects in Western Australia. Extensive State Agreement, native title, joint venture, development, title and royalty dispute, and infrastructure work for major mining companies. Extensive Investor/State Agreement and project development work offshore (including China, Armenia, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Guinea, DR of Congo, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Zambia). Phil is recognised not only for his extensive legal experience, but also for his extensive commercial and Government experience.  In addition to his former positions at Rio Tinto, he is a former director of the Business Council of Australia and Minerals Council of Australia, a former Chairman of the $5.5 billion Rio Tinto Staff Superannuation Fund and a former partner, Perth managing partner and head of international operations for another major law firm. Phil holds the qualifications of Bachelor of Jurisprudence, Bachelor of Laws and Master of Business Administration from the University of Western Australia.  He has also completed a business leader development programme at the Australian Graduate School of Management and a senior leadership development programme at the London Business School.  

Research Interest

 Agricultural Sciences