The Canadian investment bank took the top spot, advising on five deals worth a combined US$1.53 billion. GlobalData, which tracks M&A, private equity-venture capital and asset transaction activity around the world, confirmed Maxit Capital was second with three deals worth $699.8 million.

Gleacher Shacklock and National Bank Financial were equal third on deal value.

In terms of volume, Canaccord Genuity took the second spot with four deals worth $97.8m, followed by Maxit Capital.

BMO Capital Markets did not appear in GlobalData's recently released global league table of top 20 M&A financial advisers.

"The metals and mining sector witnessed a drastic decline in deal value in Q1 2020 compared to Q1 2019. Under this environment, BMO Capital Markets was the only player to cross the $1 billion mark," said financial deals analyst Aurojyoti Bose.

"On the other hand, the total value of deals advised by three of the top 10 firms by volume was even less than $100 million."

GlobalData statistics show the metals and mining sector saw a 72.77% year-on-year decline in deal value in the first quarter, falling from $21.9 billion to $6 billion in the most recent period.

Deal volume in the March-quarter also fell by 10.98% from 346 to 308.

Meanwhile, legal firm McCarthy Tetrault led GLobalData's M&A legal advisers listing, based on deal value in in the quarter, after advising on two deals worth $748.4 million.

Runner-up was Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg with one deal worth $696.3 million.

Bennett Jones was the top M&A legal advisor, in terms of volume, with four deals worth $15.1 million in the quarter. McCarthy Tetrault took second spot with two deals worth $748.4 million, followed by Cassels Brock & Blackwell with two deals worth $349.1 million.

"While there was a decline in volume, the decline was more pronounced in terms of value with no firms in the top 10 list by value achieving the $1 billion mark. In addition, five firms in the top 10 list by volume failed to cross the $100 million mark," said Bose.