Leading Partners

Leading Associates

Firms To Watch: Mining

At boutique firm Warburton Attorneys Inc, the team regularly advises mining companies on environmental regulatory and compliance issues, and is equally adept at handling contentious mandates. Firm managing director Catherine Warburton heads up the practice.

Mining in South Africa

ENSafrica

ENSafrica‘s team ‘has the full range of skills necessary to tackle any mining related legal matter and does so with ease and vigour‘. The ‘superbNtsiki Adonisi heads the natural resources and environmental group, and is sought after for her expertise in handling a broad range of mining law matters. Pieter Colyn leads the firm’s mining and occupational health and safety department, and has established experience in assisting with health and safety mandates relating to high-profile safety issues in the industry. Celeste Coles‘ workload includes inquiries arising from mining accidents, and Zinzi Lawrence brings extensive experience in advising on mining and environmental regulatory matters.

Praxisleiter:

Ntsiki Adonisi; Pieter Colyn


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Celeste Coles; Willem le Roux; Warren Hendricks; Zinzi Lawrence; Gabi Mailula; Isaac Fenyane


Referenzen

‘The ENS team have the full range of skills necessary to tackle any mining related legal matter and does so with ease and vigour. They also respond promptly to requests for assistance. ’

‘Ntsiki Adonisi is my go to person at ENS and she has been superb.’

‘Diverse, knowledgeable team.’

Kernmandanten

Huaxin (Hong Kong) International Holdings Limited


Bushveld Minerals Limited


Webber Wentzel

Webber Wentzel‘s well-regarded mining practice is led by regulatory expert Jonathan Veeran and department deputy Rita Spalding, who has a solid track record in handling corporate and M&A matters and restructuring work in the mining sector. Kate Collier is very experienced in advising on health and safety issues in the space, and Bruce Dickinson has an excellent reputation for handling a broad range of mining matters. Giada Masina is a key contact in the group for high-profile mining transactions.

Praxisleiter:

Jonathan Veeran; Rita Spalding


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Bruce Dickinson; Giada Masina; Kate Collier; Manus Booysen


Referenzen

‘This team is agile and fast paced. They respond and solve problems relatively quickly and accurately.’

‘Knowledgeable and experienced senior partners, as well as an approachable demeanor, stands out at Webber Wentzel.’

‘Friendly and approachable.’

Kernmandanten

African Metals Management Services Limited


Africoal


Afrimat


Anglo American


Assore


Bauba Resources


Bushveld Minerals


Exxaro Resources


Fraser Alexander


Glencore


Gold Fields


Harmony Gold


Impala Platinum


Ivanplats


Khoemacau Copper Mining


Northam Platinum


Ndalamo Resources


Palabora Copper


Rio Tinto


Royal Bafokeng Platinum


SAIL Group


Sasol Mining


SepFluor


Sibanye-Stillwater


Siyanda Resources


TGME


Tshipi é Ntle Manganese Mining


Universal Coal


Vedanta Resources


Vergenoeg


Highlight-Mandate


  • Providing ongoing assistance to Triple Flag International on providing $80m to Prieska Copper Zinc Mine (a majority owned subsidiary of Orion Minerals), in exchange for an agreement for the purchase and sale of gold and silver relating to mining rights held by PCZM.
  • Advising InterCement, with Intercement Trading Inversiones ES as the seller, on the share disposal of its African operations in South Africa and Mozambique to China based Huaxin (Hong Kong) International Holdings Limited.
  • Advising Glenover and its shareholders on its acquisition by Afrimat Limited for R550 million.

Beech Veltman Inc

At Beech Veltman Inc, the team stands out for its ‘excellent subject matter knowledge and expertise, and is able to deal with complex mining issues from commercial transactions to regulatory matters‘. Firm CEO and practice head Warren Beech is ‘a consummate professional with many years of concrete experience in the profession‘. Eben van Zyl stands out for his expertise in handling contentious matters, and is equally adept at handling mining-related health and safety issues. Chantal Murdock is a key contact for mining regulatory compliance work, and Bryan White‘s workload includes employment disputes and investigations into fatalities in the mining industry.

Praxisleiter:

Warren Beech


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Chantal Murdock; Eben van Zyl; Bryan White


Referenzen

‘The practice is unique in its client centered and solutions focused approach to all matters. The partners are always available and take the time to understand their client’s business in order to provide fit for purpose solutions.’

‘The partners make every client feel like their only client. Their engagement in the matters and proactive approach sets them apart.’

‘The team is very responsive and has deep expertise. Fees are reasonable, and turnaround time is class leading.’

Kernmandanten

Thungela Operations Limited


Bulk Mining Explosives Proprietary Limited (a division of Omnia Group)


Arnot Opco (Pty) Ltd


Protea Coal Proprietary Limited


Exxaro Coal Mpumalanga Proprietary Limited


Astron Energy Proprietary Limited


Samancor Chrome Limited


Highlight-Mandate


  • Instructed by Samancor Chrome Limited to carry out a group-wide Health, Safety and Environmental legal compliance audit for 31 sites, involving site inspections, reviewing the health and safety management systems of the various operations to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Mine Health and Safety Act and Occupational Health and Safety Act, and environmental legal compliance matters.

Bowmans

The mining group at Bowmans has traditional strength in advising technology entities, financial services clients and prominent mining companies on mining-related corporate matters; practice head Charles Young is a key contact for M&A deals in the mining space. The team reports an increase in instructions with a focus on minerals, and has also been kept busy handling restructurings and environmental impact matters. Mining title issues and regulatory work are core pillars of strength in Claire Tucker‘s practice, and Wandisile Mandlana is sought after for his expertise in advising on mineral rights disputes. Deepa Vallabh joined the group in November 2024.

Praxisleiter:

Charles Young


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Wandisile Mandlana; Claire Tucker; Deepa Vallabh


Kernmandanten

African Rainbow Minerals Limited


Anglo American


AngloGold Ashanti


Assmang


Barrick Gold


Caledonia Mining


Harmony Gold


Ivanhoe Mines


Lanxess Deutschland GmbH, Lanxess Proprietary Limited


Merafe Resources Limited


Minerals Council of South Africa


Northam Platinum Limited


Orion Mine Finance, Orion Resources Partners


Richards Bay Titanium Proprietary Limited


Rio Tinto


Royal Bafokeng Platinum Limited


Sibanye-Stillwater


Seriti Resources


South 32


Trafigura PTE Limited


Highlight-Mandate


  • Advised Vedanta in connection to its subsidiary, Vedanta Resources Holdings Limited (VRHL), re-entering Konkola Copper Mines PLC (KCM) as a majority shareholder.
  • Advised ARM through its wholly-owned subsidiary ARM Copper Company Proprietary Limited on its acquisition of a 15% stake in Canadian company Surge Copper.
  • Advised African Rainbow Minerals Limited on its acquisition of Norilsk Nickel Africa Proprietary Limited’s partnership interest in an unincorporated joint venture, which was established to operate the Nkomati Mine.

Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr

Led by Vivien Chaplin, the mining and minerals team at Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr reports an uptick in mandates focusing on environmental and regulatory issues. Chaplin is a key contact for clients in the manganese and aluminium mining arenas, and has an excellent track record in handling offtake and supply agreements and regulatory matters. Allan Reid is a highly regarded practitioner in the space, with three decades of expertise in mining and minerals law. Fiona Leppan advises on health and safety matters, and Rachel Kelly is active on mining-related corporate work. Burton Meyer has a strong reputation for advising on mining disputes.

Praxisleiter:

Vivien Chaplin


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Ian Hayes; Allan Reid; Fiona Leppan; Burton Meyer; Rachel Kelly


Referenzen

‘Excellent subject matter knowledge and ability to apply the law to complex situations.’

‘Viv Chaplin is a very experienced attorney and has the ability to deal with complex transactions, both commercial and mining related. She provides the client with practical and workable solutions.’

‘The CDH mining team is an exceptional team of professionals. They are extremely pragmatic and approachable individuals who truly understand their clients, the environment and pressures we operate under.’

Kernmandanten

Waterberg JV Resources


Seriti Power


South32 (which includes Hotazel Manganese Mines and Hillside Aluminium)


ABSA Property Development


Platinum Group Metals


Sibanye Stillwater


Samancor Chrome


Harmony Gold


Kumba Iron Ore


Anglo American


Anglo Gold


Rustenburg Platinum Mines


ArcelorMittal


CAPM African Precious Metals


BHP Billiton South Africa


Jagersfontein Developments


Rooipoort Developments


Foskor


Glencore Operations South Africa


Village Main Reef


Rio Tinto


Tshiamiso Trust


Thungela Resources


African Rainbow Minerals


Rustenburg Platinum Mines


Bokoni Platinum Mines


Herbert Smith Freehills LLP

At Herbert Smith Freehills LLP, the mining team leverages the expertise of the firm’s projects, energy and infrastructure group to assist prominent domestic and international mining companies, government departments and non-profit entities with a wide spectrum of contentious and non-contentious mining matters. Practice head Patrick Leyden has an excellent track record in handling cross-border and domestic M&A mining transactions, and Ernst Muller stands out for his expertise in advising mining companies on ESG issues.

Praxisleiter:

Patrick Leyden


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Ernst Muller


Referenzen

‘Great team, very responsive and well connected to a variety of parties across a broad range of areas that has helped facilitate our critical negotiations.’

‘Excellent African experience, with the ability to tap into the international arena through their other offices. Knowledge and insight into Africa and African governments was invaluable to us.’

‘Stellar knowledge of, and experience in, Africa. Team provides end-to-end service, liaising with correspondent firms throughout Africa.’

Kernmandanten

Natal Portland Cement Company (Proprietary) Limited


Anglo American Plc


Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited


China Molybdenum Company Limited (CMOC)


CIMIC Group Limited


POSCO


Pala Investment Limited


Green Hydrogen Organisation |Green Hydrogen Legal Capacity Unit (GH2L)


Thiess (Proprietary) Limited


Lotus Resources


South32


International Council on Minings and Metal


Lotus Resources Limited


Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources (Saudi Arabia)


Net Zero Lawyers Alliance


Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association


Sedibelo Resources Limited


Highlight-Mandate


  • Advised Norilsk Nickel Africa Property on the sale of its interest in the Nkomati Nickel joint venture in South Africa to African Rainbow Minerals.
  • Advised South32 on an earn-in agreement and strategic alliance with Noronex to accelerate copper exploration in Namibia.

Norton Rose Fulbright South Africa Inc

Christina Pretorius and Anneke Higgs lead Norton Rose Fulbright‘s mining practice, which is well-versed in advising prominent domestic and international miners on mining M&A, corporate finance, project finance and dispute resolution. Higgs brings experience in handling regulatory matters, and André Vos has an excellent track record in handling litigation in the industry. Andrea Cabanac assists major international and local entities with mining and environmental law compliance issues.

Praxisleiter:

Christina Pretorius; Anneke Higgs


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Andrea Cabanac; André Vos


Referenzen

‘Christina Pretorius is a standout partner.’

‘The NRF mining team is highly regarded in the industry as one of the most reliable and competent.’

‘Competency, ability and responsiveness.’

Kernmandanten

Manitou BF


Sandvik Group


De Beers Consolidated Mines (Pty) Ltd


Sibanye Gold Limited


Offshore Petroleum Association of South Africa


Glencore Operations South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Duiker Mining (Pty) Ltd, Tavistock Collieries (Pty) Ltd, Umcebo Properties (Pty) Ltd, Izimbiwa Coal (Pty) Ltd


Impala Platinum Limited


Kumba Iron Ore Limited


Glencore International AG


Sand Hawks (Pty) Ltd


Highlight-Mandate


  • Advised Sandvik Mining and Construction Tanzania Limited on introducing a new joint venture partner in its Tanzanian company in order to comply with localisation requirements in Tanzania.

Werksmans Attorneys

Chris Stevens heads Werksmans Attorneys‘ mining team, which acts on a broad range of transactional and contentious work. The client base includes international and domestic mining entities. Stevens fields expertise in advising on mining disputes, transactional matters and mining title registrations; he is ably supported by Kyra South, who counts environmental law as a core area of strength.

Praxisleiter:

Chris Stevens


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Kyra South


Referenzen

‘The firm specializes in broad areas of the law which makes it a great one stop shop.’

‘The attorneys create a personal relationship with clients and you do not feel like just another client, which is amazing. ’

‘The individuals we have dealt with are always ready to assist and find a solution to our matters. Special mention to the attorneys Chris Stevens and Kyra South.’

Kernmandanten

Glencore South Africa Proprietary Limited


Seriti Power Proprietary Limited


Samancor Chrome Proprietary Limited


Petra Diamonds Limited


Gold Fields Limited


Assmang Proprietary Limited


Thungela Resources Proprietary Limited


Vishnu Chemicals Limited


Into Africa Mining & Exploration Proprietary Limited


ArcelorMittal Proprietary Limited


United Manganese of Kalahari Limited


Rustenburg Platinum Mines Ltd


Samancor Manganese (Pty) Limited


De Beers Consolidated Mines (Pty) Limited


Sebilo Resources Proprietary Limited


Nkwe Platinum Limited


Highlight-Mandate


  • Advised WMA Africas Proprietary on the acquisition of three chrome and manganese mines.

White & Case LLP

White & Case LLP has ‘a market-leading mining practice in South Africa, covering all regulatory, permitting, environmental, finance and transactional aspects‘. Gary Felthun has a solid track record in handling mining M&A deals, and regularly advises prominent mining houses, corporates and private equity firms on mining transactions. Felthun jointly heads the practice with Lloyd Christie, who has extensive expertise in mining and environmental law and dispute resolution.

Praxisleiter:

Gary Felthun; Lloyd Christie


Referenzen

‘W+C has a market leading mining practice in South Africa covering all regulatory, permitting, environmental, finance and transactional aspects.’

‘Gary Felthun is outstanding. Also a notable mention is Lloyd Christie, mining law partner in Johannesburg.’

‘Quick to respond, sound and balanced advice, experienced.’

Kernmandanten

AHG Metals Group


Anglo American plc


Black Royalty Minerals (Pty) Ltd


Buffelsfontein Gold Mine (Pty) Ltd


Eco-bat Technologies


Glencore plc


Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited, Harmony (Freegold) (Pty) Ltd and Avgold Limited


Ivanhoe Mines Ltd – Platreef


Kelltech Limited


Kopanang Gold Mining Company Limited


MC Mining Limited


Nedbank Limited


Sedibelo Platinum Mines Limited


Taiyuan Iron and Steel Co., Ltd.


Tau Lekoa Gold Mining Co (Pty) Ltd


TerraCom Limited


Tharisa Minerals


Village Main Reef and its parent company, Heaven Sent Gold Processing Company Proprietary Limited


Evraz Highveld Steel and Vanadium Limited


African Rainbow Minerals Limited


Norilsk Africa (Pty) Ltd


PPC Limited


Zambian Government


Emira Property Fund