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 ‘superb‘ Ntsiki 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.
Mining in South Africa
ENSafrica
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