Herbert Smith Freehills is a renowned international law firm which is developing a strong foothold in Johannesburg. The team adeptly provides high-level advice to mining majors on mining charter amendments and other regulatory matters across Africa. The department is equally well placed to assist with transactional mining work in South Africa and the wider continent, with a practice which encompasses advising on mining-related disputes and M&A work.

"We were impressed with the Herbert Smith Freehills teams' ability to manage the complexity of the guidance and provide high-quality results across all topics."

"The service-mindedness of the team was outstanding. The communication was regular and responses immediate. The concerns given to ensuring a high level of quality of the work was critical for the success of the project."

Herbert Smith Freehills assisted POSCO with its USD7.5 million acquisition of a minority interest in Black Rock Mining.

Johannesburg-based Patrick Leyden operates a growing corporate practice encompassing a range of mandates in the mining space, including M&A and disposals. He provides further expertise in relation to the commercial and regulatory considerations of transactional and operational matters.

Peter Leon is well reputed for his activities across a panoply of regulatory and transactional mining mandates in South Africa and across the African continent. Based in Johannesburg, his portfolio encompasses acquisitions and a suite of contentious matters, including land disputes and environmental litigation.