Global South Africa Energy & Natural Resources: Mining

Webber Wentzel is known as a mining and minerals powerhouse with market-leading expertise in M&A, investments and projects, as well as operational agreements. The firm is also well equipped to advise on prospecting and mining rights, and increasingly active representing mining clients in business rescue mandates. The group's clients, including financiers, suppliers and service providers, also benefit from the firm's respected health and safety practice, as well as from its alliance with global law firm Linklaters.

Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr houses a widely respected group known for its prowess in complex transactional mining matters. The team applies its skill in black economic empowerment (BEE) and mineral and mining regulations to high-value M&A and asset transactions, as well as advising on mining rights. The group is equally well placed to advise on funding and restructuring matters, as well as coal supply agreements. Its client roster includes regional and international mining companies and private equity firms.

ENSafrica houses a prominent mining department, particularly renowned for its health and safety practice. The firm is recognised for its handling of diverse transactional mandates, including power and infrastructure work for key industry players. The practice frequently advises local and overseas mining clients on acquisitions, divestitures and regulatory compliance. The team is equally well versed in contentious work.

Norton Rose Fulbright enjoys a stellar reputation for its regulatory and appellate work in the mining space. The practice is frequently called upon by the Minerals Council South Africa (formerly the Chamber of Mines of South Africa) due to its specialist mining expertise. The firm assists clients with the development of power generation projects, as well as innovative financing mandates and commercial transactions. The team possesses further notable experience in greenfield mining projects.

The Werksmans mining and natural resources department is frequently instructed by leading South African mining houses on major M&A deals and financing. The group's recent work includes a large number of disposal transactions. The firm is also well versed in dispute resolution and business rescue, as well as providing regulatory and compliance advice. The team is well placed to assist with prospecting and mining rights, surface use issues and environmental matters.

Bowmans is a prominent South African law firm advising global and regional mining houses on a range of mining projects and legal issues. It frequently works with lenders and investors on large asset transactions, loan facilities and M&A, as well as high-profile disputes in the mining sector. The practice is equally well versed in prospecting rights, regulatory issues and brownfield expansion, as well as mining-related environmental law issues.

Fasken is an international law firm with a South African office well versed in mine acquisitions, M&A and finance transactions, as well as related litigation and employment matters. The department frequently handles black economic empowerment deals and direct foreign investment, as well as assisting clients with the commissioning of new mines. With further capability in capital markets transactions in the mining sector, the team services an array of industry players, including investors, mining houses and community trusts.

Hogan Lovells is well recognised for its respected mining health and safety practice and frequently instructed on major fatalities and resulting inquiries. The firm is equally well equipped to handle a range of other mining mandates, including business rescue and restructuring, as well as M&A and environmental and regulatory advice. The team frequently advises on the transfer of mining rights, and acts on a range of multi-jurisdictional mandates.