Ranking tables

Energy & Natural Resources: Mining | Global

South Africa

This section covers specialised work in matters relating to mining and mineral exploration. This includes transactional activity in the mining sector, investments, project development and project financing, as well as supply agreements. Mining rights, regulatory compliance and environmental issues related to mining activities are also covered. Contentious proceedings relating to mining and natural resources are also covered by this section. This section contains a subsection entitled Mining: Health & Safety which covers health and safety matters arising from mining operations, including accident investigations as well as official inquiries and accident-related disputes. Law firms are welcome to upload a separate work highlight submission for Mining: Health & Safety matters.

All Departments profiles

1

Band 1

  1. Webber Wentzel
    1
    Webber Wentzel
    Energy & Natural Resources: Mining
    2026 | Band 1 | 18 Years Ranked

    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. The group's clients, including financiers, suppliers and service providers, also benefit from the firm's respected health and safety practice, and from its alliance with Linklaters.

2

Band 2

  1. Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr
    2
    Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr
    Energy & Natural Resources: Mining
    2026 | Band 2 | 15 Years Ranked

    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, including related disputes. The group is equally well placed to advise on funding matters, as well as coal supply agreements. The team's client roster includes regional and international mining companies and private equity firms.

  2. ENS
    2
    ENS
    Energy & Natural Resources: Mining
    2026 | Band 2 | 15 Years Ranked

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

  3. Werksmans Attorneys
    2
    Werksmans Attorneys
    Energy & Natural Resources: Mining
    2026 | Band 2 | 15 Years Ranked

    Werksmans offers a strong mining and natural resources department that is frequently instructed by leading South African mining houses on major M&A deals. The group's work includes a large number of disposal transactions. The firm is also well versed in dispute resolution. The team is well placed to assist with prospecting and mining rights, water use licences and environmental matters.

3

Band 3

  1. Norton Rose Fulbright
    3
    Norton Rose Fulbright
    Energy & Natural Resources: Mining
    2026 | Band 3 | 19 Years Ranked
    Norton Rose Fulbright enjoys a stellar reputation for its regulatory and appellate work in the mining space. The team assists clients with innovative financing mandates and commercial transactions, and possesses further notable experience in greenfield mining projects. Its enviable client roster features high-profile domestic and international mining companies.
  2. Falcon and Hume Inc
    Energy & Natural Resources: Mining
    2026 | Band 3
4

Band 4

  1. Beech Veltman Incorporated
    4
    Beech Veltman Incorporated
    Energy & Natural Resources: Mining
    2026 | Band 4 | 3 Years Ranked

    Beech Veltman offers strong expertise in the mining sector. The law firm is well placed to advise on regulatory mining matters, including water use licences and environmental issues. The team is also particularly well regarded for its practice in health and safety mandates. It demonstrates additional experience in transactional and development matters, acting for international and domestic clients.

  2. Bowmans
    4
    Bowmans
    Energy & Natural Resources: Mining
    2026 | Band 4 | 14 Years Ranked

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

  3. Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP
    4
    Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP
    Energy & Natural Resources: Mining
    2026 | Band 4 | 8 Years Ranked

    Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer is a renowned international law firm that provides high-level advice to mining majors on 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 that encompasses advising on mining-related disputes and M&A work.

  4. White & Case LLP
    4
    White & Case LLP
    Energy & Natural Resources: Mining
    2026 | Band 4 | 4 Years Ranked

    White & Case's team boasts a broad range of expertise across all elements of mining deals. The team is able to handle the corporate, commercial, financial and regulatory components of both domestic and cross-border mandates. The law firm is further well placed to advise clients on mining disputes, both in litigation and arbitration.

  5. Malan Scholes
    Energy & Natural Resources: Mining
    2026 | Band 4
  6. NSDV
    Energy & Natural Resources: Mining
    2026 | Band 4