South Africa > Mining
Mining
Norton Rose South Africa is part of a firm with a long and prestigious history in the mining sector internationally, and its Deneys Reitz Inc heritage gives it something similar domestically. Michael Dale is ‘a doyen of mining law in South Africa’, and recently acted for Anglo Platinum and its subsidiary Rustenburg Platinum Mines in judicial review applications relating to the Modikwa Deeps and Rooderand platinum reserves. On the financing front, Jackie Midlane led the team that advised Investec Bank on the acquisition financing of Rand Uranium’s sale to Gold One Africa and New Kleinfontein Goldmine.
Webber Wentzel’s track record coupled with an array of eminent figures make it a go-to firm for matters ranging from M&A to health and safety. The team delivers ‘advice to the highest standard’ and draws together a variety of foreign-qualified, multilingual lawyers. It recently advised Vale on its $1.13bn offer to buy South African copper producer Metorex. Mining M&A specialist Bruce Dickinson, ‘good draughtsman’ Manus Booysen, regulatory specialist Peter Leon, ‘invaluable’ health and safety expert Warren Beech, and Rita Spalding are all recommended.
Bell Dewar has a ‘good mining presence’, and Andrew Mitchell is one of the leading names in the industry. Its clients include Rio Tinto and Impala Platinum, and it is also well acquainted with black economic empowerment (BEE) transactions. It has been advising Impala Platinum on the $2.3bn Malagasy Ambatovy nickel project, and Wesizwe Platinum on its acquisition of Africa Wide Mineral Prospecting and Exploration from Platinum Group Metals. Matthew van der Want is recommended.
Bowman Gilfillan acts on some of the sector’s most noteworthy transactions. This included advising AngloGold Ashanti on its joint venture with De Beers to mine marine placer deposits around the world. It also advised Rio Tinto Mineral Development on its acquisition of a majority shareholding in South Africa’s Riversdale Mining. Department head Claire Tucker is a regulatory expert.
DLA Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr has an exceptional record in mining transactions, including BEE deals, regulatory issues, and mining sector restructurings. In 2011, it advised Interplay and DMRC on a new R1.26bn joint venture. Allan Reid and Ian Hayes are highly recommended.
Tabacks is ‘a very good mining and M&A firm’. Though considerably smaller than its rivals, its team includes Chris Stevens, ‘one of the leading mining lawyers in South Africa’, and Catharine Keene, who is ‘excellent’ and is ‘making a good name for herself’. The practice handles major M&A transactions, regulatory advice and BEE deals.
Dewey & LeBoeuf (PTY) Limited made a splash with the recruitment of corporate and mining partner Morne van der Merwe and mining finance expert Wildu du Plessis from Werksmans Attorneys. Its enlarged team makes it a strong force in the mining sector, and more closely aligns it with its credible energy offering.
ENS (Edward Nathan Sonnenbergs) has steadily developed its mining credentials in recent years and rounded out its team with the recent arrival of mining law expert Otsile Matlou and mining sector health and safety specialist Wessel Badenhorst. In addition to mining regulatory expertise it has a solid record in industry transactions, and recently acted on a series of deals involving Chinese acquirers.
Eversheds’ prominent expert Debbie Ntombela acted for Glencore on its acquisition of Umcebo, which involved seven operating mines. Other clients include Shanduka Coal and Bauba Platinum. Adam Gunn left the firm after accepting an in-house post.
Canada’s Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP has a strong focus on the mining and resources industry, and fields one of South Africa’s most experienced mining specialists in Tanneke Heersche. In 2011, the firm advised Vale on its joint venture relating to the Konkola North copper project in Zambia, and represented the same client in its R7.4bn cash offer for Metorex.
Glyn Marais reinforced its capabilities in 2011 by recruiting mining, natural resources and environmental expert Ernst Basson and his specialist practice. His arrival marks a concerted effort to build on the firm’s previous work for small to medium-sized mining companies and its niche in the diamond sector. Key clients include ARM African Rainbow Minerals and Kermas. Mining finance is an area of expertise. Brian Frank and Willem de Villiers are also recommended.
The departure of corporate and mining partner Morne van der Merwe and key finance partner Wildu du Plessis to Dewey & LeBoeuf (PTY) Limited left Werksmans Attorneys without two of its most influential practitioners in this sector. Nonetheless, 2011 saw Gareth Driver and Shaun Teichner lead advice to Glencore International on its acquisition of a stake in Umcebo Mining. The firm is also particularly active in mining dispute resolution.
At Malan Scholes Attorneys, Hulme Scholes is ‘a widely recognised mining lawyer’ with a strong track record across sub-Saharan Africa. Gawie Malan is an expert on M&A in the sector.