At Bowmans, the team fields particular expertise in handling mining-related corporate and M&A mandates for large mining companies, financial services entities and technology clients. The practice is also highly regarded for its capabilities in handling employment disputes, financial matters and environmental work, and the group reports an uptick in instructions focusing on regulatory issues. M&A expert Charles Young leads the department, and Wandisile Mandlana is a key name for assisting mining houses and suppliers in the industry with mining titles, disputes concerning mineral rights, and environment impact matters. Claire Tucker handles a wide spectrum of mining law matters, and is noted for her strength in regulatory work. Deepa Vallabh joined the firm in late 2024.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Charles Young is excellent and should be recognised as one of the leading mining lawyers in South Africa.’
  • 'Very experienced, skillful and professional team. They make sure that they know and understand their client.'

Key clients

  • African Rainbow Minerals Limited
  • Anglo American
  • AngloGold Ashanti
  • Assmang
  • Barrick Gold
  • Caledonia Mining
  • Harmony Gold9
  • Ivanhoe Mines
  • Lanxess Deutschland GmbH, Lanxess Proprietary Limited
  • Merafe Resources Limited
  • Minerals Counsel 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
  • Vendanta Resources plc, Black Mountain Mining

Work highlights

  • Advising Royal Bafokeng Platinum Limited on a contested bid for its control by Impala Platinum Limited (Impala) and Northam Platinum Limited (Northam).
  • Represented various industry representative bodies, as well as a number of key mining manufacturing clients, in a direct application to the Constitutional Court to challenge the amendment to the definition of “waste” and related provisions in the National Environmental Management Waste Act 59 of 2008 (Waste Act). The amendments are contained in the National Environmental Management Laws Amendment Act 2 of 2022.

Lawyers

Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Charles Young

Other key lawyers

Wandisile Mandlana, Claire Tucker, Deepa Vallabh