Rebranded as the GC Forum | Extractives, the 2025 gathering will focus on the intersection of the mining and energy sectors, emphasising collaboration, government relations and innovative legal frameworks for sustainable growth.
Topics under discussion will include;
Mining and Energy; The new power couple
Closing the deal: Strategies for successful mining agreements in 2025
Beyond counsel: The evolving role of the general counsel on corporate boards
Managing Host Government Relations: Achieving Success through Strategic Collaboration
Growing focus on duty of care: Enhanced criminal liability and turnover-based penalties for violating health, safety and environmental standards
The event is once again strongly supported by leading industry firms, and Africa Legal, organiser of the GC Forum | Extractives, is delighted to announce the event launch partners:
A&O Shearman
Baker McKenzie
Beech Veltman
Three Crowns
Norton Rose Fulbright
Richard Blunt, partner at Baker McKenzie, shared his enthusiasm for the new format of the GC Forum: “We are proud to sponsor this transformative partnership which has been instrumental in shaping the strategic direction for the mining general counsel community. We are excited to see the distinguished General Counsel Forum, spearheaded by Africa Legal, evolve into an independent brand,” he said. “This shift underscores Africa Legal’s unwavering commitment to innovation and its dedication to meeting the dynamic needs of the mining legal community in an ever-changing business landscape. We are honoured to be a part of this journey.”
Matthew Johnson and Cynthia Urda Kassis, Co-leads Mining and Metals Sector at A&O Shearman, are also eager to see what the 2025 event delivers. “A&O Shearman is delighted to once again support the Africa Legal GC Forum which provides a wonderful opportunity to foster collaboration, share insights and drive innovation within the mining legal community,” they said. “We are excited to contribute to an event that empowers legal professionals to navigate the complexities of the mining industry and thrive in the ever-evolving mining and extractives sector.”
Warren Beech, CEO of Beech Veltman believes Africa Legal plays a critical role in providing a platform for key stakeholders in the mining and natural resources sector to engage one another. “The General Counsel Forum is an extremely important component of the opportunities created by Africa Legal for stakeholders to engage one another, but it is also a unique opportunity to engage directly with legal executives who are embedded in the companies that play such a substantial role in South Africa’s mining and natural resources sector, across the spectrum from new entrants through to established and mature mining companies,” he said.
At the 2024 GC Forum, Kathryn Khamsi, partner at Three Crowns LLP, noted that there’s really nothing else like this event in the world that brings GC together in one place to address their specific concerns and build their networks. This belief in the importance of the gathering has seen Three Crowns eagerly step up to partner with the 2025 iteration.
With a focus on “Energy & Mining as the New Power Couple”, speakers include professionals from Anglo American, Afreximbank, ZCCN Investments, ALSF, Fortuna Mining, Eunomix and Invonhoe Mines.
Registration and approval is required in advance, but the event is free to attend for:
Mining and energy GCs and in-house legal teams
Mining and energy professionals in leadership, risk and compliance roles
Government relations, policy and regulatory professionals
Investors and financiers in the mining and energy sectors
NGOs and academia
“We are delighted to evolve the conversation in a way that enables greater collaboration, moving on the dialogue aligned with industry needs, and paving the way for greater engagement all year round,” said Scott Cowan, CEO of Africa Legal. “We look forward to connecting with old and new friends and extending Africa Legal’s well known hospitality to all our attendees.”
For further details please visit www.gcforumextractives.com
To register, click here.