Working together, in-house counsel and external lawyers can be a powerful, positive forum to support the mining and natural resources sector – – but only if they’re willing to leave their desks and get their hands dirty as the industry continues to rapidly evolve, while trying to balance current stakeholder demands and sustainability for the future, says mining law expert Warren Beech.
“To play an effective role, lawyers must stop being ‘armchair’ lawyers,” emphasised Beech, the CEO of leading mining, natural resources and energy focused firm Beech Veltman Inc.
While it’s obviously critical that lawyers understand the extensive legal landscape that applies to the industry, it’s equally vital tothat they grasp the challenges facing the mining and natural sector by staying up to date with operational and business requirements, and having a proper appreciation of the impact of the legal advice given.
“Legal advice cannot be given in a vacuum, and the deeper the understanding of operations and challenges, the better the advice will be,” said Beech, who’s worked in African mining for three decades. “Focusing on practical, implementable advice is critical. It is also important to ‘get our hands dirty’ and spend more time at the operations than behind the desk in a suit!”
The refreshed GC Forum | Extractives, being held in Cape Town on 5 February 2025 alongside the Investing in African Mining Indaba, is an ideal and extremely important opportunity for key mining and natural resources stakeholders to engage with one another, said Beech. The 2025 event will focus on “Energy & Mining – the New Power Couple”, with an emphasis on collaboration, government relations and innovative legal frameworks for sustainable growth.
“It made perfect sense for Beech Veltman to be the first sponsor of the GC Forum | Extractives because of the opportunity to engage with colleagues and friends on key legal and related aspects,” noted Beech. “It is critical to remain ahead of the challenges likely to face the mining and natural resources sector in 2025, and this can be done through transparent and engaging dialogue.”
While there’s been a significant increase in mining sector activity, including M&A, in the past 18 months, Beech says this is more a reflection of the need for key minerals to support the energy transition (e.g. battery minerals) than of any reduction in risks and challenges.
Despite mining companies having to address rising costs, deteriorating infrastructure, illegal mining, unclear applications of laws, health and safety concerns, and increased demands from neighbouring communities for jobs, commercial opportunities and infrastructure development, there is renewed optimism about the sector, says Beech.
He believes that innovative solutions to challenges, such as the development of renewable energy generation in close proximity to mines and multi-country supply chain optimisation showcase the power of collaboration. Beech also highlighted that the South African extractives sector features numerous projects aimed at making all aspects of mining more energy efficient, with key stakeholders working together for the common good.
In the same way, Beech said, the GC Forum provides a great opportunity for in-house and external counsel to engage on broader collaborative opportunities beyond a narrow lawyer-client relationship. They will also be able to discuss proposed amendments to the legislative and regulatory frameworks, and address common concerns and challenges facing the mining and energy industries.
For more information on the 2025 GC Forum | Extractives please visit www.gcforumextractives.com
To register, click here. Attendance is open to the following and subject to approval;
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
.