Melanie Hart is a highly experienced employment law specialist, with a strong focus on the mining, natural resources, and infrastructure sectors. She has also represented employers across a range of industries including aviation, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, and fast-moving consumer goods. Known for her strategic insight and commercial approach, Melanie delivers clear, pragmatic advice across the full spectrum of employment law issues.

A persuasive and accomplished litigator, Melanie regularly appears before labour forums and is recognised for her ability to resolve complex disputes effectively. Her work has earned the respect of industry leaders, with Ian Jacobs, Vice President of Human Resources and COO Support at AngloGold Ashanti, describing her as “no doubt a prolific litigator, adviser and strategic practitioner.”

Melanie has been recognised by Chambers and Partners, Best Lawyers and the Legal 500, as a Leading Partner in both employment and mining law, acknowledgements that reflect her depth of experience, legal acumen, and trusted client relationships.

Eben has developed a strong multidisciplinary practice, underpinned by the invaluable experience gained during a lengthy secondment to a major mining company. This experience has given him a unique perspective, enabling him to effectively integrate his deep understanding of the applicable legal frameworks with the practical realities faced by companies operating in the mining sector.

His time in-house also provided valuable insight into the pressures placed on internal legal advisors and the dynamics of their relationship with external counsel. Eben is known for working closely with clients and taking the time to understand all aspects of their business, allowing him to deliver practical, commercially sound, and implementable legal advice.

Eben is internationally recognised as a Global Leader in the mining sector by the Lexology Index 2025 and Who’s Who Legal 2024, and has also been acknowledged by The Legal 500 as a leading mining lawyer.

Stephen Nthite brings over 27 years of experience in the legal sector, with a specialist focus on occupational health and safety, environmental law including Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) compliance and reporting, commercial law, and community engagement initiatives. He is particularly passionate about ESG and is committed to building an environment that promotes mutually beneficial and harmonious relationships across the mining ecosystem.

Stephen also has extensive experience in employment law, including the drafting of employment contracts, collective agreements, and employment-related policies and procedures. He has conducted numerous risk assessments, compliance audits, and corporate due diligence investigations, and has represented corporate clients in employment disputes before various courts and forums. A seasoned dispute resolution specialist, Stephen served for many years as the Independent Chairman of the Bargaining Forum of the Health Professions Council of South Africa, where he played a key role in maintaining strong and constructive relationships among all stakeholders.

With a strong foundation in constitutional law, Stephen began his legal career as a Senior Researcher to Justice Madala at the Constitutional Court of South Africa. He has since expanded his expertise to include corporate governance and regularly advises clients on a broad range of commercial and corporate law matters. Stephen has held various board positions and currently serves as an Independent Non-Executive Director of African Equity Empowerment Investments Limited.

He is a member of several professional bodies including the Black Lawyers Association, Black Management Forum, Association of Black Securities and Investment Professionals, and the Institute of Directors in South Africa. Stephen has been recognised by The Legal 500 as a key lawyer in mining and by Best Lawyers for his work in employment law.

Chantal has over a decade of experience in the mining, infrastructure, and natural resources sectors. Her practice focuses on mining regulatory compliance, High Court litigation, and commercial law. Over the years, she has advised many of the major players in the mining industry and is particularly passionate about matters relating to the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA).

She has advised clients extensively on regulatory compliance, including responding to notices and directives issued in terms of sections 47 and 93 of the MPRDA. She has also guided clients through the processes involved in various applications under the MPRDA, including applications in terms of sections 11, 53, and 102. Chantal has conducted numerous legal due diligence investigations on mining operations and assets and has drafted a wide range of commercial agreements relating to the disposal and acquisition of such assets. Her experience also includes assisting clients with the submission and successful processing of internal appeals to various regulatory authorities.

A keen litigator, Chantal has acted in High Court proceedings on behalf of a number of mining houses, dealing with complex commercial disputes, shareholders’ disputes, and interdictory relief to protect operations from unlawful disruptions by community members. As a qualified notary and conveyancer, she has also assisted clients with the execution, lodgement, and registration of various deeds under the MPRDA and the Mining Titles Registration Act.

Chantal’s secondment to a major mining company provided her with valuable insight into the practical challenges faced by industry participants. Her advisory approach is grounded in delivering legally sound, commercially pragmatic solutions that align with her clients’ operational realities.

Chantal has been recognised by Best Lawyers as a leading lawyer in Mining: Projects for both 2024 and 2025.

Bryan holds a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Economics and Legal Theory, and a Bachelor of Laws from Rhodes University. He further enhanced his expertise by completing a certification in Advanced Business Risk Management through the University of Cape Town and is a member of the Institute of Risk Management of South Africa.

Since joining Beech Veltman at its inception in 2020, Bryan has developed a strong and nuanced understanding of the mining, natural resources, and infrastructure sectors. His close engagement with clients across diverse operations and his extensive involvement in health and safety, environmental, regulatory, employment, and litigious matters have significantly shaped his practical legal skillset.

Bryan began his legal career with a focus on employment law. His work includes drafting employment contracts, collective agreements, and related legal documentation, as well as developing bespoke workplace policies, procedures, and practices. He regularly advises clients on employment disputes before various courts and forums, and provides strategic guidance on restructurings, retrenchments, and transfers of undertakings. His expertise spans a wide range of labour-related matters, including unfair dismissals, unfair labour practices, strike management, unfair discrimination, and the interpretation and application of employment legislation.

In addition to his employment law practice, Bryan has significant experience in dispute resolution, acting for multinational clients in complex matters including urgent applications, class actions, regulatory compliance disputes, and criminal proceedings. His background in business risk management underpins the practical and commercially focused advice he provides. Bryan also has experience in conducting investigations and inquiries arising from fatalities and regulatory breaches in the mining, petroleum, energy, and automotive sectors.

Bryan has also advised on the sale and disposal of mining assets across jurisdictions, which has required meticulous contractual management and coordination of associated litigation and compliance issues. His ability to manage such multifaceted matters has made him a valuable advisor to clients operating in high-risk and heavily regulated industries.

With a strong academic foundation and practical insight, Bryan is recognised as an emerging leader in the legal profession. His achievements have been acknowledged by The Legal 500, which named him a Rising Star in Mining for South Africa in the EMEA region in both 2023 and 2024, and a Next Generation Partner for 2025.

Mbuyi holds both a Bachelor of Commerce and an LLB from the University of Witwatersrand, as well as a Post-Graduate Diploma in Corporate Law. Since completing his studies, he has been an integral part of Beech Veltman, where he has amassed considerable experience within the mining, natural resources, and infrastructure sectors.

Mbuyi has developed a comprehensive skill set, with active involvement in health and safety, environmental, regulatory, commercial, and litigious matters. His expertise extends to assisting in investigations and inquiries related to fatalities in the mining industry and workplace incidents. Additionally, Mbuyi has played a key role in advising clients across jurisdictions, particularly in the regulatory sphere. This diverse experience has honed his ability to manage complex, sensitive, and high-pressure situations with the utmost professionalism and diligence.

Mbuyi’s familiarity with the South African legal system, including his more recent involvement with matters in the Supreme Court of Appeal, illustrates his critical role within the team. He plays an instrumental role in various litigious matters across the Labour Courts, Magistrates Courts, and High Courts.

Mbuyi has completed a secondment with Samancor Chrome Limited, where he gained hands-on experience assisting the General Counsel in litigation and negotiating settlements, ensuring compliance with corporate governance principles and mining sector legislation, managing health and safety legal adherence and conducting risk assessments for operational processes, as well as advising on procurement processes, contract vetting and dispute resolution. Mbuyi is currently serving a secondment with Anglo Gold Ashanti.

With a strong foundation of academic credentials and practical experience, Mbuyi is recognised as an emerging professional of distinction in the mining, natural resources, and infrastructure sectors, and has been acknowledged by The Legal 500 as a key member of the team.

Jason Hunter holds an LLB and a BSc in Environmental Science from the University of Pretoria. He has also completed a course in Commercial and Contract Law from the University of Cape Town and attended the Law Society of South Africa’s course on Construction Law and the Fundamentals of Construction Agreements. Additionally, he participated in the 2024 SARIPA Northern Regions Hybrid Conference.

Jason specialises in commercial law, particularly in the mining sector, focusing on mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructuring, and corporate governance. He has provided legal counsel on complex mining-related transactions and regulatory matters, including recent work involving mining permits, environmental compliance, and dispute resolution within the sector. Jason has been actively involved in managing large-scale due diligence processes for clients, including advising on call-option rights for BEE partners, monitoring conditions precedent, and drafting representations and warranties for these transactions.

One of his notable mining projects involved assisting in an appeal under Section 96 of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA), as well as an urgent interdict where a land developer contested a client’s mining operations. Jason has also advised clients on environmental authorisations, assisting in a NEMA appeal related to mining activities. His experience covers drafting mining-specific contracts, including Contract Mining Agreements and Off-Take Agreements, ensuring compliance with industry regulations and best practices.

In addition to his work in the mining industry, Jason has extensive experience in contract management, drafting and negotiating Sale of Share Agreements, Licensing Agreements, and Service Agreements. He has played a key role in negotiating agreements for South Africa’s largest Cash-in-Transit company, focusing on cyber security, anti-money laundering, and regulatory compliance.

Jason’s expertise in dispute resolution has seen him represent clients in mining-related litigation, mediation, and arbitration. He has been involved in numerous urgent court proceedings, including spoliations and insolvency disputes in the context of mining operations, as well as handling commercial disputes for multinational clients.

A dedicated professional, Jason actively participates in business development and client management, attending industry events such as the Cape Town Mining Indaba. He is committed to mentoring junior associates and driving the firm’s corporate and commercial growth, particularly within the mining sector.

Vusumuzi has been a part of the team as a trainee with the firm since its incorporation whilst attending to his studies. He has obtained his LLB Degree and entered his first-year as a candidate attorney.  Over the years, Vusumuzi has gained not only a good understanding of the general requirements of legal procedure but also an insight into the mining, natural resources and infrastructure sectors.

Vusumuzi provides legal assistance in a range of matters, including attending fatal inquiries conducted under the Mine Health and Safety Act. He is involved in litigation and assists in representing clients in proceedings before the Magistrates’ Court, the High Court and relevant tribunals. Vusi also supports investigations conducted by regulatory bodies such as the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy.