Director

BCom (University of Pretoria)
LLB (University of Pretoria),
Implementation of an OHSAS 18001 system (University of Potchefstroom), OHSAS 18001: Lead Auditor (University of Potchefstroom), Advanced short course in Business Rescue Practice (UNISA)

English and Afrikaans

Nicholas deals principally with issues relating to mining law, and construction and engineering.  He has extensive experience in general corporate and commercial litigation, environmental law, infrastructure and mining related agreements, mergers and acquisitions, and general corporate work, with a specific focus on health and safety law.  Nicholas has represented a number of clients in the mining and construction and engineering industries, as well as in the coal, gold, platinum and chrome industries.

In terms of the Mine Health and Safety Act and the Occupational Health and Safety Act, Nicholas has assisted and represented various mining houses and construction companies at investigations, inquiries and inquests conducted by the relevant authorities, after major workplace accidents and incidents.

In addition, Nicholas also assists a number of companies in conducting health and safety audits, implementation of statutory letters of appointment and in dealing with statutory enforcement notices, such as Section 54 Notices and recommendation for administrative fines.

He also advises clients on regulatory matters, in terms of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, including mining right, prospecting right, Section 11 Consents and Section 102 (amendments of rights) applications.

Nicholas is a frequent speaker at seminars and conferences.  He has been recognised as a global leader in mining by Who’s Who Legal, a highly regarded lawyer in South Africa for mining by IFLR1000 and as a key lawyer in mining by The Legal 500, all for 2023. Nicholas is a recipient of the Lawyer Monthly Legal Awards for mining, South Africa 2023.

Director

Melanie Hart is a leading practitioner in the area of labour and employment in South Africa. Acting for employers in the mining, engineering, construction, financial services, aviation and medical sectors, she has particular expertise in collective bargaining disputes within the mining industry.

Recently recognised by Best Lawyers as a leading employment lawyer for 2023 and the 2023 edition of Legal 500 for employment law and mining, her breadth and depth of experience includes all aspects of employment law.  These aspects include: drafting employment contracts and other employment-related agreements and collective agreements; drafting and implementing policies, procedures and practices; conducting risk assessments, compliance audits and corporate due diligence investigations; representing corporates in employment disputes at various courts and forums; offering advice on restructurings, retrenchments and going-concern transfers.

Melanie advises on the resolution of labour disputes such as unfair discrimination, dismissals, unfair labour practices, strike management and the interpretation and application of employment statutes. She has conducted many cases in the Labour and Labour Appeal Court that were subsequently reported.

Melanie also has expertise in data protection and privacy. She helps clients navigate the new regulatory environment of data protection and information privacy as well as advising companies on what steps must be taken in order to comply with the Protection of Personal Information Act.

Melanie’s clients have praised Melanie for being “a consummate professional with substantial experience, addressing all IR issues with equanimity and thoroughness to provide clear, succinct direction”. She also provides “great customer service as well, always reverting to the company’s requests timeously. This was very comforting in a business context where every issue becomes urgent.” She is additionally commended for “her services in complex labour litigation matters – she is no doubt a prolific litigator, adviser and strategic practitioner. She has certainly been at the cusp of shaping employee relations, labour relations and labour law practice, at the time when the mining industry faced a meltdown of established collective bargaining and labour relations.”

Director

BA(Law)
LLB
LLM

English and Afrikaans

Eben provides multi-disciplinary legal and related services, primarily to the mining and construction industries.  He focuses on mining health and safety law, occupational health and safety law, environmental law, litigation and criminal law.

Eben has experience with regard to resolving mining disputes, together with preparing and reviewing documents and agreements related to the mining industry and conducting legal compliance audits of the Health and Safety systems implemented by various mining houses and operations.

Eben has been recognised as a leading lawyer in the mining sector by Who’s Who Legal 2024 and The Legal 500 2023. He is also acknowleged as a notable lawyer in health and safety by the Legal 500 for 2023 as well as a “Legal Influencer for Future of Legal Services- Africa and Middle East” in the 2018 Q4 Lexology Awards.  He has written articles on the mining industry for multiple publications.

Director

Finance for Non-Financial Managers, 2009
Certificate in Corporate Governance, 2005
Constitutional Litigation Practice, 1995
LLB University of North West, 1994 (USAID Scholar) with Distinction in Traditional Customary Law
B JURIS University of North West, 1992 (USAID Scholar)

English and Tswana

Stephen Nthite has over 27 years’ experience in the legal sector with a specialist interest in occupational health and safety, environmental law including Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) compliance and reporting, commercial, and community engagement initiatives and programmes.  He has a particular passion for ESG with a focus on, and commitment to, developing an environment which facilitates mutually beneficial and harmonious relations between all parties in the mining ecosystem.

Stephen has experience in employment law including the drafting employment contracts and other employment-related agreements and collective agreements, drafting and implementing policies, procedures, and practices, conducting risk assessments, compliance audits and corporate due diligence investigations, representing corporates in employment disputes at various courts and forums. He is a specialist in dispute resolution and successfully acted as the Independent Chairman of The Bargaining Forum of The Health Professionals Council of South Africa for many years, ensuring that relationships between all parties remained intact during his tenure.

Stephen has a strong understanding of constitutional law and started his career as a Senior Researcher for Justice Madala at the Constitutional Court of South Africa.  Stephen has also extended his qualifications and services to include corporate governance and advises clients on general commercial and corporate law matters.

Board memberships and associations:

• Independent Non-Executive Director of AEEI Ltd (2021 Present)
• Kopano Ke Matla Investment Company (Pty) Ltd and subsidiaries and achieved 3 successive clean External Audits (2017 – 2020) (owned by COSATU)
• Independent Chairman of The Bargaining Forum of The Health Professionals Council of South Africa, 2012-2017
• Constantia Insurance Company Limited (2007-2009)
• Constantia Life and Health Insurance Company Limited (2007-2009)
• Goodall and Bourne Assurance Company (Pty) Ltd (2007-2009)
• Anthony Richards and Associates Debt Collection Call Centre Group (Pty) Ltd (2007-2009)
• Call Centre Nucleus (Pty) Ltd (CCN) (2013-2005)
• Velvet Sky (Pty) Ltd – Liquidated (2011)
• Founder and CEO of Bellingham ICT Platform (Pty) Ltd and subsidiaries (2010-2014), a Reseller of BankServe (Pty) Ltd (Banking Switch and related IT products)
• Member of Black Management Forum
• Member of Association of Black Securities Professionals
• Member of Black Lawyers Association
• Member of Institute of Directors of SA
• Present Member of the Law Society of SA

Director

Certificate in Environmental Liabilities, University of South Africa, 2018
LLM in Corporate Law, University of Johannesburg, 2016
Certificate in Mining and Prospecting Rights Law, Wits Mandela Institute, 2014
LLB, University of Johannesburg, 2011

English

Chantal has 10 years’ experience in mining, infrastructure, and natural resources sector. Her focus is on mining regulatory compliance, high court litigation and commercial law. She has assisted most of the major role players in the mining industry over the years and is particularly passionate about advising on all matters relating to the MPRDA and has advised several clients on various regulatory matters in that regard. Chantal has also assisted clients with submissions made in response to notices / directives issued in terms of section 47 and section 93 of the MPRDA and has advised on the processes to be followed in respect of various applications made in terms of the MPRDA (including applications in terms of section 11, section 53 and section 102).

Chantal also has extensive experience in conducting legal due diligence investigations on mining operations and assets as well as drafting of various commercial agreements in relation to the disposal and acquisition of such assets.

She has also assisted several clients with the submission and successful processing of internal appeals to various regulatory authorities (including the DMRE, the DFFE and the Water Tribunal).

Chantal is also a keen litigator and has initiated and conducted court proceedings for a number of mining houses on a variety of matters, including shareholders’ disputes, claims arising in terms of complex commercial agreements and obtaining interdictory relief against community members who unlawfully disrupt mining operations.

As a notary and conveyancer, Chantal has also assisted clients with the execution, lodgement, and registration of various deeds in terms of the MPRDA and the Mining Titles Registration Act.

Chantal was also seconded to a major mining company for some time and developed an in-depth understanding of the practical difficulties often facing such clients. Her approach is focused on providing advice that balances the needs of the client with the requirements prescribed by law.

Associate Designate

BComm majoring in Economics and Legal Theory
LLB Bachelor of Laws

English and Afrikaans

Associate Designate

English and French

Candidate Attorney

LLB Unisa

English, Zulu, Sepedi and Xhosa