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Debbie Ntombela

Partner

E-mail debbientombela@eversheds.co.za
Tel: 011 523 6159
International: +27 11 523 6159

Practice areas

Mining

Languages

English, Zulu, Afrikaans and Xhosa


Practice notes

Debbie is head of the firm's mining sector. Before joining the firm she was the Chief Director: Mineral Regulation and Administration at the Department of Minerals and Energy in South Africa, where she was involved in drafting legislation in respect of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act and the Amendment Bill, and the team leader in respect of conversion of old order mining rights.

Debbie’s recent experience includes:

  • Acting for Barrick Platinum SA Ltd in a complex transfer of shares application ito Section 11 of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, and a simultaneous acquisition of platinum mining rights for the company and the community. This type of transaction normally takes over a year, but was finalised within four months.
  • Acting for Tata Steel in the transfer of an iron ore deal which entailed the conversion of an old order licence to a new order mining right, and at the same time transferring the rights from one entity to another entity and then to Tata. The transaction was finalised within six months.
  • Acquiring mining rights on behalf of Mbila Resources (Pty) Ltd and handling a regulatory problem with the Department of Mineral Resources process on Mbila’s behalf. The matter was finalised in less than a year.
Debbie is a well-known and respected figure within the mining industry and a regular speaker at mining seminars and conferences. She is a board member of the Council of Geoscience and the Pan African Mining Development Company in South Africa.

She has been featured in Financial Mail’s Little Black Book in 2009 and 2010.