Norton Rose has taken a lead role opposite Linklaters on the $3.3bn (£1.57bn) merger of Alterative Investment Market-listed mining group Nikanor and Canadian-listed Katanga Mining.

Norton Rose acted for Katanga, which operates a cobalt-copper mine complex in the Democratic Republic of Congo, while Linklaters acted for regular client Nikanor, which also has mining assets in the country.

The deal, which was conducted under English law, saw corporate partner Mark Bankes, projects partner Jonathan Brufal and Paris-based co-head of litigation Alexander Brabant leading the team for Norton Rose.

The firm, which has advised Katanga for about a year, acted alongside Cassels Brock & Blackwell in Canada as well as Appleby in Bermuda.

The merger is expected to create the biggest single-site mine in the world producing both copper and cobalt.

The Linklaters team was led by corporate partners Charlie Jacobs and Robert Cleaver in London, with Stikeman Elliott providing Canadian advice and Cains Advocates acting in the Isle of Man.

It is the latest high-profile African deal for Linklaters, which last month advised Industrial and Commerical Bank of China on its acquisition of a 20% stake in South Africa's Standard Bank for $5.5bn (£2.62bn).

Commenting on the deal Jacobs said: "These two deals represent $9bn (£4.3bn) of M&A activity in Africa in a month. The Nikanor deal is an example of growing consolidation in the mining sector and growing interest in Africa from investors."

The merged company is expected to list on the main market of the London Stock Exchange within five months of the merger's completion.