This year’s African Mining Indaba in Cape Town, which took place earlier in February, was one of the busiest seen in a long time, according to lawyers from across the continent who attended the event.
Billed as one of the biggest events in the continent’s business and energy sectors, the Indaba, now in its 30th year, is intended as a means for business people, politicians, investors and lawyers to gather and discuss ways to drive more investment into Africa’s rapidly developing mining industry. And there is plenty of work for lawyers, including a duty to help local governments retain bargaining power in contracts with major global corporates—something that historically hasn’t been present in deals.