Global legal practice Norton Rose Fulbright advised Botswana’s state-owned mining and smelting company, BCL Limited, on its purchase of Russia’s Norilsk Nickel operations in Africa.

The acquisition of Norilsk Nickel’s 50 percent participation interest in Nkomati Nickel and Chrome Mine is the first significant investment by BCL into South Africa.  In Botswana, BCL has increased its 15 per cent interest in Tati Nickel to full ownership.

Norton Rose Fulbright corporate and banking teams in South Africa advised BCL in negotiating the acquisition.  This team is co-led by Kevin Cron and Georg Kahle (M&A) and assisted by Tinashe Makoni and Gabriel Meyer (Africa practice).The banking aspects are being led by Stephen Boikanyo.

Stephen Boikanyo, banking and finance director of Norton Rose Fulbright in South Africa commented:

“This is a significant transaction for our client and an important part of the BCL strategy.  We are delighted to have brought together a strong team of Norton Rose Fulbright mining, acquisition finance and cross-border M&A lawyers to help BLC deliver on its strategy.”