Charles’ clients like working with him. They describe him as extremely proficient and delivery focused when it comes to the law, but also know they will be able to have a wide-ranging conversation with him around their business strategy and personal aspirations.

His thorough understanding of local legal structures and dynamics, coupled with his broader international experience, enables him to help his clients understand the nuances of their transactions. He helps them manage their risks and delivers seamless and pragmatic solutions.

Charles partners with his clients to deliver commercially focused solutions both in South Africa and across the African continent. He uses the broad expertise of the full Bowmans team to make sure his clients always have technically excellent lawyers. But most importantly he ensures this advice is provided in a way that is specific and customised to each client.

Education

• LLM from Yale Law School, United States of America.
• BCom and LLB (Hons) degrees from the University of Canterbury, New Zealand.

Professional Memberships

Charles is:

• admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales.
• an attorney at law in the State of New York.
• a barrister and solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand.

Relevant Experience

Jurisdictions worked in: Botswana, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Swaziland, UK, USA and Zimbabwe.

Mining and resource sector

Charles has advised:

• Yamana Gold Inc. on the USD 6.7 billion (approximately ZAR 104 billion) combination of Yamana and Gold Fields Limited by way of a share exchange.
• African Rainbow Minerals on its ZAR 3.5 billion acquisition of the Bokoni Platinum mine from Atlatsa Resources and Anglo American Platinum.
• Harmony Gold Mining Company Ltd in relation to its acquisition of AngloGold’s South African assets and related liabilities, which included Mponeng, the world’s deepest mine, for approximately USD 300 million (ZAR 4.44 billion), with USD 200 million to be paid at closing and the balance as deferred consideration – Energy and Natural Resources Deal of the Year, African Legal Awards 2020.
• Harmony Gold Mining Company Ltd in relation to its USD 300 million acquisition of the Moab Khotsong mine, the Great Noligwa mine and related infrastructure from AngloGold Ashanti Ltd. – Energy and Natural Resources Deal of the Year, African Legal Awards 2018.
• Chevon on its USD 1 billion disposal of its downstream assets in South Africa and Botswana;
• African Rainbow Minerals (ARM) on the restructure of its joint venture arrangements with Glencore in respect of ARM Coal Proprietary Limited’s participation in the Glencore Participating Coal Business and the Goedgevonden Coal Mine.
• Lanxess Proprietary Limited (along with its parent company, Lanxess Deutschland GmbH) on the disposal of its 74% shareholding in its South African chrome ore mining company to Chrome Production Holdings (a supplier of chrome fine ores), and on the sale of its chrome chemicals business to Brother Enterprises in China.
• Orion Mine Finance on its proposed royalty financing and ultimate convertible loan note financing of the Bushveld group and its gold, palladium and platinum stream financing of Ivanhoe Mines.
• Orion Resources in respect of its acquisition of an equity interest in Blyvoor Gold Capital Proprietary Limited and related gold streaming, offtake and equity arrangements.
• Rio Tinto in relation to the South African aspects of its acquisition of Riversdale Mining Limited for USD 4 billion, and the subsequent sale to the Menar Holding Group of its equity interest in Zululand Anthracite Colliery Proprietary Limited.
• Puma Energy in its acquisition of various retail focused petroleum businesses, including in South Africa, Mozambique, Swaziland and Zimbabwe.
• Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation plc in its ZAR 2.2 billion acquisition from Mvelaphanda Resources Limited of 12.2% of the issued share capital of Northam Platinum Limited.

Other sectors

Charles has advised:

• Ardagh in its approx. ZAR 10 billion acquisition of the Consol Glass group, including its silica sand mining operations – M&A Deal of the Year, IFLR Africa Awards 2022.
• Tata Communications in respect of the proposed ZAR 7 billion disposal of Neotel to the Vodacom Group, and the subsequent proposed sale of Neotel to Liquid Telecommunications and Royal Bafokeng Holdings.
• Peermont Global Group in relation to the proposed acquisition of the group by Sun International, and its previous raising of ZAR 5.3 billion of new debt and the associated recapitalisation and restructuring of the hospitality and gaming group.
• Schneider Electric in relation to its ZAR 850 million sale of Conlog, a leading developer, manufacturer and distributor of pre-paid electricity meters and related applications.
• Old Mutual Plc in the aborted negotiations related to the acquisition by HSBC of control of Nedbank Limited.
• Simon Property Group Inc. (the then largest real estate firm in the United States listed on the New York Stock Exchange), in the proposed acquisition of LSE and JSE listed Capital and Counties Properties Plc (formerly Liberty Properties).

Signature Matters

• Harmony Gold’s acquisition of AngloGold Ashanti’s SA assets

Awards

• Chambers and Partners: Band 4 for Corporate/ M&A for four consecutive years (2020-2023) and Band 4 for Energy & Natural Resources: Mining for three consecutive years (2021-2023).
• IFLR1000’s Financial and Corporate Guide: ‘Highly Regarded’ for Project Development, Capital Markets: Debt work and ‘Highly Regarded’ for M&A work, particularly within the Energy and Mining sectors.

Charles Young continues to bolster his already notable reputation in the market. One market source noted that he is “always responsive and approachable”, concluding “His expertise is among the best I have encountered”. – Chambers and Partners 2020

Charles Young has developed an impressive reputation for his M&A practice, primarily acting on transactions in the mining sector. Commentators endorse him as “very approachable and very knowledgeable.” – Chambers and Partners 2019

Charles Young is a recognized leader in mining M&A – Legal 500

 

• Africa: Latest developments in Sub-Saharan Africa’s mining sector
• South Africa: SA mining looks to the long term despite its waning standing on the investment attractiveness index
• Practising Law Institute: Doing Business in and with Emerging Markets 2021: South African Chapter
• The Chambers Global Practice Guide on Mining, 2020 – South Africa Chapter
• Six things you need to know about Mining Charter III
• Reviewed Mining Charter published amid threats of court application to stop its implementation
• Certainty will help mining sector to do things better
• Delayed MPRDA Amendment Bill unfavourable