Mining and Resources
The African continent is home to an abundance of natural resources, each with diverse applications including industrial, manufacturing, medical, energy, and infrastructure.
While gaining increasing importance in a world fuelled by commodity consumption, the mining industry has experienced a number of challenges in recent years, including the depletion of reserves, environmental concerns, and climate change issues. Remaining competitive in this market has forced the industry to become more innovative to maximise profits.
In this sector, our firm has a long and proud history, having served some of the world’s largest mining and resource companies, as well as their wide-ranging suppliers, for 100 years.
At Spoor & Fisher, our mining and resources team has extensive experience in helping clients to protect, manage and enforce their IP, whether within the primary industry of extracting and processing ore, or downstream as part of the secondary industry.
Our patent attorneys are qualified chemical, metallurgical, mechanical, electrical, electronic and civil engineers, and are well suited to handle the diverse range of technologies that under-pin mining operations.
We are skilled in handling all of the IP-related aspects inherent in surveying and mapping; mining and earth-moving machines and equipment; boring; drilling; blasting; extracting ore; transporting and conveying; securing and reinforcing excavations; pumping; slurry-handling equipment; ore-handling systems; beneficiation; and ventilation and water supply systems.
Meet the Team
Dina Biagio
Partner
Lodewyk Cilliers
Partner, Chairperson of Executive Committee
David Cochrane
Partner
Matthew Costard
Managing Director
Dirk Hanekom
Partner
Mark Kemp
Partner
Prof. John McKnight
Partner
Shamin Raghunandan
Partner
Megan Reimers
Partner
Kay Rickelman
Foreign Counsel
Herman van Schalkwyk
Partner
Chris Walters
Director
Jonathan Whittaker
Partner, Chairperson of the Partnership
Karien Postma
Partner
Louw Steyn
Partner
Megan Dinnie
Associate
Emily Hill
Associate
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