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Patrick Leyden

He/himDirector
Patrick Leyden is an exceptional lawyer, always ready to assist and navigate complex transactions.
— Legal 500 EMEA 2026
Johannesburg
About

Patrick is a corporate and regulatory lawyer practicing across a number of industry sectors but specialising in the natural resources and energy sectors within Sub-Saharan Africa.

His experience includes domestic and cross-border M&A transactions, joint ventures, private equity, corporate restructurings, and black economic empowerment transactions.

He also advises companies on their day-to-day corporate governance, ESG, general commercial agreements and regulatory issues.

Areas of FocusCorporateMergers and AcquisitionsPrivate EquityRegulatory and Government AffairsEnergy and Natural ResourcesIndustrialsInfrastructure, Construction and Transport
Professional QualificationsAttorney of the High Court of South Africa, 2009
Education

  • LLB Rhodes University, 2006

  • BA Rhodes University, 2004

EXPERIENCE

  • South32 on its equity investments into Noronex’s copper projects in Namibia and Botswana.*
  • Lotus Resources on the negotiations of its mine development agreement with the Government of Malawi.*
  • Norilsk Nickel on the disposal of its 50% interest in Nkomati Mine in South Africa to African Rainbow Minerals.*
  • Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited in relation to the acquisition of AngloGold Ashanti's Mponeng Mine (the world's deepest mine) and related operations in South Africa for circa USD 300 m.*
  • The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as international legal counsel on the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources’ mineral law reform project.*
  • Enel Green Power on the acquisition of the Great Karoo Wind Farm in South Africa.*
  • Btg Pactual Holding S.A.R.L on the Southern African aspects of its amalgamation with Africa Oil Corp to acquire the remaining 50% stake om Prime Oil and Gas Cooperatief UA.*
  • Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners in relation to its acquisition of a majority interest in Mulilo Energy Holdings, a diversified renewable energy company in South Africa.*
  • G7 Renewable Energies in relation to the disposal of its Brandvalley, Rietkloof and Wolf wind farms to Red Rocket.*
  • Lightstruck Holdings on various fibre network acquisitions.*
  • FutureGrowth, Stanlib and WIPHold on the acquisition of a majority stake in AFGRI's grain silo infrastructure portfolio and grain business in South Africa.*
  • CFAO Group in relation to the acquisition of Steinhoff's Southern African auto dealerships division, one of South Africa's largest auto showrooms and a network of trucks dealerships with annual sales of more than 23 billion Rand (USD 1.6 bn).*
*Denotes experience from a previous firm
Languages
  • English

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

  • Chambers Global 2026 ranks Patrick in Band 4 Energy & Natural Resources: Mining (recognised since 2022)
  • Best Lawyers ranked (2024–2026) Mining Law
  • "Top 10 mining lawyers in South Africa" – Business Today 2023
  • Lexology Client Choice Award Winner: Energy & Natural Resources in South Africa for two consecutive years (2020 and 2021)
  • Who's Who Legal Recommended Lawyer (2019–2026)

Connect

Phone

+27 11 302 0857
(Work, Johannesburg)
+27 83 766 4677
(Mobile, Johannesburg)
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