Head of Legal - Mining

Head of Legal – Mining

Global Mining House | Executive Leadership Opportunity

A leading global mining house is seeking an accomplished Head of Legal to lead its legal function and provide strategic legal leadership across its mining operations.

This executive role offers an exceptional opportunity for an experienced mining legal professional to influence corporate strategy, governance, ESG initiatives, regulatory compliance and commercial decision-making within a complex international mining environment.

The successful candidate will partner with executive leadership and the Board to manage legal risk, oversee corporate governance, support sustainability initiatives and ensure compliance with all applicable mining, environmental and commercial legislation.

Key Responsibilities

Legal Strategy & Compliance

• Develop and implement the company's legal strategy aligned with business objectives and long-term growth.
• Provide strategic legal advice to Executive Management and the Board.
• Ensure compliance with local, regional and international mining legislation and regulatory frameworks.
• Monitor legislative developments affecting mining, environmental and ESG compliance.
• Develop and implement legal policies, governance frameworks and compliance programmes.

Commercial & Contract Management

• Draft, negotiate and review complex commercial agreements.
• Provide legal support on mining, operational and strategic projects.
• Manage contract negotiations and mitigate commercial risk.
• Ensure contracts incorporate sound governance, sustainability and ethical business practices.

Corporate Governance

• Advise the Board and Executive Committee on governance matters.
• Ensure compliance with corporate governance frameworks and statutory obligations.
• Support Board committees and governance reporting.
• Promote best practice governance across the organisation.

Litigation & Dispute Resolution

• Manage significant litigation, arbitration and dispute resolution matters.
• Appoint and manage external legal counsel.
• Develop legal strategies to minimise litigation exposure.
• Protect the organisation's commercial and reputational interests.

Regulatory Affairs

• Liaise with government authorities and regulatory bodies.
• Oversee mining rights, permits, licences and regulatory approvals.
• Ensure ongoing regulatory compliance across mining operations.
• Support expansion and development projects from a legal perspective.

Risk Management

• Identify and manage legal and regulatory risks.
• Develop mitigation strategies across operational and commercial activities.
• Advise on environmental, social, governance and reputational risk.
• Ensure legal risk is integrated into enterprise risk management.

ESG & Sustainability

• Provide legal guidance on Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) matters.
• Support sustainable mining initiatives.
• Advise on environmental compliance and responsible mining practices.
• Ensure legal frameworks support the organisation's sustainability objectives and community commitments.

Leadership

• Lead, mentor and develop the legal team.
• Foster a high-performance, collaborative legal function.
• Manage legal budgets and external legal service providers.
• Drive continuous improvement within the legal department.

Minimum Requirements

Qualifications

• LLB Degree (Essential).
• Admission as an Attorney.
• LLM or postgraduate legal qualification advantageous.

Experience

• Minimum 10 years' post-admission legal experience.
• At least 5 years in a senior legal leadership role.
• Extensive experience within the mining, natural resources, energy or heavy industrial sectors.
• Proven expertise in corporate law, commercial law, contract law and regulatory compliance.
• Demonstrated experience advising Boards and Executive Committees.
• Strong experience managing complex legal transactions and disputes.
• Experience leading legal teams.
• Sound understanding of ESG, sustainability and corporate governance within the mining industry.

Key Competencies

• Mining Law
• Corporate Law
• Commercial Law
• Contract Negotiation
• Corporate Governance
• ESG & Sustainability
• Regulatory Compliance
• Risk Management
• Environmental Law
• Mining Rights & Permitting
• Board Advisory
• Litigation Management
• Legal Strategy
• Stakeholder Management
• Leadership & Team Development
• Ethics & Compliance
• Executive Communication

Remuneration

Competitive Market Related Salary

Why Join?

This is an exceptional executive opportunity to join a globally recognised mining organisation where you will influence strategic business decisions, support sustainable mining practices and lead a high-performing legal function.

Interested?

If you are an experienced legal executive with a strong mining background and a passion for governance, compliance and ESG leadership, we invite you to apply.

Brought to you by AGC Mining Recruitment