White & Case LLP has advised Norilsk Nickel on the US$337 million sale of its operations in Africa to BCL Limited of Botswana.

The sale includes Norilsk Nickel’s 50 percent participation interest in the Nkomati Nickel and Chrome Mine in South Africa and 85 percent stake in Tati Nickel Mining Company in Botswana.

"This transaction is the largest in a series of asset disposals by Norilsk Nickel since it took the strategic decision to exit from non-core mining operations in 2013," said White & Case partner Rebecca Campbell. "We are delighted to have brought together our combined mining & metals, African and cross-border M&A strengths to help the Norilsk Nickel team deliver on this important strategic transaction for them."

Nkomati is the largest primary nickel and chrome mine in Africa, which has evolved from a small scale operation following two successful expansion programmes. Tati Nickel Mining Company operates two mining leases in Botswana at Phoenix and Selkirk.

Completion of the sale is subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.

The White & Case team was led by partner Rebecca Campbell and included associates James Pullen, Sarah Lafleur, Astrid von Preussen (London), and partner Mukund Dhar and associate Matthew Richards (Johannesburg).