Environmental and Mining Legal Consultant

Digby Wells Environmental is a leading environmental and social consulting company supporting the responsible development of Africa’s natural resources. We partner with clients across the resources sector to achieve operational success through sound environmental management, legal compliance and acceptable social outcomes.

We are looking for an Environmental and Mining Legal Consultant to join our team. This role offers the opportunity to advise clients on complex environmental and mining law matters and to contribute legal expertise to large, integrated and multidisciplinary projects.
The successful candidate will provide strategic legal advice, lead and support compliance and risk assessments, coordinate regulatory processes and help clients develop practical risk and liability management strategies. The role combines strong environmental and mining law expertise with project management, commercial awareness and trusted client engagement.

Why Join Digby Wells Environmental?

At Digby Wells Environmental, you will join a multidisciplinary team working on complex legal, environmental and mining challenges. We are committed to delivering practical and sustainable solutions that support responsible resource development.

When you join our team, you will have the opportunity to:

• Advise clients on significant environmental and mining law matters across Africa.
  
• Contribute legal expertise to large, integrated and multidisciplinary projects.
  
• Work alongside experienced environmental, social and technical specialists.
  
• Build trusted relationships with clients, regulators and partners in the market.
  
• Develop your career within a respected African environmental and social consultancy
  

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver multiple project tasks or work streams, including the preparation of proposals.
  
• Provide strategic environmental and mining legal advice and project management services on large multidisciplinary projects.
  
• Conduct environmental and mining legal audits and compile clear findings, recommendations and implementation actions.
  
• Lead and support environmental and mining legal risk assessments.
  
• Work with clients to develop practical risk and liability management strategies.
  
• Prepare environmental legal compliance assessments and registers.
  
• Conduct environmental legal due diligence investigations for commercial transactions.
  
• Draft contaminated-land sale, remediation and other liability-transfer agreements.
  
• Provide sound legal advice on environmental and mining legislation and related regulatory requirements.
  
• Advise on and coordinate applications for environmental and mining permits, authorisations and licenses.
  
• Assist with administrative representations, objections and appeals.
  
• Participate in and support environmental and mining litigation matters.
  
• Advise clients on audit findings and support the implementation of corrective actions.
  
• Develop and deliver client training on current and emerging environmental and mining law requirements.
  
• Network and build strong professional relationships with clients and other market partners.
  

Requirements

Skills

• Ability to establish credibility and engage effectively with clients, including senior leadership.
  
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a strong ability to present complex information clearly and persuasively.
  
• Strong legal research, analytical and problem-solving skills.
  
• Strong project and time management skills.
  
• Self-motivated and able to work autonomously, with a proactive, solutions-focused approach.
  
• A flexible, pragmatic and innovative approach to project development and delivery.
  
• Strong relationship-building and client-service skills.
  
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint, including the ability to develop business cases and compelling client materials.
  
• Fluency in English is essential; proficiency in French as a second language is required.
  

Qualifications

• LLB or equivalent legal degree.
  
• A qualification in Environmental Management would be advantageous.
  
• A Project Management Certificate would be beneficial.
  

Experience

• Five to eight years’ relevant experience in environmental and mining law.
  
• Consulting experience is required.
  
• Experience advising clients on occupational health and safety legislation would be advantageous.
  
• Experience in the resources sector would be beneficial.