How well is law and policy keeping up with climate goals? And what does this mean for mining in Africa?

Hosted by the GAIL UK & GAIL Africa Regional Boards in Partnership with ENS

This session featured special guests who explored the state of play of net zero regulation and policy across different jurisdictions and how these legal developments are affecting the business of mining in Africa. 

GAIL members can access the recording, digest and slides from the session below. Please log in to your member account to see them. If you experience any issues, please contact us.

Sarah Ellington

Sarah Ellington is a Partner at Watson Farley & Williams and co-founder of Legal Innovation for Sustainable Investments (LISI) Foundation

Sarah is a Dispute Resolution and ESG Partner at international law firm Watson Farley & Williams, a co-founder of and co-creator at the Legal Innovation for Sustainable Investments (LISI) Foundation, a contributor to the just transition materials produced by The Chancery Lane Project, a member of the Society for Computers and Law Sustainability and ESG Committee and a member of the IBA Business and Human Rights Committee.  Sarah is based in London.

Emma Schuster

Senior Analyst at Just Share

Emma is a senior analyst in Just Share’s climate team. Just Share is a non-profit shareholder activism organisation using responsible investment and sustainable finance to drive urgent action to combat climate change and reduce inequality.

Emma’s work at Just Share focuses on catalysing action in the South African corporate and financial sector to support a just transition to a low-carbon, sustainable and inclusive economy. She also leads Just Share’s work highlighting the practices and impacts of corporate climate lobbying. Emma’s writing on various issues relating to climate change and lobbying has been published in some of South Africa’s leading news and academic publications.

She has an BA LLB and an LLM in International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law.

Lolade Ososami

Partner at Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie

Lolade Ososami is a Partner at Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie, where she heads the firm’s mining and taxation teams. She also supports the firm’s oil & gas, corporate advisory, and compliance teams.

Lolade advises on transactions relating to mineral rights acquisitions, mineral exploration, and beneficiation projects. Her expertise extends to community relations, negotiations, and joint ventures. She has worked with junior explorers and state governments providing strategic guidance on mining law and policy.

She has substantial experience in the legal and regulatory framework for international investments in Nigeria and advises on diverse domestic and cross-border commercial transactions across various sectors.

Olimpia Pilch

Chief Strategy Officer at Critical Minerals Africa Group (CMAG)

Olimpia is the Chief Strategy Officer at CMAG and a policy disruptor with expertise in responsible sourcing and geopolitics. She has shaped UK government policy and led initiatives to unite critical minerals companies, end users, investors, and governments in building alternative supply chains.

In her strategic role at CMAG, she drives partnerships, policy development, and strategic growth.

A geologist by training, Olimpia holds a BSc from Durham University and an MSc from the Camborne School of Mines. She is a Director of the Critical Minerals Association Australia and author of The Critical Minerals Pragmatist. Olimpia also advises private and public sector clients on critical mineral initiatives in Sub-Saharan Africa, helping navigate market complexities and opportunities.