Freshfields advises South32 on the sale of its Cerro Matoso nickel operations

Global law firm Freshfields is advising globally diversified mining and metals company South32 on its sale of Cerro Matoso, an integrated nickel laterite open pit mine and smelter in north Colombia, and South32’s related energy trading business, to global industrial conglomerate CoreX Holding.

The transaction aligns with South32’s strategy to streamline its portfolio toward higher margin businesses in minerals and metals critical to the energy transition. The transaction is expected to complete in late 2025, subject to customary regulatory conditions and the completion of an internal reorganisation. Further details on the transaction can be found here.

The Freshfields team advising on the transaction is being led by partners Samira Afrasiabi and Alon Gordon, senior associates Martha Davis and Olesya Dianov and associate Caitlin Turner.

Caroline Richard (partner), María Julia Milesi (counsel) Rosario Galardi (senior associate) are advising on matters concerning royalties proceedings, May Smith (partner) and Ben Rees (associate) are advising on tax matters, Alastair Chapman (partner) and Charles Partridge (associate) are advising on regulatory matters, David Brooks (partner) and Katie Sa (associate) are advising on transitional matters and Andrew Murphy (partner) and Rebecca Webster (senior associate) are advising on employment and pensions matters.