Rising Stars

Firms To Watch: Mining

Boutique firm Cillóniz & Valencia Abogados specialises in the mining and power sectors; name partner Diego Cillóniz, a former regional legal counsel for Nyrstar, is the key contact.
Following the departure of much of its team in October 2023, CMS Grau has begun the process of rebuilidng its mining sector capabilities -long a practice for which the firm was well known- with the February 2024 hire of María Cristina Alva as a partner; prior to her arrival, Alva spent more than a decade in house at Hochschild, where her role also involved sustainability and corporate social responsibility matters.

Mining in Peru

Rodrigo, Elías & Medrano Abogados

The leading mining practice at Rodrigo, Elías & Medrano Abogados continues to advise top-tier clients on a range of contentious and non-contentious matters in the industry, covering transactions, regulatory matters and disputes. On the transactional side, it is well known in the market for privatisations, M&A and financing deals, while on the contentious side, it handles administrative proceedings and domestic and international arbitrations. Team head and veteran practitioner Luis Carlos Rodrigo Prado is on the board of several mining companies and is a name to note for corporate matters; he is supported by Oscar Benavides, who deals with M&A and joint ventures, as well as exploration, development and exploitation contracts. Francisco Tong is a further key practitioner, who is well versed in administrative regulations and environmental matters and has previously advised on the development of mining regulations in the Dominican Republic and the Republic of Colombia. Claudio Ferrero is another name for corporate transactions and reorganisations; Diego Pachas is recommended for licensing and permitting, and health and safety matters; and Francisco Barrios advises on permitting and strategies for new projects and the expansion of existing projects.

Practice head(s):

Luis Carlos Rodrigo


Testimonials

‘The team at Rodrigo Elias Medrano (REM), led by Luis Carlos Rodrigo, is by far the best in Peru. The team is highly sophisticated, has an in-depth knowledge of the mining and energy industry acquired over the past decades, and provides outstanding advice. The support we have received is second to none.’

‘Luis Carlos Rodrigo is an absolute star. He is one of the best advocates I have ever met. He is brilliant. His knowledge of the mining sector is oustanding, and his advice is always well thought through. He is the leader of an absolutely fantastic team.’

‘It is one of the most prestigious law firms in Peru. It has lawyers specialised in the different areas required by a company.’

‘Estudio Rodrigo is the leading law firm in Peru for mining law. Their partners are highly knowledgeable and proficient in this area.’

‘Claudio Ferrero Merino understands mining law very well and he is also an exceptional M&A lawyer. He is very adept at dealing with complicated circumstances and explaining Peruvian law very well. I highly recommend Claudio. Oscar Benevides is highly specialised in mining and has hands-on knowledge of all aspects of mining exploration transactions. Luis Carlos Rodrigo Prado is the senior partner of this group and is a trusted advisor.’

Key clients

Southern Peru Copper Corporation, Sucursal del Peru


Sociedad Minera Cerro Verde


Cerro de Pasco Resources, Sucursal del Perú


Compañia Minera Antamina


MINSUR


Marcobre


Minera Las Bambas


Minera Chinalco


Barrick Gold Corporation


Minera Barrick Perú


Lundin Mining Corporation


Hudbay Peru


Bear Creek Mining


Anglo American Quellaveco


Pan American Silver


Sumitomo Corporation


First Quantum Minerals


Adar Mining


Sierra Metals


Javellin Global Commodities


Hartree Partners


Trafigura Metals


Work highlights


  • Advising Freeport and Sumitomo in two ICSID arbitrations brought against the Government of Peru under the United States–Peru Free Trade Agreement and the Netherlands bilateral investment treaty, with claims in excess of $1bn.
  • Advising Anglo American Quellavec on the attainment of authorisation for the operation of the Quellaveco plant for processing 127,500 MT/day, and the corresponding beneficiation concession.
  • Advised Bear Creek Mining on a $400m credit facility for the financing of Project Corani, located in the district of Corani, province of Carabaya.

Estudio Echecopar member firm of Baker McKenzie International

Estudio Echecopar member firm of Baker McKenzie International’s natural resources and environmental team advises clients on the full life cycle of mining projects, from the investment to the development and operational stages. Regulatory and transactional issues are key areas of focus for the practice, including M&A and project finance, and it acts for top domestic and international mining companies. A recent slowdown in the transactional space has seen the firm advise more on regulatory issues, such as memorandums and legal opinions, obtaining and renewing permits, compliance matters and the defence of clients in sanctioning procedures. Valentin Paniagua Jara leads the team and brings considerable experience in the acquisition and sale of companies and assets. Following the departure of Ina María Drago, who moved to Cuatrecasas in July 2023, key support is provided by senior associate Claudia Pacora (particularly as regards due diligence on M&A transactions), while associate Cinthya Delgado De La Flor is the name to note for administrative procedures and permitting.

Practice head(s):

Valentín Paniagua Jara


Testimonials

‘They know the law and can apply the solutions in a practical manner that is easy to follow by non lawyers.’

‘Ina María Drago and her team are brilliant in what they do.’

Key clients

Minera Aurífera Retamas


Fortescue Metals Group


Compañía Minera María Reyna


Compañía Minera Zafranal


Volcan Compañía Minera


Sociedad Nacional de Minería, Energía y Petróleo


Cerro de Pasco Resources Subsidiaria del Peru


Nyrstar Ancash


Minera Hampton Peru


Anglo American Quellaveco


Banco Internacional del Peru


9429-9765 Quebec


Sierra Antapite


Weston Energy


OCIM Precious Metals


Freepoint Metals & Concentrates


Andina Trade


Metalor Technologies (Peru)


Thyssen Mining Construction of Canada Ltd (TMCC)


Traxys Peru


Nexa Resources Peru


Consorcio ROVELLA – INMAC


Compania Minera Santa Luisa


Shougang Hierro Peru


Global Servicios Mineros


Organismo Supervisor de la Inversión en Energía, Minería, Energía y Petróleo – OSINERGMIN


Activos Mineros


Organismo de Fisclización y Supervisión Ambiental – OEFA


Sierra Antapite


OCIM Precious Metals (OCIM)


Volcan Compañía Minera


Weston Energy


Marcobre


Cerro de Pasco Resources Subsidiaria del Peru (CDPR)


Work highlights


  • Assisting Minera Aurífera Retamas in matters related to informal/illegal mining during 2022.
  • Acting as Fortescue Metals Group’s main external legal advisor in the country, assisting on the development of an important mining project in Peru.
  • Acting as Compañía Minera Maria Reyna’s principal legal advisors over the last ten years, and continuing to provide ongoing advice in connection with all its mining, corporate and transactional matters.

Hernández & Cía

The ‘very efficient and proactive’ mining team at Hernández & Cía stands out for its strong regulatory expertise and its ability to advise on high-profile M&A transactions. As a full-service firm, it can draw on expertise from litigation and tax practitioners to assist in mining issues, and also handles financing, permitting and regulatory compliance matters for top domestic and international mining companies. The team is jointly led by Luis Rodríguez-Mariátegui, Luis Felipe Huertas Del Pino and Miyanou Dufour, who is in the firm’s D&A committee. Rodríguez-Mariátegui advises on mining, environmental and M&A, and on the contentious side, is a name for arbitration; Huertas del Pino offers experience in regulatory matters and the development of mining projects; and Dufour is recommended for corporate matters and counts Rio Tinto among her clients. Senior associate Juan Pablo Macassi handles administrative matters and arbitration. Paola Ramos and Joseline Pérez were recently promoted to senior associate. Since publication, Macassi has been raised to the partnership - effective as of February 2024.

Practice head(s):

Luis Rodríguez-Mariátegui; Luis Felipe Huertas del Pino; Miyanou Dufour


Testimonials

‘As a team, Estudio Hernandez is very efficient and proactive.’

‘The service is personalised and the attention of Luis Felipe Huertas and Joselin Perez is efficient; they offer quick responses.’

Key clients

Hudbay Perú


Compañía Minera Antapaccay


Aurifera Tres Cruces


Marcobre


Rio Tinto Minera Perú


Minera Las Bambas


Minsur


Compañía Minera Santa Luisa


Lumina Copper


Rio Tinto Mining and Exploration


Work highlights


  • Advised Hudbay Peru on the negotiation of new terms for an option and a lease agreement upon the mining concessions in the Katanga copper project from Compañía Minera Maria Reyna.
  • Advised an international law firm on the issuance of an expert report on mining law, covering different aspects regarding an ongoing CIADI case.
  • Advising Aurífera Tres Cruces, a subsidiary of Anacortes Mining, on an administrative procedure to obtain the authorisation to start exploration activities for the Tres Cruces Project.

Miranda & Amado

Led by Alberto Delgado, the mining team at Miranda & Amado forms part of the firm’s wider natural resources and infrastructure projects practice and offers expertise in relation to land management, environmental matters, community relations, water rights, natural reserves and zoning, among other areas. The group acts for high-profile domestic and international clients and Delgado has 25 years’ experience in corporate, contractual, compliance and permitting matters. Key practitioner Guillermo Bracamonte is also a name to note for transactional work, as well as environmental and regulatory proceedings, while associate Cynthia Rebaza is recommended for corporate, commercial and regulatory matters pertaining to mining projects. In March 2022, counsel Luzmila Zegarra joined from Delapuente and brings expertise in permitting and operational issues to the team, while associate David Baracco left the firm.

Practice head(s):

Alberto Delgado


Key clients

Minera Chinalco Perú


Great Panther Silver


Red Citadel Resources


MCQ Copper


Apurimac Ferrum


Mitsubishi Materials Corporation


Compañía Minera Antapaccay – Glencore


Minera Las Bambas (MMG)


Silver Mountain Resources


Heeney Capital


Bank of America Corporation


Scotiabank Peru


Banco Santander Perú


Hochschild Mining


Nexa Resources


Analytica Mineral Services


Work highlights


  • Assisting Apurimac Ferrum (subsidiary of ASX-listed Strike Resources) with all its legal matters in Peru, including regulatory compliance with mining and environmental laws and the analysis of new projects and investment opportunities.
  • Assisting TSX-listed Sierra Metals and its Peruvian subsidiary Sociedad Minera Corona in connection with several matters concerning its Yauricocha mine and other mining projects in Peru.
  • Advising Sociedad Minera Reliquias (the Peruvian subsidiary of Silver Mountain Resources) on all matters concerning its Reliquias and Dorita exploration projects, including permitting and defence in administrative procedures.

Payet, Rey, Cauvi, Pérez Abogados

In a remarkable coup, Payet, Rey, Cauvi, Pérez Abogados hired virtually the entirety of CMS Grau‘s mining team in October 2023, welcoming practice head Cecilia Gonzáles (corporate, M&A and regulatory matters pertaining to the natural resources and the extractive industries) and a group consisting of: Raúl Ferreryra (who brings corporate, IP, tax and real estate-side expertise to the practice); counsel Liliana Pautrat (who is active in the exploration, exploitation, processing and transport segments of the mining industry, and has a focus on regulatory matters); and four associates. They join a team which had already established a relevant footprint in the sector (particularly on the financing side) under the leadership of partner José Cúneo (with support from environmental specialist Vanessa Chávarry -who was raised to the partnership in December 2022- and counsel Ángel Chávez). While it remains to see how this significant group hire will settle at it new home, the combined group not only has capability in the transactional and financing aspects of the practice, but also expertise across areas including titling and real estate, environmental and social issues, administrative matters, regulatory compliance, project development and construction, and tax and labour issues; as such, it looks likely to boost the firm to key player-status in the sector.

Practice head(s):

José Cúneo; Raúl Ferreyra


Testimonials

The lawyers have expertise in complex matters.

Key clients

Alpayana


Volcan Compañía Minera


Minera Boroo Misquichilca


Vale Exploration Perú


Nexa Resources Perú


Compañía Minera Antapaccay (Glencore)


Minera Las Bambas


Minera Chinalco


Minera Colquisiri


Gold Fields La Cima


ARC Fund


Boroo


Work highlights


  • Advising Alpayana on the acquisition by Alpayana of 100% of the shares of Compañía Minera Los Quenuales from Glencore.
  • Acted as Peruvian lead counsel for Banco Santander in connection with the negotiation of a new revolving credit facility granted to Volcan Compañía Minera.
  • Assisted Los Quenuales in obtaining the Ministry of Energy and Mines’ delayed recognition of production for year 2019.

Rubio Leguía Normand

Rubio Leguía Normand offers clients a strong mix of regulatory and corporate expertise under the leadership of Xennia Forno, Diego Grisolle and Emil Ruppert. The department advises local and global mining companies on operational issues, permitting, compliance, M&A and the acquisition of assets. It also offers particular expertise in the negotiation, drafting and implementation of joint ventures by mining companies, and in negotiations with the local communities affected by mining operations. Forno is a key name for cross-border investments and regulatory matters; Grisolle deals with environmental, commercial and compliance matters; and Ruppert is recommended for corporate and financing matters. Miguel Angel Soto acts for mining companies, investors, government entities and multilateral organisations in development, corporate and financing issues. Senior associate Nancy Ogata left for an in-house role at AESA.

Practice head(s):

Xennia Forno; Diego Grisolle; Emil Ruppert


Key clients

Operadores Concentrados Peruanos


Minera Boroo Misquichilca


Minera Waricocha


Pucara Gold – Pucara Resources


Abundia Minerals


Fortuna Silver Mines – Minera Bateas


Nexa Resources


Gold Fields


Newmont Mining Corporation – Minera Yanacocha


Newmont Perú


Barrick Gold Corporation – Minera Barrick Peru


Anglo American – Anglo American Quellaveco


Anglo American Perú


Aluminium Corporation of China – Minera Chinalco Peru


Cerámica San Lorenzo (Grupo Lamosa)


Fresnillo Peru


Minera Peñoles de Perú


Southern Peaks Mining – Minera Condestable


Hartree Metals


Jinzhao Mining Perú


Compañía Minera Santa Luisa


Work highlights


  • Acted as counsel to Jinzhao Mining on the optimisation of the Pampa de Pongo Project, which included the modification of the original design approved for the construction of the mine as well as energy and port facilities.
  • Engaged by Minera Chinalco to provide ongoing advice and consultancy services with respect to mining matters for the development of the Toromocho Project expansion.
  • Retained as Operadores Concentrados Peruanos’ counsel in connection with the acquisition of the Cobriza mine from Doe Run Peru.

Dentons Peru

The mining and natural resources department at Dentons Peru is particularly active in the corporate and financing spaces, and is well versed in M&A, takeovers, disposals, joint ventures and project financing, with a focus on advising junior and medium-sized mining companies. The firm draws on strength from its extensive global network when advising international businesses on cross-border deals and the team is led by Fernando Pickmann, who has over 25 years of experience in exploration, development and operational matters, including permitting, contractual issues and corporate deals. Mario Chirinos is a key name for M&A and securities matters, while at the associate level, Andre Calmet is recommended for environmental regulation, permitting and enforcement issues, and Carolina Cabada handles corporate and insolvency matters.

Practice head(s):

Fernando Pickmann


Key clients

Maverix Metals


Regulus Resources


Chakana Copper


Silver X Mining


Tinka Resources


Aftermath Silver


Bear Creek Mining


Centaurus Holding


Candente Copper


Sandbox Royalties


Alphastream Capital Management


Anthony Mining


Aruntani Mining Group


C3 Metals


PPX Mining


Work highlights


  • Advised Tinka Resources on the negotiation, drafting and signing of an exploration investment agreement with the Peruvian government.
  • Advising Latin Metal on the negotiation, drafting and signing of an exploration investment agreement with the Peruvian government.
  • Advised Aftermath Silver on the negotiation, drafting and signing of an exploration investment agreement with the Peruvian government.

Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uria

Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uria advises domestic and international clients on transactions, contracts, regulatory matters and project development under the leadership of Rafael Lengua. The department has recently been advising clients on permitting, relations with indigenous communities and land rights issues, and acts for high-profile international mining companies, including BHP. Lengua is dual qualified (in Peru and New York) and heads the firm’s energy, mining and natural resources and environmental and sustainable development area; he focuses on M&A and financing transactions. Senior associate Sergio Cueva is another name to note for corporate and regulatory matters, and associate Mitzy Longa is a recommended for environmental issues.

Practice head(s):

Rafael Lengua


Key clients

BHP Billiton World Exploration Sucursal del Peru


BHP Chile


Compañía Minera Miski Mayo


The Mosaic Company


Nexa Resources Peru


JX Nippon Mining & Metals


Alpayana


Minera Hampton


Japan, Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation – JOGMEC


Compañía Minera Quechua


Pan Pacific Copper


ICM Pachapaqui


Antamina


Cementos Pacasmayo


Work highlights


  • Advised Instituto de Ingenieros de Minas del Peru (IIMP) on updating the Mining Competitiveness Index (MCI), which was presented at the 35th PERUMIN 2022 Mining Convention.
  • Counselled Nexa Resources on its prospective acquisition of a minority shareholding interest in Canada-based Tinka Resources.
  • Advised BHP on the staking procedure of the mining concessions and additional exploration permits to develop its Jatum Orcco mining exploration project located in the district of Santiago de Chocorvos, Huaytara.

Rebaza, Alcázar & De Las Casas

The mining team at Rebaza, Alcázar & De Las Casas acts for top domestic and international mining clients in corporate, regulatory and financing matters and frequently acts as local counsel for large international law firms in cross-border deals. It is adept at handling risk mitigation and conflict resolution, including administrative and judicial disputes, as well as the acquisition and divestment of mining assets and royalties. Practice head Luis Miguel Elias acts for multinational corporations in transactions and the development and financing of high-profile mining projects. David Baracco, who joined as senior associate from Miranda & Amado in April 2022, brings expertise in land management, environmental matters and negotiations with rural communities, while Maite Colmenter, another key senior associate, is a name to note for financing and corporate work.

Practice head(s):

Luis Miguel Elías


Key clients

Glencore


Atico Mining Corporation


Empresa Minera Los Quenuales


Nexa Resources


Volcan Compañía Minera


Grupo Dyer


Hudbay Minerals


Pandion Mine Finance


Umicore


Aceros Arequipa


Work highlights


  • Assisted Nexa Resources in producing new internal regulations, policies and corporate decisions to implement best practices and address ESG factors for Peru in the mining sector.
  • Assisted Grupo Dyer in assessing various contingencies related to mining environmental liabilities, a general overview of the environmental compliance of a project and providing measures to strengthen the relations with rural communities.
  • Advised Nexa Resources on the plan to integrate two underground mining units, the Atacocha mine and El Porvenir mine, via a new tunnel for the transportation of mining concentrates and the expansion of the tailing facilities of El Porvenir.