The Legal 500 > Latin America > Argentina > Mining

Allende & Brea stands out for its ‘profound knowledge of the industry’, with sources asserting that ‘few other firms have big enough teams, or the necessary experience, to advise mining companies properly’. The multidisciplinary department is comprised of lawyers with experience in a range of regulatory, environmental, tax and transactional matters and is routinely involved in the largest mining matters to involve Argentina. A strong performer in the lithium market -currently the most active sub-sector in Argentina’s mining industry- the group counts Livent, Rio Tinto and Galaxy Resources among its key clients. Additionally, the group is consistently called upon by outside state and investment agencies to provide strategic advice and jurisdictional guidance. High-profile department head Florencia Heredia is ‘uniquely knowledgeable in mining’ and is widely recognised for her premier experience advising companies and financial institutions in mining transactions. Heredia, senior associate Agostina Martinez and associate Valentina Surraco are increasingly active in post-lithium, battery-minerals and rare earth issues; while dual qualified (Buenos Aires and New York) associate Nahila Cortes is also noted for her focus on both energy and mining work. Former group co-head Juan Martín Allende recently retired from practice to focus on business and M&A consulting.

The ‘second-to-none’ mining practice at Marval O’Farrell Mairal impresses with its ‘vast resources coupled with peerless experience and commitment’. The team excels across the full range of mining issues, including planning and mining rights, environmental matters, project construction, joint ventures and finance deals. The group also benefits from its ability to lean on the firm’s market-leading corporate practice to advise on complex, multi-jurisdictional mining transactions, such as its advice to South Korea-based POSCO on its $280m acquisition of lithium brines-related mining rights from Galaxy Resources. Additionally, it packs a punch in contentious work, with strong expertise in commercial and regulatory litigation. Widely lauded as a market leader, department head Luis Lucero ‘simply towers above the competition’ on the back of his involvement in many of Argentina’s largest mining projects — he led the POSCO deal. Dedicated mining partner Leonardo Rodríguez is also highlighted as an ‘exceptional lawyer’ and specialises in commercial law and litigation. Associate María Mercedes Rudolph, who ‘excels in company and corporate law’, and senior associate Andrés Villarreal are also recommended.

Bruchou, Fernández Madero & Lombardi’s team finds favour for its ‘very high level of involvement’ as well as its ‘creative and practical solutions to complex problems’. The firm continues to raise its game in the mining area and currently advises an impressive number of major mining clients on their day-to-day activities in Argentina, including Barrick Gold, First Quantum Minerals and Yamana Gold. On the regulatory side, it is well versed across the full gamut of permitting and environmental issues, while on the transactional front it routinely handles joint ventures, M&A and restructuring matters. Sergio Arbeleche focuses on mining, environmental and oil-and-gas law and co-heads the team alongside Sebastián Vedoya, who specialises in advising local and foreign companies on mining and oil-and-gas matters — both are ‘business-oriented and good negotiators’.

A ‘one-stop resource’ for multilayered mining issues, Beccar Varela is praised for its ‘fast, efficient and well-rounded advice’. The firm’s growing practice is best known for its transactional capability, with experience in project finance, M&A, joint ventures and foreign investment matters. It also advises on regulatory issues, where it can link up with its public and environmental law teams for support on complex matters. Corporate and finance partner Roberto Fortunati leads the overarching energy and natural resources department. Senior associate Marcos Moreno Hueyo focuses on mining, natural resources and energy and is noted for his ‘extensive experience in the mining sector’.

Mitrani Caballero & Ruiz Moreno Abogados’s increasingly prominent team continues to gain ground in the local mining market, recently securing Fortuna Silver Mines and Rumble Resources as new clients. The group has comprehensive experience across mining law matters, with its recent work spanning cross-border investments, M&A, project finance and regulatory issues. Matías Olcese co-heads the department and is recommended for his focus on mining-related regulatory, finance and M&A work. Senior counsel María Paula Terrel co-leads the practice and advises on corporate and finance matters, with an emphasis on mining.

Nicholson y Cano Abogados houses a compact mining practice, which strikes a balance between transactional and regulatory work. The team’s recent activity spanned a range of feasibility studies, bids for public tenders and project acquisitions and spin-offs — it also has experience in construction and financing matters. Nicolás Perkins focuses on energy and natural resources and heads the department. Of counsel Fernando Caruso is also recommended for his strong industry experience.