Senior legal counsel | Orica
Martín Kósa Muñoz
Senior legal counsel | Orica
What measures has your company taken to embed sustainability practices into its core business operations, and how does the role of the general counsel contribute to driving and ensuring sustainable practices within the company?
Orica has embedded sustainability as a core pillar of its global strategy, committed to mobilising the Earth’s resources responsibly. This commitment is reflected in the deployment of cutting-edge technologies, emissions reduction programmes and the consistent promotion of sustainable practices across all operations.
Globally, we have set ambitious sustainability targets, including reducing Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by at least 45% by 2030 (from 2019 levels) and sourcing 60% of our electricity from renewable sources by the same year. The company has also introduced low-impact products such as Cyclo, Orica’s automated used oil recycling system, which helps reduce emissions by repurposing used oil from mine sites into raw material for emulsion explosives. This process cuts down on waste, lowers costs and minimises environmental impact. By integrating Cyclo into site-based emulsion plants, mine sites can reduce diesel consumption and decrease heavy vehicle movements, further lowering carbon emissions.
In Peru, Orica has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainability by establishing the country as its regional hub for explosives production in Latin America. This strategic positioning allows for greater operational efficiency, a reduced environmental footprint through logistics optimisation, and the implementation of best practices in safety, compliance and energy use.
In summary, Orica’s approach to sustainability is both comprehensive and strategic, with each Legal Counsel playing an essential role in embedding these principles into the company’s legal and operational DNA. Together, they ensure that sustainability is integrated across all aspects of the business, both globally and locally.
How has your role as in-house counsel evolved over the past few years, particularly in response to shifting global or regional dynamics?
Over the past few years, the role of in-house counsel has evolved into that of a strategic business partner. This shift has been driven by both global challenges such as ESG pressures, supply chain disruptions and evolving regulatory landscapes, and local opportunities.
At Orica, our expansion in Peru and across the region has called for a more proactive and agile legal function. As the company strengthens its position as a key supplier to the mining sector and develops its Peruvian operations into a regional manufacturing and logistics hub, legal support now extends to early-stage involvement in investment projects, government relations and stakeholder engagement. We have also taken a more active role in sustainability-related matters, ensuring legal frameworks support Orica’s climate goals and social licence to operate.
This broader scope demands not only technical legal expertise but also a deep understanding of geopolitical shifts, local sensitivities and the commercial drivers behind each decision. Today, my role is about connecting global standards with local execution, balancing legal integrity with strategic growth and helping to ensure Orica’s resilience and reputation across Latin America.
