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.
Mining in Peru
Rodrigo, Elías & Medrano Abogados
Responsables de la pratique:
Luis Carlos Rodrigo
Les références
‘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.’
Principaux 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
Principaux dossiers
- 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.
Responsables de la pratique:
Valentín Paniagua Jara
Les références
‘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.’
Principaux 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)
Principaux dossiers
- 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 Rodriguez Mariátegui, Luis Felipe Huertas Del Pino and Miyanou Dufour, who is in the firm’s D&A committee. Rodriguez 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.
Responsables de la pratique:
Luis Rodriguez Mariátegui; Luis Felipe Huertas del Pino; Miyanou Dufour
Les références
‘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.’
Principaux 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
Principaux dossiers
- 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.
Responsables de la pratique:
Alberto Delgado
Principaux 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
Principaux dossiers
- 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.
Responsables de la pratique:
José Cúneo; Raúl Ferreyra
Les références
‘The lawyers have expertise in complex matters.‘
Principaux 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
Principaux dossiers
- 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 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; while Ruppert is recommended for corporate and financing work. Miguel Angel Soto acts for mining companies, investors, government entities and multilateral organisations in development, corporate and financing issues. However, senior associate Nancy Ogata left for an in-house role at AESA in November 2022; and former practice co-head Diego Grisolle susbequently left in March 2023
Responsables de la pratique:
Xennia Forno; Emil Ruppert
Principaux 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
Principaux dossiers
- 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.
Responsables de la pratique:
Fernando Pickmann
Principaux 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
Principaux dossiers
- 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.
Responsables de la pratique:
Rafael Lengua
Principaux 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
Principaux dossiers
- 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.
Responsables de la pratique:
Luis Miguel Elías
Principaux clients
Glencore
Atico Mining Corporation
Empresa Minera Los Quenuales
Nexa Resources
Volcan Compañía Minera
Grupo Dyer
Hudbay Minerals
Pandion Mine Finance
Umicore
Aceros Arequipa
Principaux dossiers
- 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.