Mining

We have been involved in all aspects and stages of a mining project of a medium and large scale – from the CA, to the exploration stage, EIA, production, NSR, streaming, the expanding of production and lifespan of the project, up to the stage of rehabilitation and restoration of the mining site, including high value disputes.

Our firm has extensive experience in the mining industry, including the acquisition of mining concessions, exploration projects and large scale projects in the extraction and operations phase. Our attorneys have actively participated in various transactions involving corporate, environmental, employment, social matters, tax and administrative aspects and other factors affecting the mining industry. We have also been involved in high value international disputes involving human rights violations, technical, engineering and construction related matters involving mining projects in Latin America. We have acted for a wide range of clients, including multinational mining corporates, contractors, consulting engineers and others.

The main services that we provide include legal advice with respect to the acquisition of mining projects and other mining assets in Latin America, carrying out legal audits of the projects, preparing contracts for all phases of a project, counseling with respect to foreign investment in restricted border areas, joint ventures, option, assignment and mining mortgages, agreements of mining services, advice on issues related to rural communities and other social and cultural aspects that affect a mining project, advice on requirements for mine closure, rehabilitation and restoration of the mining site, among others. We provide advice and actively participate in assessing and negotiating mining related disputes, including litigation and arbitration. Given our broad industry knowledge and strong anti-bribery and compliance related expertise, our ESG practice represents a key component of the firm’s work.

The firm participated as an exhibitor for a number of years at the well known international mining fair organized by the “Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada” known by its acronym PDAC, which takes place yearly in Toronto, Canada. In addition, branding of the firm as an international mining expert has been achieved by way of numerous publications and presentations worldwide.

Mining

Extensive understanding of all aspects of mining industry, including exploration, production, processing, smelter, financing, environmental, streaming and royalties, post-closing corporate, environmental and regulatory.
Strong working knowledge of mining regulations and legislation pertaining to the mining industry of most Latin American countries, Canada and the United States.
Practical business and legal involvement in a variety of commercial transactions, including large surface land purchases, sustainable development involving local communities; lender structured financing; construction, power, engineering and EPCM agreements; investment protection agreements (stability agreements, inter-institutional cooperation agreements); mining option, leases, concession claims; exploration (drilling, surveying, engineering, equipment leasing, environmental impact studies and assessments), mine site construction, operation (streaming, processing, storage), transportation (pipeline, rail, trucking, shipping, customs); ancillary agreements (easements, water, air, land, regulatory, social matters), environmental obligations and contingencies (withdrawal, closing, reforestation and reclamation compliance).
Active participation in international multi-million dollar arbitration disputes, including in connection with US$ 50 million damage to equipment and production at one of the largest copper reserves in Latin America, spread over an area of 22,516 ha, with estimated reserves of 440 million tonnes of ore, primarily containing copper, with molybdenum and silver as secondary minerals.