Azevedo Sette Advogados’ mining practice is a powerhouse in the Belo Horizonte market, with a strong local presence and an impressive client roster. The group has a broad scope of expertise including, but not limited to, environmental settlement agreements, lawsuits before judicial and environmental regulatory bodies such as the Federal Environmental Agency, and mining agreements. On the consultancy front, the team is engaged in advisory work pertaining to compliance with mining and environmental regulations, mineral rights, and project development. The practice is capable of handling complex work involving multinational companies and foreign jurisdictions. Leonardo Pereira Lamego and recently promoted partner Gabriela Salazar Silva Pinto co-head the group, and both have extensive experience in complex transactions requiring environmental permits, auditing, compliance, and due diligence. Ana Paula Terra Caldeira is a specialist in foreign investments in the mining, construction, and engineering industries. The practice also benefits from the expertise of Leonardo Farinha Goulart, who is regarded for his track record in arbitration related to mining, environmental, and real estate disputes.

Singled out 'for its business vision, availability, and technical quality', the public law and regulation practice at Freitas Ferraz Advogados has expertise in energy and mining-related transactions, particularly hydroelectric power plant acquisitions and mining assets deals. The group offers advisory, transactional, and litigation assistance, covering areas such as environmental and operational licensing, corporate restructuring, project development, injunctions applications, regulatory compliance, and real estate rights, among others. Thiago Riccio heads the practice and is renowned for his work in M&A transactions related to the mining and energy sectors, project finance, and policy development. Senior associate Marcela Assis is another key member, who specialises in energy and mining transactions, due diligence, and risk assessments.

The natural resources and regulation department at Rolim Goulart Cardoso Advogados brings together expertise in energy, mining, environment and telecoms matters. On the non-contentious front, the team is regularly retained to advise on regulatory compliance, project development, and tariff review procedures, while on the litigation side it often handles regulatory and administrative proceedings as well as judicial disputes. Thiago Pastor Alves Pereira has extensive experience in mining law, although his expertise extends to environmental mandates; he frequently engages in matters related to agroforestry, indigenous communities, and sanitation, to name a few. Fabio Appendino has expertise in M&A, reorganisations, and corporate planning in the mining sector. Luis Gustavo Miranda is well regarded for his broad knowledge of corporate and commercial matters, as well as compliance and infrastructure projects, while Helvécio Franco Maia Júnior concentrates on franchise dealership agreements, mining contracts, and real estate.

Tavernard Advogados’ natural resources and regulations team specialises in matters pertaining to the energy, infrastructure, construction, engineering, and technology sectors. Environmental impact assessments, concession structuring, and due diligence are all key areas of activity for the practice, which is also well versed in related disputes. With extensive experience in the regulation of public utilities, department leader Murilo Melo Vale is active in public procurement, contractual disputes, and regulatory compliance. Flavia Castro Rincon joined the team in June 2023 from Maneira Advogados.