An unparalleled client roster comprising the biggest mining companies operating in Brazil, as well as domestic and international financial institutions, marks Cescon Barrieu as a leading player in sophisticated and market-impacting transactions and regulatory matters in the mining sector. Hailed for its ‘exceptional deliveries’, the Belo Horizonte-based team traverses the landscape of major M&A deals, joint ventures, blended mining and metals financings, and administrative and judicial proceedings with ease, while crisis management and regulatory issues related to tailing dams are standout strengths. Marcelo Mendo Gomes de Souza, a market reference with deep roots in regulatory, contentious, environmental and transactional matters, spearheads the practice, in collaboration with Paula Azevedo de Castro, praised for her ‘excellent knowledge of dams and their extensive regulation’, and Maurício Pellegrino de Souza, who employs ‘extensive knowledge of environmental law’, as well as commercial and regulatory acumen in his service to leading mining companies. Daniel Ribeiro Pettersen demonstrates a mastery of real estate and contractual matters related to the mining industry. Stéfani Pinho focuses her practice on litigation, dam safety, and crisis management, and Daniel Souza brings an innovative approach to dam safety regulation, mining rights transactions, and crisis management.

Pinheiro Neto Advogados draws on a long-established history of working hand in hand with mining industry players, including the government, industry associations, financiers, and companies, to find solutions to complex transactions and pressing regulatory and environmental concerns. M&A, investment and debt transactions, and alternative methods of financing are traditional areas of strength, supplemented by an intimate understanding of crisis management, environmental permitting, and mining-related litigation. From his seat in the Federal District, ‘walking encyclopedia’ Carlos Vilhena stands at the intersection of mining law and government relations, advising clients on policy and regulatory frameworks, as well as corporate transactions and financing. In São Paulo, Roberta Stettinger Rossi Bilotti Demange dedicates her practice to mining and infrastructure projects, and is lauded for her ‘incredible ability to make agreements and remove obstacles in favour of a greater result’. Senior associate and ‘star to watch’ Marina Bertucci Ferreira, also based in Brasilia, supports on regulatory affairs, mining policies, M&A, and financing.

An undisputed heavy hitter in international mining transactions, Veirano Advogados is first port of call for major mining companies and investors, who can be confident in the team’s cross-border capabilities particularly due to its close cooperation with leading firms in Canada, the US, Europe, Australia, and Latin America. ‘Technically always at the forefront’, services on offer include complex and high-value M&A, international financings and capital raisings, tailing dams administrative proceedings, and regulatory disputes, with the members frequently engaged in investments in critical minerals. Based in Rio de Janeiro, the practice is in the capable hands of Pedro Garcia, who is knowledgeable of commercial contracts, M&A, financing, real estate, and environmental issues related to mining. From Porto Alegre, Mauro Moura pitches in on regulatory and administrative proceedings affecting the mining sector. Associate Antonio Albani is active in regulatory matters, and assists with transactions and project structuring and implementation.

Transactions are the cornerstone of Mattos Filho’s mining offering, which assists a host of mining companies, financial institutions, investors, and royalty companies with significant M&A, joint ventures, commercial agreements, project financing, and royalty and streaming matters. Further competencies include regulatory advice, and ESG issues, as well as legislative and policy-making input. Seasoned mining expert Adriano Drummond Trindade leads the team from Brasilia, lending his vast experience to clients seeking advice on mining regulation and policy, contracts, M&A, and financing. Associate Eugênia Maria Menezes Pedroso, based in São Paulo, is adept in infrastructure projects involving the mining industry, and also advises on M&A, private equity, and corporate restructuring deals.

Operating out of Belo Horizonte, mining boutique William Freire Advogados is a prime destination for domestic and foreign companies engaging in mining projects in Brazil, with accredited specialisms in mineral law, mining governance, mining regulations, and related disputes. Investors can also rely on the team for strategic solutions in cross-border transactions, complex contracts, and corporate issues. Practice head Tiago de Mattos, based in São Paulo, supports clients throughout the lifecycle of mining projects and offers representation in proceedings before regulatory bodies and in mining disputes. Founding partner William Freire is a font of knowledge with respect to mining regulation, crisis management, and environmental law concerns relating to mining activities. Bruno Costa, who was promoted to partner in February 2024, coordinates the mining regulatory team, fielding expertise in administrative proceedings, due diligence, and mining rights transactions. Associate Caio Gomes handles both contentious and non-contentious matters.

Grounded in the traditional bases of gold, copper, iron, aluminum, and nickel, Demarest Advogados continues to advise a growing portfolio of mining companies on strategic M&A, joint ventures, and commercial agreements. On the regulatory front, team members are routinely engaged in administrative appeals before the National Mining Agency (ANM) relating to infraction notices and forfeiture procedures; the team also advises on the environmental and insurance law aspects of mining disasters. Leadership of the São Paulo practice is shared between M&A and corporate governance specialist Paulo Rocha, corporate, M&A, and private equity expert Thiago Maia, and mining transactions and regulatory all-rounder Izabella Reis. Associate Guilherme Kawano fields experience in minerals regulation, due diligence, and proceedings before ANM.

Project financing, M&A, joint ventures, and capital markets transactions are the lifeblood of Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados’ mining team, whose full-service capabilities attract mining companies, investors, and financiers seeking assistance with mineral exploration, development and production agreements, royalty issues, engineering, processing and refining contracts, sales structures, real estate, and environmental issues. The São Paulo practice is led by infrastructure and natural resources specialist Pedro Henrique Jardim, and finance, tax, and foreign trade expert Liliam Fernanda Yoshikawa. Associate Yves Crivelini is a valuable resource for M&A, project financing, and corporate transactions.

The group at Rolim Goulart Cardoso Advogados focuses on mining, environment, and regulatory law, offering complete support to national and international mining companies and investors in administrative and judicial litigation, mining contracts, titles, and rights, and remedies to safeguard business interests. Based in Belo Horizonte, the team is led by environmental practice head Thiago Pastor Alves Pereira, a seasoned mining lawyer with vast experience in mining disputes. Corporate specialist Fábio Appendino is a key contact for M&A, reorganisations, and corporate matters. Senior associate Marcus Vinicius Neves Vaz, who coordinates the firm’s environmental and mining practices, is skilled across the breadth of contentious and non-contentious matters.