mining

Mining law counseling

Long a leader in Ecuadorian Mining Law and practice, Paz Horowitz provides value-added legal services for its mining clients, based on its detailed knowledge of historical and actual mining concessions, its sensitivity to local community and environmental concerns, and a deep understanding of the complex interrelationships that surround mining in Ecuador.

Founding partner, Dr. Jorge Paz, heads our Mining Practice group. In addition to being the only attorney in Ecuador presently recognized as an international leader in Mining Law by the INTERNATIONAL WHO’S WHO OF BUSINESS LAWYERS, he is a past President, Vice President and Secretary of the Chamber of Mines, and former Undersecretary of Mines. Dr. Paz participated in the drafting of the Ecuadorian Mining Law and its Regulations, and was an advisor on the preparation of mining legislation in other Latin American countries.

Our attorneys in this area teach Mining Law at one of Ecuador’s most important universities.

Mining law services

Our mining attorneys provide the following services:

Incorporation of mining companies and planning the most beneficial corporate and tax structures
Analysis and filing of mining applications and the acquisition of mining titles
Negotiation and drafting of:

Sale and purchase of mining concessions
Mining option agreements
Joint venture agreements
Transfers of mining concessions and rights agreements

Due diligence reviews and title opinions
Resolution of mining disputes through alternate dispute resolution and litigation
Ongoing monitoring of Ecuadorian mining legislation and government policy

Environmental law compliance

The firm’s Mining Practice group pays particular attention to environmental and community relations issues, including:

Acquisition of environmental permits
Environmental protection legislation compliance planning
Coordination of environmental impact studies and environmental audits

Community relations

We take pride in our track record of negotiating workable win-win agreements with NGOs and indigenous communities. In this area we focus on:

Community relations with NGOs and local and indigenous groups and councils
Negotiation and acquisition of social licenses
Negotiation and execution of cooperation agreements with communities and NGOs in mining areas

Highlights

Ongoing participation in the elaboration of Ecuadorian mining legislation
Preparation of legal opinions for private and public offerings presented to securities markets, including the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX)
Obtention of water use permits and authorizations in villages neighboring mines