CMS Grau

Mining practice area

Partner

María Cristina Alva is a partner at CMS Grau in the Mining practice area. With an extensive background, she has consolidated more than ten years of experience providing legal advice in the areas of Mining, Corporate and Environmental Law. Her strategic vision is geared towards preventing legal contingencies and facilitating crucial decision-making in the mining sector, distinguishing her as a results-oriented professional.

Throughout her professional journey, Maria Cristina played key roles at Compañía Minera Ares (Hochschild Group), including positions such as Legal and Corporate Affairs Deputy Manager and Head of the Mining Regulation Department. She offered legal advice with a special focus on mining and environmental regulations for various mining units and exploration projects within the Group. She has excelled in negotiating and implementing Social Agreements and Contracts with different stakeholders. Her management also extended to the realm of corporate social responsibility, where she led the Diversity and Inclusion Program for over five years, contributing to project management totaling USD 1.2 million.

In addition to her practical experience, Maria Cristina has a solid academic background. She holds a master's degree in Mining Management from the GERENS Graduate School in Peru, and certifications from renowned institutions such as the University of Toronto Rotman School of Management, where she obtained the Certificate of Inclusion by Design.

Maria Cristina is highly valued in the mining community, not only for her leadership skills and ability to address complex legal challenges but also for her ongoing commitment to sector development through initiatives that promote diversity, inclusion, research and academic outreach. This commitment has solidified her reputation as a reference in the mining sector in the country.

With demonstrated skills to lead dedicated teams and an innate ability to manage change, Maria Cristina Alva brings a unique combination of knowledge, vision, and dedication to her role as a partner in the Mining practice area at CMS Grau.

Spanish, English

National Society of Mining, Oil and Energy - Member of the Diversity Working Group. Women in Mining.

2021 - Certificate of Inclusion by Design at the University of Toronto Rotman School Of Management Executive Program. 2020 - Programme for Emerging Women Leaders in the Mining and Energy Sector.  Inter-American Development Bank Fellow at INCAE. 2019 - Master's Degree in Mining Management at Gerens Graduate School, Peru. 2013 - Graduated from the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (PUCP). 2011 - Bachelor of Law from the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú. 2012 - Postgraduate degree in Mining and Environmental Law from the Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas (UPC). 2009 - Diploma in International Business from CENTRUM - Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú. 2009 - Diploma in Strategic Human Capital Management from Centrum - Pontificia Universidad Católica Del Perú.