How do you approach managing legal aspects during periods of instability or crises, and how does your legal strategy align with the broader business strategy to ensure the organisation’s resilience? 

I think that this involves several tasks like conducting a Risk Assessment to identify potential legal risks that may arise during periods of instability or crises. This includes evaluating regulatory compliance, contractual obligations, potential litigation, and reputational risks. After identifying those potential risks, it is necessary to stablish a Legal Contingency Plan, to address the scenarios than can affect the organization. I think that it is also very important to keep a close collaboration with the higher Management and main stakeholders, to align the Legal strategy with the company strategy. It is also important for an organization and its Legal area to be able to quickly adapt to regulatory changes for example or changing circumstances. Finally, I’d highlight the importance of focusing on Compliance and Ethics, adhering the company to all the legal requirements and ethical principles, to enhance the organization’s credibility and resilience during challenging times. This I’ve been doing as the Legal & Compliance Manager Colombia of the Company. 

What measures has your company taken to embed sustainability practices into its core business operations, and how does the role of the general counsel contribute to driving and ensuring sustainable practices within the company? 

As the general counsel of a mining company with global operations, embedding sustainability practices into core business operations is essential for long-term success and responsible corporate stewardship. Our company has integrated sustainability goals into our overall corporate strategy. This includes setting targets for reducing environmental impact, promoting responsible mining practices, and enhancing community engagement. 

Considering the abovementioned, legal must ensure that all operations comply with international environmental standards, local regulations, and industry best practices. This involves conducting legal audits, advising on regulatory compliance, and mitigating legal risks related to environmental impacts. I oversee the inclusion of sustainability clauses in contracts with suppliers, vendors, and business partners. This includes commitments to ethical sourcing, environmental responsibility, and adherence to human rights standards throughout the supply chain. 

We must also ensure transparent disclosure of environmental risks and performance metrics in compliance with regulatory requirements and investor expectations. Finally, our area must also oversee the monitoring and reporting of sustainability performance metrics to track progress towards goals and ensure accountability. This includes preparing sustainability reports, disclosures for ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) ratings, and compliance with reporting frameworks such as GRI (Global Reporting Initiative). 

What emerging technologies do you see as having the most significant impact on the legal profession in the near future, and how do you stay updated on these developments? 

I would highlight two: I think AI has the potential to revolutionise legal research, contract analysis, and document review processes. Machine learning algorithms can quickly analyse vast amounts of data, predict legal outcomes, and identify patterns that might not be apparent through traditional methods. 

We are in the process of assessing how to implement AI in our legal area. The other technology that I would highlight is blockchain, because this technology offers secure, transparent, and immutable records, which can streamline contract management and enhance the security of transactions. This technology we are already using in our company to guarantee the complete traceability of our product from the mine to our final customer.