What are the projects you are most proud of having worked on over the past 12 months?

Lundin Gold is a subsidiary of Aurelian Ecuador S.A., a company that operates the largest gold mine in Ecuador. First and foremost, I am proud because I have been advising Aurelian Ecuador S.A. from 2004 to the present. Throughout this time, I have experienced many things – both good and bad – which I believe have helped shape me as a professional in the large-scale mining industry. Lundin Gold is the first company in Ecuador to operate a large-scale gold mine, making us pioneers in this field. This comes with an added challenge: we serve as a benchmark for the mining sector in the country, and through our work, we leave a positive mark in terms of legal compliance, good relationships and respect for the community, environmental care, sound governance, and more.

I believe that during all the time I’ve worked here – including the past 12 months – my contributions have helped ensure the company has not faced any major legal issues. Our actions and work have always been guided by principles of ethics and transparency.

I have led several projects, including ensuring legal compliance with oversight bodies, negotiating for land use permits for exploration activities, liaising with public institutions, building relationships with communities, and advising all areas of the company (labour, regulatory, criminal, civil, etc.).

How do you approach managing legal matters during times of instability or crisis to ensure organisational resilience?

I have a great team, and I believe we are well prepared for such periods because our roles within the Legal Department and the company are clearly defined. I report directly to the Legal Vice Presidency, and we constantly analyse the company’s legal risks. This has allowed us to develop action plans to mitigate and prevent those risks, thereby ensuring the company continues to operate smoothly. Another key factor has been planning, which has enabled us to respond promptly to identified risks.

Have you had any experiences during your legal career that stand out as particularly unique or interesting?

Globally, the mining industry is often viewed with scepticism, and Ecuador is no exception. In my country, people tend to associate mining with destruction, pollution, and social issues. In the 1990s, southern Ecuador experienced a boom in small-scale mining, where mining rights holders prioritised personal gain, neglected state contributions and taxes, and failed to manage social and environmental responsibilities properly.

My work as a lawyer has helped set a positive precedent in the country’s mining industry. From my position, I’ve contributed to ensuring that mining is conducted responsibly and is seen as a pillar of development for the country and the communities within the mine’s direct area of influence. It is widely recognised that large-scale mining has significantly contributed to Ecuador’s economy – to the point that minerals are now the fourth most exported product by the country.

Based on your experiences over the past year, is there a legal or business trend you’re watching that other in-house lawyers should keep in mind?

Last year, I applied to study a Master’s in Compliance and Risk Management. I did this because I believe values such as ethics are being lost in society as a whole. I think it’s important to reinforce these values among children and young people, as they will be the ones to steer the country in a better direction. In addition to promoting these values, I believe it’s important to train myself in these new trends – new, at least in Latin America – which will allow me to contribute both to my company and to society.

Compliance helps ensure that activities are conducted in accordance with legal standards and ethical principles. I’m convinced that both public and private institutions should have a compliance officer, or a committee dedicated to ethics and transparency.