About

Elizabeth Mena is legal counsel at Corporación Minera Dominicana (Cormidom), a subsidiary of Australian mining concern Perilya that operates medium scale open-pit mines across the Dominican Republic. The majority of its operations have focused on the extraction of copper for the Chinese market, meaning the last few months have been tough. Mena, described as an individual with a ‘rare blend of analytical and interpersonal skills’, has been central in helping the mine to prosper in adverse market conditions. She has an extensive background in promoting and supporting infrastructure projects and has deep expertise in financing, regulatory approvals, environmental compliance and labour relations. She has played a big part in Cormidom’s social investment programme, which has seen literacy programmes, clean water facilities and municipal services provided to local communities such as La Raíz, El Copey and Los Martínez. Prior to joining Cormidom in 2013 she was senior counsel at leading Dominican firm Pellerano & Herrera and general counsel at tourism and real estate development holding, Grupo Rocoki. Her time in private practice has seen her involved in some of the largest deals in the Dominican Republic. She advised on the country’s first leveraged buyout (LBO) and on one of its largest ever financings, the US$1.2bn Pueblo Viejo gold mine project.