Cynthia Urda Kassis

Partner Shearman & Sterling

Cynthia Urda Kassis is the Head of the Metals & Mining Group and Head of the Projects Practice of the law firm, Shearman & Sterling LLP. She represents mining companies/ lenders/ alternative financiers/governmental agencies in project transactions worldwide, with extensive experience in the mining and infrastructure industries. She is consistently ranked a leading project finance lawyer by Chambers, IFLR 1000 and Legal 500. Who’s Who named her “Project Finance Lawyer of the Year” three times and also named her among the “most highly regarded individuals in the world” in project finance and mining. Her recent work includes representing (i) Allkem in the financing of the Sal de Vida lithium brine project in Argentina, (ii) Anglo American on the combination of its nuGen™ Zero Emissions Haulage Solution (ZEHS) with First Mode Holdings, Inc., a specialist engineering technology company, (iii) Nevada Copper on its underground Pumpkin Hollow Copper Project (“North America Mining Deal of the Year” (2020 by IJGlobal)) and (iv) Orion and Blackstone on Lundin Gold’s Fruta del Norte project in Ecuador (“Latin America Mining & Metals Deal of the Year ” (2017/18 by IJ Global)).

2024 Agenda Sessions

Quick Fire Updates + Q&As

Hear from an expert speaker on some key issues and opportunities facing the modern in-house lawyer in a short and sharp presentation format followed by a brief Q&A.

Topic 1: Rise of OEMs - Lessons Learned
This presentation will discuss some of the lessons we have learned thus far in bringing together two very different cultures – mining and automotive - in terms of the key structural elements to be considered during the negotiation of these transactions.

Topic 2: ‘Moving the needle’ - insights from the 2023 ‘General Counsel of the Year’ -
Equality and Equity in Mining & Meaningful Engagement with Communities
Let’s tackle topics that are sometimes brushed over, and have hard-hitting conversations on consistent, reliable and fair income opportunities for women in mining, meaningful engagement with our communities and transparency in how we conduct our respective businesses.

Topic 3: Sustainability
What is in-house legal’s role in supporting and driving vital corporate sustainability requirements?

Thursday 08 February 12:15 - 13:15 Insiders Stage

General Counsel Forum

Add to calendar 02/08/2024 12:15 02/08/2024 13:15 Quick Fire Updates + Q&As

Insiders Stage Africa/Johannesburg

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