The $2.3 billion Minera Esperanza copper-gold project in Chile's Antofagasta region was recognized as the 2009 Latin American Mining & Metals Deal of the Year at an awards ceremony in New York held by Project Finance magazine. S&C also represented Esperanza's owner Antofagasta plc in its sale of a 30 percent interest in each of Minera Esperanza and Minera El Tesoro (Chile) to Marubeni Corporation.