Roque Benavides

Roque Eduardo Benavides Ganoza
Born	(1954-08-20) August 20, 1954 Lima, Peru
Occupation(s)	Engineer, entrepreneur
Years active	1977–present
Known for	Chairman and former CEO of Compañía de Minas Buenaventura

Roque Eduardo Benavides Ganoza (born August 20, 1954) is a prominent Peruvian engineer and entrepreneur in the mining industry, currently serving as chairman and formerly as CEO of Compañía de Minas Buenaventura. Recognized as a major influencer within Peru's mining sector, Benavides was estimated to have a net worth of US$2 billion in 2013, placing him fifth among the wealthiest individuals in the country.

A native of Lima, he began his academic journey studying mining engineering at the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru but later transitioned to civil engineering. He enhanced his qualifications with an MBA from Henley Management College and participated in advanced executive programs at Harvard University and University of Oxford.

Benavides held the position of CFO at Buenaventura, the family-founded mining company, from 1985 until 2001. His influence extended beyond the company as he occupied leadership roles within Peru’s business community, including two terms as President of the National Confederation of Private Business Institutions (CONFIEP) and serving on the board of Banco de Crédito del Perú. In 2001, he succeeded his father, Alberto Benavides de la Quintana, as CEO and was appointed chairman in 2010.

Unlike many Peruvian business executives, Benavides has openly expressed political interests. Although he was considered a potential candidate for the presidency representing the Peruvian Aprista Party in the 2021 elections, he chose not to run but later formally joined the party, indicating possible future political engagement.

Early life and education

Born in 1954 in Lima, Benavides is the fourth among five siblings of Alberto Benavides de la Quintana, founder of Compañía de Minas Buenaventura, and Elsa Ganoza de la Torre. His maternal grandfather was Eduardo Ganoza y Ganoza, who served as Second Vice President of Peru from 1945 to 1948. His elder sister is married to businessman José Miguel Morales Dasso. On his mother’s side, he is related as grandnephew to Víctor Raúl Haya de la Torre, founder of both the American Popular Revolutionary Alliance and the Peruvian Aprista Party.

Initially enrolling in mining engineering to follow his father's footsteps, Benavides shifted to civil engineering at the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, where he earned his bachelor’s degree. During his university years, he campaigned for leadership within the Students Federation with backing from the Peruvian Aprista Party, maintaining a longstanding connection with this political organization established by his grand-uncle.

He completed an MBA at Henley Management College, part of the University of Reading, graduating in 1980. Further executive education included programs at Harvard Business School in 1985 and at Templeton College, Oxford in 1987.

Currently, Benavides contributes to advisory boards for the School of Administration at the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru as well as for the University of Engineering and Technology (Peru).

Career

Benavides launched his professional path in 1977 at Compañía de Minas Buenaventura, which was established by his father in 1953. His early roles included project engineer (1977–1979), assistant to the chairman (1980–1985), and chief financial officer (1985–2001).

From 1988 onward, he served on the board of the National Society of Mining, Oil and Energy, holding its presidency between 1993 and 1995. He led the National Confederation of Private Business Institutions (CONFIEP) during two separate terms: from 1999 to 2000 and again from 2017 to 2018.

Following his father’s retirement in 2001, Benavides assumed the CEO position at Buenaventura and took on the chairmanship nine years later. His board memberships extend to Sociedad Minera El Brocal S.A.A., Credit Bank of Peru, and Unión Andina de Cementos S.A.A. – UNACEM.

Under his stewardship, Buenaventura recorded revenues amounting to US$1.3 billion in 2013 with total assets valued at US$4.56 billion. The company owns a 43.65% share in Empresa Minera Yanacocha, one of Peru’s foremost gold producers, along with a minority stake in Cerro Verde, Arequipa’s largest mining operation. These holdings position Buenaventura as a significant domestic counterpart alongside international mining corporations such as Barrick, Grupo México (which controls Antamina), and Glencore-Xstrata.