CMS Carey & Allende

With ‘extensive mining and regulatory knowledge’, CMS Carey & Allende's five-member mining team in Santiago advises on the gamut of work involving mining projects and operations. The practice notably benefits from the firm’s track record in major domestic and international acquisition and project finance transactions in the energy and natural resources sectors, including due diligence work, project sales and M&A deals. It also has longstanding experience in the procurement and oversight of mining properties (including litigation issues). The group, which advises Compañía Minera Sierra Atacama on the legal aspects of its daily operations, additionally fields specialists in permits, licenses and mining contracts - such as option, exploration and net smelter return agreements. The practice further advises on land acquisition for mining purposes. The team’s key practitioners are veteran mining project expert Jorge Allende Z, whose expertise is complemented by his significant experience in engineering and construction matters; and Ignacio Errazquin, who regularly advises the governing bodies of major mining companies on both their daily operations and financing of projects. From the firm’s senior associate ranks, mining rights expert Manuel Ponce - who ’shows a high level of knowledge and commitment’ - advises on mining processes and permits, particularly the protection of projects’ subsoil rights.