Dentons

Dentons' ‘legal advice is first-rate and the team always responds promptly to clients’ needs’. The natural resources, environmental and litigation department in Santiago comprises mining, water and energy specialists, who act for national and international clients in mining disputes before arbitration venues, as well as before Chile’s ordinary and specialised courts. In non-contentious matters, the practice recently advised Compañía Minera Arqueros on the mining aspects of its copper mine construction project, such assistance covering mining easements for an electricity transmission line. The department is led by mining law and litigation specialist Gonzalo Nieto, an adviser to both small miners and large mining companies on project development; the workload of Nieto, who ’combines intelligence with expertise’, ranges from the acquisition of mining concessions and obtaining permits, to operational and closure stages. Other names to note are José Ignacio Morán, who acts for mining companies on water, mining and environmental issues; and mining litigation specialist Pauline Chiffelle. In the associate group, the practice of senior Jaime Cruzat covers mining and natural resources law; Juan Pablo Alliende is ‘very efficient and effective’; and Cristián Vial focuses on mining and water law.