About

In his over 20 years as an in-house lawyer in the mining sector, managing legal teams at some of the largest international copper companies with operations in Chile, Patricio Enei has established himself as one of the most reputable advisers in the sector. In charge of the legal department at the Chile- based copper mining group Antofagasta, Enei has received wide praise from external nominators. ‘We have worked with Patricio on a number of transactions over the last 10 years, and each time we have found the experience to be collaborative and supportive’, a source shares. Recently, Enei impressed peers in the market with his work on a $500m unsecured loan agreement with six international banks. The financing represented a big victory for Antofagasta, as it was the first of its kind for the company and was obtained on favourable terms, notwithstanding depressed copper prices and a difficult market for borrowers in emerging markets. ‘This important step for the company could not have been achieved without Patricio and his leadership’, a nominator says. ‘Throughout the process, [he] displayed a solid command of local and international law, as well as a unique insight into the specific challenges of Antofagasta and the Chilean mining industry’. Enei’s past experience includes a stint as general counsel at Codelco, a state owned mining business and one of the largest companies in the country, and senior lawyer position at BHP Billiton.