Team size:  30

How do you approach managing legal aspects during periods of instability or crises, and how does your legal strategy align with the broader business strategy to ensure the organisation’s resilience? 

Leading the legal department during times of instability or crisis requires a strategic and comprehensive vision aligned with business objectives to ensure operational continuity.

We continuously monitor regulatory, legal, environmental, labour, and social changes that could impact the company or its businesses. We analyse risks and various scenarios, sharing this information with relevant departments to facilitate timely adaptation and compliance.

During crises, an ad hoc committee coordinates responses, manages relationships with authorities and stakeholders, and handles internal communications and spokespersons. Our goal is to address underlying issues, ensure legal compliance, and protect Codelco’s interests, assets, and reputation. Effective information flow between departments is crucial for swift decision-making.

Post-crisis, we evaluate actions taken, identifying strengths and lessons learned to enhance organisational resilience.

What measures has your company taken to embed sustainability practices into its core business operations, and how does the role of the general counsel contribute to driving and ensuring sustainable practices within the company? 

In Codelco, our stated purpose is to be a cornerstone of sustainable development in Chile and the world. We are convinced that 21st-century mining requires ambitious environmental and social goals that represent a virtuous transformation of the territories where our deposits are located. Therefore, sustainability and our corporate commitments to ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) issues are integral parts of our projects and operations, from their conceptualisation, evaluation, and design. They are not treated as an afterthought or merely to fullfill requirements, as this approach has proven ineffective and inefficient.

We set specific goals for carbon and water footprints, circular economy, particulate matter reduction, tailings management, and social value in community development. The legal department ensures that these principles guide and are reflected in our relationships with suppliers, clients, regulators, employees, and communities, thereby reinforcing sustainable practices across our operations.