The five-member natural resources and mining practice at Barros Silva Varela & Vigil is notably focused on companies involved in mineral exploration and prospecting. The department is routinely mandated to advise on the development of mining projects, from the initial stages of exploration, through to execution, financing and permit stages. The team is led by Francisco Varela, an adviser on mining companies’ M&A transactions and projects. 2023 saw mining, energy and natural resources practitioner Javier Poblete, a former Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos lawyer, join the firm as a senior associate in April, while former associate Fernanda Contreras left the firm in August.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Business and team management skills that are unique.’
- ‘The partners are able to maintain a group spirit, with their internal lawyers always very motivated. The partners' constant training of the youngest lawyers on their team is essential for a good working environment.’
- ‘Francisco Varela is without a doubt one of the best energy and mining project lawyers that some clients have had the pleasure of working with in Chile.’
- ‘Francisco Varela’s closeness to his clients, great ability to generate new business, and his leadership and negotiation skills make him stand out from other lawyers.’
- ‘Francisco Varela has a very good level of knowledge in this area.’
- ‘Francisco Varela - outstanding knowledge and willingness to provide excellent client care.’
Key clients
- Pan Asia Metals
- Culpeo Mining
- Tesoro Resources
- Minería Activa
- Southern Copper Corporation
- IAL Ambiental
- Andes Iron
- Maxam
- Southern Copper Corporation
- El Zorro SCM
Work highlights
- Advising Culpeo Mineral on the acquisition of 80% of the Florida project.
- Advised Mineria Activa on the listing of the Pampa Camarones project on the ScaleX market of the Santiago Stock Exchange.
- Advising Minería Activa on the sale of mining projects to Japanese company Nittetsu.
Lawyers
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Francisco Varela