Mr Antonio Ortúzar KC > Baker McKenzie Chile > Santiago, Chile > Lawyer Profile

Baker McKenzie Chile houses a go-to mining team for mining companies’ transactional, regulatory and operational requirements. The group’s track record includes advising on several greenfield mining projects; and it is particularly well known for its representation of junior exploration companies. Clients with interests across Latin America also benefit notably from the firm’s extensive LatAm coverage. Recent highlights include assisting Battery Mineral Resources with the mining, environmental and corporate aspects of plans to resume mining and milling operations in the Altos de Punitaqui mine. Heading up the mining practice group for Santiago, Antonio Ortúzar Jr has longstanding experience in large-scale natural resources projects; and mining and foreign investment expert Mirco Hilgers routinely assists with the incorporation, maintenance and development of foreign mining industry companies (and their Chilean subsidiaries). At associate level, Santiago Vial is experienced in mining, infrastructure and corporate work.

Baker McKenzie Chile’s five-member group is best known for its mining-sector credentials. The firm’s projects practice is also increasingly active in relation to renewable energy (solar, wind and geothermal), desalination plants, and port and road projects. The department is co-led by Antonio Ortúzar Jr, who has longstanding experience in natural resources and large-scale projects; and mining project specialist Mirco Hilgers. Experienced in energy, environmental and mining work, associate Santiago Vial re-joined the team in October 2022 (further to completing a Master’s Degree in London).

Baker McKenzie LLP has made bold moves to expand its Latin America practice in the US, building on its existing network of offices from Argentina up to Mexico. The arrival of Michael Fitzgerald and a senior team from Paul Hastings LLP brings real gravitas to the firm’s Latin America standing, particularly in financings and capital markets-driven fundraisings. They join a wider group of energy and infrastructure specialists in Latin America itself, that has a fine reputation for power and renewables projects, along with energy and infrastructure M&A. Sao Paulo partner José Roberto Martins has an extensive record in energy and natural resources projects and transactions in Brazil. Juan Carlos De Los Heros is a key name in Lima, along with mining sector specialist Antonio Ortúzar in Santiago.