What are the most significant cases, projects or transactions that you and/or your legal team have recently been involved in?

The past year has been both challenging and meaningful for our legal team. A key milestone was the successful resolution of an international dispute with the State of Chile, involving our lithium extraction contract. This included negotiating new terms that allow us to continue as a strategic partner of the State and support the sustainable growth of Chile’s lithium industry. Simultaneously, Albemarle reached an agreement with local communities, the State, and other stakeholders to end an environmental litigation. The agreement includes socio-environmental commitments that reinforce our long-term dedication to the sustainability of the Salar de Atacama. In parallel, we continue to collaborate across the company to advance new lithium extraction technologies in the Salar de Atacama and to progress the Antofalla Project in Catamarca, Argentina. These efforts reflect our strategic vision and commitment to innovation, sustainability, and responsible industry growth.

How do you approach managing legal aspects during periods of instability or crisis to ensure the organisation’s resilience? 

Leading the legal department during times of crisis or instability requires a strategic and cross-functional vision aligned with business objectives. The goal is to ensure operational continuity, safeguard the safety of our people, uphold environmental sustainability, and comply with legal, regulatory, and corporate values. Within our team, we work diligently to identify critical business risks and develop both preventive and reactive action plans to mitigate their impact in a timely manner.

During crisis situations, we actively participate in the crisis committee, contributing to scenario analysis and the definition of the most appropriate action plan. This plan is continuously reviewed and adjusted as the situation evolves, correcting deviations and adapting to operational realities. Once the crisis is resolved, we focus on capturing lessons learned to strengthen existing controls and enhance preparedness for future scenarios.

In these moments, collaboration, transparency, and empathy become essential to convey confidence and stability to our employees and other stakeholders. The in-house counsel, with a comprehensive understanding of the business, must act as a strategic enabler, balancing risk management with the agility required to support decision-making in complex and dynamic environments.

Have you had any experiences during your career as a lawyer that stand out as particularly unique or interesting? 

One of the most significant professional experiences I have had has been in the development of large-scale mining projects, which involve numerous technical, regulatory, and strategic challenges. Beyond mineral extraction and processing, aspects such as permitting, access to resources like seawater and energy, and compliance with ESG standards have become increasingly critical to ensure that mining contributes meaningfully to sustainable development.

In this context, the role of the in-house counsel is essential. By being involved from the earliest stages of project design and execution, the legal team gains a comprehensive view, enabling the identification of risks and the implementation of controls that allow progress without compromising regulatory compliance. This role requires a careful balance between legal protection and business enablement, ensuring that risk mitigation measures do not hinder project development.

This experience has allowed me to strengthen key skills such as adaptability in constantly changing scenarios, creativity to develop innovative solutions, and resilience to navigate adverse situations. I have also learned the value of collaboration within multidisciplinary teams, the importance of active listening to address the needs of all project stakeholders, and the courage to raise risks and implement controls because they ultimately benefit the long-term success of the project and the company.

What is a cause, business or otherwise, that you are passionate about? Why is this?

Our generation faces the challenge of creating the conditions necessary to confront and adapt humanity to climate change. In this context, mining has gained significant relevance: minerals such as copper, lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements play a crucial role in the energy transition, serving as key inputs for electrification, electric mobility, and digitalisation. Chile, with its vast natural resources, is in a privileged position to supply the world with these materials, if extraction is carried out responsibly and sustainably.

As a professional working in this industry, I am proud to contribute to a sector that stands at the heart of today’s most pressing environmental challenges. Chilean mining must not only respond to global demand but also lead through innovation, reducing its carbon footprint, integrating clean energy, and strengthening its commitment to communities and the environment. Being part of this transformation is a unique opportunity to demonstrate that sustainable mining is possible, generating long-term value for both the country and the planet.