The environment practice at Claro & Cia. is recognised for the strength of its advisory services and its extensive track record before the Environmental Superintendence (SMA). The group covers the full range of project development, including permitting, contractual structuring, due diligence, and environmental governance. It also regularly draws on the firm’s wider M&A and dispute resolution expertise to counsel on complex, cross-sector matters. Head of the firm’s natural resources practice group, Nicolás Eyzaguirre specialises in mining development, regulatory compliance, environmental assessment and permitting across complex M&A, project development and infrastructure matters; he is also highly regarded for his strategic litigation advice. Associate Joaquín Garnham focuses on natural resources, environmental and mining law, along with litigation, administrative law and administrative procedural law, particularly as regards the water, energy, construction, agribusiness and real estate sectors. Experienced associate Ximena Vargas left the firm in June 2026.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Accolades

Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality

Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

Knowledge and agility in solutions.
They are very knowledgeable about the issues related to our company's needs and are very efficient in proposing and implementing solutions.
Nicolás Eyzaguirre's leadership is crucial, as he combines profound legal knowledge with a strategic understanding of the business and an uncommon ability to explain and apply complex technical regulations. His sound judgment and clear communication, along with a team with highly rigorous technical and legal expertise, ensure that recommendations are both adoptable and sustainable under regulatory scrutiny.
What sets Claro & Cía.'s Natural Resources team apart is its ability to transform complex regulatory requirements into clear, verifiable, and consistent operational standards.

Key clients

Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile
Anglo American Sur
Glenfarne Group
Parque Arauco
Cristalerías de Chile
Esco Elecmetal
Atlas Renewable Energy
Viña Santa Rita
Lesaffre Industrial Chile
Fundición Talleres

Work highlights

Advised SQM on the landmark public-private partnership with Codelco for lithium production in the Salar de Atacama, providing comprehensive due diligence, environmental and regulatory structuring and strategic engagement with Atacameño communities under Chile’s National Lithium Strategy.

Advised Viña Santa Rita on environmental permitting and contractual structuring for wastewater treatment plants across its operations, including regulatory approvals, drafting and negotiation of EPC and operation agreements, and the design of competitive bidding processes to ensure ongoing environmental compliance.

Represented a company in a sanctioning procedure before the Environmental Superintendence (SMA), designing and submitting a comprehensive compliance programme that addressed the alleged breaches while ensuring operational continuity and regulatory alignment.