Santiago Vial

Santiago focuses his practice in the areas of infrastructure, environment, mining and corporate law.

He regularly works on a comprehensive scope of mining matters, such as the acquisition of mining companies, including accordingly the planning, strategy and implementation of strategies related to mining property. Additionally, he assists clients with various and related environmental, regulatory and energy aspects. On the other hand, he advises in the supervision of their corporate governance, and contractual aspects, in general.

Santiago has also been involved in several transactions, acquisitions and due diligence processes, for foreign and local, natural resources and energy companies and investors.  

• Advised Ecopetrol on its agreement with the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit of Colombia to acquire its 51.4% stake in Interconexión Eléctrica (ISA), for USD 3.67 billion. He specifically assisted in the Energy and Environmental matters.

• Advised Mantos Copper in mining and environmental matters for the sale of a 30% stake of Mantoverde S.A. to Mitsubishi Materials Corporation, for USD 275 million. This operation, together with the financing for USD 571.6 million, will fully fund the Mantoverde Development Project (MVDP), for a total of USD 847 million.

• Advised mining and easements aspects of Minera Michilla, a joint venture between Haldeman Mining Company and Antofagasta Minerals.

• Works regularly with Mantos Copper, Mantoverde, Sierra Gorda SCM, KGHM International, and various non-conventional renewable energy, and natural resources companies.