Partner of Carey and co-head of the firm's Natural Resources and Environment Group. His practice focuses on natural resources, mining, water rights, energy, environment, ESG, surface lands, project finance, and corporate and commercial law.

Bar Admissions
Chile (1987).

Education

• Law, Universidad de Chile.
• Academy of American and International Law, Southwestern Legal Foundation, Dallas, USA (1993).
• Program of Instruction for Lawyers, Harvard University (1997).

• Named Lawyer of the Year in Mining (2024 and 2021), Natural Resources (2014, 2016 and 2019) and Energy (2015), Best Lawyers.
• Named Lawyer of the Year in Resources (Mining), Who's Who Legal (2022).
• Recognized in Energy and Natural Resources: Mining, Chambers Latin America.
• Recognized in Environment, Mining, Projects and Infrastructure, Legal 500.
• Recognized in Mining & Metals, Energy, Environment and in Project Finance and Infrastructure, Latin Lawyer 250.
• Recognized in Project Development and Project Finance, IFLR1000.
• Recognized in Mining, Who’s Who Legal.
• Recognized in Mining & Metals, LACCA.
• Recognized in Environmental Law, Mining, Natural Resources, and Project Finance and Development, Best Lawyers.
• Recognized in Environmental Law, Leaders League.
• Recognized in Energy and Natural Resources, Environment, Infrastructure and Mining, Top Ranked Legal.
• Elected Best Undergraduate Professor Award, Law School, Universidad de Chile.
• Winner in Natural Resources: Mining Category, Leading Lawyers, Idealis (2013 and 2015).

• At-Large council member representative for Latin America, Inter-Pacific Bar Association (IPBA).
• Trustee-at-Large, Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation (2012-2015).
• Professor of Mining Law, Universidad de los Andes (since 2003).
• Professor of Mining Law, Universidad de Chile (since 1996).
• Member of the Chilean Bar Association and former advisor (2006-2011).
• Visiting professor in several graduate studies and Master Degree Programs on Natural Resources Law at several Chilean Universities.
• Member of the panel of arbitrators, Arbitration and Mediation Center, Santiago Chamber of Commerce.
• Member of the Legal Committee of the National Mining Association (SONAMI).
• Member of the Inter-Pacific Bar Association (IPBA).
• Member of the International Bar Association (IBA).
• Member of the American Bar Association (ABA).
• Member of the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC).
• Chair of the Advisory Council of the World Association of Mining Lawyers (WAOML).
• Member of the Red Interamericana de Especialistas en Legislación Ambiental (RIELA).

• Chilean National Geology and Mining Service Updates Closure Plans and Audit Programs for 2021

  By Rafael Vergara |January 2021

• Mining Safety Guide on Contingency Plans for Staff Reduction, Production Detentions or Slowdown of Operations

  By Rafael Vergara |June 2020

• Subsecretary of Fishing and Aquaculture Extends Plantation Terms and Provides Recommendations to Operate

  By Rafael Vergara |May 2020

• Co-author of the article "Citizen Participation and Prior Consultation in the Ibero-American Mining Sector", Ibero-American Mining Law Annuary, Volume II, Universidad Externado de Colombia (2022).
• Co-author of the Chilean chapter of the guide "Practice Guide Mining" - Lexology Getting the Deal Through (2019, 2021, 2022).
• Co-author of the Chilean chapter of Construction and Projects Q&As Global Guide, Thomson Reuters (2018-2020).
• Author of the Chilean chapter on Mining, Getting the Deal Through (2010-2013).