Manuel José Barros
Partnermjbarros@carey.cl
+56 2 2928 2211
Partner of Carey and co-head of the firm's Environment Group. His practice focuses on environmental law, including the Environmental Impact Assessment System, environmental audits, administrative proceedings and litigation. Also, his practice includes ESG-related-matters, waste management (EPR Law), the development of mining and energy projects and contracts, and regulatory aspects of natural resources.
REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE
- Codelco on the acquisition of 100% of share capital of Lithium Power International (LPI), a company listed in the Australia Stock Exchange (ASX) by way of a Scheme of Arrangement. LPI owns, through its subsidiary Minera Salar Blanco, the "Blanco Project", adjacent to Codelco's mining tenements in the Maricunga salt flat.
- IFC, as lender, on a USD350 million financing to Engie Energía Chile to implement a decarbonization plan, to switch from fossil fuel to non-conventional renewable energy sources and to install a new BESS energy storage system.
- Nabiax, a subsidiary of Asterion Industrial Partners, on the Chilean aspects of the sale of a portfolio of data centers in Latin America, to Actis, a British private equity fund, for USD500 million.
- Pan American Silver on the acquisition of all the issued and outstanding common shares of Yamana Gold for USD4.8 billion. The operation included, among others, the El Peñón and Minera Florida mining projects in Chile, and the granting of securities for the amendment of an existing credit agreement with Canadian financial institutions.
- Melón, one of the most relevant producers of concrete in Chile, on its defense in a claim filed by fishermen organizations for alleged environmental damage on grounds of an historic contamination of the area and requests for the reparation of such intervention. The claim was also presented against several other companies located in the industrial complex Ventanas.
- Nova Austral, a Chilean salmon farmer and processor, on its defense in five sanctioning proceedings initiated against it by the Superintendence of the Environment due to different alleged infringements at several farming centers, including overproduction, environmental damage and avoidance of the Environmental Assessment System.
- ESSAL on procedures related to inspections and regulatory permits, the strategic assessment regarding water supply, and meetings with the Superintendence of Sanitary Services and the Superintendence of the Environment for the development of its projects.
AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS
- Recognized in Environment, Chambers Latin America.
- Recognized in Environment, Legal 500.
- Appointed Green Ambassador Latin America, Legal 500.
- Recognized in Environment and ESG, Latin Lawyer 250.
- Recognized in Environment, Best Lawyers.
- Recognized in ESG, LACCA.
- Recognized in Environmental Law, Leaders League.
- Recognized in Environment, Top Ranked Legal.
ACTIVITIES AND MEMBERSHIPS
- Member of the Sustainability Committee of the Chilean and North America Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) (since 2024).
- Member of the Joint Public Advisory Committee of the Commission for Environmental Cooperation between Chile and Canada (2020-2023).
- Professor of Environmental Law, Degree in Environmental Law and Sustainability, Universidad Católica de Chile (since 2017).
- Visiting Attorney at Eversheds LLP, London (2015-2016).
- Internship in the area of financing of renewable energy projects, Gaiagen Limited, London (2015).
- Chief of Staff of the Vice Minister of Environment (2013).
- Chief of Staff of the Director of the Environmental Assessment Agency (2013-2014).
- Teaching Assistant of Environmental Law, Universidad Católica de Chile (since 2012).
- Member of the Chilean Bar Association.
PUBLICATIONS
- Author of the article "Chile: mining in the light of the SDGs and the circular economy", El Mercurio Legal (2023).
- Co-author of "Towards a Sustainable State: The Role of the Ministry of Environment and Ministry Council of Sustainability", "Temas de Actualidad. Diplomado en Medio Ambiente y Desarrollo Sustentable", Universidad Católica de Chile (2015).
- Author of "Contractual Valuation of a Guarantee over Time. Commentary to a Girona’s Audience ruling dated on September 16th, 2011", "Derecho Corporativo. Jurisprudencia comentada", Thomson Reuters and Legal Publishing Chile (2012).
RELATED AREAS
EDUCATION
- Law, Universidad Católica de Chile.
- Master of Science in Environmental Policy & Regulation, The London School of Economics and Political Science (Chevening Scholarship) (2015).
- Degree in Administrative Law, Universidad Católica de Valparaíso (2014).
- Exchange student, University of North Carolina, United States (2009).
ADMISSIONS
- Chile (2012).
LANGUAGES
- Spanish.
- English.
