Jerónimo Carcelén
The Geothermal Council of Chile
President
With an outstanding practice history in mining and energy law, Jerónimo Carcelén has built his professional expertise by rendering legal advice to governments on their mining public policy and legal frameworks (Ecuador, Afghanistan, Colombia), to multilateral entities (the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, the Swiss Cooperation Agency), and to private companies on matters dealing with foreign investments, purchase of mining companies and projects, mining-related dispute resolution and arbitration, and contractual negotiations associated to the mining industry in topics such as financing, construction, easements, and energy.
His vast experience, both in the public and private sectors, has enabled his participation in the elaboration of legislation and mining regulation projects in over 15 countries, including being advisor to the Chambers of Deputies of Chile (Cámara de Diputados de Chile) in the drafting for bills related to the mining industry. Among his public activities, it is worth highlighting his membership in the Civil Society Council of the Ministry of Energy and of the Chilean Copper Commission (Consejo de la Sociedad Civil de la Comisión Chilena del Cobre) (2014-2018). In regard to energy, Jerónimo has had a prominent role in the discussion of public policies aimed at developing geothermal energy in Chile; so much so, that he was elected, and still is, the Chairman of the Chilean Geothermal Council (Consejo Geotérmico Chileno A.G.).
Jerónimo was admitted to practice law both in Chile and Ecuador, where he has also consolidated a top-notch position in Mining Law. Additionally, he was International Visiting Advisor in international arbitration at the Washington DC offices of global law firm Dechert, (2016-2017). In Jerónimo’ s professional expertise, his international practice stands out among Chilean lawyers. He has advised international exploration projects in various mining jurisdictions, as well as in the drafting and negotiation of contracts among investors and States to develop large- scale mining projects. He was part of a legal team representing a country in an arbitration on investment, filed by a mining company with the Permanent Court of Arbitration based in The Hague.
Jerónimo has counseled renewable energy companies in the development of geothermal projects, solar farms and wind parks, as well as in the negotiation of specialty contracts for oil and gas operations. He has been part of multidisciplinary teams commissioned with the design and execution of indigenous consultation processes regarding mining projects. He is currently a board member at Fundación Casa de la Paz, a Chilean foundation focused on dialogue and public awareness, that started operations in 1983 as a response to the UN’s Action for Peacekeeping Initiative.
Jerónimo’ s professional practice focused on natural resources has turned him into a referent in the mining industry, both in the academic world and in public discussions. Besides being a Mining Law professor, he is a frequent speaker in seminars and conferences on the matter, he writes opinion articles and is part of the editorial board of two specialized magazines.