Strategic Indigenous Advisory · Chile · Latin America

Indigenous affairs
at board level

Mining and energy multinationals operating in Chile face complex indigenous rights obligations under IFC PS7, the Equator Principles and international FPIC standards. Getting it wrong costs projects, capital and reputation.

Venancio Coñuepan advises C-suites and boards directly — combining deep legal expertise with lived knowledge of the Mapuche world.

IFC PS7

Performance Standard

FPIC

Free Prior Informed Consent

USD

Retainer in USD

¿Por qué Expertos Indígenas y no Asuntos Indígenas?

Un nivel diferente de mandato

Asuntos Indígenas

ClienteEmpresa mediana
InterlocutorGerente sustentabilidad
EstándarConvenio 169 / DS 66
MonedaCLP
ModeloProyecto + retainer

Expertos Indígenas

ClienteMultinacional minera / energética
InterlocutorCEO / Directorio / Head of Sustainability
EstándarIFC PS7 / Principios Ecuador
MonedaUSD
ModeloRetainer anual
Services

Strategic advisory services

Engagements are confidential, retainer-based and delivered directly by Venancio Coñuepan. No intermediaries, no generic consultants.

🎯

Board-level strategic advisory

USD 60,000 – 120,000 / año

Annual retainer for direct access to strategic guidance on indigenous affairs. Monthly briefings, real-time incident response, board presentation support and policy review on demand.

📊

IFC PS7 compliance assessment

Project-based · USD 25,000 – 60,000

Full assessment of project alignment with IFC Performance Standard 7 and Equator Principles. Includes stakeholder mapping, gap analysis and remediation roadmap.

🤝

FPIC process design & facilitation

Project-based · by scope

Design and facilitation of Free, Prior and Informed Consent processes. Intercultural negotiation, agreement drafting and implementation monitoring under ILO 169 and domestic Chilean DS 66 standards.

🛡️

Crisis & conflict advisory

Retainer or project

Expert advisory when relations with indigenous communities break down or escalate. Trusted intermediation, de-escalation strategy and path to durable agreements.

📋

Indigenous peoples policy development

USD 20,000 – 45,000

Drafting of corporate indigenous peoples policies aligned with IFC PS7, Equator Principles and UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).

✈️

On-site due diligence

By scope + expenses

Field visits to assess community dynamics, territorial claims and relationship status before acquisition, financing or project approval.

Discuss scope →
Frameworks & standards

Expertise across international standards

{['IFC PS7', 'Equator Principles', 'ILO 169', 'DS 66 Chile', 'UNDRIP', 'ESG / TCFD', 'SEIA', 'FSC'].map(() => '')}
IFC PS7
Equator Principles
ILO 169
DS 66 Chile
UNDRIP
ESG / Sustainability
SEIA Chile
FSC Certification
Clients

Who engages Expertos Indígenas

Engagements are confidential. References available upon request.

⛏️

Mining multinationals

Anglo American, Antofagasta Minerals, Lundin, Codelco, Teck and peers with operations in territories with indigenous presence in Chile.

🏦

International financiers

IFC, IDB, banks applying the Equator Principles that need indigenous rights due diligence for project financing.

📈

Investment funds

Funds with assets in indigenous territories that require ESG risk assessment and stakeholder engagement strategy.

About the advisor

Venancio Coñuepan Mesías

Chilean lawyer and intercultural mediator. Mapuche in origin, trained in law, two decades building bridges between the corporate world and indigenous peoples.

Executive Director of the Foundation for Indigenous Enterprises (FEI) and Managing Partner at Coñuepan & Millaquir Ltda. The only Chilean advisor with simultaneous legal depth in Convenio 169, IFC PS7 and lived knowledge of Mapuche territorial dynamics.

Recognized by the U.S. State Department IVLP, Melton Foundation and One Young World as an intercultural leader. Academic background at PUC Chile and Universidad Carlos III de Madrid.

Lawyer · Chile Bar Certified Mediator State Dept IVLP Melton Foundation One Young World

What sets this advisory apart

🏔️

Insider cultural knowledge

Not an outside observer. Mapuche background means understanding community dynamics, authorities and protocol from the inside.

⚖️

Legal precision

Board-ready analysis of legal exposure, not generic ESG commentary. Specific to Chilean law, ILO 169 and IFC PS7 obligations.

🌐

International credibility

Recognized by international organizations. Can represent both sides of the negotiation table credibly.

🔐

Full confidentiality

All engagements are governed by strict professional secrecy. No conflicts of interest, no cross-client disclosure.

Schedule a confidential call

Initial conversations are strictly confidential. No engagement is created until a formal agreement is signed. Available in English and Spanish.

Response within 24 hours. All communications are strictly confidential.