Codelco–Belaz Arbitration Faces Delay as Arbitrator Resigns
SANTIAGO – The arbitration between Codelco and the Belaz Movitec Consortium (CBM) at the Arbitration and Mediation Center (CAM) of the Santiago Chamber of Commerce has been thrown into further uncertainty with the resignation of sole arbitrator Francisco Aninat. The move, attributed to “constant pressures,” is expected to significantly delay a resolution to the dispute, now projected to conclude in the second half of 2026.
The arbitration stems from Codelco’s February 1, 2023 termination of its contract with CBM, a Chilean-Belarusian earthmoving firm, due to substantial delays and irregularities at the Rajo inca project within Codelco’s Salvador division. Codelco initiated the arbitration claim in April 2023, seeking resolution through CAM Santiago with Aninat appointed as the sole arbitrator. However, the process became complex following CBM’s bankruptcy liquidation, shifting representation to its creditors and their legal counsel, Humberto del Río, while Codelco retained Raimundo Labarca and José Manuel Concha.
Aninat, a partner at BES Abogados with over 20 years of experience in complex conflict resolution, previously worked at Jones Day in Washington D.C. for four years. His departure from the case, currently in the evidentiary stage, has surprised observers given his extensive background in both national and international arbitrations, and also civil and commercial litigation.
The case has become entangled with a separate examination dubbed the “Belarusian plot,” involving former supreme Court minister Ángela Vivanco, and lawyers Mario Vargas and eduardo Lagos. While the details of the connection remain under scrutiny, the arbitration’s timeline has been demonstrably impacted by the broader legal complexities.
