Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile (SQM) 20-F 16 Mar 21 2020 FY Annual report (foreign) Financial data

Cover Page

Cover Page	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020shares
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	20-F
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2020
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Entity Registrant Name	CHEMICAL & MINING CO OF CHILE INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000909037
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Trading Symbol	SQM
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	263,196,524
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Title of 12(b) Security	Series B common shares, in the form of American Depositary Shares each representing one Series B share
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Document Annual Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Document Shell Company Report	false
ICFR Auditor Attestation Flag	true
Document Accounting Standard	International Financial Reporting Standards
Series A Common Shares [member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	142,819,552
Series B Common Shares [member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	120,376,972

Consolidated Classified Stateme

Consolidated Classified Statements of Financial Position - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 509,102	$ 588,530
Other current financial assets	348,069	505,490
Other current non-financial assets	57,399	50,552
Trade and other receivables, current	365,206	399,142
Trade receivables due from related parties, current	62,601	61,227
Current inventories	1,093,028	983,338
Current tax assets	132,224	91,433
Total current assets other than those classified as held for sale or disposal	2,567,629	2,679,712
Non-current assets or groups of assets classified as held for sale	1,629	2,454
Total non-current assets held for sale	1,629	2,454
Total current assets	2,569,258	2,682,166
Non-current assets
Other non-current financial assets	51,925	8,778
Other non-current non-financial assets	22,042	19,729
Trade receivables, non-current	11,165	1,710
Investments classified using the equity method of accounting	85,993	109,435
Intangible assets other than goodwill	178,407	188,358
Goodwill	41,966	34,726
Property, plant and equipment net	1,737,319	1,569,906
Right-of-use assets	30,024	37,164
Tax assets, non-current	90,364	32,179
Total non-current assets	2,249,205	2,001,985
Total assets	4,818,463	4,684,151
Current liabilities
Other current financial liabilities	68,955	291,128
Lease liabilities, current	5,528	7,694
Trade and other payables, current	203,933	205,790
Trade payables due to related parties, current	606	475
Other current provisions	104,166	110,565
Current tax liabilities	22,643	17,874
Provisions for employee benefits, current	9,096	16,387
Other current non-financial liabilities	60,955	126,899
Total current liabilities	475,882	776,812
Non-current liabilities
Other non-current financial liabilities	1,899,513	1,488,723
Lease liabilities, non-current	25,546	30,203
Trade and other payables, non-current	4,027	0
Other non-current provisions	62,617	34,690
Deferred tax liabilities	156,101	183,411
Provisions for employee benefits, non-current	32,199	35,840
Total non-current liabilities	2,180,003	1,772,867
Total liabilities	2,655,885	2,549,679
Equity attributable to owners of the Parent
Share capital	477,386	477,386
Retained earnings	1,638,267	1,623,104
Other reserves	7,432	(14,223)
Equity attributable to owners of the Parent	2,123,085	2,086,267
Non-controlling interests	39,493	48,205
Total equity	2,162,578	2,134,472
Total liabilities and equity	$ 4,818,463	$ 4,684,151

Consolidated Statements of Inco

Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 1,817,191	$ 1,943,655	$ 2,265,803
Cost of sales	(1,334,321)	(1,383,603)	(1,485,631)
Gross profit	482,870	560,052	780,172
Other income	26,893	18,218	32,048
Administrative expenses	(107,017)	(117,180)	(118,126)
Other expenses by function	(99,612)	(25,995)	(36,907)
Net impairment (losses) gains on reversal of financial assets	4,684	(1,057)	2,967
Other gains (losses)	(5,313)	(383)	6,404
Profit from operating activities	302,505	433,655	666,558
Finance income	13,715	26,289	22,533
Finance costs	(82,199)	(76,939)	(57,807)
Share of profit of associates and joint ventures accounted for using the equity method	8,940	9,786	6,351
Foreign currency translation differences	(4,423)	(2,169)	(16,597)
Profit before taxes	238,538	390,622	621,038
Income tax expense	(70,179)	(110,019)	(178,975)
Net profit	168,359	280,603	442,063
Net profit attributable to:
Profit (loss) attributable to Owners of the Parent	164,518	278,115	439,830
Profit (loss) attributable to Non-controlling interests	3,841	2,488	2,233
Net profit	$ 168,359	$ 280,603	$ 442,063
Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share (US$ per share)	$ 0.6251	$ 1.0567	$ 1.6711
Diluted earnings per share (US$ per share)	$ 0.6251	$ 1.0567	$ 1.6711

Consolidated Statements of Comp

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Statement [Line Items]
Profit net	$ 168,359	$ 280,603	$ 442,063
Items of other comprehensive income that will not be reclassified to profit for the year, before taxes
Losses from measurements of defined benefit plans	974	(3,310)	(1,337)
Gains (losses) from financial assets measured irrevocably at fair value through other comprehensive income	9,784	1,152	(5,546)
Total other comprehensive income (loss) that will not be reclassified to profit for the year, before taxes	10,758	(2,158)	(6,883)
Items of other comprehensive income that will be reclassified to profit for the year, before taxes
Foreign currency exchange gains (losses)	14,000	787	(1,220)
(Losses) gains from cash flow hedges	(3,706)	1,908	5,723
Total other comprehensive income that will be reclassified to profit for the year	10,294	2,695	4,503
Other items of other comprehensive income, before taxes	21,052	537	(2,380)
Income taxes related to items of other comprehensive income that will not be reclassified to profit for the year
Income taxes relating to measurement of defined benefit pension plans through other comprehensive income	(145)	702	1,488
Benefit (income tax) relating to (losses) gains on financial assets measured irrevocably at fair value through other comprehensive income	(2,642)	(311)	396
Total income tax related to items of other comprehensive income (loss) that will not be reclassified to profit for the year	(2,787)	391	1,894
Income taxes relating to components of other comprehensive income that will be reclassified to profit for the year
Income tax benefit (expense) related to (losses) gains from cash flow hedges	1,001	(2,683)	0
Total income tax relating to components of other comprehensive income that will be reclassified to profit for the year	1,001	(2,683)	0
Total other comprehensive income	19,266	(1,755)	(486)
Total comprehensive income	187,625	278,848	441,577
Comprehensive income attributable to
Comprehensive income attributable to owners of the parent	183,941	276,137	439,180
Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interest	3,684	2,711	2,397
Total comprehensive income	$ 187,625	$ 278,848	$ 441,577

Consolidated Statements of Cash

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Classes of cash receipts from operating activities
Cash receipts from sales of goods and rendering of services		$ 1,940,720	$ 2,044,746	$ 2,284,514
Cash receipts from premiums and benefits, annuities and other benefits from policies entered		14,763	2,925	2,140
Cash receipts derived from sub-leases		188	361	0
Classes of Payments
Cash payments to suppliers for the provision of goods and services		(1,358,347)	(1,284,204)	(1,226,091)
Cash payments to and on behalf of employees		(161,862)	(195,782)	(205,590)
Cash payments relating to variable leases		(1,117)	(1,037)	0
Other payments related to operating activities		(87,278)	(25,218)	(21,240)
Net cash generated from operating activities		347,067	541,791	833,733
Dividends received		5,387	14,449	8,815
Interest paid		(81,567)	(70,963)	(59,565)
Interest paid on lease liabilities		(1,133)	(1,537)	0
Interest received		17,046	25,809	22,533
Income taxes paid		(200,624)	(173,319)	(240,115)
Other cash inflows	[1]	96,058	90,741	(40,562)
Net cash generated from operating activities		182,234	426,971	524,839
Cash flows from (used in) investing activities
Cash flows arising from the loss/gain of control of subsidiaries and other businesses		20,996	994	68,988
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment		1,680	487	61
Other payments to acquire interest in joint ventures		(16,949)	(2,600)	(19,989)
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment		(322,242)	(321,324)	(244,693)
Proceeds from sales of intangible assets		8,203	28,126	14,056
Proceeds (payments) related to futures, forward options and swap contracts		(6,902)	1,403	(204)
Purchases of intangible assets		(579)	(2,492)	(74,374)
Loans to related parties		(15,000)	0	0
Other cash inflows (outflows)	[2]	163,702	(190,065)	69,151
Net cash generated used in investing activities		(167,091)	(485,471)	(187,004)
Cash flows generated from (used in) financing activities
Repayment of lease liabilities		(8,015)	(7,221)	0
Proceeds from long-term loans		400,000	450,000	256,039
Proceeds from short-term loans		0	0	120,000
Repayment of borrowings		(264,122)	(7,096)	(213,000)
Dividends paid		(221,995)	(329,787)	(550,352)
Net cash generated (used in) from financing activities		(94,132)	105,896	(387,313)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents before the effect of changes in the exchange rate		(78,989)	47,396	(49,478)
Effects of exchange rate fluctuations on cash and cash equivalents		(439)	(14,932)	(24,894)
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents		(79,428)	32,464	(74,372)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		588,530	556,066	630,438
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		$ 509,102	$ 588,530	$ 556,066
[1]	Other inflows of cash from operating activities include net increases (decreases) of value added tax, banking expenses, expenses associated with obtaining loans and taxes associated with interest payments.
[2]	Other inflows (outflows) of cash include investments and redemptions of time deposits and other financial instruments that do not qualify as cash and cash equivalent in accordance with IAS 7, paragraph 7, since they mature in more than 90 days from the original investment date.

Consolidated Statements of Chan

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Total	Share capital [member]	Foreign currency translation reserves [member]	Hedge reserves [member]	Gains and losses from financial assets reserve [member]	Actuarial gains and losses from defined benefit plans reserve [member]	Other miscellaneous reserves [member]	Total reserves [member]	Retained earnings [member]	Equity attributable to owners of the Parent [member]	Non-controlling interests [member]
Equity at beginning of the year at Dec. 31, 2017		$ 2,247,468	$ 477,386	$ (24,913)	$ 2,248	$ 2,937	$ (5,953)	$ 11,332	$ (14,349)	$ 1,724,784	$ 2,187,821	$ 59,647
Equity at beginning of the year (Increase (decrease) due to changes in accounting policies [member]) at Dec. 31, 2017		(1,680)	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	(1,680)	(1,680)	0
Equity at beginning of the year at Dec. 31, 2017		2,245,788	477,386	(24,913)	2,248	2,937	(5,953)	11,332	(14,349)	1,723,104	2,186,141	59,647
Profit for the year		442,063	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	439,830	439,830	2,233
Other comprehensive income		(486)	0	(1,394)	5,723	(4,048)	(931)	0	(650)	0	(650)	164
Comprehensive income		441,577	0	(1,394)	5,723	(4,048)	(931)	0	(650)	439,830	439,180	2,397
Dividends	[1]	(549,563)	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	(539,830)	(539,830)	(9,733)
Increase (decrease) in equity		(107,986)	0	(1,394)	5,723	(4,048)	(931)	0	(650)	(100,000)	(100,650)	(7,336)
Equity at end of the year at Dec. 31, 2018		2,137,802	477,386	(26,307)	7,971	(1,111)	(6,884)	11,332	(14,999)	1,623,104	2,085,491	52,311
Profit for the year		280,603	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	278,115	278,115	2,488
Other comprehensive income		(1,755)	0	562	(775)	841	(2,606)	0	(1,978)	0	(1,978)	223
Comprehensive income		278,848	0	562	(775)	841	(2,606)	0	(1,978)	278,115	276,137	2,711
Dividends	[1]	(284,932)	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	(278,115)	(278,115)	(6,817)
Increase (decrease) due to transfers and other changes		2,754	0	0	0	0	0	2,754	2,754	0	2,754	0
Increase (decrease) in equity		(3,330)	0	562	(775)	841	(2,606)	2,754	776	0	776	(4,106)
Equity at end of the year at Dec. 31, 2019		2,134,472	477,386	(25,745)	7,196	(270)	(9,490)	14,086	(14,223)	1,623,104	2,086,267	48,205
Profit for the year		168,359	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	164,518	164,518	3,841
Other comprehensive income		19,266	0	14,176	(2,705)	7,142	810	0	19,423	0	19,423	(157)
Comprehensive income		187,625	0	14,176	(2,705)	7,142	810	0	19,423	164,518	183,941	3,684
Dividends	[1]	(159,473)	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	(149,355)	(149,355)	(10,118)
Increase (decrease) due to transfers and other changes		(46)	0	0	0	0	0	2,232	2,232	0	2,232	(2,278)
Increase (decrease) in equity		28,106	0	14,176	(2,705)	7,142	810	2,232	21,655	15,163	36,818	(8,712)
Equity at end of the year at Dec. 31, 2020		$ 2,162,578	$ 477,386	$ (11,569)	$ 4,491	$ 6,872	$ (8,680)	$ 16,318	$ 7,432	$ 1,638,267	$ 2,123,085	$ 39,493
[1]	See Note 20.6

Identification and Activities o

Identification and Activities of the Company and Subsidiaries	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Disclosure of Identification and Activities of the Company and Subsidiaries [Abstract]
Disclosure of Identification and Activities of the Company and Subsidiaries [Text Block]	Note 1 Identification and Activities of the Company and Subsidiaries 1.1 Historical background Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A. is an open stock corporation founded under the laws of the Republic of Chile and its Chilean Tax Identification Number is 93.007.000-9. The Company was incorporated through a public deed dated June 17, 1968 by the public notary of Santiago Mr. Sergio Rodríguez Garcés. Its existence was approved by Decree No. 1,164 of June 22, 1968 of the Ministry of Finance, and it was registered on June 29, 1968 in the Registry of Commerce of Santiago, on page 4,537 No. 1,992. SQM’s headquarters are located at El Trovador 4285, Floor 6, Las Condes, Santiago, Chile, The Company's telephone number is +(56 2) 2425-2000. The Company is registered in the CMF under number 184 of March 18, 1983 and is therefore subject to oversight by that entity. 1.2 Main domicile where the Company performs its production activities The Company’s main domiciles are: Calle Dos Sur plot No. 5 - Antofagasta; Arturo Prat 1060 - Tocopilla; Administration Building w/n - Maria Elena; Administration Building w/n Pedro de Valdivia - María Elena, Anibal Pinto 3228 - Antofagasta, Kilometer 1378 Ruta 5 Norte Highway - Antofagasta, Coya Sur Plant w/n - Maria Elena, kilometer 1760 Ruta 5 Norte Highway - Pozo Almonte, Salar de Atacama (Atacama Saltpeter deposit) potassium chloride plant w/n - San Pedro de Atacama, potassium sulfate plant at Salar de Atacama w/n – San Pedro de Atacama, Minsal Mining Camp w/n CL Plant CL, Potassium– San Pedro de Atacama, formerly the Iris Saltpeter office w/n, Commune of Pozo Almonte, Iquique. 1.3 Codes of main activities The codes of the main activities as established by the CMF, as follows: - 1700 (Mining) - 2200 (Chemical products) - 1300 (Investment) 1.4 Description of the nature of operations and main activities The products of the Company are mainly derived from mineral deposits found in northern Chile where mining takes place and caliche and brine deposits are processed. (a) Specialty plant nutrition: Four main types of specialty plant nutrients are produced: potassium nitrate, sodium nitrate, sodium potassium nitrate and specialty blends. In addition, other specialty fertilizers are sold including third party products. (b) Iodine: The Company produces iodine and iodine derivatives, which are used in a wide range of medical, pharmaceutical, agricultural and industrial applications, including x-ray contrast media, polarizing films for LCD and LED, antiseptics, biocides and disinfectants, in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, electronics, pigments and dye components. (c) Lithium: The Company produces lithium carbonate, which is used in a variety of applications, including electrochemical materials for batteries, frits for the ceramic and enamel industries, heat-resistant glass (ceramic glass), air conditioning chemicals, continuous casting powder for steel extrusion, primary aluminum smelting process, pharmaceuticals and lithium derivatives. We are also a leading supplier of lithium hydroxide, which is primarily used as an input for the lubricating greases industry and for certain cathodes for batteries. (d) Industrial chemicals: The Company produces three industrial chemicals: sodium nitrate, potassium nitrate and potassium chloride. Sodium nitrate is used primarily in the production of glass, explosives, and metal treatment. Potassium nitrate is used in the manufacturing of specialty glass, and it is also an important raw material to produce of frits for the ceramics and enamel industries. Solar salts, a combination of potassium nitrate and sodium nitrate, are used as a thermal storage medium in concentrated solar power plants. Potassium chloride is a basic chemical used to produce potassium hydroxide, and it is also used as an additive in oil drilling as well as in food processing. (e) Potassium: The Company produces potassium chloride and potassium sulfate from brines extracted from the Salar de Atacama. Potassium chloride is a commodity fertilizer used to fertilize a variety of crops including corn, rice, sugar, soybean and wheat. Potassium sulfate is a specialty fertilizer used mainly in crops such as vegetables, fruits and industrial crops. (f) Other products and services: The Company also sells other fertilizers and blends, some of which we do not produce. Mainly potassium nitrate, potassium sulfate and potassium chloride. This business line also includes revenue from commodities, services, interests, royalties and dividends. 1.5 Other background (a) Employees As of December 31, 2020, and 2019, the workforce was as follows: As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 Employees SQM S.A. other Total SQM S.A. other Total Executives 30 85 115 30 91 121 Professionals 94 1,156 1,250 110 1,170 1,280 Technicians and operators 267 3,310 3,577 282 3,481 3,763 Foreign employees 17 548 565 17 560 577 Overall total 408 5,099 5,507 439 5,302 5,741 (b) Main shareholders As of December 31, 2020, there were 1,358 shareholders. Following table shows information about the main shareholders of the Company’s Series A or Series B shares in circulation as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, in line with information provided by the DCV, with respect to each shareholder that, to our knowledge, owns more than 5% of the outstanding Series A or Series B shares. The following information is derived from our registry and reports managed by the DCV and informed to the CMF and the Chilean Stock Exchanges: Shareholders as of December 31, 2020 No. of Series A % of Series A No. of Series B % of Series B % of total Inversiones TLC SpA (1) 62,556,568 43.80 % - - 23.77 % The Bank of New York Mellon, ADRs - - 50,792,452 42.19 % 19.30 % Sociedad de Inversiones Pampa Calichera S.A. (2) 44,894,152 31.43 % 922,971 0.77 % 17.41 % Potasios de Chile S.A. 18,179,147 12.73 % - - 6.91 % Inversiones Global Mining (Chile) Limitada 8,798,539 6.16 % - - 3.34 % Euroamerica C de B S. A. 1,418 - 8,788,517 7.30 % 3.34 % Banco Santander via foreign investor accounts - - 7,294,827 6.06 % 2.77 % Banco de Chile via State Street - - 6,971,782 5.79 % 2.65 % Banco de Chile non-resident third party accounts - - 6,129,339 5.09 % 2.33 % Inversiones la Esperanza de Chile Limitada 4,147,263 2.90 % 46,500 0.04 % 1.59 % Banchile Corredora de Bolsa S. A. 459,202 0.32 % 2,426,758 2.02 % 1.10 % Banco de Chile on behalf of Citibank NA New York customers 177,463 0.12 % 1,732,249 1.44 % 0.73 % Shareholders as of December 31, 2019 No. of Series A % of Series A No. of Series B % of Series B % of total Inversiones TLC SpA (1) 62,556,568 43.80 % - - 23.77 % Sociedad de Inversiones Pampa Calichera S.A. (2) 44,894,152 31.43 % 3,793,154 3.15 % 18.50 % The Bank of New York Mellon, ADRs - - 38,311,788 31.83 % 14.56 % Potasios de Chile S.A. 18,179,147 12.73 % - - 6.91 % Inversiones Global Mining (Chile) Limitada 8,798,539 6.16 % - - 3.34 % Banco Itaú via foreign investor accounts - - 7,373,216 6.13 % 2.80 % Banco de Chile non-resident third party accounts 109 - 6,842,746 5.68 % 2.60 % Banco Santander via foreign investor accounts - - 6,618,416 5.50 % 2.51 % Euroamerica C de B S. A. 3,056 - 4,863,467 4.04 % 1.85 % Banchile C de B S. A. 491,729 0.34 % 4,285,696 3.56 % 1.82 % Inversiones la Esperanza de Chile Limitada 4,147,263 2.90 % 46,500 0.04 % 1.59 % Bolsa de comercio de Santiago Bolsa de valores 30,590 0.02 % 3,077,930 2.56 % 1.18 % (1) As reported by DCV, which records the Company's shareholders' register as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, Inversiones TLC SpA, a subsidiary of Tianqi, is the direct owner of 62,556,568 shares of SQM equivalent to 23.77% of SQM’s shares. Through Tianqi’s subsidiaries it owns 5,516,772 Series B SQM shares as reported by Inversiones TLC Spa. So as of December 31, 2020, Tianqi owns 25.86% of SQM's total Series A and B shares. (2) Total Sociedad de Inversiones Pampa Calichera S.A. 57,235,201 Series A and B shares; 11,418,078 Series B shares are held by different brokers. 1.6 Covid-19 In January 2020, the WHO deemed COVID-19 a global pandemic. In March 2020, the Chilean Ministry of Health declared a nationwide State of Emergency. As a precaution, our management has implemented several measures to help reduce the speed at which the coronavirus spreads, including measures to mitigate the spread in the workplace, significant reductions in employee travel and a mandatory quarantine for people who have arrived from high risk destinations, in consultation with governmental and international health organization guidelines, and will continue to implement measures consistent with evolving coronavirus situation. On March 16, 2020, the Company reported on various points in relation to the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus and its being declared to be a global pandemic by the WHO. (1) Regarding the financial and operational effects that this situation could mean for the Company, it is worth noting that the Company sells its products worldwide, with Asia, Europe and North America being its main markets. Border closures, decrease in commercial activity and difficulties and disruptions in the supply chains in the markets in which we sell have impacted our ability to fulfill our previous sales volume estimates, the impact on our sales volumes and average prices will depend on the duration of the virus in different markets, the efficiency of the measures implemented to contain the spread of the virus in each country and fiscal incentives that may be implemented in different jurisdictions to promote economic recovery. For now, our operations have not seen any material impacts related to the outbreak of COVID-19 virus. We have taken measures to mitigate the impacts of this health emergency on our employees and limit the impact it could have on our operations (described below in point 2). (2) Regarding the measures that management has adopted or intends to adopt to mitigate possible financial and/or operational effects, we inform that the Company has implemented a series of measures in its operations in Chile and abroad that seek to protect its workers and reduce the speed at which the virus spreads. The measures adopted by the Company are: (a) The flexibility of the working day, arrival and departure times, together with the incentive to work from home in those cases where this is possible. (b) Avoidance of crowds, seminars and large meetings in the Company´s offices and operating facilities. (c) Strengthening personal hygiene protocols (use of alcohol-based gel, masks, etc.) and sanitation in plants, cafeterias and offices. (d) Significant reduction in domestic and international travel, along with obligatory quarantine for people who have arrived from high risk destinations. (e) The costs associated with the measures implemented by the company correspond primarily to increased expenses in transportation, supplies, room and board, among others. (3) Regarding the existence of committed insurance and its level of coverage, we inform that as of today, we have not identified any events which would trigger coverage from the insurance policies that the Company has contracted. (4) Finally, we hereby inform that we do not currently have any other information that management believes is relevant to provide. As of December 31, 2020, there have been no significant changes in the impacts associated with COVID-19 reported to the CMF.

Basis of presentation for the c

Basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Disclosure of Basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [Abstract]
Disclosure of basis of preparation of financial statements [text block]	Note 2 Basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements 2.1 Accounting period These consolidated financial statements cover the following periods: (a) Consolidated Statements of Financial Position as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 (b) Consolidated Statements of Income for the periods from January 1 to December 31, 2020 and 2019. (c) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income from January 1 to December 31, 2020 and 2019. (d) Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity for the periods ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. (e) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the periods ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. 2.2 Consolidated financial statements The consolidated financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries have been prepared in accordance with IFRS and represent the full, explicit and unreserved adoption of IFRS. These consolidated financial statements fairly reflect the Company’s financial position, as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the comprehensive results of operations, changes in equity and cash flows occurring for the years then ended. IFRS establish certain alternatives for their application, those applied by the Company are detailed in this Note and Note 3. The accounting policies used in the preparation of these consolidated annual accounts comply with each IFRS in force at their date of presentation. Pursuant to CMF requirements, on December 31, 2020 the effects related to the application of IFRS 16 “Leases” are presented in separate items and the following reclassifications have been made with respect to the information reported on December 31, 2019 to ensure a consistent presentation between periods, which are considered not significant for the previously issued financial statements. See Note 4. Items Original balances Reclassification Balances reclassified ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Property, plant and equipment, (net) 1,607,070 (37,164 ) 1,569,906 Right-of-use assets - 37,164 37,164 Other current financial liabilities 298,822 (7,694 ) 291,128 Lease liabilities, current - 7,694 7,694 Other non-current financial liabilities 1,518,926 (30,203 ) 1,488,723 Lease liabilities, non-current - 30,203 30,203 2.3 Basis of measurement The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis except for the following: (a) Inventories are recorded at the lower of cost and net realizable value. (b) Financial derivatives measured at fair value. (c) Certain financial investments measured at fair value with an offsetting entry in other comprehensive income. 2.4 Accounting pronouncements New accounting pronouncements (a) The following standards, interpretations and amendments are mandatory for the first time for annual periods beginning on January 1, 2020: Amendments and improvements Description Mandatory for annual periods Amendment to IAS 1 “Presentation of Financial Statements” and “IAS 8” Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors - Published in October 2018. This amendment establishes a consistent definition of materiality in all the IFRCs and the Conceptual Framework for Financial Information; it clarifies the explanation of the definition of material; and it incorporates some of the guidelines in IAS 1 on immaterial information. 01-01-2020 Amendment to IFRS 3 “Definition of a Business” - Published in October 2018. This amendment revises the definition of a business. Based on the feedback received by the IASB, the application of the current guidance is frequently seen as too complex, and results in too many transactions that qualify as business combinations. 01-01-2020 Amendments to IFRS 9, IAS 39 and IFRS 7 “Reform to the referential interest rate” Published in September 2019. These amendments provide certain simplifications in relation to the reform to the referential interest rates. These simplifications relate to hedge accounting and affect the IBOR reform, which generally shouldn’t result in the finalization of hedge accounting. However, any hedge ineffectiveness should continue to be recorded in the results. 01-01-2020 Amendment to IFRS 16 “Lease Concessions” - Published in May 2020. This amendment provides lessees with an optional exemption regarding the assessment of whether a lease concession associated with COVID-19 is a lease modification. Lessees may opt to account for lease concessions as they would if there were no lease modifications. In many cases, this would give rise to the accounting for a concession as a variable lease payment. 01-01-2020 Management confirm that the adoption of the aforementioned standards, amendments and interpretations did not significantly impact the company’s consolidated financial statements. (b) Standards, interpretations and amendments issued that had not become effective for financial statements beginning on January 1, 2020 and which the Company has not adopted early are as follows: Standards and Interpretations Description Mandatory for annual Amendment to IAS 1 “Presentation of financial statements” on classification of liabilities. These limited scope amendments of IAS 1 “Presentation of financial statements” clarify that the liabilities will be classified as current or non-current depending on the rights that exist at the close of the reporting period. The classification is not affected by the expectations of the entity or the events subsequent to the report date (for example, the receipt of a waiver or noncompliance with the pact). The amendment also clarifies what IAS 1 means when referring to “liquidation” of a liability. The amendment must be applied retroactively in accordance with IAS 8. In May 2020, the IASB issued an “Exposure Draft” proposing deferral of the effective application date to January 1, 2023. 01-01-2022 Reference to the Conceptual Framework - Amendments to IFRS 3. Minor modifications were made to IFRS 3 “Definition of a Business” to update references to the conceptual framework for financial reporting and to add an exception to the recognition of contingent liabilities and contingent assets within the scope of IAS 37 “Provisions, contingent liabilities and contingent assets” and Interpretation 21 “Levies.” The modifications also confirm that contingent assets should not be recognized in the date of acquisition. 01-01-2022 Amendment to IAS 16 “Property, plant and equipment” This prohibits companies from deducting from the cost of the property any revenue received from the sale of articles produced while the company is preparing the asset for its anticipated use. The company must recognize this sales revenue and associated costs in the profit or loss for the fiscal year. 01-01-2022 Amendment to IAS 37, “Provisions, contingent liabilities and contingent assets.” This clarifies for onerous contracts which inevitable costs a company must include to assess whether a contract will result in a loss. 01-01-2022 IFRS 9 Financial Instruments. This clarifies which fees must be included in the 10% test for the derecognition of financial liabilities. 01-01-2022 IFRS 16 Leases. Modification of illustrative example 13 to eliminate the illustration of lessor payments in relation to improvements to rental properties, to eliminate any confusion as to the treatment of lease incentives. 01-01-2022 IFRS 1 First-time Adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards. This enables entities that have measured their assets and liabilities against book values in their head office books to also measure the accumulated translation differences using the amounts notified by the head office. This amendment will also apply to associates and joint ventures that have taken the same IFRS 1 exemption. 01-01-2022 Amendment to IFRS 10 “Consolidated Financial Statements” and IAS 28 “Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures”, Published in September 2014. These amendments address an inconsistency between the requirements in IFRS 10 and those in IAS 28 in dealing with the sale or contribution of assets between an investor and its associate or joint venture. The main consequence of the amendments is that a full gain or loss is recognized when a transaction involves a business (whether it is housed in a subsidiary or not), A partial gain or loss is recognized when a transaction involves assets that do not constitute a business, even if these assets are housed in a subsidiary. undetermined Management believes that the adoption of the above standards, amendments and interpretations will not have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements. 2.5 Basis of consolidation (a) Subsidiaries The Company established control as the basis of consolidation of its financial statements. The Company controls a subsidiary when it is exposed, or has rights, to variable returns from its involvement with the subsidiary and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the subsidiary. The consolidation of a subsidiary starts when the Group controls it and it is no longer included in the consolidation when this control is lost. Subsidiaries are consolidated through a line by line method, adding items that represent assets, liabilities, income and expenses with a similar content, and eliminating operations between companies within the SQM Group. Results for dependent companies acquired or disposed of during the period are included in the consolidated accounts from the date on which control is transferred to the SQM Group or until the date when this control ends, as relevant. To account for an acquisition, of a business the Company uses the acquisition method. Under this method the acquisition cost is the fair value of assets delivered, equity securities issued, and incurred or assumed liabilities at the date of exchange. Assets, liabilities and contingencies identifiable assumed in a business combination are measured initially at fair value at the acquisition date. For each business combination, the Company will measure the non-controlling interest of the acquiree either at fair value or as proportional share of net identifiable assets of the acquire. 2.6 Investments in associates and joint ventures (a) Joint ventures Investments in joint arrangements are classified as joint operations or joint ventures. The classification depends on the contractual rights and obligations of each investor, rather than the legal structure of the joint arrangement. With respect to joint operations, the Company recognizes its direct right to the assets, liabilities, income and expenses of the joint arrangement. (b) Joint ventures and investments in associates Interests in companies over which joint control is exercised (joint ventures) or where an entity has significant influence (associates) are recognized using the equity accounting method. Significant influence is presumed when the investor owns over 20% of the investee’s share capital. The investment is recognized using this method in the statement of financial position at cost plus changes subsequent to acquisition and includes the proportional share of the associate’s equity. For these purposes, the percentage interest in the associate is used. The associated acquired goodwill is included in the investee’s book value and is not amortized. The debit or credit to the income statement reflects the proportional share of the profit or loss of the associate or joint venture. Unrealized gains from transactions with joint ventures or associates are eliminated in accordance with the Company's percentage interest in such entities. Any unrealized losses are also eliminated, unless that transaction provides evidence that the transferred asset is impaired. Changes in associate’s or joint ventures equity are recognized proportionally with a charge or credit to "Other Reserves" and are classified according to their origin. The reporting dates of the associate or joint ventures, the Company and related policies are similar for equivalent transactions and events in similar circumstances. In the event that significant influence is lost, or the investment is sold, or held for sale, the equity method is suspended, not recognizing the proportional share of the gain or loss. If the resulting value under the equity method is negative, the share of profit or loss is reflected as zero in the consolidated financial statements, unless there is a commitment by the Company to restore the capital position of the Company, in which case the related risk provision and expense are recorded. Dividends received by these companies are recorded by reducing the value of the investment and are shown in cash flows from operating activities, and the proportional share of the gain or loss recognized in accordance with the equity method is included in the consolidated income statement under "Share of Gains (Losses) of Associates and Joint Ventures Accounted for Using the Equity Method''.

Significant accounting policies

Significant accounting policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Disclosure of changes in accounting policies accounting [Abstract]
Disclosure of changes in accounting policies, accounting estimates and errors [text block]	Note 3 Significant accounting policies 3.1 Classification of balances as current and non-current In the consolidated statement of financial position, balances are classified in consideration of their recovery (maturity) dates; i.e., those maturing within a period equal to or less than 12 months are classified as current counted from the closing date of the consolidated financial statements and those with maturity dates exceeding the aforementioned period are classified as non-current. The exception to the foregoing relates to deferred taxes, which are classified as non-current, regardless of the maturity they have. 3.2 Functional and presentation currency The Company’s consolidated financial statements are presented in United States dollars, without decimal places, which is the Company’s functional and presentation currency and is the currency of the main economic environment in which it operates. Consequently, the term foreign currency is defined as any currency other than the U.S. dollar. 3.3 Accounting policy for foreign currency translation (a) SQM group entities: The revenue, expenses, assets and liabilities of all entities that have a functional currency other than the presentation currency are converted to the presentation currency as follows: - Assets and liabilities are converted at the closing exchange rate prevailing on the reporting date. - Revenues and expenses of each profit or loss account are converted at monthly average exchange rates. - All resulting foreign currency translation gains and losses are recognized as a separate component in translation reserves. In consolidation, foreign currency differences arising from the translation of a net investment in foreign entities are recorded in shareholder’s equity (“other reserves”), At the date of disposal, such foreign currency translation differences are recognized in the statement of income as part of the gain or loss from the sale. The main exchange rates and UF used to translate monetary assets and liabilities, expressed in foreign currency at the end and average of each period in respect to U.S. dollars, are as follows: Closing exchange rates Average exchange rates Currencies As of December 31, As of December 31, As of December 31, As of December 31, ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Brazilian real 5.18 4.02 5.14 4.11 New Peruvian sol 3.62 3.31 3.60 3.35 Argentine peso 84.14 59.83 82.62 59.86 Japanese yen 105.56 108.90 103.81 109.12 Euro 0.81 0.89 0.82 0.90 Mexican peso 19.93 18.89 19.97 19.11 Australian dollar 1.30 1.43 1.33 1.45 Pound Sterling 0.74 0.76 0.74 0.76 South African rand 14.61 14.06 14.88 14.42 Chilean peso 710.95 748.74 731.92 767.22 Chinese yuan 6.51 6.98 6.53 7.01 Indian rupee 73.30 71.31 73.65 71.16 Thai Baht 29.94 29.97 30.08 30.22 Turkish lira 7.36 5.94 7.70 5.85 UF (*) 40.89 37.81 39.73 36.90 (*) US$ per UF (b) Transactions and balances The Company’s non-monetary transactions in currencies other than the functional currency (Dollar) are translated to the respective functional currencies of Group entities at the exchange rate on the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies at the reporting date are retranslated to the functional currency at the exchange rate at that date. All differences are recorded in the statement of income except for all monetary items that provide an effective hedge for a net investment in a foreign operation. These items are recognized in other comprehensive income until disposal of the invesment when they are recognized in the statement of income. Charges and credits attributable to foreign currency translation differences on those hedge monetary items are also recognized in other comprehensive income. Non-monetary assets and liabilities that are measured at historical cost in a foreign currency are retranslated to the functional currency at the historical exchange rate of the transaction. Non-monetary items that are measured based on fair value in a foreign currency are translated using the exchange rate at the date on which the fair value is determined. 3.4 Consolidated statement of cash flows Cash equivalents correspond to highly liquid short-term investments that are easily convertible into known amounts of cash and subject to insignificant risk of changes in their value and mature in less than three months from the date of acquisition of the instrument. For the purposes of the statement of cash flows, cash and cash equivalents comprise cash and cash equivalents as defined above. The statement of cash flows present cash transactions performed during the year, determined using the direct method. 3.5 Accounting policy for Financial assets Management determines the classification of its financial assets, in accordance with the provisions of IFRS 9, at fair value (either through other comprehensive income, or through profit or loss), and at amortized cost. The classification depends on the business model of the entity to manage the financial assets and the contractual terms of the cash flows. In the initial recognition, the Company measures its financial assets at fair value more or less, in the case of a financial asset that is not accounted for at fair value through profit or loss, the transaction costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition of the financial asset on the date when the Company commits to the purchase or sale of an asset. In the case of account receivables and other accounts receivables, the transaction price at the initial recognition is measured in accordance with the provisions of IFRS 15. After initial recognition, the Company measures its financial assets according to the Company's business model for managing its financial assets and the contractual terms of its cash flows: (a) Financial instruments measured at amortized cost. Financial assets that meet the following conditions are included in this category (i) the business model that supports it aims to maintain the financial assets to obtain the contractual cash flows and the contractual conditions of the financial asset give place, on specified dates, to cash flows that are only payments of the principal and interest on the outstanding principal amount. The Company’s financial assets that meet these conditions are: (ii) cash equivalents; (iii) related party receivables; (iv) trade debtors; (v) other receivables. (b) Financial instruments at fair value. A financial asset should be measured at fair value through profit or loss or fair value through other comprehensive income, depending on the following: (i) "Fair Value Through Other Comprehensive Income": Assets held to collect contractual cash flows and to be sold, where the asset cash flows are only capital and interest payments, are measured at fair value through other comprehensive income. Changes in book values are through other comprehensive income, except for the recognition of impairment losses, interest income and exchange gains and losses, which are recognized in the income statement. When a financial asset is derecognized, the cumulative gain or loss previously recognized in other comprehensive income is reclassified from equity to the income statement. Interest income from these financial assets is included in financial income using the effective interest method. Exchange gains and losses are presented in the income statement and impairment losses are separately presented in the income statement. (ii) "Fair Value Through Profit and Loss": Assets that do not meet the amortized cost or "Fair Value Through Other Comprehensive Income" criteria are valued at "Fair Value Through Profit and Loss". (c) Financial equity assets at fair value through other comprehensive income. Equity instruments that are not classified as held for trading and which the Group has irrevocably chosen to recognize in this category. Financial asset impairment The Company evaluates expected credit losses associated with its debt instruments carried at amortized cost and fair value through other comprehensive income. The impairment method used depends on whether there has been a significant increase in credit risk. The Company applies the IFRS 9 simplified approach to measure expected credit losses using the lifetime expected loss on all trade receivables. Expected credit losses are measured by grouping receivables by their shared credit risk characteristics and days overdue. The Company has concluded that the expected loss rates for trade receivables are a reasonable approximation of the loss rates for these assets. Expected loss rates are based on sales payment profiles and historical credit losses within this period. Historical loss rates are adjusted to reflect current and expected information regarding macroeconomic factors that affect the ability of customers to meet their commitments. Impairment losses from receivables and contract assets are shown as net impairment losses in the line “Impairment of financial assets and reversal of impairment losses”, see Note 23.7. The subsequent recovery of previously canceled amounts is accredited in the same line. 3.6 Financial liabilities Management determines the classification of its financial liabilities, in accordance with the provisions of IFRS 9, at fair value or at amortized cost. The classification depends on the business model of the entity to manage the financial assets and the contractual terms of the cash flows. At the initial recognition, the Company measures its financial liabilities by their fair value more or less, in the case of a financial liability that is not accounted for at fair value through profit or loss, the transaction costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition of the financial liability. After initial recognition, the Company measures its financial liabilities at amortized cost unless the Company, at the initial moment, irrevocably designates the financial liability as measured at fair value through profit or loss. Financial liabilities measured at amortized cost are commercial accounts payable and other accounts payable and other financial liabilities. Valuation at amortized cost is made using the effective interest rate method. Amortized cost is calculated by considering any premium or discount on the acquisition and includes transaction costs that are an integral part of the effective interest rate. Financial liabilities are recorded as not current when they mature in more than 12 months and as current when they mature in less than 12 months. 3.7 Reclassification of financial instruments When the Company changes its business model for managing financial assets, it will reclassify all its financial assets affected by the new business model. Financial liabilities cannot be reclassified. 3.8 Financial instrument derecognition The Company derecognizes a financial asset when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the asset expire, or it transfers the rights to receive the contractual cash flows in a transaction in which substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership of the financial asset are transferred; and the control of the financial assets has not been retained. The Company derecognizes a financial liability when its contractual obligations or a part of these are discharged, paid to the creditor or legally extinguished from the principle responsibility contained in the liability. 3.9 Derivative and hedging financial instruments Derivatives are recognized initially at fair value as of the date on which the derivatives contract is signed and, they are subsequently assessed at fair value. The method for recognizing the resulting gain or loss depends on whether the derivative has been designated as an accounting hedge instrument and, if so, it depends on the type of hedging, which may be as follows: a) Fair value hedge of assets and liabilities recognized (fair value hedges); b) Hedging of a single risk associated with a recognized asset or liability or a highly probable forecast transaction (cash flow hedge). At the beginning of the transaction, the Company documents the relationship that exists between hedging instruments and those items hedged, as well as their objectives for risk management purposes and the strategy to conduct different hedging operations. The Company also documents its evaluation both at the beginning and at the end of each period if the derivatives used in hedging transactions are highly effective to offset changes in the fair value or in cash flows of hedged items. The fair value of derivative instruments used for hedging purposes is shown in Note 14.3. Changes in the cash flow hedge reserve are classified as a non-current asset or liability if the remaining expiration period of the hedged item is more than 12 months, and as a current asset or liability if the remaining expiration period of the hedged item is less than 12 months. Derivatives that are not designated or do not qualify as hedging derivatives are classified as current assets or liabilities, and changes in the fair value are directly recognized through profit or loss. a) Fair value hedge Changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated and qualify as fair value hedges are recorded in profit or loss, together with any changes in the fair value of the hedged asset or liability that are attributable to the hedged risk. The gain or loss relating to the effective portion of interest rate swaps that hedge fixed rate borrowings is recognized in profit or loss within finance costs, together with changes in the fair value of the hedged fixed rate borrowings attributable to interest rate risk. The gain or loss relating to the ineffective portion is recognized in profit or loss within other income or other expenses. If the hedge no longer meets the criteria for hedge accounting, the adjustment to the carrying amount of a hedged item for which the effective interest method is used is amortized to profit or loss over the period to maturity using a recalculated effective interest rate. b) Cash flow hedges The effective portion of the gain or loss on the hedging instrument is initially recognized with a debit or credit to other comprehensive income, while any ineffective portion is immediately recognized with a debit or credit to income, as appropriate depending on the nature of the hedged risk. The amounts accumulated in net equity are carried over to results when the hedged items are settled or when these have an impact on results. When a hedging instrument no longer meets the criteria for hedge accounting, any cumulative deferred gain or loss and deferred costs of hedging in equity at that time remains in equity until the forecast transaction occurs. When the forecast transaction is no longer expected to occur, the cumulative gain or loss and deferred costs of hedging that were reported in equity are immediately reclassified to profit or loss. 3.10 Derivative financial instruments not considered as hedges Derivative financial instruments not considered as hedges are recognized at fair value with the effect in the results of the year. The Company has derivative financial instruments to hedge foreign currency risk exposure. The Company continually evaluates the existence of embedded derivatives in both its contracts and in its financial instruments. As of December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019, the Company does not have any embedded derivatives. 3.11 Deferred acquisition costs from insurance contracts Acquisition costs from insurance contracts are classified as prepayments and correspond to insurance contracts in force, recognized using the straight-line method and on an accrual basis independent of payment date. These are recognized under other non-financial assets. 3.12 Leases (a) Right-of-use assets The Company recognizes right-of-use assets on the initial lease date (i.e., the date on which the underlying asset is available for use). Right-of-use assets are measured at cost, less any accumulated depreciation and impairment losses, adjusted by any new measurement of the lease liability. The cost of right-of-use assets includes the amount of recognized lease liabilities, direct initial costs incurred and lease payments made on the start date or sooner, less the lease incentives received. Unless the Company is reasonably sure it will take ownership of the leased asset at the end of the lease period, the assets recognized through right-of-use are depreciated in a straight line during the shortest period of their estimated useful life and lease period. Right-of-use assets are subject to impairment as per “IAS 36 Impairment of Assets”. (b) Lease liabilities On the lease start date, the Company recognizes lease liabilities measured at present value of lease payments that will be made during the lease period. Lease payments include fixed payments (including payments that are essentially fixed), less incentives for lease receivables, variable lease payments that are dependent on an index or rate and amounts that are expected to be paid as guaranteed residual value. Lease payments also include the exercise price of a purchase option if the Company is reasonably sure it will exercise this and penalty payments for terminating a lease, if the lease period reflects that the Company will exercise the option to terminate. Variable lease payments that are not dependent on an index or rate are recognized as expenses in the period that produces the event or condition that triggers payment. When calculating the present value of lease payments, the Company uses the incremental borrowing rate on the initial lease date if the interest rate implicit in the lease cannot be determined easily. After the start date, the lease liability balance will increase to reflect the accumulation of interest and will diminish as lease payments are made. Furthermore, the book value of lease liabilities is remeasured in the event of an amendment, a change in the lease period, a change in the fixed lease payments in substance or a change in the assessment to buy the underlying asset. Payments made that affect lease liabilities are presented as part of the financing activities in the cash flow statement. (c) Short-term leases and low-value asset leases The Company applies the short-term lease recognition exemption to leases with a lease term of 12 months or less starting on the start date and that don’t have a purchase option. It also applies the low-value asset lease recognition exemptions. Lease payments in short-term leases and low-value asset leases are recognized as lineal expenses during the lease term. (d) Significant judgments in the determination of the lease term for contracts with renewal options The Company determines the lease term as the non-cancellable period of the lease, together with periods covered by an option to extend the lease if it is reasonably certain that this will be exercised, or any period covered by an option to terminate the lease, if it is reasonably certain that this will not be exercised. The Company has the option, under some of its leases, to lease assets for additional terms. The Company applies its judgment when assessing whether it is reasonably certain that it will exercise the option to renovate. In other words, it considers all the relevant factors that create an economic incentive for it to exercise the option to renovate. After the start date, the Company reevaluates the lease term if there is a significant event or change in the circumstances that are under its control and affect its capacity to exercise (or not exercise) the option to renovate. 3.13 Inventory measurement The method used to determine the cost of inventories is the weighted average monthly cost of warehouse storage. In determining production costs for own products, the company includes the costs of labor, raw materials, materials and supplies used in production, depreciation and maintenance of the goods that participate in the production process, the costs of product movement necessary to maintain stock on location and in the condition in which they are found, and also includes the indirect costs of each task such as laboratories, process and planning areas, and personnel expenses related to production, among others. For finished and in-process products, the company has four types of provisions, which are reviewed quarterly: (a) Provision associated with the lower value of stock: The provision is directly identified with the product that generates it and involves three types: (i) provision of lower realizable value, which corresponds to the difference between the inventory cost of intermediary or finished products, and the sale price minus the necessary costs to bring them to the same conditions and location as the product with which they are compared; (ii) provision for future uncertain use that corresponds to the value of those products in process that are likely not going to be used in sales based on the company’s long-term plans; (iii) reprocessing costs of products that are unfeasible for sale due to current specifications. (b) Provision associated with physical differences in inventory: A provision is made for differences that exceed the tolerance considered in the respective inventory process (physical and annual inventories are taken for the productive units in Chile and the port of Tocopilla, the business subsidiaries depend on the last zero ground obtained, but in general it is at least once a year), these differences are recognized immediately. (c) Potential errors in the determination of stock: The company has an algorithm that is reviewed at least once a year and corresponds to diverse percentages assigned to each inventory based on the product, location, complexity involved in the associated measurement, rotation and control mechanisms. (d) Provisions undertaken by business subsidiaries: these are historical percentages that are adjusted as zero ground is attained based on normal inventory management. Inventories of raw materials, materials and supplies for production are recorded at acquisition cost. Cyclical inventories are performed in warehouses, as well as general inventories every three years. Differences are recognized at the moment they are detected. The company has a provision that makes quarterly calculations from percentages associated with each type of material (classification by warehouse and rotation), these percentages use the lower value resulting from deterioration or obsolescence as well as potential losses. This provision is reviewed at least annually, and considers the historical profit and loss obtained in the inventory processes. 3.14 Transactions with non-controlling interests Non-controlling interests are recorded in the consolidated statement of financial position within equity but separate from equity attributable to the owners of the Parent. 3.15 Related party transactions Transactions between the Company and its subsidiaries are part of the Company’s normal operations within its scope of business activities. Conditions for such transactions are those normally effective for those types of operations with regard to terms and market prices. The maturity conditions vary according to the originating transaction. 3.16 Property, plant and equipment Property, plant and equipment assets are stated at acquisition cost, net of the related accumulated depreciation, amortization and impairment losses that they might have experienced. In addition to the price paid for the acquisition of tangible property, plant and equipment, the Company has considered the following concepts as part of the acquisition cost, as applicable: (a) Accrued interest expenses during the construction period that are directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of qualifying assets, which are those that require a substantial period prior to being ready for use. The interest rate used is that related to the project’s specific financing or, should this not exist, the average financing rate of the investor company. (b) The future costs that the Company will have to experience, related to the closure of its facilities at the end of their useful life, are included at the present value of disbursements expected to be required to settle the and its subsequent variation is recorded directly in results. Having initially recognized provisions for closure and refurbishment, the corresponding cost is capitalized as an asset in “Property, plant and equipment” and amortized in line with the amortization criteria for the associated assets. Construction-in-progress is transferred to property, plant and equipment in operation once the assets are available for use and the related depreciation and amortization begins on that date. Extension, modernization or improvement costs that represent an increase in productivity, ability or efficiency or an extension of the useful lives of property, plant and equipment are capitalized as a higher cost of the related assets. All the remaining maintenance, preservation and repair expenses are charged to expense as they are incurred. The replacement of assets, which increase the asset’s useful life or its economic capacity, are recorded as a higher value of property, plant and equipment with the related derecognition of replaced or renewed elements. Gains or losses which are generated from the sale or disposal of property, plant and equipment are recognized as income (or loss) in the period and calculated as the difference between the asset’s sales value and its net carrying value. Costs derived from the daily maintenance of property, plant and equipment are recognized when incurred. 3.17 Depreciation of property, plant and equipment Property, plant and equipment are depreciated through the straight-line distribution of cost over the estimated technical useful life of the asset, which is the period in which the Company expects to use the asset. When components of one item of property, plant and equipment have different useful lives, they are recorded as separate assets. Useful lives are reviewed on an annual basis. Fixed assets located in Salar de Atacama consider useful life to be the lesser value between the technical useful life and the years remaining until 2030. In the case of certain mobile equipment, depreciation is performed depending on the hours of operation. The useful lives used for the depreciation and amortization of assets included in property, plant and equipment in years are presented below: Classes of property, plant and equipment Minimum life or rate Maximum life or rate life or average rate in Mining assets 3 7 6 Energy generating assets 3 16 9 Buildings 3 25 13 Supplies and accessories 2 10 7 Office equipment 5 5 5 Transport equipment 5 8 6 Network and communication equipment 4 10 8 IT equipment 5 11 7 Machinery, plant and equipment 5 25 13 Other property, plant and equipment 3 15 10 3.18 Goodwill Goodwill acquired represents the excess in acquisition cost on the fair value of the Company's ownership of the net identifiable assets of the subsidiary on the acquisition date. Goodwill acquired related to the acquisition of subsidiaries is included in the line item goodwill, which is subject to impairment tests annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that it might be impaired and is stated at cost less accumulated impairment losses. Gains and losses related to the sale of an entity include the carrying value of goodwill related to the entity sold. This intangible asset is assigned to cash-generating units with the purpose of testing impairment losses. It is allocated based on cash-generating units expected to obtain benefits from the business combination from which the aforementioned goodwill acquired arose. 3.19 Intangible assets other than goodwill Intangible assets other than goodwill mainly relate to water rights, emission rights, commercial brands, costs for rights of way for electricity lines, license costs and the development of computer software and mining property and concession rights, client portfolio and commercial agent. (a) Water rights Water rights acquired by the Company relate to water from natural sources and are recorded at acquisition cost. Given that these assets represent legal rights granted in perpetuity to the Company, they are not amortized, but are subject to annual impairment tests. (b) Rights of way for electric lines As required for the operation of industrial plants, the Company has paid rights of way in order to install wires for the different electric lines on third party land. These rights are presented under intangible asset. Amounts paid are capitalized at the date of the agreement and amortized in the statement of income, according to the life of the right of way. (c) Computer software Licenses for IT programs acquired are capitalized based on their acquisition and customization costs. These costs are amortized over their estimated useful lives. Expenses related to the development or maintenance of IT programs are recognized as an expense as and when incurred. Costs directly related to the production of unique and identifiable IT programs controlled by the Group, and which will probably generate economic benefits that are higher than its costs during more than a year, are recognized as intangible assets. Direct costs include the expenses of employees who develop information technology software and general expenses in accordance with corporate charges received. The costs of development for IT programs are recognized as assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives. (d) Mining property and concession rights The Company holds mining property and concession rights from the Chilean and Western Australian Governments. Property rights from the State of Chile are usually obtained at no initial cost (other than the payment of mining patents and minor recording expenses) and once the rights on these concessions have been obtained, they are retained by the Company while annual patents are paid. Such patents, which are paid annually, are recorded as prepaid assets and amortized over the following twelve months. Amounts attributable to mining concessions acquired from third parties that are not from the Chilean Government are recorded at acquisition cost within intangible assets. (e) Estimated useful lives or amortization rates used for finite identifiable intangible assets Finite useful life measures the length of, or number of production or similar units constituting that useful life., except for the mining claims granted by Corfo, which correspond to assets subject to restitution. For this reason they are considered assets with a finite useful life and their useful life is assigned until the year 2030 when the contract ends. The estimated useful life for software which they are amortized corresponds to the periods defined by the contracts or rights from which they originate. f) Minimum and maximum amortization lives or rates of intangible assets: Estimated useful life or amortization rate Minimum Life or Maximum Life or Water rights and rights of way Indefinite Indefinite Mining rights granted by Corfo 10 years 10 years Mining rights Unit-production method IT programs 2 years 8 years 3.20 Research and development expenses Research and development expenses are charged to profit or loss in the period in which the expenditure was incurred. 3.21 Exploration and evaluation expenses The Company holds mining concessions for exploration and exploitation of ore, the Company gives the following treatment to expenses associated with exploration and assessment of these resources: (a) Caliche Once the rights have been obtained, the Company records the disbursements directly associated with the exploration and assessment of the deposit as an at cost asset. These disbursements include the following items: geological surveys, drilling, borehole extraction and sampling, activities related to the technical assessment and commercial viability of the extraction, and in general, any disbursement directly related to specific projects where the objective is to find ore resources. If the technical studies determine that the ore grade is not economically viable, the asset is directly charged to profit and loss. If determined otherwise, the asset described above is associated with the extractable ore tonnage which is amortized as it is used. These assets are presented in the “other non-current non-financial assets” category, reclassifying the portion related to the area to be extracted that year as inventories. (b) Metal exploration Expenses related to metal exploration are charged to profit or loss in the period in which they are recognized if the project assessed doesn't qualify for consideration as advanced

Changes in accounting estimates

Changes in accounting estimates and policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Disclosure Of Changes In Accounting Estimates Explanatory [Abstract]
Disclosure of changes in accounting estimates [text block]	Note 4 Changes in accounting estimates and policies 4.1 Changes in accounting estimates There have been no changes in the methodologies used to determine such estimates in the periods presented. 4.2 Changes in accounting policies The accounting principles and criteria were consistently applied in both periods, except for the new instructions established by the CMF for the taxonomy of the financial statements in 2020. The presentation of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities recognized under IFRS 16 has been modified. This change has been made as of January 01, 2020 and retroactively as of December 31, 2019.

Financial risk management

Financial risk management	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Disclosure Of Financial Risk Management Explanatory [Abstract]
Disclosure of financial risk management [text block]	Note 5 Financial risk management 5.1 Financial risk management policy The Company’s financial risk management policy is focused on safeguarding the stability and sustainability of the Company and its subsidiaries with regard to all such relevant financial uncertainty components. The Company’s operations are subject to certain financial risk factors that may affect its financial position or results. The most significant risk exposures are market risk, liquidity risk, currency risk, credit risk, and interest rate risk, among others. There could also be additional risks, which are either unknown or known but not currently deemed to be significant, which could also affect the Company’s business operations, its business, financial position, or profit or loss. The financial risk management structure includes identifying, determining, analyzing, quantifying, measuring and controlling these events. Management and in particular, Finance Management, is responsible for constantly assessing the financial risk. 5.2 Risk Factors (a) Credit risk A global economic contraction may have potentially negative effects on the financial assets of the Company, which are primarily made up of financial investments and trade receivables, and the impact on of our customers could extend the payment terms of the Company's receivables by increasing its exposure to credit risk. Although measures are taken to minimize the risk, this global economic situation could mean losses with adverse material effects on the business, financial position or profit and loss of the Company's operations. Trade receivables: to mitigate credit risk, the Company maintains active control of collection and requires the use of credit insurance. Credit insurance covers the risk of insolvency and unpaid invoices corresponding to 80% of all receivables with third parties. For the uncovered portion, the Company uses other instruments such as letters of credit and prepayments. The credit risk associated with receivables is analyzed in Note 14.2 b) and the associated accounting policy can be found in Note 3.5. The concentration of credit risk with respect to sales debtors is reduced, due to the large number of companies that comprise the Company's customer base and their distribution throughout the world. No significant modifications have been made during the period to risk models or parameters used in comparison to December 31, 2019, and no modifications have been made to contractual cash flows that have been significant during this period. Financial investments: correspond to time deposits whose maturity date is greater than 90 days and less than 360 days from the date of investment, so they are not exposed to excessive market risks. The counterparty risk in implementation of financial operations is assessed on an ongoing basis for all financial institutions in which the Company holds financial investments. The credit quality of financial assets that are not past due or impaired can be evaluated by reference to external credit ratings (if they are available) or historical information on counterparty late payment rates: Financial institution Financial assets Rating As of Moody´s S&P Fitch ThUS$ Banco de Crédito e Inversiones Time deposits P-1 A-1 - 9,002 Banco de Chile Time deposits P-1 A-1 - 10,503 Banco Estado Time deposits P-1 A-1 - 1,001 Banco Itau Corpbanca Time deposits P-2 A-2 - 7,299 Banco Santander – Santiago Time deposits P-1 A-1 - 16,702 Scotiabank Sud Americano Time deposits - - F1+ 7,002 JP Morgan US dollar Liquidity Fund Institutional Investment fund Aaa-mf AAAm AAAmmf 102,753 Legg Mason - Western Asset Institutional cash reserves Investment fund - AAAm AAAmmf 107,625 Other banks with lower balances Time deposits - - - 86 Total 261,973 Financial institution Financial assets Rating As of Moody´s S&P Fitch ThUS$ Banco de Crédito e Inversiones 90 days to 1 year P-1 A-1 - 185,589 Banco Itaú Corpbanca 90 days to 1 year P-2 A-2 - 49,006 Banco Santander - Santiago 90 days to 1 year P-1 A-1 - 45,168 Banco Scotiabank Sud Americano 90 days to 1 year - - F1+ 31,668 JP Morgan Asset Management 90 days to 1 year P-1 A-1 N1+ 34,028 Total 345,459 Financial institution Financial assets Rating As of Moody´s S&P Fitch ThUS$ Banco de Chile Time deposits P-1 A-1 - 50,221 Banco de Crédito e Inversiones Time deposits P-1 A-1 - 42,096 Banco Itaú Corpbanca Time deposits P-2 A-2 - 39,093 Banco Santander Time deposits P-1 A-1 - 2,708 Scotiabank Sud Americano Time deposits - - F1+ 14,428 Banco Estado Time deposits P-1 A-1 - 500 BBVA Banco Francés Time deposits - - - 53 JP Morgan US dollar Liquidity Fund Institutional Investment fund Aaa-mf AAAm AAAmmf 181,155 Legg Mason - Western Asset Institutional cash reserves Investment fund - AAAm AAAmmf 146,078 Total 476,332 Financial institution Financial assets Rating As of Moody´s S&P Fitch ThUS$ Banco Scotiabank Sud Americano 90 days to 1 year P-2 - - 54,180 Banco de Crédito e Inversiones 90 days to 1 year P-1 A-1 - 178,448 Banco Santander (*) 90 days to 1 year P-1 A-1 - 74,365 Banco Itau Corpbanca 90 days to 1 year P-2 A-2 - 127,579 Banco Security 90 days to 1 year - A-2 F2 17,965 Banco de Chile 90 days to 1 year - - - 18,026 Banco Estado 90 days to 1 year P-1 A-1 - 15,126 Total 485,689 (*) This includes ThUS$ 1,870 associated with collateral in guarantee used to reduce the liquidity risk. (b) Currency risk The functional currency of the company is the US dollar, due to its influence on the determination of price levels, its relation to the cost of sales and considering that a significant part of the Company’s business is conducted in this currency. However, the global nature of the Company's business generates an exposure to exchange rate variations of several currencies with the US dollar. Therefore, the Company maintains hedge contracts to mitigate the exposure generated by its main mismatches (net between assets and liabilities) in currencies other than the US dollar against the exchange rate variation, updating these contracts periodically depending on the amount of mismatching to be covered in these currencies. Occasionally, subject to the approval of the Board, the Company ensures short-term cash flows from certain specific line items in currencies other than the US dollar. A significant portion of the Company’s costs, especially salary payments, is associated with the Peso. Therefore, an increase or decrease in its exchange rate with the US dollar would affect the Company's profit and loss. By the fourth quarter of 2020, approximately US$ 473 million accumulated in expenses are associated with the Peso. As of December 31, 2020, the Company held derivative instruments classified as hedges of foreign exchange risks associated with 100% of all of the bond liabilities denominated in UF, for an asset at fair value of US$ 18.41 million. As of December 31, 2019, a liability was recognized amounting to US$ 18.9 million. Furthermore, on December 31, 2020, the Company held derivative instruments classified as hedges of foreign exchange risks associated with 100% of all nominative term deposits in UF and in pesos, at a fair value of US$ 21 million in liabilities. On December 31, 2019, an asset was recognized for an amount of US$ 16.4 million. (c) Interest rate risk Interest rate fluctuations, primarily due to the uncertain future behavior of markets, may have a material impact on the financial results of the Company. Significant increases in the rate could make it difficult to access financing at attractive rates for the Company's investment projects. The Company maintains current and non-current financial debt at fixed rates and LIBOR rate plus spread. As of December 31, 2020, the Company has around 4% of its financial liabilities linked to variations in the LIBOR rate. 100% of these obligations are covered by derivative instruments classified as interest rate hedging; therefore, a significant rate increase would not impact our financial condition. (d) Liquidity risk Liquidity risk relates to the funds needed to comply with payment obligations. The Company’s objective is to maintain financial flexibility through a comfortable balance between fund requirements and cash flows from regular business operations, bank borrowings, bonds, short term investments, and marketable securities, among others. For this purpose, the Company keeps a high liquidity ratio 1 The Company has an important capital expense program which is subject to change over time. On the other hand, world financial markets go through periods of contraction and expansion that are unforeseeable in the long-term and may affect SQM’s access to financial resources. Such factors may have a material adverse impact on the Company’s business, financial position and results of operations. The Company constantly monitors the matching of its obligations with its investments, taking due care of maturities of both, from a conservative perspective, as part of this financial risk management strategy. As of December 31, 2020, the Company had unused, available revolving credit facilities with banks, for a total of US$ 478 million. The position in other cash and cash equivalents are invested in highly liquid mutual funds with an AAA risk rating. (1) Unsecured obligations are presented on a contractual basis and have no effects related to anticipated redemptions. Nature of undiscounted cash flows As of December 31, 2020 Carrying Less than 1 year 1 to 5 years Over 5 years Total Bank borrowings 70.08 0.94 71.40 - 72.34 Unsecured obligations (1) 1,872.09 88.22 927.17 1,727.14 2,742.53 Sub total 1,942.17 89.16 998.57 1,727.14 2,814.87 Hedging liabilities 40.21 6.06 12.34 11.07 29.47 Derivative financial instruments 5.39 5.39 - - 5.39 Sub total 45.60 11.45 12.34 11.07 34.86 Current and non-current lease liabilities 31.07 6.40 21.04 7.17 34.61 Trade accounts payable and other accounts payable 203.93 203.93 - - 203.93 Total 2,222.77 310.94 1,031.95 1,745.38 3,088.27 Nature of undiscounted cash flows As of December 31, 2019 (figures expressed in millions of US dollars) Carrying Less than 1 year 1 to 5 years Over 5 years Total Bank borrowings 70.19 2.17 74.87 - 77.04 Unsecured obligations 1,697.11 326.34 614.29 1,184.38 2,125.01 Sub total 1,767.30 328.51 689.16 1,184.38 2,202.05 Hedging liabilities 23.66 6.57 24.33 32.37 63.27 Derivative financial instruments 3.17 3.17 - - 3.17 Sub total 26.83 9.74 24.33 32.37 66.44 Current and non-current lease liabilities 37.90 8.90 23.01 10.27 42.18 Trade accounts payable and other accounts payable 205.79 205.79 - - 205.79 Total 2,037.82 552.94 736.50 1,227.02 2,516.46 1 All current assets divided by all current liabilities. 5.3 Risk measurement The Company has methods to measure the effectiveness and efficiency of financial risk hedging strategies, both prospectively and retrospectively. These methods are consistent with the risk management profile of the SQM Group. See Note 13.8.

Separate information on the mai

Separate information on the main office, parent entity and joint action agreements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Separate Information On The Main Office Parent Entity And Joint Action Agreements [Abstract]
Separate information on the main office, parent entity and joint action agreements [Text Block]	Note 6 Separate information on the main office, parent entity and joint action agreements 6.1 Parent’s stand-alone assets and liabilities Parent’s stand-alone assets and liabilities As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 ThUS$ ThUS$ Assets 4,173,308 4,069,649 Liabilities (2,050,223 ) (1,983,382 ) Equity 2,123,085 2,086,267 6.2 Parent entity Pursuant to Article 99 of the Securities Market Law, the CMF may determine that a company does not have a controlling entity in accordance with the distribution and dispersion of its ownership. On November 30, 2018, the CMF issued the ordinary letter No. 32,131 whereby it determined that the Pampa Group do not exert decisive power over the management of the Company since it does not have a predominance in the ownership that allows it to make management decisions. Therefore, the CMF has determined not to consider Pampa Group the controlling entity of the Company and that the Company does not have a controlling entity given its current ownership structure.

Board of Directors, Senior Mana

Board of Directors, Senior Management and Key management personnel	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Disclosure of information about Board of Directors Senior Management and Key management personnel [Abstract]
Disclosure of Information About Board of Directors Senior Management and Key management personnel [Text Block]	Note 7 Board of Directors, Senior Management and Key management personnel 7.1 Remuneration of the Board of Directors and Senior Management (a) Board of directors SQM S.A. is managed by a Board of Directors which is composed of 8 regular directors, who are elected for a three-year period. The Board of Directors was elected during the ordinary shareholders’ meeting held on April 25, 2019, which included the election of 2 independent directors. As of December 31, 2020, the Company included the following committees and committee members: - Directors’ Committee: This committee is comprised by Georges de Bourguignon, Laurence Golborne Riveros y Alberto Salas Muñoz, and fulfills the functions established in Article 50 bis of Chilean Law on publicly-held corporations. This committee takes on the role of the audit committee in accordance with the US-based Sarbanes Oxley law. - The Company’s Health, Safety and Environment Committee: This committee is comprised of Gonzalo Guerrero Yamamoto, Patricio Contesse Fica y Robert J. Zatta. - Corporate Governance Committee: This committee is comprised of Hernán Büchi Buc, Patricio Contesse Fica y Francisco Ugarte Larrain. During the periods covered by these financial statements, there are no pending receivable and payable balances between the Company, its directors or members of Senior Management, other than those related to remuneration, fee allowances and profit-sharing. In addition, there were no transactions conducted between the Company, its directors or members of Senior Management. (b) Board of Directors’ Compensation Directors’ compensation differs according to the period during the corresponding year. Thus, from April 25, 2019 to April 22, 2020 (Period 2019-2020), Directors’ compensation was determined by the annual general shareholders' meeting held on April 25, 2019. While for the following period (Period 2020-2021), Directors’ compensation was determined by the annual general shareholders' meeting held on April 23, 2020. For each of these periods , Period 2019-2020 (i) The payment of a fixed, gross and monthly amount of UF 800 in favor of the Chairman of the Board of Directors, of UF 700 in favor of the vice-president of the board of directors and of UF 600 in favor of the remaining six directors and regardless of the number of Board of Directors’ Meetings held or not held during the related month. (ii) A variable gross amount payable in national currency to the Chairman and Vice President of the Company equivalent to 0.12% of the net liquid income earned by the Company in 2019 ; (iii) A variable gross amount payable in local currency to each Company director, excluding the Chairman and Vice President of the Company, equivalent to 0.06% of the net liquid income earned by the Company in 2019. Period 2020-2021: (i) The payment of a fixed, gross and monthly amount of UF 800 in favor of the Chairman of the Board of Directors, of UF 700 in favor of the vice-president of the board of directors and of UF 600 in favor of the remaining six directors and regardless of the number of Board of Directors’ Meetings held or not held during the related month. (ii) A variable gross amount payable in national currency to the Chairman and Vice President of the Company equivalent to 0.09% of the net liquid income that the Company effectively obtains during the 2020 ; (iii) A variable gross amount payable in local currency to each Company director, excluding the Chairman and Vice President of the Company, equivalent to 0.045% of the net liquid income that the Company effectively obtains during the 2020 . These fixed and variable amounts for both periods shall not be challenged and those expressed in percentage terms shall be paid immediately after the respective annual general shareholders meeting approves the financial statements, the annual report, the account inspectors report and the external auditors report for the respective year. All amounts expressed in UF shall be paid in Chilean pesos at its value on the last day of the respective calendar month, as determined by the CMF (formerly Superintendence of Banks and Financial Institutions) the Chilean Central Bank or any other relevant institution that replaces them. Accordingly, the compensation and profit sharing paid to members of the Directors' Committee and the directors as of December 31, 2020 amounted to ThUS$ 4,582 and as of December 31, 2019 to ThUS$ 5,168. (c) Directors’ Committee compensation Directors' Committee compensation differs according to the period during the corresponding year. Thus, for the Period 2019-2020, Directors’ Committee compensation was determined by the annual general shareholders' meeting held on April 25, 2019. While for the Period 2020-2021, Directors’ Committee compensation was determined by the annual general shareholders' meeting held on April 23, 2020. For each of these periods the compensation of the Directors Committee comprises : Period 2019-2020 (i) The payment of a fixed, gross and monthly amount of UF 200 in favor of each of the 3 directors who were members of the Directors’ Committee, regardless of the number of meetings of the Directors’ Committee that have or have not been held during the month concerned. (ii) The payment in domestic currency and in favor of each of the 3 directors of a variable and gross amount equivalent to 0.02% of total net profit that the Company effectively obtains during the 2019 fiscal year. Period 2020-2021 (i) The payment of a fixed, gross and monthly amount of UF 200 in favor of each of the 3 directors who were members of the Directors’ Committee, regardless of the number of meetings of the Directors’ Committee that have or have not been held during the month concerned. (ii) The payment in domestic currency and in favor of each of the 3 directors of a variable and gross amount equivalent to 0.015% of total net profit that the Company effectively obtains during the 2020 fiscal year. These fixed and variable amounts for both periods shall not be challenged and those expressed in percentage terms shall be paid immediately after the respective annual general shareholders meeting approves the financial statements, the annual report, the account inspectors report and the external auditors report for the respective year. All amounts expressed in UF shall be paid in Chilean pesos at its value on the last day of the respective calendar month, as determined by the CMF (formerly Superintendence of Banks and Financial Institutions) the Chilean Central Bank or any other relevant institution that replaces them. (d) Health, Safety and Environmental Matters Committee: The remuneration of this committee for the 2019–2020 period was composed of the payment of a fixed, gross, monthly amount of UF 100 for each of the 3 directors on the committee regardless of the number of meetings it has held. For the 2020-2021 period, this remuneration remains unchanged. (e) Corporate Governance Committee The remuneration for this committee for the 2019–2020 period was composed of the payment of a fixed, gross, monthly amount of UF 100 for each of the 3 directors on the committees regardless of the number of meetings it has held. For the 2020-2021 period, this remuneration remains unchanged. (f) Guarantees constituted in favor of the directors No guarantees have been constituted in favor of the directors. (g) Senior management compensation: (i) This includes monthly fixed salary and variable performance bonuses. (See Note 7.2) (ii) The Company has an annual bonus plan based on goal achievement and individual contribution to the Company’s results. These incentives are structured as a minimum and maximum number of gross monthly salaries and are paid once a year. (iii) In addition, there are retention bonuses for its executives (see Note 18.6) (h) Guarantees pledged in favor of the Company’s management No guarantees have been pledged in favor of the Company’s management. (i) Pensions, life insurance, paid leave, shares in earnings, incentives, disability loans, other than those mentioned in the above points. The Company’s Management and Directors do not receive or have not received any benefit during the ended December 31, 2020 and the year ended December 31, 2019 or compensation for the concept of pensions, life insurance, paid time off, profit sharing, incentives, or benefits due to disability other than those mentioned in the preceding points. 7.2 Key management personnel compensation As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the number of the key management personnel is 126 and 124, respectively. Key management personnel compensation For the year ended 2020 For the year ended 2019 For the year ended 2018 ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Key management personnel compensation 22,858 22,598 27,907 Please also see the description of the compensation plan for executives in Note 18.6.

Equity-accounted investees

Equity-accounted investees	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Disclosure Of Equity-accounted investees [Abstract]
Disclosure of investments accounted for using equity method [text block]	Note 8 Equity-accounted investees 8.1 Investments in associates recognized according to the equity method of accounting As of December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019, in accordance with criteria established in Note 2: Equity-accounted investees Share in profit (loss) of associates and joint Share in profit (loss) of associates and joint Share in total other comprehensive income Associate As of As of As of As of As of As of As of As of As of As of As of As of ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Abu Dhabi Fertilizer Industries WWL 11,505 11,609 10,821 (156 ) 634 596 - 1 - (156 ) 635 596 Doktor Tarsa Tarim Sanayi AS (*) - 26,001 21,582 4,031 3,912 241 - 198 489 4,031 4,110 730 Ajay North America 14,468 14,669 14,951 2,191 2,871 3,728 - - - 2,191 2,871 3,728 Ajay Europe SARL 7,875 7,451 7,845 1,029 1,165 1,373 756 (179 ) (439 ) 1,785 986 934 Charlee SQM Thailand Co Ltd - - - - - 316 - - - - - 316 SQM Eastmed Turkey (*) - 623 310 247 354 370 - (42 ) (21 ) 247 312 349 Kore Potash PLC 26,175 24,739 20,467 (224 ) (534 ) (1,543 ) (374 ) (549 ) (1,206 ) (598 ) (1.083 ) (2,749 ) Total 60,023 85,092 75,976 7,118 8,402 5,081 382 (571 ) (1.177 ) 7,500 7,831 3,904 (*) As of December 31, 2020, these investments no longer form part of the group. See Note 8.4 (a). (**) These investments include adjustments for unrealized results. Dividends received for the period ending Associate Description of the nature of the relationship Domicile Country of Share of As of December As of December As of December ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Abu Dhabi Fertilizer Industries WWL Distribution and commercialization of specialty plant nutrients in the Middle East. PO Box 71871, Abu Dhabi United Arab Emirates 37 % - - 6,632 Ajay North America Production and distribution of iodine and iodine derivatives. 1400 Industry RD Power Springs GA 30129 United States 49 % 1,967 2,796 2,807 Ajay Europe SARL Production and distribution of iodine and iodine derivatives. Z.I. du Grand Verger BP 227 53602 Evron Cedex France 50 % 1,197 1,055 811 Charlee SQM Thailand Co Ltd Production and distribution of iodine and iodine derivatives. 31 Soi 138 (Meesuk) LLapdrawrd, Bangkapi, 10240 Bangkok Thailand 40 % - - 362 SQM Eastmed Turkey Production and distribution of iodine and iodine derivatives. Organize Sanayi Bolgesi, Ikinci Kisim, 22 cadde TR07100 Antalya Turkey 50 % - - - Kore Potash Ltd Prospecting, exploration and mining development L 3 88 William ST Perth, was 6000 United Kingdom 20.20 % - - - Total 3,164 3,851 10,612 The companies described in the table below are related parties of the following associates: (1) Doktor Tarsa Tarim Sanayi AS (2) Terra Tarsa B.V. (3) Abu Dhabi Fertilizer Industries WWL Dividends received for the period ending Associate Description of the nature of the relationship Domicile Country of Share of As of December As of December As of December ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Terra Tarsa Ukraine LLC (2) Distribution and trading of specialty plant nutrients. 74800 Ukraine, Kakhovka, 4 Yuzhnaya Str. Ukraine 100 % - - - Terra Tarsa BV (1) Distribution and trading of specialty plant nutrients, in the Middle East. Herikerbergweg 238, Luna Arena, 1101CM Amsterdam PO Box 23393, 1100DW Amsterdam Zuidoost Holland 50 % - - - Plantacote NV (1) Sale of CRF and production and sales of WSNPK. Houtdok-Noordkaai 25a, 2030 Antwerpen, Belgium Belgium 100 % - - - Doctochem Tarim Sanayai Ticaret LTD (1) Production, distribution and trading of specialty plant nutrition. Eski Büyükdere Cad No: 7 GIZ 2000 Plaza K:17 D:67-68 Maslak Sariyer Ístambul. Turkey 100 % - - - Terra Tarsa Don LLC (2) Distribution and sale of specialty fertilizers. Zorge Street, house 17, 344090, Rostov-on-Don Russian Federation 100 % - - - Doktolab Tarim Arastirma San. (1) Laboratory services. 27. Cd. No:2, 07190 Aosb 2. Kısım/Döşemealtı, Antalya, Turkey Turkey 100 % - - - International Technical and Trading Agencies Co WLL (3) Distribution and trading of specialty plant nutrients, in the Middle East. P.O Box: 950918 Amman 11195 Jordan 50 % - - - Total - - - (*) This percentage does not consider the shareholdings of the holders of these subsidiaries. 8.2 Assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses of associates As of December 31, 2020 for the period ended as of December 31, 2020 Assets Liabilities Other Associate Current Non-current Current Non-current Revenue Gain (loss) comprehensive Comprehensive ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Abu Dhabi Fertilizer Industries WWL 29,313 8,586 6,706 101 6,641 (420 ) - (420 ) Ajay North America 18,513 15,749 4,737 - 42,920 4,471 - 4,471 Ajay Europe SARL 22,032 1,493 7,773 - 41,950 2,058 1,736 3,794 Kore Potash PLC 5,691 124,112 786 - - (3,233 ) 486 (2,747 ) Total 75,549 149,940 20,002 101 91,511 2,876 2,222 5,098 As of December 31, 2019 for the period ended as of December 31, 2019 Assets Liabilities Other Associate Current Non-current Current Non-current Revenue Gain (loss) comprehensive Comprehensive ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Abu Dhabi Fertilizer Industries WWL 28,543 9,971 7,133 - 31,588 1,713 4 1,717 Doktor Tarsa Tarim Sanayi AS 97,797 15,196 22,420 38,522 93,768 7,824 396 8,220 Ajay North America 19,748 13,250 3,061 - 38,833 5,860 - 5,860 Ajay Europe SARL 19,589 1,456 6,144 - 35,709 2,329 (358 ) 1,971 SQM Eastmed Turkey 2,718 1,833 2,600 704 3,086 709 (84 ) 625 Kore Potash PLC 7,938 119,362 2,214 - - (2,716 ) (2,791 ) (5,507 ) Total 176,333 161,068 43,572 39,226 202,984 15,719 (2,833 ) 12,886 As of December 31, 2018 for the period ended as of December 31, 2018 Assets Liabilities Other Associate Current Non-current Current Non-current Revenue Gain (loss) comprehensive Comprehensive ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Abu Dhabi Fertilizer Industries WWL 23,496 11,444 5,695 - 33,098 1,611 (1 ) 1,610 Doktor Tarsa Tarim Sanayi AS 66,498 12,242 27,067 8,509 74,144 481 978 1,459 Ajay North America 21,644 12,409 3,542 - 40,290 7,608 - 7,608 Ajay Europe SARL 21,219 1,214 6,743 - 36,337 2,747 (878 ) 1,869 SQM Eastmed Turkey 1,724 2,160 1,829 1,434 3,192 740 (42 ) 698 Kore Potash PLC 6,659 148,426 2,180 - - (8,198 ) (6,882 ) (15,080 ) Total 141,240 187,895 47,056 9,943 187,061 4,989 (6,825 ) (1,836 ) 8.3 Other information The Company has no participation in unrecognized losses in investments in associates. The Company has no investments that are not accounted for according to the equity method. The basis of preparation of the financial information of associates corresponds to the amounts included in the financial statements in conformity with IFRS. 8.4 Disclosures on interest in associates (a) Transactions conducted in 2020 · During the second quarter Kore Potash PLC made a share payment to its non-executive board members, which resulted in a 0.60% share reduction for the company. This resulted in a transfer in equity of non-controlling interest to other reserves in an amount of ThUS$ 754. · During the third quarter of 2020 SQM S.A. increased its shares in Kore Potash PLC to 20.26% as a result of the acquisition of 260,598,591 shares out of 584,753,846 shares issued for a capital increase corresponding to ThUS$ 1,679. · During the third quarter of 2020, its interest in Doktor Tarsa Tarim and its subsidiaries were sold through Soquimich European Holdings B.V. at a value of ThUS$ 33,066, which brought about a loss of ThUS$ 11,408. As of the end of the fourth quarter of 2020, there was a balance of ThUS$ 4,745 in other current receivables and ThUS$ 9,491 in non-current receivables. · During the fourth quarter of 2020, SQM Holland B.V., acquired a WSNPK business from Plantacote N.V. at a value of ThUS$ 16,757, which generated goodwill of ThUS$7,380. · During the third quarter of 2020, shares held in SQM Eastmed Turkey were sold through Soquimich European Holdings B.V. at a value of ThUS$ 618, which brought about a loss of ThUS$ 408. · During the fourth quarter of 2020, Kore Potash PLC made a share-based payment to its non-executive board members, which resulted in a 0.06% share reduction for the company, finalizing with a share percentage of 20.20%. This resulted in a decrease in consolidated equity of non-controlling interests in other reserves of ThUS$ 79. (b) Transactions conducted in 2019 · SQM S.A. increased the capital of Kore Potash Ltd by ThUS$ 2,600 in July 2019, which increased its interest to 19.67% of the shareholder’s investment. · On December 11, 2019, Doktor Tarsa Tarim Sanayi AS acquired 100% of the shares in Doctochem Tarim Sanayi Ticaret LTD. (c) Transactions conducted in 2018 · During the first quarter, the Company increased its capital in Kore Potash PLC by ThUS$ 3,000. · On November 14, 2018, Soquimich European Holdings B.V. sold its share in Charlee SQM Thailand Co. Ltd., generating a loss of ThUS$ 759. · In 2018, Doktor Tarsa Tarim Sanayi Ve Ticaret A.S., changed its functional currency from Turkish Lira to the United States Dollar.

Joint Ventures

Joint Ventures	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Disclosure Of Joint Ventures Explanatory [Abstract]
Disclosure of joint ventures [text block]	Note 9 Joint Ventures 9.1 Policy for the accounting of equity accounted investment in joint ventures This accounting policy is described in Note 2.6. For these joint ventures there is no quoted market price to measure these investments. At the date of issuance of these financial statements, the Company is not aware of the existence of any significant contingent liabilities associated with the partnerships in joint ventures. 9.2 Disclosures of interest in joint ventures a) Operations conducted in 2020 · In the second quarter of 2020, the Company has taken 100% ownership of SQM Vitas BV through the subsidiary Soquimich European Holdings with a cost of ThUS$ 1,276 and its name has been changed to SQM Holland. (See Note 8.1) · In the second quarter of 2020, shares held in Arpa Speciali S.R.L. were sold through SQM Pavoni · In the third quarter of 2020, shares held in Coromandel SQM India were sold through Soquimich European Holdings B.V. at a value of ThUS$ 1,505, which brought about a loss of ThUS$ 643. · During fourth quarter of 2020, the shares in SQM Qingdao-Star Co, Ltd. were sold through SQM Industrial S.A. for ThUS$ 1,303, which brought about a gain of ThUS$ 62. As of December 31, 2020, the sale proceeds were recorded in other receivables. · A subsequent event associated with the joint venture with Sichuan SQM Migao Chemical Fertilizers Co Ltd. is reported in Note 31.2. Accordingly, the effect on the statement of income for the fourth quarter of 2020 under "Other gains (losses)" is a gain of ThUS$7,036 on the reversal of the impairment associated with this investment. b) Operations conducted in 2019 · On January 01, 2019, SQM Vitas Perú changed its functional currency from the Peruvian sol to Dollar. c) Operations conducted in 2018 · During the first quarter of 2018, Minera Exar S.A. increased its capital by ThUS$ 13,000. The entity was a joint venture and contributions were made on January 25, 2018 (ThUS$ 6,000) and on February 14, 2018 (ThUS$ 7,000) by SQM Potasio S.A. and Lithium Americas Corporation (LAC). Both partners share 50% ownership of the respective company. · On March 14, 2018, the company SQM Vitas Plantacote B.V. was closed. · As of the date, Minera Exar S.A. has changed its functional currency from the Argentine peso to the United States dollar. · In April 2018, Minera Exar made a new capital increase of ThUS$ 7,000, which was contributed in equal parts by its partners. · On May 15, 2018, the subsidiary Soquimich European Holdings BV, signed a joint venture agreement with PAVONI & C., SpA in Italy, EUR 5.5 million were paid for a 50% share, generating a lower value of EUR 2.6 million. The functional currency of the joint venture is the Euro. · On December 31, 2018, the conditions were met for Covalent Lithium Pty Ltd, to be recognized as a separate joint venture. In previous years, the financial statements for this entity were included as part of SQM Australia Pty. · On December 31, 2018, as part of the investment in Pavoni & C., SpA. the goodwill generated in the purchase of this joint venture by an amount of ThUS$ 3,206. · The subsidiary SQM Industrial S.A. recorded an impairment loss of ThUS$ 8,802, corresponding to its Sichuan SQM-Migao Chemical Fertilizer Co, Ltd, joint venture. The impairment is disclosed by netting the value of the aforementioned investment, in the caption “Equity method investments". · During December 2018, the Company sold its shares in Minera Exar S.A. and generated a profit before taxes of ThUS$ 14,507. 9.3 Investment in joint ventures accounted for under the equity method of accounting Dividends received for the period ending Joint venture Description of the nature of the relationship Domicile Country of Share of As of December As of December As of December ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Sichuan SQM Migao Chemical Fertilizers Co Ltd. Production and distribution of soluble fertilizers. Huangjing Road, Dawan Town, Qingbaijiang District, Chengdu Municipality, Sichuan Province China 50 % - - - Coromandel SQM India Production and distribution of potassium nitrate. 1-2-10, Sardar Patel Road, Secunderabad – 500003 Andhra Pradesh India 50 % - - - SQM Vitas Fzco. Production and commercialization of specialty plant, animal nutrition and industrial hygiene. Jebel ALI Free Zone P.O. Box 18222, Dubai United Arab Emirates 50 % - 10,598 - SQM Qingdao Star Corp Nutrition Co. Ltd. Production and distribution of nutrient plant solutions with specialties NPK soluble. Longquan Town, Jimo City, Qingdao Municipality, Shangdong Province China 50 % 2,223 - - SQM Vitas Holland Without information production of specialized fertilizers and other products for distribution in Italy and other countries. Herikerbergweg 238, 1101 CM Amsterdam Zuidoost Holland 50 % - - - Pavoni & C. Spa products for distribution in Italy and other countries. Corso Italia 172, 95129 Catania (CT), Sicilia Italy 50 % - - - Covalent Lithium Pty Ltd. Development and operation of the Mt Holland Lithium project, which will include the construction of a lithium extraction and refining mine L18, 109 St Georges Tce Perth WA 6000 |PO Box Z5200 St Georges Tce Perth WA 6831 Australia 50 % - - - Total 2,223 10,598 - The companies described in the following table are related to the following joint ventures: (1) SQM Vitas Fzco. (2) Pavoni & C. Spa. Dividends received for the period ending Joint venture Description of the nature of the relationship Domicile Country of Share of As of As of As of ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ SQM Vitas Brasil Agroindustria (1) Production and trading of specialty vegetable and animal nutrition and industrial hygiene. Via Cndeias, Km. 01 Sem Numero, Lote 4, Bairro Cia Norte, Candeias, Bahia. Brazil 49.99 % - - - SQM Vitas Perú S.A.C. (1) Production and trading of specialty vegetable and animal nutrition and industrial hygiene Av. Juan de Arona 187, Torre B, Oficina 301-II, San Isidro, Lima Peru 50 % - - - Arpa Speciali S.R.L. (2) Production of specialty fertilizers and others for distribution in Italy and other countries. Mantova (MN) Via Cremona 27 Int. 25 Italy 50.48 % - - - Total - - - (*) The percentages presented correspond to the ownership used in the consolidation of the company. Equity-accounted investees Share in profit (loss) of associates and joint ventures accounted for using Joint Venture As of As of As of As of As of As of ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Coromandel SQM India (*) - 1,568 1,729 - (98 ) 174 SQM Vitas Fzco. 9,720 9,111 20,202 2,010 1,797 1,781 SQM Qingdao Star Corp Nutrition Co. Ltd. (*) - 3,464 3,168 83 296 188 SQM Vitas B.V. - 1,304 1,345 - (15 ) (14 ) Minera Exar S.A. (1) - - - - - (206 ) Pavoni & C. Spa 7,222 6,864 7,084 9 36 (39 ) Covalent Lithium Pty Ltd. (**) - 40 53 - - 36 Sichuan SQM Migao Chemical Fertilizers Co Ltd. (***) 9,028 1,992 1,992 (280 ) (632 ) (650 ) Total 25,970 24,343 35,573 1,822 1,384 1,270 Share on other comprehensive income of associates and joint ventures Share on total other comprehensive income of associates and joint ventures Joint Venture As of As of As of As of As of As of ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Coromandel SQM India (*) - (38 ) (159 ) - (136 ) 15 SQM Vitas Fzco. (1,469 ) 437 (903 ) 541 2,234 878 SQM Qingdao Star Corp Nutrition Co. Ltd. (*) - - - 83 296 188 SQM Vitas B.V. - (27 ) (70 ) - (42 ) (84 ) Minera Exar S.A. (1) - - - - - (206 ) Pavoni & C. Spa 349 (255 ) 70 358 (219 ) 31 Covalent Lithium Pty Ltd. (**) 16 (13 ) - 16 (13 ) 36 Sichuan SQM Migao Chemical Fertilizers Co Ltd. (***) - - - (280 ) (632 ) (650 ) Total (1,104 ) 104 (1,062 ) 718 1,488 208 (*) As of December 31, 2020, these investments were no longer part of the group, see note 9.2 (a). (**) As of December 31, 2020, this joint venture has a negative value of ThUS$ (92), which is presented in Other non-current provisions. (***) See subsequent events in Notes 9.2 and 29.2. (****) These investments include adjustments for unrealized gains. The amounts described in the following box represent numbers used in the consolidation of the company: Equity-accounted investees Share in profit (loss) of associates and joint ventures accounted for using Joint Venture As of As of As of As of As of As of ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ SQM Vitas Brasil Agroindustria (1) 3,511 5,347 5,915 1,018 564 1,439 SQM Vitas Perú S.A.C. (1) 1,659 1,955 2,671 660 211 (275 ) Arpa Speciali S.R.L. (2) (*) - 92 62 - 31 (44 ) Total 5,170 7,394 8,648 1,678 806 1,120 Share on other comprehensive income of associates and joint ventures Share on total other comprehensive income of associates and joint ventures Joint Venture As of As of As of As of As of As of ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ SQM Vitas Brasil Agroindustria (1) (1,469 ) (225 ) (792 ) (451 ) 339 647 SQM Vitas Perú S.A.C. (1) - 661 (112 ) 660 872 (387 ) Arpa Speciali S.R.L. (2) (*) - (1 ) - - 30 (44 ) Total (1,469 ) 435 (904 ) 209 1,241 216 The following companies are subsidiaries of: (1) SQM Vitas Fzco. (2) Pavoni & C. Spa 9.4 Assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses from joint ventures As of December 31, 2020 For the period ended December 31, 2020 Assets Liabilities Gain (loss) from Other Comprehensive Joint Venture Current Non-current Current Non-current Revenue operations income income ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Sichuan SQM Migao Chemical Fertilizers Co Ltd. 29,507 4,412 14,156 - 9 (562 ) - (562 ) Coromandel SQM India - - - - - - - - SQM Vitas Fzco. (496 ) 20,431 496 - - 4,019 - 4,019 SQM Qingdao Star Corp Nutrition Co. Ltd. - - - - - - - - SQM Vitas Brasil Agroindustria 40,064 5,527 33,410 - 78,960 2,036 (2,938 ) (902 ) SQM Vitas Perú S.A.C. 34,548 7,928 33,145 1,080 37,591 1,319 - 1,319 Pavoni & C. Spa 10,645 7,493 9,270 836 15,958 16 698 714 Covalent Lithium Pty Ltd. 1,418 2,131 2,823 910 - (232 ) 33 (199 ) Total 115,686 47,922 93,300 2,826 132,518 6,596 (2,207 ) 4,389 As of December 31, 2019 For the period ended December 31, 2019 Assets Liabilities Gain (loss) from Other Comprehensive Joint Venture Current Non-current Current Non-current Revenue operations income income ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Sichuan SQM Migao Chemical Fertilizers Co Ltd. 28,668 5,129 13,472 - 7 (1,262 ) - (1,262 ) Coromandel SQM India 4,504 633 1,704 - 8,197 (197 ) (77 ) (274 ) SQM Vitas Fzco. 9,695 1 1,136 - 36 3,595 (876 ) 2,719 SQM Qingdao Star Corp Nutrition Co. Ltd. 7,534 26 632 - 12,003 592 - 592 SQM Vitas B.V. 2,609 - 2 - - (30 ) (53 ) (83 ) SQM Vitas Brasil Agroindustria 46,118 7,299 40,334 - 87,901 1,128 (451 ) 677 SQM Vitas Perú S.A.C. 29,452 8,378 24,855 6,044 28,590 421 1,322 1,743 Pavoni & C. Spa 9,444 7,074 8,466 735 14,296 71 (510 ) (439 ) Covalent Lithium Pty Ltd. 1,616 958 2,111 383 - - (25 ) (25 ) Total 139,640 29,498 92,712 7,162 151,030 4,318 (670 ) 3,648 As of December 31, 2018 For the period ended December 31, 2018 Assets Liabilities Gain (loss) from Other Comprehensive Joint Venture Current Non-current Current Non-current Revenue operations income income ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Sichuan SQM Migao Chemical Fertilizers Co Ltd. 28,577 5,913 12,902 - 16 (1,301 ) - (1,301 ) Coromandel SQM India 5,905 852 3,050 - 11,605 348 (318 ) 30 SQM Vitas Fzco. 30,430 17,592 2,678 - 16,583 3,561 (1,806 ) 1,755 SQM Qingdao Star Corp Nutrition Co. Ltd. 7,754 114 1,533 - 13,004 377 - 377 SQM Vitas B.V. 2,692 - 1 - - (28 ) (139 ) (167 ) SQM Vitas Brasil Agroindustria 36,648 7,566 31,808 - 82,625 2,879 (1,585 ) 1,294 SQM Vitas Perú S.A.C. 22,365 7,785 18,996 5,966 28,619 (550 ) (223 ) (773 ) Pavoni & C. Spa 10,062 6,490 8,098 698 15,461 (79 ) 140 61 Covalent Lithium Pty Ltd. 239 100 233 - - 106 - 106 Total 144,672 46,412 79,299 6,664 167,913 5,313 (3,931 ) 1,382 9.5 Other Joint Venture disclosures Cash and cash equivalents Other current financial liabilities Other non-current financial Joint Venture As of As of As of As of As of As of ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Sichuan SQM Migao Chemical Fertilizers Co Ltd. 30 33 - - - - Coromandel SQM India - 2,240 - - - - SQM Vitas Fzco. 4,251 3,071 - - - - SQM Qingdao Star Corp Nutrition Co. Ltd. - 4,640 - - - - SQM Vitas B.V. - 2,609 - - - - SQM Vitas Brasil Agroindustria 4,065 2,101 6,820 9,106 - - SQM Vitas Perú S.A.C. 1,043 225 227 258 691 895 Pavoni & C. Spa 767 314 5,573 5,509 - - Covalent Lithium Pty Ltd. 653 693 953 472 - - Total 10,809 15,926 13,573 15,345 691 895 Depreciation and amortization expense for the Interest expense for the period Income tax benefit (expense) for the period Joint Venture As of As of As of As of As of As of ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Sichuan SQM Migao Chemical Fertilizers Co Ltd. (394 ) (743 ) - - 244 153 Coromandel SQM India - (291 ) - (4 ) - (27 ) SQM Vitas Fzco. (1 ) - (2 ) (7 ) - - SQM Qingdao Star Corp Nutrition Co. Ltd. - (62 ) - - - (241 ) SQM Vitas B.V. - - - (1 ) - - SQM Vitas Brasil Agroindustria (355 ) (33 ) (656 ) (1,176 ) (34 ) 181 SQM Vitas Perú S.A.C. (257 ) (287 ) (326 ) (435 ) (197 ) (316 ) Pavoni & C. Spa (263 ) (149 ) (410 ) - (120 ) (214 ) Covalent Lithium Pty Ltd. (213 ) (126 ) (18 ) (32 ) 714 - Total (1,483 ) (1,691 ) (1,412 ) (1,655 ) 607 (464 ) 9.6 Joint Ventures In 2017, together with our subsidiary SQM Australia Pty, we entered into an agreement to acquire 50% of the assets of the Mt Holland lithium project in Western Australia. The Mt Holland Lithium Project consist, to design, construct and operate a mine, concentrator and refinery to produce approximately 50,000 metric tons of lithium hydroxide per year. On January 23, 2020, after finalizing the definitive feasibility study, the Company and its project partner Wesfarmers Limited, have decided to postpone the final investment decision to the first quarter of 2021. In addition, the Company will finance the activities of Mt Holland for a year in an amount of US$ 30 million. As of December 31, 2020, the Company had made contributions in the amount of US$ 30 million, of which, US$ 15 million was paid in favor of the partner in the project and presented as other receivables. If the Company does not approve the investment decision, Wesfarmers Limited does not have an obligation to pay the joint venture an amount equal to the amount contributed by the Company. See subsequent events in Note 29.2.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
DisclosureOfCashAndCashEquivalentsExplanatory [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	Note 10 Cash and cash equivalents 10.1 Types of cash and cash equivalents As of December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019, cash and cash equivalents are detailed as follows: Cash As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, ThUS$ ThUS$ Cash on hand 54 71 Cash in banks 244,848 105,141 Other demand deposits 2,227 6,986 Total Cash 247,129 112,198 Cash equivalents As of December 31, As of December 31, ThUS$ ThUS$ Short-term deposits, classified as cash equivalents 51,595 149,099 Short-term investments, classified as cash equivalents 210,378 327,233 Total cash equivalents 261,973 476,332 Total cash and cash equivalents 509,102 588,530 10.2 Short-term investments, classified as cash equivalents As of December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019, the short-term investments classified as cash and cash equivalents relate to mutual funds (investment liquidity funds) for investments in: Institution As of December 31, As of December 31, ThUS$ ThUS$ Legg Mason - Western Asset Institutional Cash Reserves 107,625 181,155 JP Morgan US dollar Liquidity Fund Institutional 102,753 146,078 Total 210,378 327,233 Short-term investments are highly liquid mutual funds that are basically invested in short-term fixed rate notes in the U.S. market. 10.3 Information on cash and cash equivalents by currency As of December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019, information on cash and cash equivalents by currency is detailed as follows: Currency As of December 31, As of December 31, ThUS$ ThUS$ Peso (*) 7,190 8,240 Dollar 454,402 558,572 Euro 17,144 3,131 Mexican Peso 1,378 2,103 South African Rand 14,286 3,929 Japanese Yen 1,646 1,559 Peruvian Sol 3 4 Indian rupee 6 6 Chinese Yuan 11,597 2,484 Indonesian rupee 3 3 Argentine Peso - 3 Pound Sterling 19 3 Australian Dollar 1,411 8,492 South Korean won 16 - Dirham United Arab Emirates - - Polish Zloty 1 1 Total 509,102 588,530 (*) The Company maintains financial derivative instruments policies which allow management to convert term deposits denominated in pesos and UF to Dollars. 10.4 Amount restricted cash balances As of December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019, cash balances are presented with some form of restriction (see note 21.7). Financial assets pledged as collateral On November 4, 2004, Isapre Norte Grande has a guarantee equivalent to the total amount owed to its subsidiaries and medical suppliers, which is administered and maintained by Banco de Chile. As of December 31, 2020, and, December 31, 2019 pledged assets are as follows Restricted cash balances As of December 31, As of December 31, ThUS$ ThUS$ Isapre Norte Grande Ltda. 731 551 Total 731 551 10.5 Short-term deposits, classified as cash equivalents The detail at the end of each period is as follows: Receiver of the deposit Type of deposit Original Interest Rate Placement date Expiration date Principal Interest accrued to-date As of December 31, ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Banco Santander - Santiago Fixed term Dollar 0.35 % 12-30-2020 03-30-2021 7,000 - 7,000 Scotiabank Sud Americano Fixed term Dollar 0.35 % 11-30-2020 01-08-2021 1,500 1 1,501 Banco de Chile Fixed term Dollar 0.61 % 11-30-2020 01-08-2021 2,000 1 2,001 Banco de Chile Fixed term Dollar 0.61 % 11-30-2020 01-08-2021 3,500 1 3,501 Banco crédito e inversiones Fixed term Dollar 0.46 % 12-01-2020 01-15-2021 500 - 500 Scotiabank Sud Americano Fixed term Dollar 0.4 % 12-01-2020 01-15-2021 500 - 500 Scotiabank Sud Americano Fixed term Dollar 0.4 % 12-02-2020 01-20-2021 2,500 1 2,501 Banco Santander - Santiago Fixed term Dollar 0.5 % 12-09-2020 01-25-2021 500 - 500 Scotiabank Sud Americano Fixed term Dollar 0.5 % 12-09-2020 01-25-2021 1,000 - 1,000 Banco Santander - Santiago Fixed term Dollar 0.5 % 12-09-2020 01-25-2021 6,000 1 6,001 Banco crédito e inversiones Fixed term Dollar 0.51 % 12-09-2020 01-25-2021 6,000 1 6,001 Banco crédito e inversiones Fixed term Dollar 0.26 % 12-14-2020 01-29-2021 500 - 500 Banco Estado Fixed term Dollar 0.14 % 12-14-2020 01-29-2021 1,000 1 1,001 Scotiabank Sud Americano Fixed term Dollar 0.4 % 12-14-2020 01-29-2021 1,500 - 1,500 Banco de Chile Fixed term Dollar 0.56 % 12-14-2020 01-29-2021 5,000 1 5,001 Banco Itaú Corpbanca Fixed term Dollar 0.68 % 12-18-2020 01-01-2021 500 - 500 Banco Itaú Corpbanca Fixed term Dollar 0.68 % 12-18-2020 02-01-2021 2,000 1 2,001 Banco crédito e inversiones Fixed term Dollar 0.2 % 12-23-2020 02-05-2021 2,000 1 2,001 Banco Itaú Corpbanca Fixed term Dollar 0.4 % 12-24-2020 02-08-2021 1,000 - 1,000 Banco Santander - Santiago Fixed term Dollar 0.26 % 12-29-2020 01-08-2021 2,500 1 2,501 Banco Santander - Santiago Fixed term Dollar 0.15 % 12-30-2020 02-12-2021 700 - 700 Banco Itaú Corpbanca Fixed term Peso 0.35 % 12-29-2020 01-05-2021 3,798 - 3,798 BBVA Banco Francés Fixed term Dollar 1.8 % 12-31-2020 03-06-2021 86 - 86 Total 51,584 11 51,595 Receiver of the deposit Type of deposit Original Interest Rate Placement date Expiration date Principal Interest accrued As of December 31, 2019 ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Banco crédito e inversiones Fixed term Dollar 3.45 % 11-18-2019 02-13-2020 18,000 74 18,074 Banco crédito e inversiones Fixed term Dollar 2.85 % 12-26-2019 02-20-2020 20,000 8 20,008 Banco de Chile Fixed term Dollar 3.45 % 11-15-2019 01-23-2020 14,000 62 14,062 Banco de Chile Fixed term Dollar 3.50 % 11-15-2019 01-09-2020 18,000 80 18,080 Banco de Chile Fixed term Dollar 3.45 % 11-15-2019 01-16-2020 18,000 79 18,079 Banco Itaú Corpbanca Fixed term Dollar 2.90 % 12-26-2019 02-20-2020 33,000 13 33,013 Scotiabank Sud Americano Fixed term Peso 2.16 % 12-30-2019 01-08-2020 6,812 - 6,812 Banco crédito e inversiones Fixed term Dollar 3.51 % 11-21-2019 01-28-2020 1,000 4 1,004 Banco crédito e inversiones Fixed term Dollar 3.75 % 12-02-2019 02-27-2020 2,000 6 2,006 Banco crédito e inversiones Fixed term Dollar 3.60 % 11-25-2019 01-28-2020 1,000 4 1,004 Banco Estado Fixed term Dollar 2.15 % 12-16-2019 01-06-2020 500 - 500 Banco Santander - Santiago Fixed term Dollar 2.55 % 12-09-2019 02-04-2020 1,700 3 1,703 Banco Itaú Corpbanca Fixed term Dollar 2.55 % 12-16-2019 01-06-2020 2,500 3 2,503 Banco Itaú Corpbanca Fixed term Dollar 3.64 % 11-29-2019 02-13-2020 1,500 5 1,505 Banco Itaú Corpbanca Fixed term Dollar 2.80 % 11-12-2019 01-28-2020 2,000 8 2,008 Banco Santander - Santiago Fixed term Dollar 2.33 % 10-16-2019 01-12-2020 1,000 5 1,005 Scotiabank Sud Americano Fixed term Dollar 2.45 % 12-17-2019 01-13-2020 3,600 3 3,603 Scotiabank Sud Americano Fixed term Dollar 3.20 % 11-13-2019 01-30-2020 500 2 502 Scotiabank Sud Americano Fixed term Dollar 3.40 % 12-02-2019 02-27-2020 2,000 5 2,005 Scotiabank Sud Americano Fixed term Dollar 3.45 % 11-18-2019 01-30-2020 1,500 6 1,506 BBVA Banco Francés Fixed term Dollar 39 % 12-26-2019 01-27-2020 52 1 53 Banco Itaú S.A. On demand Dollar 8 % 10-17-2019 01-17-2020 64 - 64 Total 148,728 371 149,099 10.6 Net Debt reconciliation This section sets out an analysis of net debt and relating movements for each of the periods presented. The definition of the net debt is described in Note 20.1. Net debt As of December 31, As of December 31, ThUS$ ThUS$ Cash and cash equivalents 509,102 588,530 Other current financial assets 348,069 505,490 Other non-current financial hedge assets 37,276 3,918 Other current financial liabilities (68,955 ) (291,128 ) Lease liabilities, current (5,528 ) (7,694 ) Other non-current financial liabilities (1,899,513 ) (1,488,723 ) Lease liabilities, non-current (25,546 ) (30,203 ) Total (1,105,095 ) (719,810 ) As of From cash flow Not from cash flow As of Cash and cash equivalents December Amounts from Amounts from Other cash Hedging and non- Exchange rate Others December 31, 2020 ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Obligations with the public and bank loans (1,753,028 ) (136,692 ) 73,933 7,819 - (33,280 ) (81,616 ) (1,922,864 ) Current and non-current lease liabilities (37,897 ) 8,015 1,133 - - - (2,325 ) (31,074 ) Financial instruments derived from hedging (23,655 ) 814 7,634 - (20,909 ) - (4,094 ) (40,210 ) Financial instruments derived from non-hedging (3,169 ) - - - (2,226 ) - - (5,395 ) Current and non-current financial liabilities (1,817,749 ) (127,863 ) 82,700 7,819 (23,135 ) (33,280 ) (88,035 ) (1,999,543 ) Cash and cash equivalents 588,530 - - (78,988 ) - (440 ) - 509,102 Deposits that do not qualify as cash and cash equivalents 485,689 - - (123,196 ) - (14,032 ) (3,002 ) 345,459 Derivatives from hedge assets 21,188 - (1,216 ) (39,290 ) 56,207 - 388 37,277 Derivatives from other financial non-hedge assets 2,532 - - 6,902 (6,824 ) - - 2,610 Total (719,810 ) (127,863 ) 81,484 (226,753 ) 26,248 (47,752 ) (90,649 ) (1,105,095 ) The definition of debt is described in Note 13 .

Inventories

Inventories	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Disclosure Of Inventories Explanatory [Abstract]
Disclosure of inventories [text block]	Note 11 Inventories The composition of inventory at each period-end is as follows: Type of inventory As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 ThUS$ ThUS$ Raw material 10,694 7,287 Production supplies 31,007 26,064 Products-in-progress 487,830 457,563 Finished product 563,497 492,424 Total 1,093,028 983,338 As of December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019, the Company held caliche stockpiles, solutions in solar ponds and intermediary salts amounting ThUS$ 422,535 and ThUS$ 393,600, respectively (including products in progress). As of December 31, 2020, bulk inventories recognized within work in progress and finished goods were ThUS$ 108,909 and ThUS$ 176,561, respectively. As of December 31, 2019, bulk inventories recognized within work in progress and finished goods were ThUS$ 104,295 and ThUS$ 204,686, respectively. Bulk products in progress do not include ponds or stockpiles, but they do include intermediary salts on pads. As of December 31, 2020, and 2019, inventory allowances recognized, amounted to ThUS$ 80,930 and ThUS$ 88,174, respectively. For finished and in-process products, recognized allowances include the provision associated with the lower value of stock (considers lower realizable value, uncertain future use, reprocessing costs of off-specification products, etc.), provision for inventory differences and the provision for potential errors in the determination of inventories (e.g., errors in topography, grade, moisture, etc.), (see Note 3.13). For raw materials, supplies, materials and parts, the lower value provision was associated to the proportion of defective materials and potential differences. The breakdown of inventory allowances is detailed as follows: Type of inventory As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 ThUS$ ThUS$ Raw material and supplies for production 1,934 2,488 Products-in-progress 66,122 71,468 Finished product 12,874 14,218 Total 80,930 88,174 The Company has not pledged inventory as collateral for the periods indicated above. As of December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019, movements in provisions are detailed as follows: Conciliation As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 As of December 31, 2018 ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Beginning balance 88,174 105,282 96,284 Increase in Lower Value (1) (5,404 ) (6,987 ) 7,845 Additional Provision Differences of Inventory (2) (704 ) (123 ) 3,176 Increase / Decrease eventual differences and others (3) 1,244 (6,262 ) 2,436 Provision Used (2,380 ) (3,736 ) (4,459 ) Total changes (7,244 ) (17,108 ) 8,998 Final balance 80,930 88,174 105,282 (1) There are three types of Lower Value Provisions: (a) Economic Realizable Lower Value, (b) Potential Inventory with Uncertain Future Use and (c) Reprocessing Costs of Off-Specification Products. (2) Provisions for Inventory Differences generated when physical differences are detected when taking inventory, which exceed the tolerance levels for this process. (3) This algorithm corresponds to the provision of diverse percentages based on the complexity in the measurement and rotation of stock, as well as standard differences based on previous results, as is the case with provisions relating to Commercial Offices.

Related party disclosures

Related party disclosures	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Disclosure Of Related Party Explanatory [Abstract]
Disclosure of related party [text block]	Note 12 Related party disclosures 12.1 Related party disclosures Balances pending at period-end are not guaranteed, accrue no interest and are settled in cash, no guarantees have been delivered or received for trade and other receivables due from related parties or trade and other payables due to related parties. 12.2 Relationships between the parent and the entity Pursuant to Article 99 of Law of the Securities Market Law, the CMF may determine that a company does not have a controlling entity in accordance with the distribution and dispersion of its ownership. On November 30, 2018, the CMF issued the ordinary letter No. 32,131 whereby it determined that Pampa Group, do not exert decisive power over the management of the Company since it does not have a predominance in the ownership that allows it to make management decisions. Therefore, the CMF has determined not to consider Pampa Group as the controlling entity of the Company and that the Company does not have a controlling entity given its current ownership structure. 12.3 Detailed identification of related parties and subsidiaries As of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the detail of entities that are identified as subsidiaries or related parties of the SQM Group is as follows: Tax ID No Name Country of origin Functional currency Nature foreign Nitratos Naturais Do Chile Ltda. Brazil Dollar Subsidiary foreign Nitrate Corporation of Chile Ltd. United Kingdom Dollar Subsidiary foreign SQM North America Corp. United States Dollar Subsidiary foreign SQM Europe N.V. Belgium Dollar Subsidiary foreign Soquimich European Holding B.V. Netherlands Dollar Subsidiary foreign SQM Corporation N.V. Curacao Dollar Subsidiary foreign SQM Comercial De México S.A. de C.V. Mexico Dollar Subsidiary foreign North American Trading Company United States Dollar Subsidiary foreign Administración y Servicios Santiago S.A. de C.V. Mexico Dollar Subsidiary foreign SQM Perú S.A. Peru Dollar Subsidiary foreign SQM Ecuador S.A. Ecuador Dollar Subsidiary foreign SQM Nitratos Mexico S.A. de C.V. Mexico Dollar Subsidiary foreign SQMC Holding Corporation L.L.P. United States Dollar Subsidiary foreign SQM Investment Corporation N.V. Curacao Dollar Subsidiary foreign SQM Brasil Limitada Brazil Dollar Subsidiary foreign SQM France S.A. France Dollar Subsidiary foreign SQM Japan Co. Ltd. Japan Dollar Subsidiary foreign Royal Seed Trading Corporation A.V.V. Aruba Dollar Subsidiary foreign SQM Oceania Pty Limited Australia Dollar Subsidiary foreign Rs Agro-Chemical Trading Corporation A.V.V. Aruba Dollar Subsidiary foreign SQM Indonesia S.A. Indonesia Dollar Subsidiary foreign SQM Virginia L.L.C. United States Dollar Subsidiary foreign Comercial Caimán Internacional S.A. Panama Dollar Subsidiary foreign SQM África Pty. Ltd. South Africa Dollar Subsidiary foreign SQM Colombia SAS Colombia Dollar Subsidiary foreign SQM Internacional N.V. Belgium Dollar Subsidiary foreign SQM (Shanghai) Chemicals Co. Ltd. China Dollar Subsidiary foreign SQM Lithium Specialties LLC United States Dollar Subsidiary foreign SQM Iberian S.A. Spain Dollar Subsidiary foreign SQM Beijing Commercial Co. Ltd. China Dollar Subsidiary foreign SQM Thailand Limited Thailand Dollar Subsidiary foreign SQM Australia PTY Australia Dollar Subsidiary foreign SQM Holland B.V. Netherlands Dollar Subsidiary foreign SQM Korea LLC Korea Dollar Subsidiary 96.801.610-5 Comercial Hydro S.A. Chile Dollar Subsidiary 96.651.060-9 SQM Potasio S.A. Chile Dollar Subsidiary 96.592.190-7 SQM Nitratos S.A. Chile Dollar Subsidiary 96.592.180-K Ajay SQM Chile S.A. Chile Dollar Subsidiary 79.947.100-0 SQM Industrial S.A. Chile Dollar Subsidiary 79.906.120-1 Isapre Norte Grande Ltda. Chile Peso Subsidiary 79.876.080-7 Almacenes y Depósitos Ltda. Chile Peso Subsidiary Tax ID No Name Country of origin Functional currency Nature 79.770.780-5 Servicios Integrales de Tránsitos y Transferencias S.A. Chile Dollar Subsidiary 79.768.170-9 Soquimich Comercial S.A. Chile Dollar Subsidiary 79.626.800-K SQM Salar S.A. Chile Dollar Subsidiary 76.534.490-5 Sociedad Prestadora de Servicios de Salud Cruz del Norte S.A. Chile Peso Subsidiary 76.425.380-9 Exploraciones Mineras S.A. Chile Dollar Subsidiary 76.064.419-6 Comercial Agrorama Ltda. Chile Peso Subsidiary 76.145.229-0 Agrorama S.A. Chile Peso Subsidiary 76.359.919-1 Orcoma Estudios SPA Chile Dollar Subsidiary 76.360.575-2 Orcoma SPA Chile Dollar Subsidiary 76.686.311-9 SQM MaG SpA Chile Dollar Subsidiary 77.114.779-8 Sociedad Contractual Minera Búfalo Chile Dollar Subsidiary foreign Abu Dhabi Fertilizer Industries WWL Arab Emirates Arab Emirates dirham Associate foreign Ajay North America United States Dollar Associate foreign Ajay Europe SARL France Euro Associate foreign Kore Potash PLC United Kingdom Dollar Associate foreign Sichuan SQM Migao Chemical Fertilizers Co Ltda. China Dollar Joint venture foreign SQM Vitas Fzco. Arab Emirates Arab Emirates dirham Joint venture foreign SQM Star Qingdao Corp Nutrition Co., Ltd. China Dollar Joint venture foreign Covalent Lithium Pty Ltd. Australia Dollar Joint venture foreign Pavoni & C, SPA Italy Euro Joint venture 96.511.530-7 Sociedad de Inversiones Pampa Calichera Chile Dollar Other related parties 96.529.340-K Norte Grande S.A. Chile Peso Other related parties 79.049.778-9 Callegari Agrícola S.A. Chile Peso Other related parties foreign SQM Vitas Brasil Agroindustria (1) Brazil Real brazilian Other related parties foreign SQM Vitas Perú S.A.C. (1) Peru Dollar Other related parties foreign Abu Dhabi Fertilizer Industries WWL (2) Oman United Arab Emirates dirham Other related parties foreign International Technical and Trading Agencies CO WLL (2) Jordan United Arab Emirates dirham Other related parties (1) These Companies are subsidiaries of the joint venture SQM Vitas Fzco. (2) These Companies are subsidiaries of the joint venture Abu Dhabi Fertilizer Industries WWL Ltda. and therefore it absorbs these and takes responsibility of all of their assets and liabilities. * The following entities were considered related parties as of December 31, 2019 (see Note 8.4 letter a and Note 9.2): SQI Corporation N.V., SQM Italia SRL, Doktor Tarsa Tarim, SQM Eastmed Turkey, Terra Tarsa Ukraine LLC, Terra Tarsa B.V., Plantacote N.V., Terra Tarsa Don LLC, Doktolab Tarim Arastirma San., Doctochem Tarim Sanayi Ticaret Ltd. STI, Coromandel SQM India Sichuan SQM Migao Chemical Fertilizers Co Ltd. and Arpa Speciali S.R.L. The following other related parties correspond to mining contractual corporations. Tax ID No. Name Country of origin Functional Relationship N/A Ara Dos Primera del Salar de Pampa Blanca, Sierra Gorda Chile Peso Other related parties N/A Ara Tres Primera del Salar de Pampa Blanca, Sierra Gorda Chile Peso Other related parties N/A Ara Cuatro Primera del Salar de Pampa Blanca, Sierra Gorda Chile Peso Other related parties N/A Ara Cinco Primera del Salar de Pampa Blanca, Sierra Gorda Chile Peso Other related parties N/A Curicó Dos Primera del Salar de Pampa Alta, Sierra Gorda Chile Peso Other related parties N/A Curicó Tres Primera del Sector de Pampa Alta, Sierra Gorda Chile Peso Other related parties N/A Evelyn Veinticuatro Primera de Sierra Gorda Chile Peso Other related parties N/A Filomena Tres Primera de Oficina Filomena, Sierra Gorda Chile Peso Other related parties N/A Filomena Cuatro Primera de Oficina Filomena, Sierra Gorda Chile Peso Other related parties N/A Francis Cuatro Primera de Pampa Blanca, Sierra Gorda Chile Peso Other related parties N/A Francis Cuatro Segunda del Salar de Pampa Blanca, Sierra Gorda Chile Peso Other related parties N/A Francis Cuatro Tercera de Pampa Blanca, Sierra Gorda Chile Peso Other related parties N/A Francis Cuatro Cuarta de Pampa Blanca, Sierra Gorda Chile Peso Other related parties N/A Francis Cuatro Quinta de Pampa Blanca, Sierra Gorda Chile Peso Other related parties N/A Francis Primera del Salar de Pampa Blanca de Sierra Gorda Chile Peso Other related parties N/A Francis Segunda del Salar de Pampa Blanca de Sierra Gorda Chile Peso Other related parties N/A Francis Tercera del Salar de Pampa Blanca de Sierra Gorda Chile Peso Other related parties N/A Ivon Primera de Sierra Gorda Chile Peso Other related parties N/A Ivon Décima Segunda de Sierra Gorda Chile Peso Other related parties N/A Ivon Sexta de Sierra Gorda Chile Peso Other related parties N/A Julia Primera de Sierra Gorda Chile Peso Other related parties N/A Lorena Trigésimo Quinta de Sierra Gorda Chile Peso Other related parties N/A Perseverancia Primera de Sierra Gorda Chile Peso Other related parties N/A Tamara 40 Primera del Sector S.E. OF. Concepción, Sierra Gorda Chile Peso Other related parties N/A Tamara Tercera de Oficina Concepción, Sierra Gorda Chile Peso Other related parties N/A Tamara 40 Segunda del Sector S.E. OF Concepción, Sierra Gorda Chile Peso Other related parties 12.4 Detail of related parties and related party transactions Transactions between the Company and its subsidiaries, associated businesses, joint ventures and other related parties are part of the Company's common transactions. Their conditions are those customary for this type of transactions in respect of terms and market prices. Maturity terms for each case vary by virtue of the transaction giving rise to them. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the detail of significant transactions with related parties is as follows Tax ID No Name Nature Country of Transaction As of As of As of ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Foreign Doktor Tarsa Tarim Sanayi AS Associate Turkey Sale of products 1,053 14,767 16,726 Foreign Ajay Europe S.A.R.L. Associate France Sale of products 23,162 21,348 19,470 Foreign Ajay Europe S.A.R.L. Associate France Dividends 1,197 1,055 811 Foreign Ajay North America LL.C. Associate United States of America Sale of products 20,259 16,932 16,810 Foreign Ajay North America LL.C. Associate United States of America Dividends 1,967 2,796 2,807 Foreign Abu Dhabi Fertilizer Industries WWL Associate Arab Emirates Sale of products - 3,749 5,811 Foreign Abu Dhabi Fertilizer Industries WWL Associate Arab Emirates Dividends - - 6,632 Foreign Charlee SQM Thailand Co Ltd. (1) Associate Thailand Sale of products - - 4,960 Foreign Charlee SQM Thailand Co Ltd. (1) Associate Thailand Dividends - - 362 Foreign SQM Vitas Brasil Agroindustria Other related parties Brazil Sale of products 41,341 46,876 44,827 Foreign SQM Vitas Perú S.A.C. Other related parties Perú Sale of products 17,723 24,138 17,204 Foreign SQM Vitas Fzco Joint venture Arab Emirates Dividends - 10,598 - Foreign Coromandel SQM India Joint venture India Sale of products 1,510 3,955 7,696 Foreign SQM Star Qingdao Corp Nutrition Co., Ltd. Joint venture China Sale of products - 1,929 - Foreign Terra Tarsa Ukraine LLC Other related parties Ukraine Sale of products 737 1,280 1,674 Foreign Plantacote NV Other related parties Belgium Sale of products - 4,096 4,554 Foreign Pavoni & CPA Joint venture Italy Sale of products 1,125 3,152 201 Foreign Arpa Speciali S.R.L. Other related parties Italy Sale of products - 2,359 207 Foreign SQM Star Qingdao Corp Nutrition Co., Ltd. Joint venture China Dividends 2,223 - Foreign Terra Tarsa Don LLC Other related parties Russian Federation Sale of products - 40 187 Foreign SQM Eastmed Turkey Associate Turkey Sale of products - 47 30 Below is a list of transactions with clients and suppliers with whom a relationship with key Company personnel was identified: Tax ID No Name Nature Country of origin Transaction As of ThUS$ 10.581.580-8 Gonzalo Guerrero Yamamoto Chairman / director Chile Services – Supplier 20 71.644.300-0 Universidad del Desarrollo Chairman / director Chile Services – Supplier 125 72.012.000-3 Universidad Tecnológica de Chile Chairman / director Chile Services – Supplier 41 76.389.727-3 Sociedad Periodística El Libero Shareholders Chile Services – Supplier - 76.825.265-3 Link Capital Partners SpA Family of director Chile Services – Supplier 224 76.839.170-k Proveedora Industrial Arrigoni Director in common Chile Services – Supplier 5 90.193.000-7 El Mercurio S.A.P. Family of director Chile Services – Supplier 36 92.580.000-7 Emp. Nac. Telecomunicaciones S.A. Family of director Chile Services – Supplier 1,847 96.806.980-2 Entel PCS Telecomunicaciones S.A. Family of director Chile Services – Supplier 264 97.004.000-5 Banco de Chile Director in common Chile Services – Supplier 44,696 99.012.000-5 Cia. de Seg. de Vida Consorcio Nacional Family of director Chile Services – Supplier 71 90.266.000-3 Enaex S.A. Director in common Chile Servicies – Client 19 92.580.000-7 Emp. Nac. Telecomunicaciones S.A. Family of director Chile Servicies – Client 43 96.529.340-K Norte Grande S.A. Director in common Chile Lease 135 12.5 Trade receivables due from related parties, current: Tax ID No Company Nature Country of origin Currency As of December As of December ThUS$ ThUS$ Foreign Doktor Tarsa Tarim Sanayi AS Associate Turkey Dollar - 110 Foreign Ajay Europe S.A. R.L. Associate France Euro 4,625 3,712 Foreign Ajay North America LLC. Associate United States of America Dollar 2,956 2,290 Foreign Abu Dhabi Fertilizer Industries WWL Associate United Arab Emirates United Arab Emirates Dirham 595 803 96.511.530-7 Soc. de Inversiones Pampa Calichera Other related parties Chile Dollar 6 6 Foreign SQM Vitas Brasil Agroindustria Other related parties Brazil Dollar 24,335 27,275 Foreign SQM Vitas Perú S.A.C. Other related parties Peru Dollar 24,205 23,475 Foreign Coromandel SQM India Joint venture India Indian Rupee - 1,792 Foreign SQM Vitas Fzco. Joint venture United Arab Emirates United Arab Emirates Dirham 236 234 Foreign Terra Tarsa Ukraine LLC Other related parties Ukraine Ukrainian hryvnia - 7 Foreign Terra Tarsa Don LLC Other related parties Federation of Russia Russian Ruble - 13 Foreign Plantacote NV Other related parties Belgium Euro - 657 Foreign SQM Eastmed Turkey Associate Turkey Euro - 47 Foreign Pavoni & C SpA Joint venture Italy Euro 1,095 1,028 Foreign Arpa Speciali S.R.L. Other related parties Italy Euro - 134 Foreign Covalent Lithium Pty Ltd . Joint venture Australia Australia 84 - Foreign Sichuan SQM Migao Chemical Fertilizers Co Ltd. Joint venture China Dollar 4,464 - Allowance - (356 ) Total 62,601 61,227 The receivables for Sichuan SQM Migao Chemical Fertilizers Co Ltda. are presented net of provisions (provisions as of December 31, 2020 ThUS$ 6,502 and December 31, 2019 ThUS$ 10,965). 12.6 Trade payables due to related parties, current: Tax ID No Company Nature Country of Currency As of December 31, As of December 31, ThUS$ ThUS$ Foreign Ajay Europe S.A.R.L. Associate France Euro 50 - Foreign Ajay North America LL.C. Associate United States of America Dollar 232 - Foreign SQM Star Qingdao Corp Nutrition Co., Ltd. Joint venture China Dollar - 243 Foreign Covalent Lithium Pty Ltd Joint venture Australia Australian dollar 324 232 Total 606 475 12.7 Other disclosures: As of December 31, 2020, the Company has made contributions to Mt Holland in favor of Wesfarmers in the amount of US$ 15 million. This value is presented in the financial statements in the line “Trade and other accounts receivable.” For more details, see Note 9.6. Note 7 describes the remuneration of the Board of Directors, administration and key management personnel

Financial instruments

Financial instruments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Disclosure Of Financials instruments [Abstract]
Disclosure of financial instruments [text block]	Note 13 Financial instruments 13.1 Types of other current and non-current financial assets Description of other financial assets As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 ThUS$ ThUS$ Financial assets at amortized cost (1) 345,459 485,689 Derivative financial instruments - For hedging - 17,270 - Non-hedging (2) 2,610 2,531 Total other current financial assets 348,069 505,490 Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income 14,569 4,785 Derivative financial instruments - For hedging 37,276 3,918 Other financial assets at amortized cost 80 75 Total other non-current financial assets 51,925 8,778 Institution As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 ThUS$ ThUS$ Banco de Crédito e Inversiones 185,589 185,400 Banco Santander (3) 45,168 74,365 Banco Itau Corpbanca 49,006 120,628 Banco Security - 17,964 Banco de Chile - 18,026 Banco Estado - 15,126 Scotiabank Sud Americano 31,668 54,180 JP Morgan Asset Management 34,028 - Total 345,459 485,689 (1) Corresponds to term deposits whose maturity date is greater than 90 days and less than 360 days from the investment date constituted in the aforementioned financial institutions: (2) Correspond to forwards and options that were not classified as hedging instruments (See detail in Note 13.3). (3) As of December 31, 2020, there were no margin calls and as of December 31, 2019, this value was ThUS$ 1,870. 13.2 Trade and other receivables As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 Trade and other receivables Current Non-current Total Current Non-current Total ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Trade receivables, current 313,265 - 313,265 367,583 - 367,583 Prepayments, current 19,900 - 19,900 20,309 - 20,309 Other receivables, current 32,041 11,165 43,206 11,250 1,710 12,960 Total trade and other receivables 365,206 11,165 376,371 399,142 1,710 400,852 See discussion about credit risk in Note 5.2. As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 Trade and other receivables Assets before Allowance for Assets for trade Assets before Allowance for Assets for trade ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Receivables related to credit operations, current 327,586 (14,321 ) 313,265 383,775 (16,192 ) 367,583 Trade receivables, current 327,586 (14,321 ) 313,265 383,775 (16,192 ) 367,583 Prepayments, current 20,684 (784 ) 19,900 21,092 (783 ) 20,309 Other receivables, current 36,664 (4,623 ) 32,041 15,659 (4,409 ) 11,250 Current trade and other receivables 57,348 (5,407 ) 51,941 36,751 (5,192 ) 31,559 Other receivables, non-current 11,165 - 11,165 1,710 - 1,710 Non-current receivables 11,165 - 11,165 1,710 - 1,710 Total trade and other receivables 396,099 (19,728 ) 376,371 422,236 (21,384 ) 400,852 (a) Portfolio analysis As of December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019 the detail of the renegotiated portfolio is as follows: As of December 31, 2020 Portfolio analysis Past due segments Number of customers with non- Gross non-renegotiated Number of customers with Gross renegotiated portfolio Current 1,281 301,939 23 179 1 - 30 days 119 12,140 8 60 31 - 60 days 12 1,226 - - 61 - 90 days 5 159 - - 91 - 120 days 5 1,448 1 41 121 - 150 days 2 2,384 2 2 151 - 180 days 3 1,398 4 12 181 - 210 days 1 - 2 5 211 - 250 days 3 2 6 114 >250 days 156 5,030 64 1,447 Total 1,587 325,726 110 1,860 As of December 31, 2019 Portfolio analysis Past due segments Number of customers non- Gross non-renegotiated Number of customers Gross renegotiated portfolio Current 1,486 351,931 69 892 1 - 30 days 166 20,195 72 526 31 - 60 days 26 1,279 4 10 61 - 90 days 12 519 3 54 91 - 120 days 5 1,026 2 66 121 - 150 days 5 361 7 49 151 - 180 days 7 190 2 33 181 - 210 days 4 51 - - 211 - 250 days 6 48 8 11 >250 days 144 5,449 137 1,085 Total 1,861 381,049 304 2,726 (b) Estimate for doubtful accounts As of December 31, 2020 Trade accounts receivable days past due Trade and other receivables Current 1 to 30 days 31 to 60 days 61 to 90 Over 90 Trade Trade receivables ThUS$ ThUS$ Expected Loss Rate on 1 % 10 % 39 % 52 % 79 % - - Total Gross Book Value 302,118 12,200 1,226 159 11,883 327,586 70,145 Deterioration Estimate 3,187 1,207 477 83 9,367 14,321 7,545 As of December 31, 2019 Trade accounts receivable days past due Trade and other receivables Current 1 to 30 days 31 to 60 days 61 to 90 Over 90 Trade Trade receivables ThUS$ ThUS$ Expected Loss Rate on 1 % 18 % 34 % 44 % 78 % - - Total Gross Book Value 352,823 20,721 1,288 573 8,370 383,775 72,550 Deterioration Estimate 5,285 3,664 440 251 6,552 16,192 11,323 As of December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019, movements in provisions are as follows: Provisions As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 ThUS$ ThUS$ Provision Impairment Accounts receivable at the beginning of the Period 32,707 32,634 (Decrease) increase impairment of accounts receivable (4,684 ) 1,057 Use of Provision Applied to Accounts Receivable (750 ) (984 ) Impairment of Accounts Receivable Provision at the end of the Period 27,273 32,707 (1) Trade and Other Receivables Provision 14,321 16,192 (2) Current other Receivables Provision 5,407 5,192 (3) Provision Trade payables due to related parties, current 7,545 11,323 Recovery of Insurance 347 320 Impairment of Accounts Receivable Provision 27,273 32,707 Renegotiated Provision 1,728 1,905 Non-renegotiated Provision 25,545 30,802 13.3 Hedging assets and liabilities The balance represents derivative financial instruments measured at fair value which have been classified as hedges for exchange and interest rate risks relating to the total obligations with the public associated with bonds in UF and investments in Chilean pesos. As of December 31, 2020, the notional amount of cash flows agreed upon in US dollars of the cross-currency swap contracts amounted to ThUS$ 565,295 (As of December 31, 2019 amounted to ThUS$ 435,167). Expressed in ThUS$ Assets / (Liabilities) Total Realized Hedging Reserve in Gross Hedging with debt as underlying as of December 31, 2020 Hedging Assets 37,276 24,428 12,848 Hedging Liabilities (19,195 ) (12,956 ) (6,239 ) Underlying Debt Hedge 18,081 11,472 6,609 Underlying Investment Coverage as of December 31, 2020 Hedging Assets - - - Hedging Liabilities (21,004 ) (20,626 ) (378 ) Underlying Investments Hedge (21,004 ) (20,626 ) (378 ) Expressed in ThUS$ Assets / (Liabilities) Total Realized Hedging Reserve in Gross Hedging with debt as underlying as of December 31, 2019 Hedging Assets 3,918 (4,194 ) 8,112 Hedging Liabilities (22,771 ) (25,363 ) 2,592 Underlying Debt Hedge (18,853 ) (29,557 ) 10,704 Underlying Investment Coverage as of December 31, 2019 Hedging Assets 17,270 17,857 (587 ) Hedging Liabilities (889 ) (711 ) (178 ) Underlying Investments Hedge 16,381 17,146 (765 ) Hedging Effect in Profit and Equity for the period as of December Variation Total Result Hedge Reserve Variation Analysis Effect by Type of Coverage Underlying Debt Hedge 36,935 41,029 (4,094 ) Underlying Investments Hedge (37,385 ) (37,772 ) 387 Total hedging effect on profit or loss and equity in the period (450 ) 3,257 (3,707 ) Analysis Effect by type of asset Hedging in Current and Non-Current Assets 16,088 10,765 5,323 Hedging in Current and Non-Current Liabilities (16,538 ) (7,508 ) (9,030 ) Total Hedge Effect in Profit or Loss and Equity for the period (450 ) 3,257 (3,707 ) The balances in the “total realized” column consider the intermediate effects of the contracts in force from January 1 to December 31, 2020 and from January 1 to December 31, 2019. Derivative contract maturities are detailed as follows: Series Contract amount Currency Maturity date ThUS$ H 134,049 UF 01/04/2023 O 58,748 UF 02/01/2022 P 134,228 UF 01/15/2028 Q 106,933 UF 06/01/2030 Effectiveness The Company uses cross currency swap derivative instruments to hedge the possible financial risk associated with the volatility of the exchange rate associated with Chilean pesos and UF. The objective is to hedge the exchange rate and inflation financial risks associated with bonds payable. Hedges are documented and tested to measure their effectiveness. Based on a comparison of critical terms, hedging is highly effective, given that the hedged amount is consistent with obligations maintained for bonds denominated in Pesos and UF. Likewise, hedging contracts are denominated in the same currencies and have the same maturity dates of bond principal and interest payments. Effectiveness tests have verified that hedges are effective as of the reporting date. 13.4 Financial liabilities Other current and non-current financial liabilities As of December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019, the detail is as follows: As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 Other current and non-current financial Currents Non-Current Total Currents Non-Current Total ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Liabilities at amortized cost Bank borrowings 82 69,376 69,458 199 69,138 69,337 Obligations with the public 36,781 1,816,626 1,853,407 280,578 1,403,108 1,683,686 Derivative financial instruments For hedging 26,699 13,511 40,210 7,183 16,477 23,660 Non-Hedging 5,393 - 5,393 3,168 - 3,168 Total 68,955 1,899,513 1,968,468 291,128 1,488,723 1,779,851 Current and non-current bank borrowings As of December 31, 2020, and 2019, the detail is as follows: Current and non-current bank borrowings As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 ThUS$ ThUS$ Current loans 82 199 Non-current loans 69,376 69,138 Current and non-current loans 69,458 69,337 a) Bank borrowings, current: As of December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019, the detail of this caption is as follows: Debtor Creditor Tax ID No. Company Country Tax ID No. Financial Country Currency or Payment of Repayment Effective rate Nominal rate 93.007.000-9 SQM S.A. Chile O-E Scotiabank Cayman USA USD Upon maturity 05/30/2023 1.00% 1.36% Debtor Creditor Nominal amounts as of December 31, 2020 Current amounts as of December 31, 2020 Company Financial institution Up to 90 days 90 days to 1 year Total Up to 90 days 90 days to 1 Subtotal Borrowing Total ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ SQM S.A. Scotiabank Cayman - - - - 82 82 - 82 Total - - - - 82 82 - 82 Debtor Creditor Currency or Tax ID No Company Country Tax ID Financial institution Country adjustment Repayment maturity Effective rate Nominal rate 93.007.000-9 SQM S.A. Chile Foreign Scotiabank Cayman USA US$ Upon maturity 05/29/2023 2.11% 3.01% Foreign Nitratos Naturais do Chile Lim. Brazil Foreign Banco ITAU Brasil Brazil BRL Upon maturity 12/31/2019 13.57% 4.25% Debtor Creditor Nominal amounts as of December 31, 2019 Current amounts as of December 31, 2019 Company Financial institution Up to 90 days 90 days to 1 Total Up to 90 days 90 days to 1 Subtotal Borrowing Total ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ SQM S.A. Scotiabank Cayman - - - - 187 187 - 187 Nitratos Naturais do Chile Banco ITAU Brasil - - - 12 - 12 - 12 Total - - - 12 187 199 - 199 b) Unsecured obligations, current: As of December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019, the detail of current unsecured interest-bearing obligations is composed of promissory notes and bonds, as follows: Debtor Number of Currency or Periodicity Tax ID No. Company Country registration or ID Series Maturity date adjustment Payment of Repayment Effective rate Nominal rate 93.007.000-9 SQM S.A. Chile - MUS$250 01/28/2021 US$ Semiannual Upon maturity 1.95% 4.38% 93.007.000-9 SQM S.A. Chile - MUS$300 04/03/2021 US$ Semiannual Upon maturity 1.08% 3.63% 93.007.000-9 SQM S.A. Chile - MUS$450 05/07/2021 US$ Semiannual Upon maturity 3.59% 4.25% 93.007.000-9 SQM S.A. Chile - MUS$400 01/22/2021 US$ Semiannual Upon maturity 4.17% 4.25% 93.007.000-9 SQM S.A. Chile 564 H 01/05/2021 UF Semiannual Semiannual 0.58% 4.90% 93.007.000-9 SQM S.A. Chile 699 O 02/01/2021 UF Semiannual Upon maturity 2.24% 3.80% 93.007.000-9 SQM S.A. Chile 563 P 01/15/2021 UF Semiannual Upon maturity 2.37% 3.25% 93.007.000-9 SQM S.A. Chile 700 Q 06/01/2021 UF Semiannual Upon maturity 2.92% 3.45% Effective rates of bonds in Pesos and UF are expressed and calculated in Dollars based on the flows agreed in Cross Currency Swap Agreements. Nominal amounts as of December 31, 2020 Carrying amounts of maturities as of December 31, 2020 Company Country Series Up to 90 90 days to 1 Total Up to 90 days 90 days to 1 Subtotal Borrowing Total ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ SQM S.A. Chile MUS$250 4,648 - 4,648 4,648 - 4,648 (433 ) 4,215 SQM S.A. Chile MUS$300 - 2,658 2,658 - 2,658 2,658 (614 ) 2,044 SQM S.A. Chile MUS$450 7,508 - 7,508 7,508 - 7,508 (679 ) 6,829 SQM S.A. Chile MUS$400 - 2,869 2,869 - 2,869 2,869 (237 ) 2,632 SQM S.A. Chile H 18,212 - 18,212 18,212 - 18,212 (172 ) 18,040 SQM S.A. Chile O 962 - 962 962 - 962 (82 ) 880 SQM S.A. Chile P 1,824 - 1,824 1,824 - 1,824 (12 ) 1,812 SQM S.A. Chile Q - 350 350 - 350 350 (21 ) 329 Total 33,154 5,877 39,031 33,154 5,877 39,031 (2,250 ) 36,781 Debtor Number of Currency or Periodicity Tax I No. Company Country registration or ID Series Maturity date adjustment Payment of Repayment Effective rate Nominal rate 93.007.000-9 SQM S.A. Chile - MUS$250 04/21/2020 US$ Semiannual Upon maturity 0.43% 5.50% 93.007.000-9 SQM S.A. Chile - MUS$250 01/28/2020 US$ Semiannual Upon maturity 2.35% 4.38 93.007.000-9 SQM S.A. Chile - MUS$300 04/03/2020 US$ Semiannual Upon maturity 1.42 3.63 93.007.000-9 SQM S.A. Chile - MUS$450 05/07/2020 US$ Semiannual Upon maturity 4.07 4.25 93.007.000-9 SQM S.A. Chile 564 H 01/05/2020 UF Semiannual Semiannual 1.36 4.90 93.007.000-9 SQM S.A. Chile 699 O 02/01/2020 UF Semiannual Upon maturity 2.41 3.80 93.007.000-9 SQM S.A. Chile 563 P 01/15/2020 UF Semiannual Upon maturity 2.71 3.25 93.007.000-9 SQM S.A. Chile 700 Q 06/01/2020 UF Semiannual Upon maturity 3.11 3.45 Nominal amounts as of December 31, 2019 Carrying amounts of maturities as of December 31, 2019 Company Country Series Up to 90 90 days to 1 Total Up to 90 days 90 days to 1 Subtotal Borrowing Total ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ SQM S.A. Chile MUS$250 - 252,674 252,674 - 252,674 252,674 (386 ) 252,288 SQM S.A. Chile MUS$250 4,648 - 4,648 4,648 - 4,648 (433 ) 4,215 SQM S.A. Chile MUS$300 - 2,658 2,658 - 2,658 2,658 (614 ) 2,044 SQM S.A. Chile MUS$450 - 2,869 2,869 - 2,869 2,869 (679 ) 2,190 SQM S.A. Chile H 17,166 - 17,166 17,166 - 17,166 (139 ) 17,027 SQM S.A. Chile O 890 - 890 890 - 890 (67 ) 823 SQM S.A. Chile P 1,686 - 1,686 1,686 - 1,686 (12 ) 1,674 SQM S.A. Chile Q - 323 323 - 323 323 (6 ) 317 Total 24,390 258,524 282,914 24,390 258,524 282,914 (2,336 ) 280,578 Effective rates of bonds in Pesos and UF are expressed and calculated in Dollars based on the flows agreed in Cross Currency Swap Agreements. c) Classes of interest-bearing loans, non-current The following table shows the details of bank loans as of December 31, 2020 and 2019: Debtor Creditor Currency or Type of Tax ID No. Company Country Tax ID No. Financial institution Country adjustment index amortization Effective rate Nominal rate 93.007.000-9 SQM S.A. Chile Foreign Scotiabank Cayman USA USD Maturity 1.98% 1.36% Debtor Creditor Nominal non-current maturities as of December 31, 2020 Carrying amounts of maturities as of December 31, 2020 Company Financial institution Between 1 and 2 Between 2 and Between 3 Total Between 1 Between 2 Between 3 Subtotal Costs of Total ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ SQM S.A. Scotiabank Cayman - 70,000 - 70,000 - 70,000 - 70,000 (624 ) 69,376 Total - 70,000 - 70,000 - 70,000 - 70,000 (624 ) 69,376 Debtor Creditor Currency or Tax ID No. Company Country Tax ID No. Financial institution Country adjustment index Type of Effective rate Nominal rate 93.007.000-9 SQM S.A. Chile Foreign Scotiabank Cayman USA USD Maturity 2.84% 3.01% Debtor Creditor Nominal non-current maturities as of December 31, 2019 Carrying amounts of maturities as of December 31, 2019 Company Financial institution Over 1 year Over 2 Over 3 Over 4 Over 5 Total Over 1 year Over 2 Costs of Total ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ SQM S.A. Scotiabank Cayman - - 70,000 70,000 - - 70,000 70,000 (862 ) 69,138 Total - - 70,000 70,000 - - 70,000 70,000 (862 ) 69,138 d) Non-current unsecured interest-bearing bonds The following table shows the details of “unsecured debentures that accrue non-current interest” as of December 31, 2020, and 2019: Debtor Number of Currency or Periodicity Tax ID No. Company Country registration or ID Series Maturity date adjustment Payment of Repayment Effective rate Nominal rate 93.007.000-9 SQM S.A. Chile - MUS$250 01/28/2025 US$ Semiannual Upon maturity 4.08% 4.38% 93.007.000-9 SQM S.A. Chile - MUS$300 04/03/2023 US$ Semiannual Upon maturity 3.43% 3.63% 93.007.000-9 SQM S.A. Chile - MUS$450 05/07/2029 US$ Semiannual Upon maturity 4.18% 4.25% 93.007.000-9 SQM S.A. Chile - MUS$400 01/22/2050 US$ Semiannual Upon maturity 4.22% 4.25% 93.007.000-9 SQM S.A. Chile 564 H 01/05/2030 UF Semiannual Semiannual 4.76% 4.90% 93.007.000-9 SQM S.A. Chile 699 O 02/01/2033 UF Semiannual Upon maturity 3.68% 3.80% 93.007.000-9 SQM S.A. Chile 563 P 01/15/2028 UF Semiannual Upon maturity 3.24% 3.25% 93.007.000-9 SQM S.A. Chile 700 Q 06/01/2038 UF Semiannual Upon maturity 3.43% 3.45% Nominal non-current maturities as of December 31, 2020 Carrying amounts of maturities as of December 31, 2020 Series Over 1 Over 2 Over 3 Over 4 Over 5 Total Over 1 Over 2 Over 3 Over 4 Over 5 Subtotal Bond Total ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ MUS$250 - - - 250,000 - 250,000 - - - 250,000 - 250,000 (1,336 ) 248,664 MUS$300 - 300,000 - - - 300,000 - 300,000 - - - 300,000 (781 ) 299,219 MUS$450 - - - - 450,000 450,000 - - - - 450,000 450,000 (5,020 ) 444,980 MUS$400 - - - - 400,000 400,000 - - - - 400,000 400,000 (6,582 ) 393,418 H - - - - 126,386 126,386 - - - - 126,386 126,386 (1,378 ) 125,008 O - - - - 61,334 61,334 - - - - 61,334 61,334 (904 ) 60,430 P - - - - 122,668 122,668 - - - - 122,668 122,668 (77 ) 122,591 Q - - - - 122,668 122,668 - - - - 122,668 122,668 (352 ) 122,316 Total - 300,000 - 250,000 1,283,056 1,833,056 - 300,000 - 250,000 1,283,056 1,833,056 (16,430 ) 1,816,626 Debtor Number of Currency or Periodicity Tax ID No. Company Country registration or ID of the instrument Series Maturity date adjustment index Payment of interest Repayment Effective rate Nominal rate 93.007.000-9 SQM S.A. Chile - MUS$250 01/28/2025 US$ Semiannual Upon maturity 4.08% 4.38% 93.007.000-9 SQM S.A. Chile - MUS$300 04/03/2023 US$ Semiannual Upon maturity 3.43% 3.63% 93.007.000-9 SQM S.A. Chile - MUS$450 05/07/2029 US$ Semiannual Upon maturity 4.19% 4.25% 93.007.000-9 SQM S.A. Chile 564 H 01/05/2030 UF Semiannual Semiannual 4.78% 4.90% 93.007.000-9 SQM S.A. Chile 699 O 02/01/2033 UF Semiannual Upon maturity 3.70% 5.50% 93.007.000-9 SQM S.A. Chile 563 P 01/15/2028 UF Semiannual Upon maturity 3.24% 3.25% 93.007.000-9 SQM S.A. Chile 700 Q 06/01/2038 UF Semiannual Upon maturity 3.45% 3.45% Nominal non-current maturities as of December 31, 2019 Carrying amounts of maturities as of December 31, 2019 Series Over 1 Over 2 Over 3 Over 4 Over 5 Total Over 1 Over 2 Over 3 Over 4 Over 5 Subtotal Bond Total ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ MUS$250 - - - - 250,000 250,000 - - - - 250,000 250,000 (1,514 ) 248,486 MUS$300 - - 300,000 - - 300,000 - - 300,000 - - 300,000 (1,393 ) 298,607 MUS$450 - - - - 450,000 450,000 - - - - 450,000 450,000 (5,923 ) 444,077 H 13,749 13,749 13,749 13,749 75,621 130,617 13,749 13,749 13,749 13,749 75,621 130,617 (1,253 ) 129,364 O - - - - 56,715 56,715 - - - - 56,715 56,715 (811 ) 55,904 P - - - - 113,430 113,430 - - - - 113,430 113,430 (89 ) 113,341 Q - - - - 113,430 113,430 - - - - 113,430 113,430 (101 ) 113,329 Total 13,749 13,749 313,749 13,749 1,059,196 1,414,192 13,749 13,749 313,749 13,749 1,059,196 1,414,192 (11,084 ) 1,403,108 e) Additional information Bonds As of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the details of each issuance are as follows: (i) Series “H” bonds On January 13, 2009, the Company placed the Series H bond for UF 4,000,000 (ThUS$ 139,216) at an annual interest rate of 4.9%, with a term of 21 years and amortizations of principal beginning in July, 2019. On July 5, 2019, amortization of principal amounted to UF 181,818.18, (ThUS$ 7,494) with an associated cross currency swap hedge income of ThUS$ 439. On January 5, 2020, amortization of principal amounted to UF 181,818.18. (ThUS$ 6,787) with an associated cross currency swap hedge loss of ThUS$ 268. On July 5, 2020, amortization of principal amounted to UF 181,818.18. (ThUS$ 6,509) with an associated cross currency swap hedge loss of ThUS$ 546. See more details in Note 20.1 For the periods ended December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019, the Company has made the following payments with a charge to the Series H bonds and their associated CCS hedging: Payments made December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Payments of interest, Series H bonds 6,601 7,868 8,325 CCS Coverage 2,575 1,952 495 (ii) Single series bonds, second issue MUS$ 250 On April 21, 2010, the Company informed the CMF of its placement in international markets of an unsecured bond of ThUS$ 250,000, pursuant to Rule 144 -A and Regulation S of the Securities and Exchange Commission with a maturity of 10 years with an annual interest rate of 5.5%. The Company paid the principal on April 21, 2020. As of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the detail of payments charged to the line of single series bonds, second issue is as follows Payments made December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Interest payment 6,875 13,750 13,750 (iii) Series “O” bonds On April 4, 2012, the Company issued “Series O” for UF 1,500,000 (ThUS$ 69,901) at a term of 21 years with a single payment at the maturity of the term and an annual interest rate of 3.80%. See more details in Note 20.1 For the periods ended December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019, the Company has made the following payments with a charge to Series O bonds and their associated CCS hedging Payments made December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Payment of interest, Series O bonds 2,070 2,308 2,457 CCS Coverage 599 354 205 (iv) Single series bonds, third issue MUS$ 300 On April 3, 2013, the Company issued a non-secured bond in the United States with a value of US$ 300 million. pursuant to Rule 144-A and Regulation S of the SEC. The bond is for a 10-year term with an annual coupon rate of 3.625%. For the periods ended 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019, the following payments have been made with a debit to the line of single-series bonds, third issue: Payments made December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Payment of interest 10,875 10,875 10,875 (v) Single series bonds, fourth issuance MUS $250 On October 23, 2014, the Company issued unsecured bonds amounting ThUS$ 250,000 in international markets, pursuant to Rule 144-A and Regulation S of the SEC. These bonds mature in 2025 and have annual interest rate of 4.375%. For the periods ended on December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the following payments have been made. Payments made December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Payment of interest 10,938 10,938 10,938 (vi) Series “P” bonds The Company on March 31, 2018 issued the placement on the stock market of the Series “P” bond (the "Bonds” Series P) with a value of UF 3,000,000, with a charge to the 10 year Bonds Line registered in the CMF Securities Registry under number 563. The bonds Series P (i) mature on January 15, 2028; (ii) will accrue on the unpaid principal, expressed in UF, at an annual interest rate of 3.25% from January 15, 2018; and (iii) can be early redeemed by the Company starting from the date of placement, that was, as of April 5, 2018. For the periods ended on December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the following payments and their associated CCS have been made: Payments made December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Payment of interest series P 3,534 3,960 1,085 CCS Coverage 3,439 2,995 1,421 (vii) Series Q bonds On October 31, 2018, the issuance of Series Q bonds was authorized in the general stock market for the amount of UF 3,000,000, which were registered in the Securities Registry of your Commission on February 14, 2012 under number 700. The bonds Series Q (i) mature on the first day of June 2038; (ii) will earn an interest rate of 3.45% per annum on the outstanding capital, expressed in Unidades de Fomento, from June 1, 2018 thereon; and (iii) may be early redeemed by the Company starting from the placement date, that was, as of November 8, 2018. On November 8, 2018, all the Series Q Bonds have been placed and sold to Euroamerica S.A. for a total amount of $ 83,567,623,842, which was paid in full and in cash by Euroamerica S.A. to the Company. See more details in Note 20.1 For the years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the following payments have been made: Payments made December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Payment of interest series Q 3,769 3,791 319 CCS Coverage 1,021 - - (viii) Single series fifth issue bonds ThUS$ 450,000 On May 7, 2019, the CMF was informed that the Company issued and placed unsecured bonds for ThUS$ 450,000 pursuant to Rule 144-A and Regulation S of the Securities and Exchange Commission on international markets. These bonds will mature in 2029 and carry an interest rate of 4.25% per annum. For the periods ended on December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the following payments have been made: Payments made December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Payment of interest 19,125 9,563 - (ix) Single series sixth issue bonds MUS$ 400 On January 22, 2020, the Company has placed unsecured bonds in international markets for US$ 400 million, pursuant to Rule 144-A and Regulation S of the Securities and Exchange Commission, at an annual interest rate of 4.250% and a maturity in the year 2050. Payments made December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Payment of interest 8,500 - - 13.5 Trade and other payables a) Details trade and other payables As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 Details trade and other payables Current Non-current Total Current Non-current Total ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Accounts payable 203,346 - 203,346 205,414 - 205,414 Other accounts payable 587 - 587 376 - 376 Prepayments from customers - 4,027 4,027 - - - Total 203,933 4,027 207,960 205,790 - 205,790 As of December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019, the balance of current and past due accounts payable is made up as follows: Suppliers current on all payments Amounts according to payment periods as of December 31, 2020 Type of Supplier Up to 30 31 - 60 61 - 90 91 - 120 121 - 365 366 and more Total ThUS$ Goods 111,323 1,947 123 31 5 4,027 117,456 Services 46,187 1,380 16 757 86 - 48,426 Others 29,325 7 - - - - 29,332 Total 186,835 3,334 139 788 91 4,027 195,214 Amounts according to payment periods as of December 31, 2019 Type of Supplier Up to 30 31 - 60 61 - 90 91 - 120 121 - 365 366 and more Total ThUS$ Goods 126,577 4,655 128 116 2,019 - 133,495 Services 51,785 168 - - 87 - 52,040 Others 8,741 146 - - - 8,887 Total 187,103 4,969 128 116 2,106 - 194,422 Suppliers past due on payments Amounts according to payment periods as of December 31, 2020 Type of Supplier Up to 30 31 - 60 61 - 90 91 - 120 121 - 365 366 and more Total ThUS$ Goods 1,305 59 47 39 517 - 1,967 Services 2,298 764 - 453 505 - 4,020 Others 3,258 150 371 118 2,275 - 6,172 Total 6,861 973 418 610 3,297 - 12,159 Amounts according to payment periods as of December 31 2019 Type of Supplier Up to 30 31 - 60 61 - 90 91 - 120 121 - 365 366 and more Total ThUS$ Goods 2,086 264 35 65 1,060 - 3,510 Services 3,073 329 116 387 580 - 4,485 Others 1,918 45 311 215 508 - 2,997 Total 7,077 638 462 667 2,148 - 10,992 Purchase commitments held by the Company are recognized as liabilities when the goods and services are received by the Company. As of December 31, 2020, the Company has purchase orders amounting to ThUS$ 55,516 and ThUS$ 89,391 as of December 31, 2019. 13.6 Financial asset and liability categories a) Financial Assets As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 Description of financial assets Current Non-current Total Current Non-current Total ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Cash and cash equivalent 509,102 - 509,102 588,530 - 588,530 Trade receivables due from related parties at amortized cost 62,601 - 62,601 61,227 - 61,227 Financial assets measured at amortized cost 345,459 80 345,539 485,689 75 485,764 Loans and receivables measured at amortized cost 365,206 11,165 376,371 399,142 1,710 400,852 Total financial assets measured at amortized cost 1,282,368 11,245 1,293,613 1,534,588 1,785 1,536,373 Financial instruments for hedging purposes through equity - 37,276 37,276 17,270 3,918 21,188 Financial instruments held for trading at through profit or loss 2,610 - 2,610 2,531 - 2,531 Financial assets classified as available for sale at fair value through equity - 14,569 14,569 - 4,785 4,785 Total financial assets at fair value 2,610 51,845 54,455 19,801 8,703 28,504 Total financial assets 1,284,978 63,090 1,348,068 1,554,389 10,488 1,564,877 b) Financial Liabilities As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 Description of financial liabilities Current Non-current Total Current Non-current Total ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ For hedging purposes through equity 26,699 13,511 40,210 7,183 16,477 23,660 Held for trading at fair value through profit or loss 5,393 - 5,393 3,168 - 3,168 Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss 32,092 13,511 45,603 10,351 16,477 26,828 Bank loans 82 69,376 69,458 199 69,138 69,337 Obligations to the public 36,781 1,816,626 1,853,407 280,578 1,403,108 1,683,686 Lease Liabilities 5,528 25,546 31,074 7,694 30,203 37,897 Trade and other payables 203,933 4,027 207,960 205,790 - 205,790 Trade payables due to related parties 606 - 606 475 - 475 Total financial liabilities at amortized cost 246,930 1,915,575 2,162,505 494,736 1,502,449 1,997,185 Total financial liabilities 279,022 1,929,086 2,208,108 505,087 1,518,926 2,024,013 13.7 Fair value measurement of finance assets and liabilities The fair value hierarchy is detailed as follows: (a) Level 1: (b) Level 2: (c) Level 3: As of December 31, 2020 Measurement Methodology Fair value measurement of assets and liabilities Carrying Amount at Fair value Book Value Fair Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Financial Assets Cash and cash equivalents 509,102 509,102 - - 509,102 - Other current financial assets - Time deposits 345,459 345,459 - - 345,459 - - Derivative financial instruments - Forwards - - 2,263 - 2,263 - - Options - - 347 - 347 - Non-current accounts receivable 11,165 11,165 - - - - Other non-current financial assets: - Other 99 99 - - 99 - - Actions - - 14,549 14,549 - - - Hedging assets – Swaps - - 37,276 - 37,276 - Other current financial liabilities - Bank loans 82 82 - - 82 - - Derivative instruments - - - - - - - Forwards - - 4,614 - 4,614 - - Options - - 780 - 780 - -Hedging liabilities - Swaps - - 5,695 - 5,695 - -Inversions -Swaps - - 21,004 - 21,004 - - Unsecured obligations 36,781 36,781 - - 36,781 - - Current lease liabilities 5,528 5,528 - - 5,528 - Other non-current financial liabilities - Bank loans 69,376 71,029 - - 71,029 - - Unsecured obligations 1,816,626 2,355,943 - - 2,355,943 - - Non-current hedging liabilities - - 13,511 - 13,511 - - Non-current lease liabilities 25,546 26,027 - - 26,027 - As of December 31, 2019 Measurement methodology Fair value measurement of assets and liabilities Carrying Amount at Fair value Book Value Fair Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Financial Assets Cash and cash equivalents 588,530 588,530 - - 588,530 - Other current financial assets: - Time deposits 485,689 485,689 - - 485,689 - -Derivative financial instruments - - - - - - - Forwards - 2,420 - 2,420 - - Options - - 111 - 111 - -Investment hedge swaps - - 17,270 - 17,270 - Non-current accounts receivable 1,710 1,710 - - - - Other non-current financial assets - Other 94 94 - - 94 - - Actions - - 4,785 4,785 - - - Hedging assets – Swaps - - 3,918 - 3,918 - Other current financial liabilities - Bank loans 199 199 - - 199 - -Derivative instruments - - - - - - - Forwards - - 2,837 - 2,837 - - Options - - 289 - 289 - - Hedging liabilities – Swaps - - 7,183 - 7,183 - - Unsecured obligations 280,578 280,578 - - 280,578 - -Current lease liabilities 7,694 7,694 - -

Right-of-use assets and Lease l

Right-of-use assets and Lease liabilities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Presentation of leases for lessee [abstract]
Disclosure of leases [text block]	Nota 14 Right-of-use assets and Lease liabilities 14.1 Right-of-use assets Reconciliation of changes in Land Buildings Other Transport Supplies Office Network and Mining IT Energy Constructions Machinery, Buildings, ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Opening Balance - 25,742 - 3,356 - - - - - - - 8,066 37,164 Additions - 1,782 - - - - - - - - - 121 1,903 Depreciation expenses - (3,535 ) - (877 ) - - - - - - - (4,019 ) (8,431 ) Other increases / decreases - (612 ) - - - - - - - - - - (612 ) Total changes - (2,365 ) - (877 ) - - - - - - - (3,898 ) (7,140 ) Closing balance - 23,377 - 2,479 - - - - - - - 4,168 30,024 Reconciliation of changes in Land Buildings Other Transport Supplies Office Network and Mining IT Energy Constructions Machinery, Buildings, ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Opening Balance - - - - - - - - - - - - - Initial recognition of IFRS 16 - 29,289 - 3,893 - - - - - - - 11,933 45,115 Balance recognized in IFRS 16 - 29,289 - 3,893 - - - - - - - 11,933 45,115 Depreciation expenses - (3,547 ) - (537 ) - - - - - - - (3,867 ) (7,951 ) Total changes - (3,547 ) - (537 ) - - - - - - - (3,867 ) (7,951 ) Closing balance - 25,742 - 3,356 - - - - - - - 8,066 37,164 The Company’s lease activities included the following aspects: (a) The nature of the Company’s lease activities is related to contracts focused primarily on business operations, mainly rights-of-use to equipment and real estate, (b) The Company does not estimate any significant future cash outflows that would potentially expose the Company, and these are likewise not reflected in the measurement of lease liabilities, related to concepts such as: (i) Variable lease payments, (ii) Expansion options and termination options, (iii) Guaranteed residual value and (iv) Leases not yet undertaken but committed by the Company. (c) These are not subject to restrictions or agreements imposed by contracts. There were no sales transactions with leases later in the period. 14.2 Lease liabilities As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 Lease liabilities Current Non-Current Current Non-Current ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Lease liabilities 5,528 25,546 7,694 30,203 Total 5,528 25,546 7,694 30,203 i) Current and non-current lease liabilities Debtor Creditor Contract Type of Maturity Tax ID No. Company Country TAX ID No. Supplier Country indexation unit amortization date Effective rate 79.626.800-K SQM Salar S.A. Chile 83.776.000-3 Empresa Constructora Contex Ltda Chile UF Monthly 03-31-2021 0% 79.626.800-K SQM Salar S.A. Chile 76.146.110-9 Transportes, Construcción y Servicios Cribach Ltda Chile Peso Monthly 09-01-2020 8.93 79.626.800-K SQM Salar S.A. Chile 76.065.017-K SKM Industrial Ltda. Chile Peso Monthly 06-01-2022 8.93% 79.626.800-K SQM Salar S.A. Chile 96.862.140-8 Ameco Chile S.A. Chile Peso Monthly 04-24-2021 4.07% 79.947.100-0 SQM Industrial S.A. Chile 96.856.400-5 El Trovador S.A. Chile UF Monthly 02-08-2030 3.10% 79.947.100-0 SQM Industrial S.A. Chile 76.976.580-8 Sociedad Comercial Grandleasing Chile Ltda Chile UF Monthly 08-26-2024 2.72% 79.768.170-9 Soquimich Comercial S.A. Chile 76.729.932-K SAAM Logistics S.A. Chile UF Monthly 08-01-2022 0.81% 79.768.170-9 Soquimich Comercial S.A. Chile 91.577.000-2 Muelles de Penco S.A. Chile UF Monthly 07-06-2023 1.30% 79.768.170-9 Soquimich Comercial S.A. Chile 91.577.000-2 Muelles de Penco S.A. Chile UF Monthly 07-06-2023 1.30% 79.768.170-9 Soquimich Comercial S.A. Chile 76.722.280-7 Inmobiliaria Chincui SPA Chile UF Monthly 05-01-2028 3.38% 79.768.170-9 Soquimich Comercial S.A. Chile 96.565.580-8 Compañía de Leasing Tattersall S.A. Chile UF Monthly 05-24-2021 6.18% Foreign SQM North America Corp. USA Foreign Paces West LL. USA Dollar Monthly 12-31-2027 3.36% Foreign SQM North America Corp. USA Foreign Hawkins Nunmber One, LLC USA Dollar Monthly 08-31-2024 3.33% Foreign SQM Comercial de México S.A. de C.V. Mexico Foreign Onni Ensenada S.A. de C.V. Mexico Dollar Monthly 12-03-2026 3.45% Foreign SQM Comercial de México S.A. de C.V. Mexico Foreign Madol Inmobiliaria S.A. de C.V. Mexico Mexican Peso Monthly 10-31-2023 7.84% Foreign SQM Comercial de México S.A. de C.V. Mexico Foreign Madol Inmobiliaria S.A. de C.V. Mexico Mexican Peso Monthly 10-31-2023 7.84% Foreign SQM Europe N.V. Belgium Foreign Straatsburgdok N.V. Belgium Euro Monthly 03-31-2027 1.30% Foreign SQM Australia PTY Australia Foreign The trust Company (Australia) Pty Ltd Australia Australian dollar Monthly 01-31-2021 3.60% (a) As of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, current lease liabilities are analyzed as follows: Debtor Creditor Nominal amounts as of December 31,2020 Amounts at amortized cost as of December 31, 2020 Company Supplier Up to 90 days 90 days to 1 year Total Up to 90 days 90 days to 1 year Total ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ SQM Salar S.A. Empresa Constructora Contex Ltda 536 - 536 536 - 536 SQM Salar S.A. Transportes, Construcción y Servicios Cribach Ltda - - - - - - SQM Salar S.A. SKM Industrial Ltda. 202 607 809 181 566 747 SQM Salar S.A. Ameco Chile S.A. 135 - 135 134 - 134 SQM Industrial S.A. El Trovador S.A. 466 1,399 1,865 353 1,076 1,429 SQM Industrial S.A. Sociedad Comercial Grandleasing Chile Ltda 180 540 720 164 498 662 Soquimich Comercial S.A. SAAM Logistics S.A. - - - - - - Soquimich Comercial S.A. Muelles de Penco S.A. 41 124 165 54 107 161 Soquimich Comercial S.A. Muelles de Penco S.A. 44 133 177 57 115 172 Soquimich Comercial S.A. Inmobiliaria Chincui SPA 157 471 628 123 376 499 Soquimich Comercial S.A. Compañía de Leasing Tattersall S.A. 55 18 73 54 18 72 SQM North America Corp. Paces West LL. 53 163 216 41 128 169 SQM North America Corp. Hawkins Nunmber One, LLC 31 96 127 28 85 113 SQM Comercial de México S.A. de C.V. Onni Ensenada S.A. de C.V. 99 296 395 81 246 327 SQM Comercial de México S.A. de C.V. Madol Inmobiliaria S.A. de C.V. 20 59 79 16 49 65 SQM Comercial de México S.A. de C.V. Madol Inmobiliaria S.A. de C.V. 7 21 28 6 18 24 SQM Europe N.V. Straatsburgdok N.V. 91 302 393 83 279 362 SQM Australia PTY The trust Company (Australia) Pty Ltd 14 42 56 14 42 56 Total 2,131 4,271 6,402 1,925 3,603 5,528 Debtor Creditor Nominal amounts as of December 31,2019 Amounts at amortized cost as of December 31, 2019 Company Supplier Up to 90 days 90 days to 1 year Total Up to 90 days 90 days to 1 year Total ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ SQM Salar S.A. Empresa Constructora Contex Ltda 554 1,662 2,216 506 1,578 2,084 SQM Salar S.A. Transportes, Construcción y Servicios Cribach Ltda 74 124 198 71 121 192 SQM Salar S.A. SKM Industrial Ltda. 202 607 809 166 519 685 SQM Salar S.A. Ameco Chile S.A. 135 404 539 129 394 523 SQM Industrial S.A. El Trovador S.A. 466 1,399 1,865 343 1,044 1,387 SQM Industrial S.A. Sociedad Comercial Grandleasing Chile Ltda 180 540 720 159 485 644 Soquimich Comercial S.A. SAAM Logistics S.A. 106 142 248 103 140 243 Soquimich Comercial S.A. Muelles de Penco S.A. 45 60 105 44 59 103 Soquimich Comercial S.A. Muelles de Penco S.A. 48 64 112 47 64 111 Soquimich Comercial S.A. Inmobiliaria Chincui SPA 157 471 628 119 363 482 Soquimich Comercial S.A. Compañía de Leasing Tattersall S.A. 55 164 219 51 157 208 SQM North America Corp. Paces West LL. 49 156 205 34 116 150 SQM North America Corp. Hawkins Nunmber One, LLC 31 93 124 26 81 107 SQM Comercial de México S.A. de C.V. Onni Ensenada S.A. de C.V. 99 296 395 78 238 316 SQM Comercial de México S.A. de C.V. Madol Inmobiliaria S.A. de C.V. 20 59 79 15 46 61 SQM Comercial de México S.A. de C.V. Madol Inmobiliaria S.A. de C.V. 7 21 28 5 16 21 SQM Europe N.V. Straatsburgdok N.V. 91 273 364 82 247 329 SQM Australia PTY The trust Company (Australia) Pty Ltd 16 32 48 16 32 48 Total 2,335 6,567 8,902 1,994 5,700 7,694 As of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Non-current lease liabilities are analyzed as follows: Debtor Creditor Nominal amounts as of December 31,2020 Amounts at amortized cost as of December 31, 2020 Company Supplier 1-2 2-3 3-4 Total 1-2 2-3 3-4 Total ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ SQM Salar S.A. Empresa Constructora Contex Ltda - - - - - - - - SQM Salar S.A. Transportes, Construcción y Servicios Cribach Ltda - - - - - - - - SQM Salar S.A. SKM Industrial Ltda. 337 - - 337 330 - - 330 SQM Salar S.A. Ameco Chile S.A. - - - - - - - - SQM Industrial S.A. El Trovador S.A. 3,730 5,594 5,905 15,229 2,993 4,847 5,622 13,462 SQM Industrial S.A. Sociedad Comercial Grandleasing Chile Ltda 1,441 420 - 1,861 1,379 417 - 1,796 Soquimich Comercial S.A. SAAM Logistics S.A. - - - - - - - - Soquimich Comercial S.A. Muelles de Penco S.A. 262 - - 262 163 96 - 259 Soquimich Comercial S.A. Muelles de Penco S.A. 281 - - 281 175 103 - 278 Soquimich Comercial S.A. Inmobiliaria Chincui SPA 1,255 1,883 889 4,027 1,047 1,707 867 3,621 Soquimich Comercial S.A. Compañía de Leasing Tattersall S.A. - - - - - - - - SQM North America Corp. Paces West LL. 452 730 258 1,440 377 668 253 1,298 SQM North America Corp. Hawkins Nunmber One, LLC 263 90 - 353 249 89 - 338 SQM Comercial de México S.A. de C.V. Onni Ensenada S.A. de C.V. 789 1,151 - 1,940 689 1,094 - 1,783 SQM Comercial de México S.A. de C.V. Madol Inmobiliaria S.A. de C.V. 144 - - 144 133 - - 133 SQM Comercial de México S.A. de C.V. Madol Inmobiliaria S.A. de C.V. 52 - - 52 48 - - 48 SQM Europe N.V. Straatsburgdok N.V. 816 1,339 113 2,268 768 1,308 113 2,189 SQM Australia PTY The trust Company (Australia) Pty Ltd 11 - - 11 11 - - 11 Total 9,833 11,207 7,165 28,205 8,362 10,329 6,855 25,546 Debtor Creditor Nominal amounts as of December 31,2019 Amounts at amortized cost as of December 31, 2019 Company Supplier 1-2 Years 2-3 Years 3-4 Years Total 1-2 Years 2-3 Years 3-4 Years Total ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ SQM Salar S.A. Empresa Constructora Contex Ltda 554 - - 554 547 - - 547 SQM Salar S.A. Transportes, Construcción y Servicios Cribach Ltda - - - - - - - - SQM Salar S.A. SKM Industrial Ltda. 1,147 - - 1,147 1,077 - - 1,077 SQM Salar S.A. Ameco Chile S.A. 135 - - 135 134 - - 134 SQM Industrial S.A. El Trovador S.A. 3,730 5,594 7,373 16,697 2,903 4,701 7,287 14,891 SQM Industrial S.A. Sociedad Comercial Grandleasing Chile Ltda 1,441 1,141 - 2,582 1,342 1,115 - 2,457 Soquimich Comercial S.A. SAAM Logistics S.A. - - - - - - - - Soquimich Comercial S.A. Muelles de Penco S.A. - - - - - - - - Soquimich Comercial S.A. Muelles de Penco S.A. - - - - - - - - Soquimich Comercial S.A. Inmobiliaria Chincui SPA 1,255 1,883 1,464 4,602 1,013 1,651 1,455 4,119 Soquimich Comercial S.A. Compañía de Leasing Tattersall S.A. 73 - - 73 72 - - 72 SQM North America Corp. Paces West LL. 439 709 508 1,656 351 627 492 1,470 SQM North America Corp. Hawkins Nunmber One, LLC 257 224 - 481 234 217 - 451 SQM Comercial de México S.A. de C.V. Onni Ensenada S.A. de C.V. 789 1,184 362 2,335 665 1,088 356 2,109 SQM Comercial de México S.A. de C.V. Madol Inmobiliaria S.A. de C.V. 157 65 - 222 135 63 - 198 SQM Comercial de México S.A. de C.V. Madol Inmobiliaria S.A. de C.V. 57 24 - 81 49 23 - 72 SQM Europe N.V. Straatsburgdok N.V. 801 1,295 564 2,660 744 1,248 559 2,551 SQM Australia PTY The trust Company (Australia) Pty Ltd 55 - - 55 55 - - 55 Total 10,890 12,119 10,271 33,280 9,321 10,733 10,149 30,203 Other lease disclosures Total lease expenses related to lease payments were ThUS$ 61,705 and ThUS$ 56,051 for the periods ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. See Note 23.8. Expenses related to variable payments not included in lease liabilities were MUS$ 1,133 1,096 Income from subleases on right-of-use assets were ThUS$ 176 and ThUS$ 261 as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Payments for contractual operating leases are disclosed in Note 5.2 Liquidity Risk.

Intangible assets and goodwill

Intangible assets and goodwill	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Disclosure Of Intangible Assets And Goodwill [Abstract]
Disclosure of intangible assets and goodwill [text block]	Note 15 Intangible assets and goodwill 15.1 Balances As of December 31, 2020 Intangible assets and goodwill Useful life Net Value ThUS$ IT programs Finite 4,826 Mining rights Finite 150,046 Water rights and rights of way. Indefinite 23,343 Customer-related intangible assets Finite - Other intangible assets Finite 192 Intangible assets other than goodwill 178,407 Goodwill Indefinite 41,966 Total Intangible Asset 220,373 As of December 31, 2019 Intangible assets and goodwill Useful life Net value ThUS$ IT programs Finite 6,011 Mining rights Finite 157,570 Water rights and rights of way. Indefinite 23,342 Customer-related intangible assets Finite 1,273 Other intangible assets. Finite 162 Intangible assets other than goodwill 188,358 Goodwill Indefinite 34,726 Total Intangible Assets 223,084 a) Movements in identifiable intangible assets as of December 31, 2020: Gross Value IT programs Mining rights, Water rights, and Customer-related Other intangible Goodwill Identifiable ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Opening Balance 34,471 158,337 25,423 1,778 2,188 38,120 260,317 Additions 508 2,295 - - 72 7,380 10,255 Other increases / decreases for foreign currency exchange rates 5 - 1 - - - 6 Decreases through sale - (136 ) - - - - (136 ) Other increases (decreases) 297 - - - 14 - 311 Total increases (decreases) 810 2,159 1 - 86 7,380 10,436 Closing balance 35,281 160,496 25,424 1,778 2,274 45,500 270,753 Accumulated amortization and impairment IT programs Mining rights, Water rights, and Customer-related Other intangible Goodwill Identifiable ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Opening Balance (28,460 ) (767 ) (2,081 ) (505 ) (2,026 ) (3,394 ) (37,233 ) Other increases / decreases for foreign currency exchange rates - - - - - - - Other increases (decreases) - (2 ) - - - - (2 ) Impairment losses recognized in profit for the year (14 ) (654 ) - (990 ) - (140 ) (1,798 ) Amortization (1,981 ) (9,027 ) - (283 ) (56 ) - (11,347 ) Total increases (decreases) (1,995 ) (9,683 ) - (1,273 ) (56 ) (140 ) (13,147 ) Closing balance (30,455 ) (10,450 ) (2,081 ) (1,778 ) (2,082 ) (3,534 ) (50,380 ) Net value IT programs Mining rights, Water rights, and Customer-related Other intangible Goodwill Identifiable ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Opening Balance 6,011 157,570 23,342 1,273 162 34,726 223,084 Additions 508 2,295 - - 72 7,380 10,255 Amortization (1,981 ) (9,027 ) - (283 ) (56 ) - (11,347 ) Impairment losses recognized in profit for the year (14 ) (654 ) - (990 ) - (140 ) (1,798 ) Other increases / decreases for foreign currency exchange rates 5 - 1 - - - 6 Decreases through sale - (136 ) - - - - (136 ) Other increases (decreases) 297 (2 ) - - 14 - 309 Total increases (decreases) (1,185 ) (7,524 ) 1 (1,273 ) 30 7,240 (2,711 ) Closing balance 4,826 150,046 23,343 - 192 41,966 220,373 Movements in identifiable intangible assets as of December 31, 2019: Gross Value Movements in identifiable intangible assets IT programs Mining rights, Water rights, Customer-related Other intangible Goodwill Identifiable ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Opening Balance 29,137 159,424 25,425 1,778 2,165 38,120 256,049 Additions 2,606 227 - - 23 - 2,856 Other increases / decreases of foreign currency (7 ) - (2 ) - - - (9 ) Decreases through sale - (1,314 ) - - - - (1,314 ) Other increases (decreases) 2,735 - - - - - 2,735 Total increases (decreases) 5,334 (1,087 ) (2 ) - 23 - 4,268 Closing balance 34,471 158,337 25,423 1,778 2,188 38,120 260,317 Accumulated amortization and impairment IT programs Mining rights, Water rights, Customer-related Other intangible Goodwill Identifiable ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Opening Balance (24,569 ) (168 ) (1,649 ) (205 ) (1,988 ) (3,254 ) (31,833 ) Other increases / decreases of foreign currency 3 - - - - - 3 Other increases (decreases) (256 ) - - - - - (256 ) Impairment losses recognized in profit for the year - (481 ) (432 ) - - (140 ) (1,053 ) Amortization (3,638 ) (118 ) - (300 ) (38 ) - (4,094 ) Total increases (decreases) (3,891 ) (599 ) (432 ) (300 ) (38 ) (140 ) (5,400 ) Closing balance (28,460 ) (767 ) (2,081 ) (505 ) (2,026 ) (3,394 ) (37,233 ) Net value Movements in Identifiable intangible assets IT programs Mining rights, Water rights, Customer-related Other intangible Goodwill Identifiable ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Opening Balance 4,568 159,256 23,776 1,573 177 34,866 224,216 Additions 2,606 227 - - 23 - 2,856 Amortization (3,638 ) (118 ) - (300 ) (38 ) - (4,094 ) Impairment losses recognized in profit or loss for the year - (481 ) (432 ) - - (140 ) (1,053 ) Other increases / decreases of foreign currency (4 ) - (2 ) - - - (6 ) Decreases through sale - (1,314 ) - - - (1,314 ) Other increases (decreases) 2,479 - - - - - 2,479 Total increases (decreases) 1,443 (1,686 ) (434 ) (300 ) (15 ) (140 ) (1,132 ) Closing balance 6,011 157,570 23,342 1,273 162 34,726 223,084 (b) Movements in identifiable goodwill as of December 31, 2020 Gross Value Movements in identifiable goodwill Goodwill at the start of Additional recognition Impairment losses recognized Total increase (decrease) Goodwill at end of period ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ SQM Industrial S.A. 3,214 - - - 3,214 SQM S.A. 22,255 - - - 22,255 SQM Iberian S.A. 148 - - - 148 SQM Investment Corporation 86 - - - 86 Soquimich Comercial S.A. 320 - - - 320 Soquimich European Holding B.V. 11,373 10 - 10 11,383 SQM Holland B.V. - 7,370 - 7,370 7,370 SQM Potasio S.A. 724 - - - 724 Total increases (decreases) 38,120 7,380 - 7,380 45,500 Closing balance 38,120 7,380 - 7,380 45,500 Accumulated impairment Movements in identifiable goodwill Goodwill at the start of Additional recognition Impairment losses recognized Total increase (decrease) Goodwill at end of period ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ SQM Industrial S.A. (3,214 ) - - - (3,214 ) SQM S.A. - - - - - SQM Iberian S.A. - - - - - SQM Investment Corporation - - - - - Soquimich Comercial S.A. (180 ) - (140 ) (140 ) (320 ) Soquimich European Holding B.V. - - - - - SQM Holland B.V. - - - - - SQM Potasio S.A. - - - - - Total increases (decreases) (3,394 ) - (140 ) (140 ) (3,534 ) Closing balance (3,394 ) - (140 ) (140 ) (3,534 ) Net Value Movements in identifiable goodwill Goodwill at the start of Additional recognition Impairment losses recognized Total increase (decrease) Goodwill at end of period ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ SQM Industrial S.A. - - - - - SQM S.A. 22,255 - - - 22,255 SQM Iberian S.A. 148 - - - 148 SQM Investment Corporation 86 - - - 86 Soquimich Comercial S.A. 140 - (140 ) (140 ) - Soquimich European Holding B.V. 11,373 10 - 10 11,383 SQM Holland B.V. - 7,370 - 7,370 7,370 SQM Potasio S.A. 724 - - - 724 Total increases (decreases) 34,726 7,380 (140 ) 7,240 41,966 Closing balance 34,726 7,380 (140 ) 7,240 41,966 Movements in identifiable goodwill as of December 31, 2019 Gross Value Movements in identifiable goodwill Goodwill at the start of the Additional recognition Impairment losses recognized Total increase (decrease) Goodwill at end of period ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ SQM Industrial S.A. 3,214 - - - 3,214 SQM S.A. 22,255 - - - 22,255 SQM Iberian S.A. 148 - - - 148 SQM Investment Corporation 86 - - - 86 Soquimich Comercial S.A. 320 - - - 320 Soquimich European Holding B.V. 11,373 - - - 11,373 SQM Potasio S.A. 724 - - - 724 Total increases (decreases) 38,120 - - - 38,120 Closing balance 38,120 - - - 38,120 Accumulated impairment Movements in identifiable goodwill Goodwill at the start of the Additional recognition Impairment losses recognized Total increase (decrease) Goodwill at end of period ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ SQM Industrial S.A. (3,214 ) - - - (3,214 ) SQM S.A. - - - - - SQM Iberian S.A. - - - - - SQM Investment Corporation - - - - - Soquimich Comercial S.A. (40 ) - (140 ) (140 ) (180 ) Soquimich European Holding B.V. - - - - - SQM Potasio S.A. - - - - - Total increases (decreases) (3,254 ) - (140 ) (140 ) (3,394 ) Closing balance (3,254 ) - (140 ) (140 ) (3,394 ) Net Value Movements in identifiable goodwill Goodwill at the start of Additional recognition Impairment losses recognized Total increase (decrease) Goodwill at end of period ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ SQM Industrial S.A. - - - - - SQM S.A. 22,255 - - - 22,255 SQM Iberian S.A. 148 - - - 148 SQM Investment Corporation 86 - - - 86 Soquimich Comercial S.A. 280 - (140 ) (140 ) 140 Soquimich European Holding B.V. 11,373 - - - 11,373 SQM Potasio S.A. 724 - - - 724 Total increases (decreases) 34,866 - (140 ) (140 ) 34,726 Closing balance 34,866 - (140 ) (140 ) 34,726

Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Disclosure of detailed information about property, plant and equipment [abstract]
Disclosure of detailed information about property, plant and equipment explanatory [Text Block]	Note 16 Property, plant and equipment As of December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019, the detail of property, plant and equipment is as follows: 16.1 Types of property, plant and equipment Description of types of property, plant and equipment As of December 31, As of December 31, ThUS$ ThUS$ Property, plant and equipment, net Land 23,579 23,620 Buildings 239,666 227,173 Other property, plant and equipment 35,418 32,645 Transport equipment 2,880 2,686 Supplies and accessories 4,183 4,579 Office equipment 459 420 Network and communication equipment 1,272 663 Mining assets 47,052 23,174 IT equipment 4,083 4,359 Energy generating assets 4,878 5,998 Constructions in progress 486,345 375,316 Machinery, plant and equipment 887,504 869,273 Total 1,737,319 1,569,906 Property, plant and equipment, gross Land 23,579 23,620 Buildings 705,089 666,027 Other property, plant and equipment 234,238 257,247 Transport equipment 13,030 12,143 Supplies and accessories 26,101 25,531 Office equipment 11,607 11,441 Network and communication equipment 8,951 8,009 Mining assets 194,562 161,619 IT equipment 29,629 28,693 Energy generating assets 38,540 38,495 Constructions in progress 486,345 375,316 Machinery, plant and equipment 3,304,061 3,142,461 Total 5,075,732 4,750,602 Accumulated depreciation and value impairment of property, plant and equipment, total Accumulated depreciation and impairment of buildings (465,423 ) (438,854 ) Accumulated depreciation and impairment of other property, plant and equipment (198,820 ) (224,602 ) Accumulated depreciation and impairment of transport equipment (10,150 ) (9,457 ) Accumulated depreciation and impairment of supplies and accessories (21,918 ) (20,952 ) Accumulated depreciation and impairment of office equipment (11,148 ) (11,021 ) Accumulated depreciation and impairment of network and communication equipment (7,679 ) (7,346 ) Accumulated depreciation and impairment of mining assets (147,510 ) (138,445 ) Accumulated depreciation and impairment of IT equipment (25,546 ) (24,334 ) Accumulated depreciation and impairment of energy generating assets (33,662 ) (32,497 ) Accumulated depreciation and impairment of machinery, plant and equipment (2,416,557 ) (2,273,188 ) Total (3,338,413 ) (3,180,696 ) Description of classes of property, plant and equipment As of December 31, As of December 31, ThUS$ ThUS$ Property, plant and equipment, net Pumps 28,184 32,525 Conveyor Belt 20,117 21,911 Crystallizer 22,145 24,102 Plant Equipment 173,335 170,263 Tanks 15,367 14,159 Filter 35,553 27,080 Electrical equipment/facilities 93,937 92,090 Other Property, Plant & Equipment 49,930 53,409 Site Closure 36,828 12,056 Piping 102,578 96,402 Well 226,347 238,670 Pond 41,906 41,319 Spare Parts (1) 41,277 45,287 Total 887.504 869,273 (1) Spare parts is presented net of provision. The reconciliation of the spare parts provision as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 is as follows: Reconciliation As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 ThUS$ ThUS$ Opening balance 39,265 32,414 Increase in provisions 3,616 6,851 Closing balance 42,881 39,265 16.2 Conciliation of changes in property, plant and equipment by type: Reconciliation of changes in property, plant and equipment by class as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019: Reconciliation of changes in property, plant and equipment by class as of December 31, 2020, gross amount Land Buildings Other Transport Supplies Equipment Network and Mining IT Energy Assets Machinery, Property, ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Opening balance 23,620 666,027 257,247 12,143 25,531 11,441 8,009 161,619 28,693 38,495 375,316 3,142,461 4,750,602 Additions - 838 278 - 82 33 386 - 429 - 319,192 987 322,225 Disposals - - (33,048 ) - (1 ) - - - - - - (149 ) (33,198 ) Increase (decrease) in foreign currency translation difference 22 49 2 1 5 - - - 12 - - 53 144 Reclassifications - 32,179 9,940 886 488 133 558 32,943 548 45 (203,412 ) 125,692 - Other increases (decreases) (27 ) 5,996 (181 ) - (4 ) - (2 ) - (53 ) - (4,751 ) 35,017 35,995 Decreases for classification as held for sale (36 ) - - - - - - - - - - - (36 ) Total changes (41 ) 39,062 (23,009 ) 887 570 166 942 32,943 936 45 111,029 161,600 325,130 Closing balance 23,579 705,089 234,238 13,030 26,101 11,607 8,951 194,562 29,629 38,540 486,345 3,304,061 5,075,732 Reconciliation of changes in property, plant and equipment by class as of December 31, 2020, accumulated depreciation Land Buildings Other Transport Supplies Equipment Network and Mining IT Energy Assets Machinery, Property, ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Opening balance - (438,854 ) (224,602 ) (9,457 ) (20,952 ) (11,021 ) (7,346 ) (138,445 ) (24,334 ) (32,497 ) - (2,273,188 ) (3,180,696 ) Changes Disposals - - 33,048 - 1 - - - - - - 148 33,197 Depreciation expense - (26,779 ) (7,284 ) (692 ) (966 ) (126 ) (335 ) (9,065 ) (1,242 ) (1,165 ) - (134,230 ) (181,884 ) Impairment - (23 ) (21 ) - - - - - (12 ) - - (9,507 ) (9,563 ) Increase (decrease) in foreign currency translation difference - (20 ) (2 ) (1 ) (4 ) (1 ) - - (10 ) - - (28 ) (66 ) Reclassifications - - - - - - - - - - - - - Other increases (decreases) (1) - 253 41 - 3 - 2 - 52 - - 248 599 Decreases for classification as held for sale - - - - - - - - - - - - - Total changes - (26,569 ) 25,782 (693 ) (966 ) (127 ) (333 ) (9,065 ) (1,212 ) (1,165 ) - (143,369 ) (157,717 ) Closing balance - (465,423 ) (198,820 ) (10,150 ) (21,918 ) (11,148 ) (7,679 ) (147,510 ) (25,546 ) (33,662 ) - (2,416,557 ) (3,338,413 ) Reconciliation of changes in property, plant and equipment by class as of December 31, 2020, net amount Land Buildings Other Transport Supplies Equipment Network and Mining IT Energy Assets Machinery, Property, ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Opening balance 23,620 227,173 32,645 2,686 4,579 420 663 23,174 4,359 5,998 375,316 869,273 1,569,906 Additions - 838 278 - 82 33 386 - 429 - 319,192 987 322,225 Disposals - - - - - - - - - - - (1 ) (1 ) Depreciation expense - (26,779 ) (7,284 ) (692 ) (966 ) (126 ) (335 ) (9,065 ) (1,242 ) (1,165 ) - (134,230 ) (181,884 ) Deterioration - (23 ) (21 ) - - - - - (12 ) - - (9,507 ) (9,563 ) Increase (decrease) in foreign currency translation difference 22 29 - - 1 (1 ) - - 2 - - 25 78 Reclassifications - 32,179 9,940 886 488 133 558 32,943 548 45 (203,412 ) 125,692 - Other increases (decreases) (1) (27 ) 6,249 (140 ) - (1 ) - - - (1 ) - (4,751 ) 35,265 36,594 Decreases for classification as held for sale (2) (36 ) - - - - - - - - - - - (36 ) Total changes (41 ) 12,493 2,773 194 (396 ) 39 609 23,878 (276 ) (1,120 ) 111,029 18,231 167,413 Closing balance 23,579 239,666 35,418 2,880 4,183 459 1,272 47,052 4,083 4,878 486,345 887,504 1,737,319 (1) The net balance of “Other Increases (Decreases)” corresponds to all those items that are reclassified to or from “Property, Plant and Equipment”, They can have the following origin: (i) work in progress which is expensed to profit or loss, forming part of operating costs or other expenses per function, as appropriate; (ii) the variation representing the purchase and use of materials and spare parts; (iii) projects corresponding mainly to exploration expenditures and ground studies that are reclassified to the item other non-current financial assets; (iv) software that is reclassified to “Intangibles (v) Provisions related to the investment plan and assets related to closing the site. (2) The Company classifies as non-current held for sale property, plant and equipment (disposal group) that, at the closing date of the financial statements, is subject to a commitment for sale or where the sales process has been initiated and where the sale is expected to occur within twelve months of that date, is classified by the Company as non-current assets held for sale. These assets or disposal groups are valued at the lower of carrying amount or the estimated sales value less the costs to sell and stop being amortized from the moment they are classified as non-current assets held for sale. Reconciliation of changes in property, plant and equipment by class as of December 31, 2019, gross amount Land Buildings Other Transport Supplies Equipment Network and Mining IT Energy Assets Machinery, Property, ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ $ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Opening balance 24,695 648,719 245,731 11,668 24,456 11,377 7,505 132,309 29,955 36,930 207,830 3,068,862 4,450,037 Additions - 290 332 - 37 43 159 - 492 - 314,236 6,077 321,666 Disposals - - (858 ) - - - - - (3 ) - - (17 ) (878 ) Increase (decrease) in foreign currency translation difference (35 ) (72 ) (4 ) (2 ) (9 ) (3 ) - - (6 ) - - (72 ) (203 ) Reclassifications 132 18,526 12,456 477 745 - 89 16,901 1,289 1,565 (140,104 ) 88,088 164 Other increases (decreases) - - (410 ) - 302 24 256 12,409 (3,034 ) - (6,646 ) (20,477 ) (17,576 ) Decreases for classification as held for sale (1,172 ) (1,436 ) - - - - - - - - - - (2,608 ) Total changes (1,075 ) 17,308 11,516 475 1,075 64 504 29,310 (1,262 ) 1,565 167,486 73,599 300,565 Closing balance 23,620 666,027 257,247 12,143 25,531 11,441 8,009 161,619 28,693 38,495 375,316 3,142,461 4,750,602 Reconciliation of changes in property, plant and equipment by class as of December 31, 2019, accumulated depreciation Land Buildings Other Transport Supplies Equipment Network and Mining IT Energy Assets Machinery, Property, ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Opening balance - (409,911 ) (217,556 ) (8,776 ) (19,734 ) (10,864 ) (6,813 ) (120,808 ) (24,975 ) (30,813 ) - (2,144,964 ) (2,995,214 ) Changes Disposals - - 858 - - - - - 1 - - - 859 Depreciation expense - (29,000 ) (8,013 ) (683 ) (1,144 ) (161 ) (426 ) (7,033 ) (1,158 ) (1,676 ) - (138,999 ) (188,293 ) Impairment - (49 ) - - - - - - - - - - (49 ) Increase (decrease) in foreign currency translation difference - 28 3 1 7 1 - - 5 - - 34 79 Reclassifications - 7 (6 ) 1 6 - 1 - (5 ) - - (207 ) (203 ) Other increases (decreases) (1) - (209 ) 112 - (87 ) 3 (108 ) (10,604 ) 1,798 (8 ) - 10,948 1,845 Decreases for classification as held for sale - 280 - - - - - - - - - - 280 Total changes - (28,943 ) (7,046 ) (681 ) (1,218 ) (157 ) (533 ) (17,637 ) 641 (1,684 ) - (128,224 ) (185,482 ) Closing balance - (438,854 ) (224,602 ) (9,457 ) (20,952 ) (11,021 ) (7,346 ) (138,445 ) (24,334 ) (32,497 ) - (2,273,188 ) (3,180,696 ) Reconciliation of changes in property, plant and equipment by class as of December 31, 2019, net amount Land Buildings Other Transport Supplies Equipment Network and Mining IT Energy Assets Machinery, Property, ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Opening balance 24,695 238,808 28,175 2,892 4,722 513 692 11,501 4,980 6,117 207,830 923,898 1,454,823 Additions - 290 332 - 37 43 159 - 492 - 314,236 6,077 321,666 Disposals - - - - - - - - (2 ) - - (17 ) (19 ) Depreciation expense - (29,000 ) (8,013 ) (683 ) (1,144 ) (161 ) (426 ) (7,033 ) (1,158 ) (1,676 ) - (138,999 ) (188,293 ) Impairment - (49 ) - - - - - - - - - - (49 ) Increase (decrease) in foreign currency translation difference (35 ) (44 ) (1 ) (1 ) (2 ) (2 ) - - (1 ) - - (38 ) (124 ) Reclassifications 132 18,533 12,450 478 751 - 90 16,901 1,284 1,565 (140,104 ) 87,881 (39 ) Other increases (decreases) (1) - (209 ) (298 ) - 215 27 148 1,805 (1,236 ) (8 ) (6,646 ) (9,529 ) (15,731 ) Decreases for classification as held for sale (2) (1,172 ) (1,156 ) - - - - - - - - - - (2,328 ) Total changes (1,075 ) (11,635 ) 4,470 (206 ) (143 ) (93 ) (29 ) 11,673 (621 ) (119 ) 167,486 (54,625 ) 115,083 Closing balance 23,620 227,173 32,645 2,686 4,579 420 663 23,174 4,359 5,998 375,316 869,273 1,569,906 (1) The net balance of “Other increases (Decreases)” corresponds to all those items that are reclassified to or from property, plant and equipment, They can have the following origin: (i) work in progress which is expensed to profit or loss, forming part of operating costs or other expenses per function, as appropriate;, (ii) the variation representing the purchase and use of materials and spare parts; (iii) projects corresponding mainly to exploration expenditures and ground studies that are reclassified to the item other non-current financial assets; (iv) software that is reclassified to “Intangibles”, (v) Assets related to closing the site. (2) The Company classifies as non-current held for sale property, plant and equipment (disposal group) that, at the closing date of the financial statements, is subject to a commitment for sale or where the sales process has been initiated and where the sale is expected to occur within twelve months of that date, is classified by the Company as non-current assets held for sale. These assets or disposal groups are valued at the lower of carrying amount or the estimated sales value less the costs to sell and stop being amortized from the moment they are classified as non-current assets held for sale. 16.3 Detail of property, plant and equipment pledged as guarantee There are no restrictions in title or guarantees for compliance with obligations that affect property, plant and equipment. 16.4 Impairment of assets As indicated in Note 3.16, the recoverable amounts of property, plant and equipment are evaluated when there is evidence that the asset may be impaired. The impairment effects for the periods ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 is ThUS$ 9,563 and ThUS$ 49 respectively. 16.5 Cost of capitalized interest, property, plant and equipment The cost of interest is recognized by applying an average or average weighted interest rate for all financing costs incurred by the Company to the final monthly balances for works underway and complies with the requirements of IAS 23. Financing costs are not activated for periods that exceed the normal term for acquisition, construction or installation of the property; such is the case for delays, interruptions or temporary suspension of the project due to technical, financial or other problems that make it impossible to leave the property in usable conditions. The rates and costs for capitalized interest of property, plant and equipment are detailed as follows: Costs of capitalized interest As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 ThUS$ ThUS$ Capitalized interest rate 4 % 4 % Amount of costs for interest capitalized in ThUS$ 8,462 7,841

Other current and non-current n

Other current and non-current non-financial assets	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Disclosure of other non-financial assets [Abstract]
Disclosure of other non-financial assets [Text Block]	Note 17 Other current and non-current non-financial assets As of December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019, the detail of “Other Current and Non-current Assets” is as follows: Other non-financial assets, current As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 ThUS$ ThUS$ Domestic Value Added Tax 18,107 17,807 Foreign Value Added Tax 7,785 8,566 Prepaid mining licenses 1,025 1,244 Prepaid insurance 10,307 7,135 Other prepayments 946 1,423 Refund of Value Added Tax to exporters 14,316 10,560 Other taxes 4,499 3,213 Other assets 414 604 Total 57,399 50,552 Other non-financial assets, non-current As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 ThUS$ ThUS$ Exploration and evaluation expenses (1) 17,883 18,654 Guarantee deposits 731 551 Other assets 3,428 524 Total 22,042 19,729 (1) Reconciliation of changes in assets for exploration and mineral resource evaluation, by type. Movements in assets for the exploration and evaluation of mineral resources as of December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019: Conciliation As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 As of December 31, 2018 ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Opening balance 18,654 26,189 17,721 Change in assets for exploration and evaluation of mineral resources Additions - - 11,298 Short term reclassifications (526 ) (1,311 ) 1,987 Increase (decrease) due to transfers and other charges (245 ) (6,224 ) (4,817 ) Total changes (771 ) (7,535 ) 8,468 Total 17,883 18,654 26,189 As of the presentation date, no reevaluations of assets for exploration and assessment of mineral resources have been conducted. Mineral resource exploration and evaluation expenditure Given the nature of operations of the SQM Group and the type of exploration it undertakes, disbursements for exploration can be found in 4 stages: Execution, economically feasible, not economically feasible and in exploitation: (a) Execution: For exploration purposes in Chile relating to caliche and brine exploration are ThUS$ 14,265 and ThUS$ 12,841 as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively both are in the Property, Plant and Equipment caption as construction in progress. For Australia (Mt Holland), total disbursements corresponding to construction in progress (which includes exploration disbursements) amount to ThUS$ 50,127 as of December 31, 2020, and ThUS$ 30,475 as of December 31, 2019. (b) Economically feasible At December 31, 2020, ThUS$ 4,296 corresponding to advanced metallic exploration are also presented under the heading "Other Non-Current Non-Financial Assets", and as of December 31, 2019, it is ThUS$ 3,433. For the exploration of the Salar de Atacama, the associated assets correspond to wells that can be used both in monitoring and exploitation of the Salar, Therefore, once the studies are concluded, these are classified as “Non-current Assets” in “Properties, Plants and Equipment”, assigning them a technical useful life of 10 years. (c) Not economically feasible (d) In Exploitation As of December 31, 2020, the amount in “Process Inventories”, is ThUS$ 1,318 and the balance as of December 31, 2019 for this concept is ThUS$ 1,367, while in the item “Other Non-current Non-Financial Asset” as of December 31, 2020 is ThUS$ 7,011 and as of December 31, 2019 is ThUS$ 8,645.

Employee benefits

Employee benefits	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Disclosure of detailed information about provision for employee benefits [Abstract]
Disclosure of employee benefits [text block]	Note 18 Employee benefits 18.1 Provisions for employee benefits Classes of benefits and expenses by employee As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 ThUS$ ThUS$ Current Profit sharing and bonuses 7,770 - Performance bonds and operational targets 1,326 16,387 Total 9,096 16,387 Non-current Profit sharing and bonuses - 8,026 Severance indemnity payments 32,199 27,814 Total 32,199 35,840 18.2 Policies on defined benefit plan This policy is applied to all benefits received for services provided by the Company's employees. This is divided as follows: a) Short-term benefits for active employees are represented by salaries, social welfare benefits, paid time off, sickness and other types of leave, profit sharing and incentives and non-monetary benefits; e.g., healthcare service, housing, subsidized or free goods or services. These will be paid in a term which does not exceed twelve months. The Company maintains incentive programs for its employees, which are calculated based on the net result at the close of each period by applying a factor obtained from an evaluation based on their personal performance, the Company’s performance and other short-term and long-term indicators. b) Staff severance indemnities are agreed and payable based on the final salary, calculated in accordance with each year of service to the Company, with certain maximum limits in respect of either the number of years or in monetary terms. In general, this benefit is payable when the employee or worker ceases to provide his/her services to the Company and there are a number of different circumstances through which a person can be eligible for it, as indicated in the respective agreements; e.g. retirement, dismissal, voluntary retirement, incapacity or disability, death, etc. See Note 18.3. c) Obligations after employee retirement, described in Note 18.4. d) Retention bonuses for a group of Company executives, described in Note 18.6. 18.3 Other long-term benefits The actuarial assessment method has been used to calculate the Company’s obligations with respect to staff severance indemnities, which relate to defined benefit plans consisting of days of remuneration per year served at the time of retirement under conditions agreed in the respective agreements established between the Company and its employees. Under this benefit plan, the Company retains the obligation to pay staff severance indemnities related to retirement, without establishing a separate fund with specific assets, which is referred to as not funded Benefit payment conditions The staff severance indemnity benefit relates to remuneration days for years worked for the Company without a limit being imposed in regard of amount of salary or years of service. It applies when employees cease to work for the Company because they are made redundant or in the event of their death. This benefit is applicable up to a maximum age of 65 for men and 60 for women, which are the usual retirement ages according to the Chilean pensions system as established in Decree Law 3,500 of 1980. (a) Methodology The determination of the defined benefit obligation is made under the requirements of IAS 19 “Employee benefits”. 18.4 Post-employment benefit obligations Our subsidiary SQM NA, together with its employees established a pension plan until 2002 called the “SQM North America Retirement Income Plan”. This obligation is calculated measuring the expected future forecast staff severance indemnity obligation using a net salary gradual rate of restatements for inflation, mortality and turnover assumptions, discounting the resulting amounts at present value using the interest rate defined by the authorities. Since 2003, SQM NA offers to its employees benefits related to pension plans based on the 401-K system, which do not generate obligations for the Company. Reconciliation As of As of As of Changes in the benefit obligation ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Benefit obligation at the beginning of the year 9,586 8,657 8,755 Service cost - - - Interest cost 280 336 319 Actuarial loss 506 984 63 Benefits paid (508 ) (391 ) (480 ) Total 9,864 9,586 8,657 Reconciliation As of As of As of Changes in the plan assets ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Fair value of plan assets at the beginning of the year 8,754 8,404 8,751 Actual return (loss) in plan assets 4,642 741 133 Benefits paid (508 ) (391 ) (480 ) Fair value of plan assets at the end of the year 12,888 8,754 8,404 Financing status 3,025 (832 ) (253 ) Items not yet recognized as net periodic pension cost components: Net actuarial loss at the beginning of the year (3,634 ) (3,022 ) (2,614 ) Amortization during the year 326 242 160 Net estimated gain or loss occurred during the year 3,500 (854 ) (568 ) Adjustment to recognize the minimum pension obligation 192 (3,634 ) (3,022 ) Service cost or benefits received during the year As of As of As of ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Service cost or benefits received during the year - - - Interest cost in benefit obligation 280 336 319 Actual return in plan assets 4,642 741 133 Amortization of prior year losses 326 242 160 Net gain during the year 3,500 (854 ) (568 ) Net periodic pension expense (31 ) (33 ) (159 ) 18.5 Staff severance indemnities As of December 31, 2020, and 2019, severance indemnities calculated at the actuarial value are as follows: Staff severance indemnities As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 As of December 31, 2018 ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Opening balance (27,814 ) (28,233 ) (27,445 ) Current cost of Service (3,804 ) (2,880 ) (1,529 ) Interest cost (1,486 ) (1,661 ) (1,658 ) Actuarial gain/loss (2,826 ) (2,514 ) (1,617 ) Exchange rate difference (1,513 ) 2,475 2,710 Benefits paid during the year 5,244 4,999 1,306 Total (32,199 ) (27,814 ) (28,233 ) (a) Actuarial assumptions The liability recorded for staff severance indemnity is valued at the actuarial value method, using the following actuarial assumptions: Actuarial assumptions As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 As of December 31, 2018 Annual/Years Mortality rate RV - 2014 RV - 2014 RV - 2014 Actual annual interest rate 3.65 % 3.68 % 4.64 % Voluntary retirement rate: Men 6.49 % 6.49 % 6.49 % Annual Women 6.49 % 6.49 % 6.49 % Annual Salary increase 3.00 % 3.00 % 3.00 % Annual Retirement age: Men 65 65 65 Years Women 60 60 60 Years (b) Sensitivity analysis of assumptions As of December 31, 2020, and 2019, the Company has conducted a sensitivity analysis of the main assumptions of the actuarial calculation, determining the following: Sensitivity analysis as of December 31, 2020 Effect + 100 basis points Effect - 100 basis points ThUS$ ThUS$ Discount rate (1,985 ) 2,234 Employee turnover rate (261 ) 291 Sensitivity analysis as of December 31, 2019 Effect + 100 basis points Effect - 100 basis points ThUS$ ThUS$ Discount rate (1,796 ) 2,021 Employee turnover rate (236 ) 263 Sensitivity relates to an increase/decrease of 100 basis points. 18.6 Executive compensation plan The Company currently has a compensation plan with the purpose of motivating the Company’s executives and encouraging them to remain with the Company, by granting payments based on the change in the price of SQM’s shares. There is a partial payment of the share benefit program in the event of termination of the contract for causes other than the resignation and application of Article 160 of the Labor Code. (a) Plan characteristics This compensation plan is related to the Company’s performance through the SQM Series B share price (Santiago Stock Exchange). (b) Plan participants A total of 29 Company executives are entitled to this compensation plan, as long as they remain a part of the Company until a given date. This includes a 2020 bonus equivalent to 177,905 shares, which is effective for those people still with the Company through the end of 2020, and a 2021 bonus for US$ 8.5 million, which will go into effect in equal parts for those who remain with the Company at the end of each of the four quarters in 2021. The payment dates, where relevant, will be during the quarter following the quarter when the benefit is made effective. (c) Compensation The compensation payable to each executive is calculated by multiplying: i) the average price of the series B shares on the Santiago Stock Exchange during the fourth quarter of 2020, in its US dollar equivalent (with a value of US$ 41.93 per share). ii) By a number equal to the quantity of shares that have been individually assigned to each executive included in the plan. This compensation plan was approved by the Company’s Board of Directors and its application started on September 30, 2020. The plan that was in place on December 31, 2019 considered 427,652 shares. The effects on the income statement are equivalent to an expense of ThUS$ 875 and ThUS$ 117 in the income statement for the years ending December 31, 2020 and 2019 Executed shares during 2020 were 47,687.

Provisions and other non-financ

Provisions and other non-financial liabilities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Disclosure of other provisions [abstract]
Disclosure of provisions [text block]	Note 19 Provisions and other non-financial liabilities 19.1 Types of provisions As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 Types of provisions Current Non-current Total Current Non-current Total ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Provision for legal complaints (1) 8,905 1,260 10,165 13,472 1,452 14,924 Provision for dismantling, restoration and rehabilitation cost (2) - 61,265 61,265 - 33,238 33,238 Other provisions (3) 95,261 92 95,353 97,093 - 97,093 Total 104,166 62,617 166,783 110,565 34,690 145,255 (1) These provisions correspond to legal processes that are pending resolution or that have not yet been disbursed, these provisions are mainly related to litigation involving the subsidiaries located in Chile, Brazil and the United States (see note 21.1). (2) The commitments related to Sernageomin have been incorporated through the issuance of the guarantee for the restoration of the place where the production sites are located. (3) See Note 19.2 19.2 Description of other provisions Current provisions, other short-term provisions As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 ThUS$ ThUS$ Rent under Lease contract (1) 85,167 90,320 Provision for additional tax related to foreign loans 740 543 End of agreement bonus 8,159 3,641 Directors’ per diem allowance 698 1,802 Miscellaneous provisions 497 787 Total 95,261 97,093 (1) Payment Obligations for the lease contract with CORFO: These correspond to obligations assumed in the Lease Agreement. Our subsidiary SQM Salar holds exclusive rights to exploit the mineral resources in an area covering approximately 140,000 hectares of land in the Salar de Atacama in northern Chile, of which SQM Salar is only entitled to exploit the mineral resources in 81,920 hectares. These rights are owned by Corfo and leased to SQM Salar pursuant to the Lease Agreement. Corfo cannot unilaterally amend the Lease Agreement and the Project Agreement, and the rights to exploit the resources cannot be transferred. The Lease Agreement establishes that SQM Salar is responsible for making quarterly lease payments to Corfo according to specified percentages of the value of production of minerals extracted from the Salar de Atacama brines, maintaining Corfo’s rights over the Mining Exploitation Concessions and making annual payments to the Chilean government for such concession rights. The Lease Agreement was entered into in 1993 and expires on December 31, 2030. On January 17, 2018, SQM and CORFO reached an agreement to end an arbitration process directed by the arbitrator, Mr. Héctor Humeres Noguer, in case 1954-2014 of the Arbitration and Mediation Center of Santiago Chamber of Commerce and other cases related to it. The agreement signed in January 2018, includes important amendments to the lease agreement and project agreement signed between CORFO and SQM in 1993. The main modifications became effective on April 10, 2018 and requires an increase in the lease payments by increasing the lease rates associated with the sale of the different products produced in the Salar de Atacama, including lithium carbonate, lithium hydroxide and potassium chloride. This agreement has been amended since it was signed and it is reasonable to expect that it will continue to be amended as mutually agreed by the parties. Additionally, SQM Salar commits to contribute to research and development efforts, as well as to the communities in close proximity to the Salar de Atacama and provide a percentage of total annual sales of SQM Salar to regional development. SQM Salar commits to contribute between US$10.8 million and US$18.9 million per year to research and development efforts, between US$10 to US$15 million per year to the communities in close proximity to the Salar de Atacama, and 1.7% of total annual sales of SQM Salar to regional development. 19.3 Other non-financial liabilities, Current Description of other liabilities As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 ThUS$ ThUS$ Tax withholdings 1,208 3,345 VAT payable 1,642 3,465 Guarantees received 2,636 2,641 Accrual for dividend 8,027 68,890 Monthly tax provisional payments 8,407 16,659 Deferred income 6,435 3,033 Withholdings from employees and salaries payable 5,017 4,575 Accrued vacations (1) 24,003 21,686 Other current liabilities 3,580 2,605 Total 60,955 126,899 (1) Vacation benefit (short-term benefits to employees, current) is in line with the provisions established in Chile’s Labor Code, which indicates that employees with more than a year of service will be entitled to annual vacation for a period of at least fifteen paid business days. The Company provides the benefit of two additional vacation days. 19.4 Changes in provisions Description of items that gave rise to variations as of December 31, 2020 Legal complaints Provision for Others provisions Total ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Total provisions, initial balance 14,924 33,238 97,093 145,255 Changes Additional provisions 62,922 30,974 60,685 154,581 Provision used (67,685 ) - (59,939 ) (127,624 ) Increase(decrease) in foreign currency exchange 4 - (2,486 ) (2,482 ) Others - (2,947 ) - (2,947 ) Total Increase (decreases) (4,759 ) 28,027 (1,740 ) 21,528 Total 10,165 61,265 95,353 166,783 Description of items that gave rise to variations as of December 31, 2019 Legal complaints Provision for Others provisions Total ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Total provisions, initial balance 14,862 28,822 94,335 138,019 Changes Additional provisions 4,111 - 150,314 154,425 Provision used (4,049 ) - (147,532 ) (151,581 ) Increase(decrease) in foreign currency exchange - - (24 ) (24 ) Others - 4,416 - 4,416 Total Increase (decreases) 62 4,416 2,758 7,236 Total 14,924 33,238 97,093 145,255 Description of items that gave rise to variations as of December 31, 2018 Legal complaints Provision for Others provisions Total ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Total provisions, initial balance 19,419 26,954 47,073 93,446 Changes Additional provisions 1,000 1,820 181,244 184,064 Provision used (5,557 ) - (133,949 ) (139,506 ) Increase(decrease) in foreign currency exchange - - - - Others - 48 (33 ) 15 Total Increase (decreases) (4,557 ) 1,868 47,262 44,573 Total 14,862 28,822 94,335 138,019

Disclosures on reserves in Equi

Disclosures on reserves in Equity	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Disclosure of detailed information about controls capital management [Abstract]
Disclosure of issued capital [text block]	Note 20 Disclosures on equity The detail and movements in the funds of equity accounts are shown in the consolidated statement of changes in equity. 20.1 Capital management The main object of capital management relative to the administration of the Company’s financial debt and equity is to ensure the regular conduct of operations and business continuity in the long term, with the constant intention of maintaining an adequate level of liquidity and in compliance with the financial safeguards established in the debt contracts in force. Within this framework, decisions are made in order to maximize the value of the company. Capital management must comply with, among others, the limits contemplated in the Financing Policy approved by the Shareholders’ Meeting, which establish a maximum consolidated indebtedness level of 1.5 times the debt to equity ratio. This limit can be exceeded only if the Company’s management has first obtained express approval at an Extraordinary Shareholders’ Meeting. Capital management must also comply with a debt ratio of less than 1.0, with respect to the series H, series O and series Q bonds. This ratio was redefined at the Bondholders' Meetings held in September 2020, as net financial debt divided by the company's total equity. Previously, it was defined as total liabilities divided by equity, and the limit for this ratio was 1.44, with a prepayment option for bondholders if this ratio was above 1.2. As of December 31, 2020, this ratio was 0.50. The Company’s management controls capital management based on the following ratios: Capital Management As of December 31, As of Description (1) Calculation (1) Net Financial Debt (ThUS$) 1,074,020 681,912 Financial Debt – Financial Resources Other current Financial Liabilities + Other Non-Current Financial Liabilities– Cash and Cash Equivalents – Other Current Financial Assets – Hedging Assets, non-current Liquidity 5.40 3.45 Current Assets divided by Current Liabilities Total Current Assets / Total Current Liabilities ROE 7.79 % 13.15 % Profit for the year divided by Total Equity LTM (2) Adjusted EBITDA (ThUS$) 579,765 644,223 Adjusted EBITDA Profit for the year + Depreciation and Amortization Expenses + Finance Costs + Income Tax – Other income and Share of profit of associates and joint ventures + Other expenses – Finance income – Currency differences EBITDA (ThUS$) 524,650 668,912 EBITDA Profit for the year + Depreciation and Amortization Expenses + Finance Costs + Income Tax ROA 9.83 % 12.76 % Adjusted EBITDA – Depreciation divided by Total Assets net of financial resources less related parties’ investments (LTM Gross Profit – Administrative Expenses)/ (Total Assets – Cash and Cash Equivalents – Other Current Financial Assets – Other Non-Current Financial Assets – Equity-accounted Investments) Indebtedness 0.50 0.32 Total Liabilities on Equity Total Liabilities / Total Equity (1) Assumes the absolute value of the accounting records with the exception of exchange differences. The Company’s capital requirements change according to variables such as: working capital needs, new investment financing and dividends, among others. The SQM Group manages its capital structure and makes adjustments bases on the predominant economic conditions so as to mitigate the risks associated with adverse market conditions and take advantage of the opportunities there may be to improve the liquidity position of the SQM Group. There have been no changes in the capital management objectives or policy within the years reported in this document, no breaches of external requirements of capital imposed have been recorded. There are no contractual capital investment commitments. 20.2 Disclosures on preferred share capital Issued share capital is divided into 142,819,552 Series A shares and 120,376,972 Series B shares. All such shares are nominative, have no par value and are fully issued, subscribed and paid. Series B shares may not exceed 50% of the total issued, subscribed and paid-in shares of the Company and have a limited voting right, in that all of them can only elect one director of the Company, regardless of their equity interest and preferences: (a) require the calling of an Ordinary or Extraordinary Shareholders' Meeting when so requested by Series B shareholders representing at least 5% of the issued shares thereof; and (b) require the calling of an extraordinary meeting of the board of directors, without the president being able to qualify the need for such a request, when so requested by the director who has been elected by the shareholders of said Series B. The limitation and preferences of Series B shares have a duration of 50 consecutive and continuous years as of June 3, 1993. The Series A shares have the preference of being able to exclude the director elected by the Series B shareholders in the voting process in which the president of the board of directors and of the Company must be elected and which follows the one in which the tie that allows such exclusion resulted. The preference of the Series A shares will have a term of 50 consecutive and continuous years as of June 3, 1993. The form of the titles of the shares, their issuance, exchange, disablement, loss, replacement, assignment and other circumstances thereof shall be governed by the provisions of Law No, 18,046 and its regulations. At December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Group does not hold shares of the Parent Company either directly or through its investees. Detail of capital classes in shares: As of December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019, the Company has not placed any new shares issues on the market Type of capital in preferred shares As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 Series A Series B Series A Series B Description of type of capital in shares Number of authorized shares 142,819,552 120,376,972 142,819,552 120,376,972 Number of fully subscribed and paid shares 142,819,552 120,376,972 142,819,552 120,376,972 Number of subscribed, partially paid shares - - - - Par value of shares in US$ 0.9435 2.8464 0.9435 2.8464 Increase (decrease) in the number of current shares - - - - Number of current shares 142,819,552 120,376,972 142,819,552 120,376,972 Number of shares owned by the entity or its subsidiaries or associates - - - - Number of shares whose issuance is reserved due to the existence of options or agreements to dispose shares - - - - Capital amount in shares ThUS$ 134,750 342,636 134,750 342,636 Amount of premium issuance ThUS$ - - - - Amount of reserves ThUS$ - - - - Total number of subscribed shares 142,819,552 120,376,972 142,819,552 120,376,972 20.3 Disclosures on reserves in Equity As of December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019, this caption comprises the following: Disclosures on reserves in equity As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 As of December 31, 2018 ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Reserve for currency exchange conversion (1) (11,569 ) (25,745 ) (26,307 ) Reserve for cash flow hedges (2) 4,491 7,196 7,971 Reserve for gains and losses from financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income (3) 6,872 (270 ) (1,111 ) Reserve for actuarial gains or losses in defined benefit plans (4) (8,680 ) (9,490 ) (6,884 ) Other reserves 16,318 14,086 11,332 Total 7,432 (14,223 ) (14,999 ) (1) This balance reflects retained earnings for changes in the exchange rate when converting the financial statements of subsidiaries whose functional currency is different from the US dollar. (2) The Company maintains, as hedge instruments, financial derivatives related to obligations with the public issued in UF and Chilean pesos, Changes from the fair value of derivatives designated and classified as hedges are recognized under this classification. (3) This caption includes the fair value of equity investments that are not held for trading and that the group has irrevocably opted to recognize in this category upon initial recognition. In the event that such equity instruments are fully or partially disposed of, the proportional accumulated effect of accumulated fair value will be transferred to retained earnings. (4) This caption reflects the effects of changes in actuarial assumptions, mainly changes in the discount rate. Movements in other reserves and changes in interest were as follows: Foreign Reserve for cash flow hedges Reserve for actuarial gains Reserve for gains (losses) Other Total reserves Before Before Before Deferred Before Deferred Before Deferred Total Movements taxes taxes Tax taxes taxes taxes taxes taxes Reserves Taxes reserves ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Opening balance as of January 1, 2018 (24,913 ) 2,248 - (6,847 ) 894 4,787 (1,850 ) 11,332 (13,393 ) (956 ) (14,349 ) Increase 6,542 14,794 - 674 (133 ) 294 (79 ) - 22,304 (212 ) 22,092 Decrease (7,936 ) (9,071 ) - (2,003 ) 531 (5,841 ) 1,578 - (24,851 ) 2,109 (22,742 ) Closing balance as of December 31, 2018 (26,307 ) 7,971 - (8,176 ) 1,292 (760 ) (351 ) 11,332 (15,940 ) 941 (14,999 ) Increase 1,824 8,628 (2,683 ) - - 1,570 (424 ) 3,093 15,115 (3,107 ) 12,008 Decrease (1,262 ) (6,720 ) - (3,306 ) 700 (418 ) 113 (339 ) (12,045 ) 813 (11,232 ) Closing balance as of December 31, 2019 (25,745 ) 9,879 (2,683 ) (11,482 ) 1,992 392 (662 ) 14,086 (12,870 ) (1,353 ) (14,223 ) Increase 15,732 - - 3,858 430 11,885 (3,180 ) 2,121 33,596 (2,750 ) 30,846 Decrease (1,556 ) (3,706 ) 1,001 (2,903 ) (575 ) (2,101 ) 538 111 (10,155 ) 964 (9,191 ) Closing balance as of December 31, 2020 (11,569 ) 6,173 (1,682 ) (10,527 ) 1,847 10,176 (3,304 ) 16,318 10,571 (3,139 ) 7,432 (1) See details on reserves for foreign currency translation differences on conversion in Note 25, letter b). Other reserves This caption corresponds to the legal reserves reported in the individual financial statements of the subsidiaries and associates that are mentioned below and that have been recognized in SQM’s equity through the application of the equity method. Subsidiary – Associate As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 As of December 31, 2018 ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ SQM Iberian S.A. 9,464 9,464 9,464 SQM Europe NV 1,957 1,957 1,957 Soquimich European holding B.V. 828 828 828 Abu Dhabi Fertilizer Industries WWL 455 455 455 Doktor Tarsa Tarim Sanayi AS - 305 305 Kore Potash PLC 3,170 2,754 - Total 15,874 15,763 13,009 Other derivative reserves of the acquisition of subsidiaries, which was already under Company ownership at the acquisition date (IAS 27R) SQM Iberian S.A. (1,677 ) (1,677 ) (1,677 ) Orcoma Estudios SPA 2,121 - - Total Other reserves 16,318 14,086 11,332 20.4 Dividend policies As required by Article 79 of the Chilean Companies Act, unless otherwise decided by unanimous vote of the holders of issued and subscribed shares, a publicly traded corporation must distribute dividends in accordance with the policy determined in the shareholder's meeting held each year, with at least 30% of our consolidated profit for each year. Dividend policy for commercial year 2020 Company’s dividend policy for the 2020 business year was agreed upon by the Board of Directors on March 25, 2020 and later modified after the extraordinary shareholders’ meeting held on September 29, 2020. The current dividend policy establishes the following: (a) Distribute and pay to the corresponding shareholders, a percentage of the net income that shall be determined per the following financial parameters as a final dividend: (i) 100% of the profit for 2020 if all the following financial parameters are met: (a) “all current assets” divided by “all current liabilities” is equal to or greater than 2.5 times, and (b) the sum of “all current liabilities” and “all non-current liabilities”, less “cash equivalents”, less “other current financial assets”, all of the above divided by “total equity” in equal or less than 0.8 times. (ii) 80% of the profit for 2020 if all the following financial parameters are met: (a) “all current assets” divided by “all current liabilities” is equal to or greater than 2.0 times, and (b) the sum of “all current liabilities” and “all non-current liabilities”, less “cash equivalents”, less “other current financial assets”, all of the above divided by “total equity” in equal or less than 0.9 times. (iii) 60% of the profit for 2020 if all the following financial parameters are met: (a) “all current assets” divided by “all current liabilities” is equal to or greater than 1.5 times, and (b) the sum of “all current liabilities” and “all non-current liabilities”, less “cash equivalents”, less “other current financial assets”, all of the above divided by “total equity” in equal or less than 1.0 times. (iv) If none of the foregoing financial parameters are met, the Company shall distribute and pay, as a final dividend, and in favor of the respective shareholders, 50% of the 2020 net income. (b) Distribute and pay only one interim dividend during 2020, which will be charged against the aforementioned final dividend and that will be charged to the retained earnings reflected in the consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2020, the percentage distributed shall be determined per the financial parameters expressed in letter a) above. It is recorded that on May 19, 2020 the Company's Board of Directors agreed to distribute and pay an interim dividend equivalent to US$ 0.17092 per share, charged to the Company's 2020 retained earnings. Said amount was paid in its equivalent in Chilean pesos according to the official exchange rate on May 29, 2020 (the “Interim Dividend”). (c) The Board of Directors will not approve the payment of other interim dividends charged against the 2020 net income. (d) At the ordinary general shareholders’ meeting that will be held in 2021, the Board of Directors shall propose a final dividend pursuant to the percentages in financial parameters described in in letter a) above discounting the Special Dividend and Interim Dividend. If the amount is equal to or less than the amount of the sum of the Special Dividend (see more details in Note 20.5) and the Interim Dividend, If the amount equivalent to the percentage of the 2020 fiscal year profits to be distributed in accordance with (a) above is equal to or less than the sum of the Special Dividend and the Interim Dividend, then no additional amount will be distributed and the Interim Dividend will be understood to be paid as a definitive dividend. In any case, the final dividend may not be less than the mandatory minimum dividend that corresponds in accordance with Chilean law or the Company bylaws. (e) If there is an excess of net income in 2020, this may be retained and assigned or allocated for financing its own operations, to one or more investment projects of the Company, notwithstanding a future distribution of special dividends charged to the retained earnings previously approved at the shareholders’ meeting, or the possible and future capitalization of all or part of the latter. (f) The payment of additional dividends is not considered. It is expressly stated that the dividend policy described above corresponds to the intention of the Board of Directors, and the compliance of it shall depend on the net income that the Company ultimately obtains, as well as the results of projections that could periodically impact the Company, or to the existence of determined conditions that may affect it, as applicable. If the dividend policy exposed by the Board of Directors suffers a substantial change, the Company must communicate it as an essential fact. 20.5 Interim and provisional dividends The ordinary shareholders’ meeting held on April 23, 2020 agreed to distribute and pay 100% of the distributable net profit obtained by the Company during the 2019 fiscal year as final dividend. In consequence, in May 2020 the Company paid a final dividend of US$ 1.05668 per share from the distributable net profit obtained during the 2019 fiscal year, and the sum of US$ 0.80254 per share was discounted from this, as this was already paid as a provisional dividend in 2019. On May 19, 2020, the Board agreed to pay a provisional dividend equivalent to US$ 0.17092 per share with a charge to earnings for 2020. This amount was paid in its equivalent in Chilean pesos, according to the observed U.S. dollar exchange rate published in the Official Gazette on May 29, 2020. On September 29, 2020, Company shareholders met in an extraordinary shareholders’ meeting to approve the distribution and payment of a special dividend equivalent to US$ 0.37994 per share, to be paid out of the Company’s retained earnings. 20.6 Potential and provisional dividends Dividends discounted from equity from January to December 2020 and 2019 were the following: Dividends December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Ajay SQM Chile S.A. Dividends 556 882 823 Ajay SQM Chile S.A Payable Dividend 682 - - Soquimich Comercial S.A. Potential Dividend 5,904 3,936 7,872 Soquimich Comercial S.A. Payable Dividend 2,976 1,999 1,038 Non-controlling interests 10,118 6,817 9,733 Interim dividend 44,986 211,224 331,199 Potential dividend 100,000 - 100,000 Dividends payable 4,369 66,891 108,631 Owners of the Parent 149,355 278,115 539,830 Dividends discounted from equity for the period 159,473 284,932 549,563

Contingencies and restrictions

Contingencies and restrictions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Disclosure of contingent liability [Abstract]
Disclosure of contingent liabilities [text block]	Note 21 Contingencies and restrictions In accordance with note 20.1, the Company has only registered a provision for those lawsuits in which there is a probability that the judgments will be unfavorable to the Company. The Company is party to the following lawsuits and other relevant legal actions: 21.1 Lawsuits and other relevant events (a) In August 1996, Nitratos Naturais do Chile Ltda. was fined by Fazenda do Estado de Sao Paulo for concluding activities without attaching the necessary documentation for submission to the competent authorities. The treasury of the State of Sao Paulo initiated legal actions to collect close to ThUS$ 492. Nitratos Naturais do Chile has presented a case to the federal court of Brazil to request a reduction in the fine, which is currently pending. (b) In August 2004, Nitratos Naturais do Chile Ltda. was fined by Fazenda do Estado de Sao Paulo for failing to report trade activities. The treasury of the State of Sao Paulo initiated legal actions to collect close to ThUS$ 265. In 2018, the Court of Appeals agreed to a reduction in the fine and the Fazenda do Estado de Sao Paulo appealed to the Court of Brazil, and this appeal is still pending. (c) In December 2010, the city of Pomona in the state of California, United States, filed a claim against SQM NA, which was heard before the US District Court for the Central District of California. The plaintiff requested the payment of expenses and other values related to treatment of groundwater to make it apt for consumption, which involved the extraction of perchlorate in this water, which allegedly came from Chilean fertilizers, for an approximate amount of US$ 36 million. On May 17, 2018, district judge Gary Klausner ruled in favor of SQM NA following the jury verdict. On February 6, 2020, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit demanded a retrial before the District Court, which has been postponed until the second quarter of 2021. (d) In December 2010, the city of Lindsay in California, United States, filed a claim against SQM NA, which was heard before the US District Court for the Central District of California. The plaintiff requested the payment of expenses and other values related to treatment of groundwater to make it apt for consumption, which involved the extraction of perchlorate in this water, which allegedly came from Chilean fertilizers, the trial is currently suspended. (e) In May 2014, a claim of compensation for damages was filed against SQM Nitratos for its alleged extracontractual liability derived from an explosion occurring in 2010 in the vicinity of the town of Baquedano, which caused the death of six workers. The portion of the claim that has not been settled in court is approximately US$ 1.2 million. On May 7, 2019, the 18th Civil Court of Santiago dismissed the claim. The case currently is in the Santiago Court of Appeals, which will make a determination on the motion for appeal and cassation brought about on behalf of the plaintiff. (f) On October 2015, Tyne and Wear Pension Fund represented by the Council of the Borough of South Tyneside acting as lead plaintiff presented a claim against the Company with the US Federal Court of the Southern District of New York for potential damages to ADS Holders in the Company due to alleged noncompliance with the securities regulation in the United States. For more information, see Note 21.6. (g) In May 2016, a claim for close to ThUS$ 515 was filed against SQM Salar and SQM Industrial for the alleged extracontractual liability derived from the accident occurring in July 2014 in the town of María Elena. On March 6, 2019, the 13th Civil Court of Santiago dismissed the claim. The case is currently in the Santiago Court of Appeals, which will decide on the motion for appeal brought about by the plaintiffs. (h) In January 2018, the company Transportes Buen Destino S.A. filed an arbitration claim under CAM (arbitration and mediation center) rules against SQM Salar for controversies resulting from the execution of transport contracts for lithium brine and transport of salts. The amount of the claim is close to US$ 3 million. The arbitration is currently in the evidence stage. (i) In September 2018, representatives Claudia Nathalie Mix Jiménez, Gael Fernanda Yeomans Araya, Camila Ruslay Rojas Valderrama filed a public right annulment suit against Corfo regarding the Salar de Atacama Project Contract signed between Corfo and SQM Salar. The Company has intervened as an independent third party. This discussion stage has concluded. For more information, see Note 21.5. (j) The Company and FPC Ingeniería y Construcción SpA were sued in May 2019 for compensation for damages resulting from alleged extracontractual liability derived from the traffic accident occurring on March 5, 2018, involving the overturn of a truck owned by FPC and the subsequent death of its two occupants, both employees of FPC. The four children of one of the deceased workers are the plaintiffs in this case and are seeking compensation for moral damages. The case is in the 19th Civil Court of Santiago and is in the evidence stage. The amount of the claim is close to US$ 1.2 million. (k) On June 24, 2019, the company Servicios Logísticos Integrales Inversol SpA filed an arbitration claim under CAM rules against SQM Salar for controversies resulting from the execution of the salt transport contract. The trial is currently in the evidence stage. The amount of the claim is close to US$ 7 million. (l) In April 2019, the company Fennix Industrial SpA filed a claim against SQM Salar with the First Civil Court of Concepción for controversies resulting from the execution of a civil works and electromechanical assembly contract. The trial is currently in the discussion stage. The amount of the claim is approximately ThUS$ 770. On December 18, 2020, the parties mutually agreed to terminate this lawsuit. (m) The company Arrigoni Ingeniería y Construcción S.A. filed a claim in November 2019 against SQM Salar in arbitration court under CAM rules, requesting the conclusion of the Works Contract known as “Expansion of Lithium Carbonate Plant Phase II.” The trial is currently in the evidence stage. The amount of the claim is close to US$ 14,6 million. (n) The Company has initiated an arbitration process against the company Sierra Gorda S.C.M. due to controversies originating from the Mining, Royalties and Other Sales Contract dated December 16, 2011. Sierra Gorda S.C.M. has filed counterclaims against the Company. The process has concluded its discussion stage. It is not possible to make an adequate determination of the amount involved. (o) The Company has been sued in arbitration court under CAM rules by the company Rotto S.A. due to controversies occurring in relation to a contract for disarming and removing ferrous material. The case was presented in September 2020. The amount of the claim is approximately ThUS$ 713. On January 28, 2021, the parties mutually agreed to terminate this lawsuit. The Company and its subsidiaries have been involved and will probably continue to be involved either as plaintiffs or defendants in certain judicial proceedings that have been and will be heard by the arbitration or ordinary courts of justice that will make the final decision. Those proceedings that are regulated by the appropriate legal regulations are intended to exercise or oppose certain actions or exceptions related to certain mining claims either granted or to be granted and that do not or will not affect in an essential manner the development of the Company and its subsidiaries. Soquimich Comercial S.A. has been involved and will probably continue being involved either as plaintiff or defendant in certain judicial proceedings through which it intends to collect and receive the amounts owed, the total nominal value of which is approximately US$ 1.2 million. The Company and its subsidiaries have made efforts and continues making efforts to obtain payment of certain amounts that are still owed to the Company due to its activities. Such amounts will continue to be required using judicial or non-judicial means by the plaintiffs, and the actions and exercise related to these are currently in full force and effect. 21.2 Restrictions to management or financial limits Bond issuance contracts in the local market require the Company to maintain a Total Indebtedness Level rate no higher than 1 for Series H, Series O and Series Q bonds, calculated for a mobile period that considers the last 12 months. For more information, see Note 20.1. As of December 31, 2020, the above-mentioned financial indicator has the following values: Indicator As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 Leverage 0.50 0.32 Bond issue agreements issued abroad require the Company to neither merge nor dispose of the whole or a substantial part of its assets, unless all the following conditions are met: (i) the legal successor company is an entity subject to either Chilean or United States law, and assumes SQM S.A.’s obligations under a complimentary contract, (ii) the Issuer does not fail to comply immediately after the merger or disposal, and (iii) the Issuer delivers a legal opinion stating that the merger or disposal and the complimentary contract meet the requirements described in the original contract. In addition, SQM S.A. is committed to disclosing financial information on quarterly basis. The Company and its subsidiaries have complied and are fully complying with all the aforementioned limitations, restrictions and obligations. 21.3 Environmental contingencies The SMA issued a resolution dated November 28, 2016, rectified by a resolution dated December 23, 2016, which filed charges against SQM Salar for brine extraction in excess of authorized amounts, progressive impairment of the vitality of carob trees, providing incomplete information modification of follow-up plan variables, and other charges. SQM Salar S.A. presented a compliance program that was accepted by the SMA. On December 2019, the Environmental Court of Antofagasta rendered null. In October 2020, the SMA formulated new observations for the compliance program, which will enable the incorporation of improvements in line with the ruling of the Antofagasta Environmental Court, to then make a determination regarding approval or rejection. If a new compliance program is not approved by the SMA, or if approved and legally challenged and rendered null and void by the Chilean courts. This latter event may consider the application of fines up to US$9 million, temporary or permanent closure of facilities and in extreme circumstances, revocation of the respective environmental permit. 21.4 Tax Contingencies On August 26, 2016, SQM Salar filed a tax claim before the Third Tax and Customs Court of the Metropolitan Region against settlements 169, 170, 171 and 172 by the Chilean IRS, which extend the application of specific mining tax to lithium exploitation for the 2012, 2013 and 2014 tax years. The disputed amount is approximately US$17.8 million. On November 28, 2018, the Third Tax and Customs Court rejected the claim, and the case was transferred to the Santiago Court of Appeals, following an appeal filed by SQM Salar. On March 24, 2017, SQM Salar filed with the Third Tax and Customs Court of the Metropolitan Region a tax claim against tax assessment No. 207 and ruling No. 156, both issued by the Chilean IRS, which seek to expand application of the specific tax on mining activities to include lithium exploitation for tax years 2015 and 2016. The amount involved is approximately US$14.4 million, of this, US$ 7.0 million corresponding to the overcharge. On November 28, 2018, the Third Tax and Customs Court accepted SQM Salar's claim against the overcharge by the IRS and rejected the claim for the remaining part. The case is now with the Santiago Court of Appeals due to the appeal filed by SQM Salar. On October 17, 2019, the IRS recognized the overcharge of US$ 5.8 million, while the difference of US$ 1.2 million, is for corporate income tax plus associated interest and will be reimbursed at the end of the trial. SQM Salar filed inapplicability requirements with the Constitutional Court in the grounds of unconstitutionality with respect to article 64 bis of the Income Tax Law, with relation to two groups of previous tax claims. On June 18, 2020, the Constitutional Court rejected the requirements after reaching a tie vote among the members of this court, corresponding to its knowledge from the Santiago Court of Appeals. On September 30, 2020, the SII notified SQM Salar of liquidations No. 65 and 66 for the 2017 and 2018 business years, due to differences in the determination of the specific mining tax, totaling close to US$ 19.5 million and US$ 22.1 million, respectively plus interest for both periods of US$ 22.3 million. On October 30, 2020, SQM Salar paid these liquidations for a total of US$ 63.9 million (this amount includes an overcharge estimated at US$ 18 million, including interest). SQM Salar will reclaim these liquidations in the upcoming months. As of December 2020, the Company had non-current tax assets of US$ 90.3 million for tax settlements for 2012 to 2018 (including an overcollection of US$ 19.5 million) and US$ 5.8 million in recoverable taxes. As of December 2019, the Company the Company had non-current tax assets of US$ 32.2, (which included US$ 7 million for an overcollection by the IRS). As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, there was no effect on the income statement in this respect. The IRS has not settled differences with respect to specific mining tax for 2018 onwards. If the IRS uses a similar criterion to that used in previous years, it is possible that settlements will be issued in the future for those periods. This tax for 2018 to 2020 (commercial years) is estimated at US$ 43 million, (without interest or penalties, and net of corporate income tax). The company continues to undertake all legal efforts to actively and decidedly defend its interests. 21.5 Contingencies regarding to the Contracts with Corfo: On September 6, 2018, representatives Claudia Nathalie Mix Jiménez, Gael Fernanda Yeomans Araya and Camila Ruslay Rojas Valderrama and the Poder Ciudadano political party filed an annulment suit against Corfo, which requested that the Contract for the Salar de Atacama Project between Corfo and the Company, SQM Potasio and SQM Salar be annulled. The Companies have taken part of the process as interested third parties. In the event that the annulment claim is approved for the Salar de Atacama Project Contract, SQM Salar may be prevented from exploit the mining claims in the Salar de Atacama that it has leased from Corfo. 21.6 Contingencies related to the Class Action lawsuit Since October 2015, a consolidated class action lawsuit has been pending against the Company before the District Court for the Southern District of New York of the United States, plenary case Villella v.Chemical and Mining Company of Chile, Inc. . 21.7 Contingencies associated with conflicts between shareholders of the Abu Dhabi Fertilizer Industries Company Due to differences between shareholders of the company Abu Dhabi Fertilizer Industries Company, diverse lawsuits have arisen that may result in claims against SQM Corporation N.V. and by this company against the other shareholders. These disputes may materially affect the value of the investment of the Company in Abu Dhabi Fertilizer Industries Company. At this time, it is not possible to quantify the amounts of these claims. 21.8 Restricted or pledged cash The subsidiary Isapre Norte Grande Ltda., in compliance with the provisions established by the Chilean Superintendence of Healthcare, which regulates the running of pension-related health institutions, maintains a guarantee in financial instruments delivered in deposits, custody and administration to Banco de Chile. This guarantee, according to the regulations issued by the Chilean Superintendence of Healthcare is equivalent to the total amount owed to its members and medical providers, Banco de Chile reports the present value of the guarantee to the Chilean Superintendence of Healthcare and Isapre Norte Grande Ltda on a daily basis. As of December 31, 2020, the guarantee amounts to ThUS$ 731. 21.9 Securities obtained from third parties The main security received (exceeding ThUS$ 100) from third parties to guarantee Soquimich Comercial S.A. their compliance with obligations in contracts of commercial mandates for the distribution and sale of fertilizers amounted to ThUS$ 10,114 and ThUS$ 9,611 on December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 respectively; which is detailed as follows: Grantor Relationship As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 ThUS$ ThUS$ Ferosor Agrícola S.A. Unrelated Third party 5,626 5,372 Tattersall Agroinsumos S.A. Unrelated Third party 2,000 2,000 Covepa SPA Unrelated Third party 703 671 Johannes Epple Davanzo Unrelated Third party 314 300 Hortofrutícola La Serena Unrelated Third party 303 282 Com. Serv Johannes Epple Davanz Unrelated Third party 408 269 Juan Luis Gaete Chesta Unrelated Third party 190 182 Arena Fertilizantes y Semillas Unrelated Third party 211 201 Vicente Oyarce Castro Unrelated Third party 229 213 Bernardo Guzmán Schmidt Unrelated Third party 130 121 Total 10,114 9,611 21.10 Indirect guarantees Guarantees without pending balance indirectly reflect that the respective guarantees are in force and approved by the Company’s Board of Directors and have not been used by the respective subsidiary. As of December 31, 2020, there are no indirect guarantees.

Lawsuits and complaints

Lawsuits and complaints	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Disclosure of lawsuits and complaints [Abstract]
Disclosure of lawsuits and complaints [Text Block]	Note 22 Lawsuits and complaints Investigation by the Department of Justice and the Securities Exchange Commission and Agreements On January 13, 2017, the Company signed agreements with the DOJ and the SEC relating to their investigations into Company payments to suppliers and organizations that may have had links with politically exposed persons during the period from 2008 to 2015. As a result, the Company conducted its own internal investigation through an ad-hoc Board committee (The Company’s securities are traded in the USA, so the Company is subject to US law). The Company has voluntarily submitted the results of its internal investigation and supporting documents to the DOJ, the SEC and the relevant Chilean authorities. In accordance with the terms Agreement with the DOJ, (the “ DPA Monitor The three-year term of the DPA ended on April 30, 2020, and on June 1, 2020, the Company’s CEO and CFO submitted the certification regarding the Company’s disclosure obligations, as required under the DPA. On November 11, 2020, the DOJ presented a motion to dismiss the criminal information against the Company, which is subject to approval by the United States District Court of the District of Columbia. Following this approval, all charges against the Company will be dropped. Other Lawsuits and complaints In May 2019, the company Fennix Industrial SpA filed a claim against SQM Salar and employees for the alleged misappropriation of funds - controversies originating from contract execution for civil works and electromechanical assembly. The case is being tried before the Criminal Court of San Pedro de la Paz and is in the investigation stage. The amount of the alleged misappropriation of funds is close to US$ 436 million On December 18, 2020, the criminal proceedings, together with other civil disputes, were terminated through a settlement agreement.

Gains (losses) from operating a

Gains (losses) from operating activities in the statement of income, included according to their nature	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Disclosure Of Profit Loss From Operating Activities Explanatory [Abstract]
Disclosure Of Profit Loss From Operating Activities Explanatory [Text Block]	Note 23 Gains (losses) from operating activities in the statement of income of expenses, included according to their nature 23.1 Revenue from operating activities customer activities The Group derives revenues from the sale of goods (which are recognized at one point in time) and from the provision of services (which are recognized over time) and are distributed among the following geographical areas and main product and service lines. (a) Geographic areas: For the period ended December 31, 2020 Geographic areas Specialty Iodine and Lithium and Potassium Industrial Other Total Chile 100,353 1,234 399 23,963 4,059 23,737 153,745 Latin America and the Caribbean 69,535 10,843 1,597 72,697 4,951 367 159,990 Europe 145,896 142,161 49,719 30,029 11,585 735 380,125 North America 246,737 90,292 25,558 39,432 23,963 1,588 427,570 Asia and Others 139,167 90,127 306,100 43,173 116,050 1,144 695,761 Total 701,688 334,657 383,373 209,294 160,608 27,571 1,817,191 For the period ended as of December 31, 2019 Geographic areas Specialty Iodine and Lithium and Potassium Industrial Other Total Chile 109,975 1,064 599 27,371 39,512 33,336 211,857 Latin America and the Caribbean 78,872 7,972 3,593 64,868 6,354 269 161,928 Europa 149,992 123,525 76,250 27,973 15,289 735 393,764 North America 243,399 90,070 45,810 43,312 27,798 883 451,272 Asia and Others 141,682 148,389 379,462 48,627 5,922 752 724,834 Total 723,920 371,020 505,714 212,151 94,875 35,975 1,943,655 For the period ended as of December 31, 2018 Geographic areas Specialty Iodine and Lithium and Potassium Industrial Other Total ThUS$ Chile 111,595 1,052 700 25,593 4,575 45,834 189,349 Latin America and the Caribbean 77,737 6,389 3,598 80,192 12,098 177 180,191 Europe 200,229 112,080 103,430 46,068 17,384 473 479,664 North America 240,995 83,587 68,254 50,685 27,347 647 471,515 Asia and Others 151,195 121,864 558,819 64,936 46,863 1,407 945,084 Total 781,751 324,972 734,801 267,474 108,267 48,538 2,265,803 (b) Main product and service lines: For the period from January to December of the year Products and Services 2020 2019 2018 ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Specialty plant nutrition 701,688 723,920 781,751 - Sodium Nitrates 18,291 20,679 17,688 -Potassium nitrate and sodium potassium nitrate 424,041 457,477 527,945 - Specialty Blends 163,033 153,739 145,511 - Other specialty fertilizers 96,323 92,025 90,607 Iodine and derivatives 334,657 371,020 324,972 Lithium and derivatives 383,373 505,714 734,801 Potassium 209,294 212,151 267,474 Industrial chemicals 160,608 94,875 108,267 Other 27,571 35,975 48,538 - Services 3,241 3,410 4,017 - Income from property leases 1,457 1,438 1,474 - Income from subleases on right-of-use assets 176 261 - - Commodities 11,938 16,176 18,581 -Other ordinary income of Commercial Offices 10,759 14,690 24,466 Total 1,817,191 1,943,655 2,265,803 23.2 Cost of sales Cost of sales broken down by nature of expense For the period from January to Nature of expense 2020 2019 2018 ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Raw materials and consumables used (287,877 ) (271,912 ) (260,869 ) Classes of employee benefit expenses (178,956 ) (178,493 ) (203,571 ) Depreciation expense (182,410 ) (188,157 ) (212,641 ) Depreciation of Right-of-use Assets (contracts under IFRS 16) (5,814 ) (5,450 ) - Amortization expense (12,655 ) (5,102 ) (6,376 ) Investment plan expenses (14,286 ) (18,367 ) (11,860 ) Provision for site closure (911 ) (911 ) (2,045 ) Provision for materials, spare parts and supplies 640 (7,500 ) 1,721 Contractors (142,001 ) (120,793 ) (120,923 ) Operating leases (57,461 ) (47,708 ) (37,245 ) Mining concessions (6,645 ) (7,856 ) (8,168 ) Operations transport (68,730 ) (56,376 ) (64,352 ) Freight / product transport costs (52,156 ) (46,264 ) (51,387 ) Purchase of products from third parties (224,115 ) (210,583 ) (182,695 ) Insurance (17,657 ) (16,968 ) (11,923 ) CORFO rights and other agreements (74,418 ) (143,861 ) (182,954 ) Export costs (71,718 ) (75,908 ) (107,418 ) Expenses related to Variable Parts Leases (contracts under IFRS 16) (1,133 ) (1,037 ) - Variation in inventory 97,467 52,557 20,597 Variation in inventory provision 7,244 17,107 (8,997 ) Other (40,729 ) (50,021 ) (34,525 ) Total (1,334,321 ) (1,383,603 ) (1,485,631 ) 23.3 Other income Other income For the period from January to December of the year 2020 2019 2018 ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Discounts obtained from suppliers 665 676 705 Fines charged to suppliers 267 483 698 Taxes recovered 346 457 996 Amounts recovered from insurance 14,719 492 443 Overestimate of provisions for third-party obligations 118 983 375 Sale of assets classified as properties, plant and equipment 3,222 2,422 1,536 Options on mining rights 5,852 5,298 16,095 Easements, pipelines and roads 1,619 7,204 10,806 Mining licenses and notary costs reimbursed 85 203 394 Total 26,893 18,218 32,048 23.4 Administrative expenses Administrative expenses For the period from January to December of the year 2020 2019 2018 ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Employee benefit expenses (55,152 ) (60,255 ) (63,880 ) Marketing costs (2,377 ) (3,911 ) (3,078 ) Amortization expenses (91 ) (5 ) (15 ) Entertainment expenses (4,858 ) (5,783 ) (4,805 ) Advisory services (13,880 ) (13,862 ) (12,848 ) Lease of buildings and facilities (3,111 ) (3,653 ) (4,556 ) Insurance (3,478 ) (2,553 ) (1,758 ) Office expenses (6,204 ) (7,327 ) (8,165 ) Contractors (5,079 ) (4,874 ) (5,730 ) Depreciation of Right-of-use Assets (contracts under IFRS 16) (2,617 ) (2,501 ) - Other expenses, by nature (10,170 ) (12,456 ) (13,291 ) Total (107,017 ) (117,180 ) (118,126 ) 23.5 Other expenses Other expenses For the period from January to December of the year 2020 2019 2018 ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Depreciation and amortization expense Depreciation of assets not in use (42 ) (136 ) (59 ) Subtotal (42 ) (136 ) (59 ) Impairment losses (reversals of impairment losses) recognized in profit for the year Properties, plant and equipment (9,563 ) (49 ) (1,390 ) Intangible assets other than goodwill (1,658 ) (913 ) (1,736 ) Goodwill (140 ) (140 ) (3,254 ) Amortization of intangible assets (283 ) - - Subtotal (11,644 ) (1,102 ) (6,380 ) Other expenses, by nature Legal expenses (69,965 ) (9,277 ) (15,139 ) VAT and other unrecoverable taxes (626 ) (613 ) (1,187 ) Fines paid (314 ) (145 ) (965 ) Investment plan expenses (864 ) (1,693 ) (7,555 ) Exploration expenses (5,262 ) (5,537 ) (5,864 ) Donations (8,793 ) (5,026 ) (4,502 ) Reorganization of related businesses - - 6,000 Other operating expenses (2,102 ) (2,466 ) (1,256 ) Subtotal (87,926 ) (24,757 ) (30,468 ) Total (99,612 ) (25,995 ) (36,907 ) 23.6 Other gains (losses) For the period from January to December of the year Other income (expenses) 2020 2019 2018 ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Adjust previous year application method of participation (49 ) (985 ) (664 ) Losses in the sale of investments in associates (11,830 ) - (759 ) Impairment of interests in associates 7,235 631 (8,802 ) Losses in the sale of investments in joint Ventures (481 ) - 14,507 Others (188 ) (29 ) 2,122 Total (5,313 ) (383 ) 6,404 23.7 (Impairment) /reversion of value of financial assets impairment losses For the period from January to Description 2020 2019 2018 ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ (Impairment) /reversion of value of financial assets impairment losses (See Note 13.2) 4,684 (1,057 ) 2,967 Total 4,684 (1,057 ) 2,967 23.8 Summary of expenses by nature The following summary considers notes 23.2, 23.4 and 23.5 Expenses by nature For the period from January to December of the year 2020 2019 2018 ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Raw materials and consumables (287,877 ) (271,912 ) (260,869 ) Classes of Employee Benefit Expenses (234,108 ) (238,748 ) (267,451 ) Depreciation and amortization expense Depreciation expense (182,452 ) (188,293 ) (212,700 ) Depreciation of Right-of-use Assets (8,431 ) (7,951 ) - Impairment of Value (1,658 ) (913 ) (1,390 ) Properties, plant and equipment (9,563 ) (49 ) (3,254 ) Goodwill (140 ) (140 ) - Amortization expense (13,029 ) (5,107 ) (8,127 ) Legal expenses (69,965 ) (9,277 ) (15,139 ) Investment plan expenses (15,150 ) (20,060 ) (19,415 ) Exploration expenses (5,262 ) (5,537 ) (5,864 ) Provision for site closure (911 ) (911 ) (2,045 ) Provision for materials, spare parts and supplies 640 (7,500 ) 1,721 Contractors (147,080 ) (125,667 ) (126,653 ) Operation leases (60,572 ) (51,361 ) (41,801 ) Mining concessions (6,645 ) (7,856 ) (8,168 ) Operation transport (68,730 ) (56,376 ) (64,352 ) Freight and product transport costs (52,156 ) (46,264 ) (51,387 ) Purchase of products from third parties (224,115 ) (210,583 ) (182,695 ) CORFO rights y other agreements (74,418 ) (143,861 ) (182,954 ) Export costs (71,718 ) (75,908 ) (107,418 ) Expenses related to Variable Parts Leases (IFRS 16) (1,133 ) (1,037 ) - Insurance (21,135 ) (19,521 ) (13,681 ) Restructuring of joint ventures 6,000 Consultant and advisor services (13,880 ) (13,862 ) (12,848 ) Variation in gross inventory 97,467 52,557 20,597 Variation in provision on product inventory 7,244 17,107 (8,997 ) Other expenses (76,173 ) (87,748 ) (71,774 ) Total expenses by nature (1,540,950 ) (1,526,778 ) (1,640,664 ) 23.9 Finance expenses For the period from January to December of the year Finance expenses 2020 2019 2018 ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Interest expense from bank borrowings and overdrafts (2,797 ) (2,133 ) (1,707 ) Interest expense from bonds (87,030 ) (72,984 ) (55,887 ) Interest expense from loans (1,598 ) (2,682 ) (3,093 ) Capitalized interest expenses 8,462 7,841 5,021 Financial expenses for restoration and rehabilitation provisions 2,947 (4,417 ) (960 ) Interest on lease agreement (1,133 ) (1,535 ) - Other finance costs (1,050 ) (1,029 ) (1,181 ) Total (82,199 ) (76,939 ) (57,807 ) 23.10 Finance income For the period from January to December of the year Finance income 2020 2019 2018 ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Interest from term deposits 10,260 15,345 13,758 Interest from marketable securities 2,147 6,765 6,253 Interest from maintenance of minimum bank balance in current account 18 - 262 Other finance income 1,031 4,130 2,195 Other finance interest 259 49 65 Total 13,715 26,289 22,533

Reportable segments

Reportable segments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Disclosure of entity's operating segments [Abstract]
Disclosure Of Entitys Reportable Segments Explanatory [Text Block]	Note 24 Reportable segments 24.1 Reportable segments (a) General information: The amount of each item presented in each operating segment is equal to that reported to the highest authority that makes decisions regarding the operation, in order to decide on the allocation of resources to the defined segments and to assess its performance. These operating segments mentioned are consistent with the way the Company is managed and how results will be reported by the Company. These segments reflect separate operating results that are regularly reviewed by the executive responsible for operational decisions in order to make decisions about the resources to be allocated to the segment and assess its performance (See Note 24.2). The performance of each segment is measured based on net income and revenues. Inter-segment sales are made using terms and conditions at current market rates. (b) Factors used to identify segments on which a report should be presented: The segments covered in the report are strategic business units that offer different products and services. These are managed separately because each business requires different technology and marketing strategies. (c) Description of the types of products and services from which each reportable segment obtains its income from ordinary activities The operating segments, which obtain income from ordinary activities, generate expenses and have its operating results reviewed on a regular basis by the highest authority who makes decisions regarding operations, relate to the following groups of products: (i) Specialty plant nutrients (ii) Iodine and its derivatives (iii) Lithium and its derivatives (iv) Industrial chemicals (v) Potassium (vi) Other products and services (d) Description of income sources for all the other segments Information regarding assets, liabilities, profits and expenses that cannot be assigned to the segments indicated above, due to the nature of production processes, is included under the "Unallocated amounts” category of the disclosed information. (e) Description of the nature of the differences between measurements of results of reportable segments and the result of the entity before the expense or income tax expense of incomes and discontinued operations The information reported in the segments is extracted from the Company’s consolidated financial statements and therefore there is no need to prepare reconciliations between the data mentioned above and those reported in the respective segments, according to what is stated in paragraph 28 of IFRS 8, "Operating Segments". For the allocation of inventory valuation costs, we identify the direct expenses (can be directly allocated to products) and the common expenses (belong to coproduction processes, for example common leaching expenses for production of Iodine and Nitrates), Direct costs are directly allocated to the product and the common costs are distributed according to percentages that consider different variables in their determination, such as margins, rotation of inventories, revenue, production and etc. The allocation of other common costs that are not included in the inventory valuation process, but go straight to the cost of sales, use similar criteria: the costs associated with a product or sales in particular are assigned to that particular product or sales, and the common costs associated with different products or business lines are allocated according to the sales. (f) Description of the nature of the differences between measurements of assets of reportable segments and the Company´s assets Assets are not shown classified by segments, as this information is not readily available, some of these assets are not separable by the type of activity by which they are affected since this information is not used by management in decision-making with respect to resources to be allocated to each defined segment. All assets are disclosed in the "unallocated amounts" category. (g) Description of the nature of the differences between measurements of liabilities of reportable segments and the Company’s liabilities Liabilities are not shown classified by segments, as this information is not readily available, some of these liabilities are not separable by the type of activity by which they are affected, since this information is not used by management in decision-making regarding resources to be allocated to each defined segment. All liabilities are disclosed in the "unallocated amounts" category. 24.2 Reportable segment disclosures: Operating segment items as of December 31, 2020 Specialty Iodine and its Lithium and Industrial Potassium Other Reportable Operating Unallocated Total as of ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Revenue 701,688 334,657 383,373 160,608 209,294 27,571 1,817,191 1,817,191 - 1,817,191 Revenues from transactions with other operating segments of the same entity - - - - - - - - - - Revenues from external customers and transactions with other operating segments of the same entity 701,688 334,657 383,373 160,608 209,294 27,571 1,817,191 1,817,191 - 1,817,191 Costs of sales (537,801 ) (168,499 ) (297,048 ) (119,092 ) (187,019 ) (24,862 ) (1,334,321 ) (1,334,321 ) - (1,334,321 ) Administrative expenses - - - - - - - - (107,017 ) (107,017 ) Finance expense - - - - - - - - (82,199 ) (82,199 ) Depreciation and amortization expense (55,335 ) (40,687 ) (56,092 ) (14,136 ) (34,570 ) (3,092 ) (203,912 ) (203,912 ) - (203,912 ) The entity’s interest in the profit or loss of associates and joint ventures accounted for by the equity method - - - - - - - - 8,940 8,940 Income (loss) before taxes 163,887 166,158 86,325 41,516 22,275 2,709 482,870 482,870 (244,332 ) 238,538 Income tax expense - - - - - - - - (70,179 ) (70,179 ) Net income (loss) 163,887 166,158 86,325 41,516 22,275 2,709 482,870 482,870 (314,511 ) 168,359 Assets - 4,818,463 4,818,463 Equity-accounted investees - - - - - - - - 85,993 85,993 Incorporation of non-current assets other than financial instruments, deferred tax assets, net defined benefit assets and rights arising from insurance contracts - - - - - - - - 358,009 358,009 Liabilities - - - - - - - - 2,655,885 2,655,885 Impairment loss recognized in profit or loss - 4,684 4,684 Reversal of impairment losses recognized in profit or loss for the period - - - - - - - - (11,644 ) (11,644 ) Cash flows from (used in) operating activities - - - - - - - - 182,234 182,234 Cash flows from (used in) investing activities - - - - - - - - (167,091 ) (167,091 ) Cash flows from (used in) financing activities - - - - - - - - (94,132 ) (94,132 ) Operating segment items as of December 31, 2019 Specialty Iodine and its Lithium and Industrial Potassium Other Reportable Operating Unallocated Total as of ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Revenue 723,920 371,020 505,714 94,875 212,151 35,975 1,943,655 1,943,655 - 1,943,655 Revenues from transactions with other operating segments of the same entity - - - - - - - - - - Revenues from external customers and transactions with other operating segments of the same entity 723,920 371,020 505,714 94,875 212,151 35,975 1,943,655 1,943,655 - 1,943,655 Costs of sales (573,808 ) (230,468 ) (306,250 ) (63,590 ) (176,199 ) (33,288 ) (1,383,603 ) (1,383,603 ) - (1,383,603 ) Administrative expenses - - - - - - - - (117,180 ) (117,180 ) Finance expense - - - - - - - - (76,939 ) (76,939 ) Depreciation and amortization expense (67,700 ) (43,336 ) (45,238 ) (6,854 ) (37,691 ) (532 ) (201,351 ) (201,351 ) - (201,351 ) The entity’s interest in the profit or loss of associates and joint ventures accounted for by the equity method - - - - - - - - 9,786 9,786 Income tax expense, continuing operations 150,112 140,552 199,464 31,285 35,952 2,687 560,052 560,052 (169,430 ) 390,622 Income tax expense - - - - - - - - (110,019 ) (110,019 ) Net income (loss) 150,112 140,552 199,464 31,285 35,952 2,687 560,052 560,052 (279,449 ) 280,603 Assets - - - - - - - - 4,684,151 4,684,151 Equity-accounted investees - - - - - - - - 109,435 109,435 Incorporation of non-current assets other than financial instruments, deferred tax assets, net defined benefit assets and rights arising from insurance contracts - - - - - - - - 110,021 110,021 Liabilities - - - - - - - - 2,549,679 2,549,679 Impairment loss recognized in profit or loss - - - - - - - - (1,057 ) (1,057 ) Reversal of impairment losses recognized in profit or loss for the period - - - - - - - - (1,102 ) (1,102 ) Cash flows from (used in) operating activities - - - - - - - - 426,971 426,971 Cash flows from (used in) investing activities - - - - - - - - (485,471 ) (485,471 ) Cash flows from (used in) financing activities - - - - - - - - 105,896 105,896 Operating segment items as of December 31, 2018 Specialty Iodine and its Lithium and Industrial Potassium Other Reportable Operating Unallocated Total as of ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Revenue 781,751 324,972 734,801 108,267 267,474 48,538 2,265,803 2,265,803 - 2,265,803 Revenues from transactions with other operating segments of the same entity - - - - - - - - - - Revenues from external customers and transactions with other operating segments of the same entity 781,751 324,972 734,801 108,267 267,474 48,538 2,265,803 2,265,803 - 2,265,803 Costs of sales (613,267 ) (217,464 ) (316,875 ) (72,964 ) (217,386 ) (47,675 ) (1,485,631 ) (1,485,631 ) - (1,485,631 ) Administrative expenses - - - - - - - - (118,126 ) (118,126 ) Finance expense - - - - - - - - (57,807 ) (57,807 ) Depreciation and amortization expense (79,061 ) (42,438 ) (42,283 ) (8,454 ) (47,940 ) (651 ) (220,827 ) (220,827 ) - (220,827 ) The entity’s interest in the profit or loss of associates and joint ventures accounted for by the equity method - - - - - - - - 6,351 6,351 Income tax expense, continuing operations - - - - - - - - (178,975 ) (178,975 ) Income tax expense 168,484 107,508 417,926 35,303 50,088 863 780,172 780,172 (159,134 ) 621,038 Net income (loss) 168,484 107,508 417,926 35,303 50,088 863 780,172 780,172 (338,109 ) 442,063 Assets - - - - - - - - 4,268,094 4,268,094 Equity-accounted investees - - - - - - - - 111,549 111,549 Incorporation of non-current assets other than financial instruments, deferred tax assets, net defined benefit assets and rights arising from insurance contracts - - - - - - - - (15,028 ) (15,028 ) Liabilities - - - - - - - - 2,130,292 2,130,292 Impairment loss recognized in profit or loss - - - - - - - - 2,967 2,967 Reversal of impairment losses recognized in profit or loss for the period - - - - - - - - - - Cash flows from (used in) operating activities - - - - - - - - 524,839 524,839 Cash flows from (used in) investing activities - - - - - - - - (187,004 ) (187,004 ) Cash flows from (used in) financing activities - - - - - - - - (387,313 ) (387,313 ) 24.3 Statement of comprehensive income classified by reportable segments based on groups of products Items in the statement of comprehensive income as of December 31, 2020 Specialty plant Iodine and its Lithium and its Industrial Potassium Other products Corporate Unit Total segments ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Revenue 701,688 334,657 383,373 160,608 209,294 27,571 - 1,817,191 Costs of sales (537,801 ) (168,499 ) (297,048 ) (119,092 ) (187,019 ) (24,862 ) - (1,334,321 ) Gross profit 163,887 166,158 86,325 41,516 22,275 2,709 - 482,870 Other incomes by function - - - - - - 26,893 26,893 Administrative expenses - - - - - - (107,017 ) (107,017 ) Other expenses by function - - - - - - (99,612 ) (99,612 ) Impairment of gains and review of impairment losses (impairment losses) determined in accordance with IFRS 9 - - - - - - 4,684 4,684 Other gains (losses) - - - - - - (5,313 ) (5,313 ) Financial income - - - - - - 13,715 13,715 Financial costs - - - - - - (82,199 ) (82,199 ) interest in the profit or loss of associates and joint ventures accounted for by the equity method - - - - - - 8,940 8,940 Exchange differences - - - - - - (4,423 ) (4,423 ) Profit (loss) before taxes 163,887 166,158 86,325 41,516 22,275 2,709 (244,332 ) 238,538 Income tax expense - - - - - - (70,179 ) (70,179 ) Profit (loss) from continuing operations 163,887 166,158 86,325 41,516 22,275 2,709 (314,511 ) 168,359 Profit (loss) from discontinued operations - - - - - - - - Profit (loss) 163,887 166,158 86,325 41,516 22,275 2,709 (314,511 ) 168,359 Profit, attributable to Profit (loss) attributable to the controller´s owners - - - - - - 164,518 164,518 Profit (loss) attributable to the non-controllers - - - - - - 3,841 3,841 Profit - - - - - - 168,359 168,359 Items in the statement of comprehensive income as of Specialty plant Iodine and its Lithium and its Industrial Potassium Other products Corporate Unit Total segments ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Revenue 723,920 371,020 505,714 94,875 212,151 35,975 - 1,943,655 Cost of sales (573,808 ) (230,468 ) (306,250 ) (63,590 ) (176,199 ) (33,288 ) - (1,383,603 ) Gross profit 150,112 140,552 199,464 31,285 35,952 2,687 - 560,052 Other incomes by function - - - - - - 18,218 18,218 Administrative expenses - - - - - - (117,180 ) (117,180 ) Other expenses by function - - - - - - (25,995 ) (25,995 ) Impairment of gains and review of impairment losses (impairment losses) determined in accordance with IFRS 9 - - - - - - (1,057 ) (1,057 ) Other gains (losses) - - - - - - (383 ) (383 ) Financial income - - - - - - 26,289 26,289 Financial costs - - - - - - (76,939 ) (76,939 ) interest in the profit or loss of associates and joint ventures accounted for by the equity method - - - - - - 9,786 9,786 Exchange differences - - - - - - (2,169 ) (2,169 ) Profit (loss) before taxes 150,112 140,552 199,464 31,285 35,952 2,687 (169,430 ) 390,622 Income tax expense - - - - - - (110,019 ) (110,019 ) Profit (loss) from continuing operations 150,112 140,552 199,464 31,285 35,952 2,687 (279,449 ) 280,603 Profit (loss) from discontinued operations - - - - - - - - Profit (loss) 150,112 140,552 199,464 31,285 35,952 2,687 (279,449 ) 280,603 Profit (loss), attributable to Profit (loss) attributable to the controller´s owners - - - - - - 278,115 278,115 Profit (loss) attributable to the non-controllers - - - - - - 2,488 2,488 Profit (loss) - - - - - - 280,603 280,603 Items in the statement of comprehensive income as of Specialty plant Iodine and its Lithium and its Industrial Potassium Other products Corporate Unit Total segments ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Revenue 781,751 324,972 734,801 108,267 267,474 48,538 - 2,265,803 Cost of sales (613,267 ) (217,464 ) (316,875 ) (72,964 ) (217,386 ) (47,675 ) - (1,485,631 ) Gross profit 168,484 107,508 417,926 35,303 50,088 863 - 780,172 Other incomes by function - - - - - - 32,048 32,048 Administrative expenses - - - - - - (118,126 ) (118,126 ) Other expenses by function - - - - - - (36,907 ) (36,907 ) Impairment of gains and review of impairment losses (impairment losses) determined in accordance with IFRS 9 - - - - - - 2,967 2,967 Other gains (losses) - - - - - - 6,404 6,404 Financial income - - - - - - 22,533 22,533 Financial costs - - - - - - (57,807 ) (57,807 ) interest in the profit or loss of associates and joint ventures accounted for by the equity method - - - - - - 6,351 6,351 Exchange differences - - - - - - (16,597 ) (16,597 ) Profit (loss) before taxes 168,484 107,508 417,926 35,303 50,088 863 (159,134 ) 621,038 Income tax expense - - - - - - (178,975 ) (178,975 ) Profit (loss) from continuing operations 168,484 107,508 417,926 35,303 50,088 863 (338,109 ) 442,063 Profit (loss) from discontinued operations - - - - - - - - Profit (loss) 168,484 107,508 417,926 35,303 50,088 863 (338,109 ) 442,063 Profit (loss), attributable to Profit (loss) attributable to the controller´s owners - - - - - - 439,830 439,830 Profit (loss) attributable to the non-controllers - - - - - - 2,233 2,233 Profit (loss) - - - - - - 442,063 442,063 24.4 Disclosures on geographical areas As indicated in paragraph 33 of IFRS 8, the entity discloses geographical information on its revenue from operating activities with external customers and from non-current assets that are not financial instruments, deferred income tax assets, assets related to post-employment benefits or rights derived from insurance contracts. 24.5 Disclosures on main customers With respect to the degree of dependency of the Company on its customers, in accordance with paragraph 34 of IFRS 8, the Company has no external customers who individually represent 10% or more of its revenue. 24.6 Segments by geographical areas Items as of December 31, 2020 Chile Latin America and the Europe North America Asia and others Total ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Revenue 153,745 159,990 380,126 427,572 695,758 1,817,191 Investment accounted for under the equity method - - 41,273 14,468 30,252 85,993 Intangible assets other than goodwill 95,934 565 825 2,274 78,809 178,407 Goodwill 23,065 - 18,901 - - 41,966 Property, plant and equipment, net 1,667,824 642 12,592 3,494 52,767 1,737,319 Right-of-use assets 23,461 2,298 2,428 1,776 61 30,024 Other non-current assets 19,377 17 7 2,641 - 22,042 Non-current assets 1,829,661 3,522 76,026 24,653 161,889 2,095,751 Items as of December 31, 2019 Chile Latin America and the Europe North America Asia and others Total ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Revenue 211,857 161,928 393,764 451,272 724,834 1,943,655 Investment accounted for under the equity method - - 42,243 14,669 52,523 109,435 Intangible assets other than goodwill 106,910 420 1,397 2,683 76,948 188,358 Goodwill 23,205 - 11,521 - - 34,726 Property, plant and equipment, net 1,526,919 513 3,424 6,250 32,800 1,569,906 Right-of-use assets 29,427 2,734 2,817 2,083 103 37,164 Other non-current assets 20,321 28 4 (624 ) - 19,729 Non-current assets 1,706,782 3,695 61,406 25,061 162,374 1,959,318 Items as of December 31, 2018 Chile Latin America and the Europe North America Asia and others Total ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Revenue 189,349 180,189 479,664 471,515 945,086 2,265,803 Investment accounted for under the equity method (6,588 ) - 61,256 16,115 40,766 111,549 Intangible assets other than goodwill 110,544 1,215 238 152 77,201 189,350 Goodwill 22,535 86 11,521 724 - 34,866 Property, plant and equipment, net 1,445,349 347 4,451 3,098 1,578 1,454,823 Other non-current assets 17,111 23 - (892 ) 11,297 27,539 Non-current assets 1,588,951 1,671 77,466 19,197 130,842 1,818,127 24.7 Property, plant and equipment classified by geographical areas The company's main production facilities are located near their mines and extraction facilities in northern Chile. The following table presents the main production facilities as of December 31, 2020 and 2019: Location - Pedro de Valdivia - María Elena - Coya Sur - Nueva Victoria - Salar de Atacama - Salar del Carmen Tocopilla

Effect of fluctuations in forei

Effect of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Disclosure of effect of changes in foreign exchange rates [Abstract]
Disclosure of effect of changes in foreign exchange rates [text block]	Note 25 Effect of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates (a) Foreign currency exchange differences recognized in profit or loss and other comprehensive income: Foreign currency exchange differences recognized in profit or loss and other comprehensive As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 As of December 31, 2018 ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Conversion foreign exchange gains (losses) recognized in the result of the year (4,423 ) (2,169 ) (16,597 ) Conversion foreign exchange reserves Conversion foreign exchange reserves attributable to the owners of the controlling entity 14,176 562 (1,394 ) Conversion foreign exchange reserves attributable to the non-controlling entity (176 ) 225 174 Total 14,000 787 (1,220 ) (b) Reserves for foreign currency exchange differences: As of December 31, 2020, and 2019, are detailed as follows: Details As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 As of December 31, 2018 ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Changes in equity generated by the equity method value through conversion: Comercial Hydro S.A. 1,004 1,004 1,004 SQMC Internacional Ltda. (9 ) (9 ) (17 ) Proinsa Ltda. (10 ) (10 ) (11 ) Comercial Agrorama Ltda. (19 ) 33 (21 ) Isapre Norte Grande Ltda. (14 ) (44 ) (1 ) Almacenes y Depósitos Ltda. 211 142 113 Sacal S.A. (3 ) (3 ) (3 ) Sociedad Prestadora de Servicios de Salud Cruz del Norte S.A. (13 ) (19 ) (10 ) Agrorama S.A. 92 231 132 Doktor Tarsa - (13,811 ) (13,811 ) SQM Vitas Fzco (3,736 ) (2,267 ) (2,682 ) Ajay Europe (693 ) (1,449 ) (1,270 ) SQM Eastmed Turkey - (155 ) (113 ) Doctochem - 7 - Coromandel SQM India - (431 ) (393 ) SQM Italia SRL - (236 ) (213 ) SQM Oceanía Pty Ltd. (579 ) (634 ) (634 ) SQM Indonesia S.A. (124 ) (124 ) (124 ) Abu Dhabi Fertillizers Industries WWL. 372 372 (435 ) SQM Vitas Holland 99 (197 ) (170 ) SQM Thailand Limited (68 ) (68 ) (68 ) SQM Europe (1,983 ) (1,983 ) (1,983 ) SQM Australia Pty Ltd. (4,052 ) (4,035 ) (4,222 ) Pavoni & C. Spa 164 (185 ) 70 Terra Tarsa BV - 116 (82 ) Plantacote NV - (16 ) (34 ) Doktolab Tarim Arastirma San. - (54 ) (29 ) Kore Potash PLC (a) (1,128 ) (1,754 ) (1,206 ) SQM Colombia SAS (80 ) (166 ) (94 ) Total (11,569 ) (25,745 ) (26,307 ) (c) Functional and presentation currency The functional currency of these companies corresponds to the currency of the country of origin of each entity, and its presentation currency is the dollar. (d) Reasons to use one presentation currency and a different functional currency - A relevant portion of the revenues of these subsidiaries are associated with the local currency. - The cost structure of these companies is affected by the local currency.

Disclosures on the effects of f

Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Foreign exchange rates [abstract]
Disclosure of assets and liabilities subject to foreign currency fluctuations [Text Block]	Note 26 Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates a) Assets held in foreign currency subject to fluctuations in exchange rates are detailed as follows: Class of Asset Currency As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 ThUS$ ThUS$ Cash and cash equivalents USD 454,402 558,572 Cash and cash equivalents ARS - 3 Cash and cash equivalents CLP 7,190 8,240 Cash and cash equivalents CNY 11,597 2,484 Cash and cash equivalents EUR 17,144 3,131 Cash and cash equivalents GBP 19 3 Cash and cash equivalents AUD 1,411 8,492 Cash and cash equivalents INR 6 6 Cash and cash equivalents MXN 1,378 2,103 Cash and cash equivalents PEN 3 4 Cash and cash equivalents AED - - Cash and cash equivalents JPY 1,646 1,559 Cash and cash equivalents ZAR 14,286 3,929 Cash and cash equivalents KRW 16 - Cash and cash equivalents IDR 3 3 Cash and cash equivalents PLN 1 1 Subtotal cash and cash equivalents 509,102 588,530 Other current financial assets USD 145,893 127,889 Other current financial assets CLF - 36,896 Other current financial assets CLP 202,176 340,705 Subtotal other current financial assets 348,069 505,490 Other current non-financial assets USD 20,645 16,535 Other current non-financial assets AUD 224 285 Other current non-financial assets BRL - 2 Other current non-financial assets CLF 53 31 Other current non-financial assets CLP 27,837 24,374 Other current non-financial assets CNY 1,661 326 Other current non-financial assets EUR 1,531 3,055 Other current non-financial assets COP 70 - Other current non-financial assets MXN 4,488 2,629 Other current non-financial assets THB 70 22 Other current non-financial assets JPY 157 174 Other current non-financial assets ZAR 646 3,119 Other current non-financial assets SEK 17 - Subtotal other non-financial current assets 57,399 50,552 Trade and other receivables USD 230,214 225,554 Trade and other receivables PEN 1 6 Trade and other receivables BRL 23 19 Trade and other receivables CLF 545 504 Trade and other receivables CLP 47,133 56,023 Trade and other receivables CNY 22,882 3,340 Trade and other receivables EUR 22,868 24,925 Trade and other receivables GBP 682 148 Trade and other receivables MXN 355 211 Trade and other receivables AED 533 1,193 Trade and other receivables THB 1,167 1,695 Trade and other receivables JPY 23,010 66,266 Trade and other receivables AUD 589 801 Trade and other receivables ZAR 12,504 15,900 Trade and other receivables COP 2,675 2,557 Trade and other receivables SEK 25 - Subtotal trade and other receivables 365,206 399,142 Receivables from related parties USD 61,379 60,135 Receivables from related parties EUR 1,222 1,092 Subtotal receivables from related parties 62,601 61,227 Class of assets Currency As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, ThUS$ ThUS$ Current inventories USD 1,093,028 983,338 Subtotal Current Inventories 1,093,028 983,338 Current tax assets USD 128,529 87,509 Current tax assets ARS - 1 Current tax assets CLP 3,015 1,623 Current tax assets EUR 218 61 Current tax assets MXN - 1,806 Current tax assets PEN 4 - Current tax assets ZAR 26 139 Current tax assets COP 417 294 Current tax assets THB 15 - Subtotal current tax assets 132,224 91,433 Non-current assets or groups of assets classified as held for sale USD 1,629 2,454 Subtotal Non-current assets or groups of assets classified as held for sale 1,629 2,454 Total current assets 2,569,258 2,682,166 Other non-current financial assets USD 51,828 8,687 Other non-current financial assets CLP 20 20 Other non-current financial assets JPY 77 71 Subtotal Other non-current financial assets 51,925 8,778 Other non-current non-financial assets USD 21,236 19,101 Other non-current non-financial assets BRL 17 22 Other non-current non-financial assets COP - 6 Other non-current non-financial assets EUR 7 4 Other non-current non-financial assets CLP 782 596 Subtotal Other non-current non-financial assets 22,042 19,729 Other receivables, non-current USD 10,061 522 Other receivables, non-current CLF 152 165 Other receivables, non-current MXN 102 43 Other receivables, non-current CLP 850 980 Subtotal Other receivables, non-current 11,165 1,710 Investments classified using the equity method of accounting USD 23,417 57,777 Investments classified using the equity method of accounting TRY 792 26,624 Investments classified using the equity method of accounting AED 47,774 9,111 Investments classified using the equity method of accounting EUR 11,082 14,315 Investments classified using the equity method of accounting INR 1,304 1,568 Investments classified using the equity method of accounting THB 1,624 40 Subtotal Investments classified using the equity method of accounting 85,993 109,435 Intangible assets other than goodwill USD 176,282 185,951 Intangible assets other than goodwill MXN 1,025 1,137 Intangible assets other than goodwill CLP 182 136 Intangible assets other than goodwill EUR 696 1,134 Intangible assets other than goodwill CNY 222 - Subtotal intangible assets other than goodwill 178,407 188,358 Purchases goodwill, gross USD 34,438 34,438 Purchases goodwill, gross CLP - 140 Purchases goodwill, gross EUR 7,528 148 Subtotal Purchases goodwill, gross 41,966 34,726 Property, plant and equipment USD 1,719,358 1,556,160 Property, plant and equipment CLP 3,237 3,294 Property, plant and equipment EUR 10,954 4,756 Property, plant and equipment AED 923 - Property, plant and equipment BRL 111 - Property, plant and equipment MXN 2,494 5,588 Property, plant and equipment COP 120 108 Property, plant and equipment KRW 122 - Subtotal property, plant and equipment 1,737,319 1,569,906 Right-of-use assets USD 25,238 37,164 Right-of-use assets EUR 2,428 - Right-of-use assets AED 60 - Right-of-use assets MXN 2,298 - Subtotal Right-of-use assets 30,024 37,164 Current tax assets, non-current USD 90,364 32,179 Subtotal Current tax assets, non-current 90,364 32,179 Total non-current assets 2,249,205 2,001,985 Total assets 4,818,463 4,684,151 As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 Class of liability Currency Up to 90 days More than 90 days Total Up to 90 days More than 90 days Total ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Current liabilities Other current financial liabilities USD 43,218 4,676 47,894 20,582 250,694 271,276 Other current financial liabilities CLF 20,732 329 21,061 19,518 323 19,841 Other current financial liabilities BRL - - - 11 - 11 Subtotal other current financial liabilities 63,950 5,005 68,955 40,111 251,017 291,128 Lease liabilities, current USD - 4,750 4,750 - 7,694 7,694 Lease liabilities, current MXN - 416 416 - - - Lease liabilities, current EUR - 362 362 - - - Subtotal Lease liabilities, current - 5,528 5,528 - 7,694 7,694 Trade and other payables USD 83,425 - 83,425 44,146 - 44,146 Trade and other payables CLF 123 - 123 - - - Trade and other payables BRL 9 - 9 10 - 10 Trade and other payables THB 30 - 30 53 - 53 Trade and other payables CLP 73,857 - 73,857 73,703 17,108 90,811 Trade and other payables CNY 1,323 - 1,323 - - - Trade and other payables EUR 40,280 - 40,280 58,538 5 58,543 Trade and other payables GBP 18 - 18 17 - 17 Trade and other payables INR 1 - 1 1 - 1 Trade and other payables MXN 584 - 584 5,122 - 5,122 Trade and other payables PEN 5 - 5 5 - 5 Trade and other payables AUD 2,935 - 2,935 4,442 - 4,442 Trade and other payables ZAR 1,168 - 1,168 2,260 - 2,260 Trade and other payables AED - - - 188 - 188 Trade and other payables COP 175 - 175 192 - 192 Subtotal trade and other payables 203,933 - 203,933 188,677 17,113 205,790 Trade payables due to related parties, current USD - 282 282 475 - 475 Trade payables due to related parties, current AUD 324 - 324 - - - Subtotal Trade payables due to related parties, current 324 282 606 475 - 475 Other current provisions USD 103,252 698 103,950 109,650 820 110,470 Other current provisions ARS - - - 7 - 7 Other current provisions CLP 216 - 216 82 - 82 Other current provisions EUR - - - 6 - 6 Subtotal other current provisions 103,468 698 104,166 109,745 820 110,565 Class of liability As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 Currency Up to90 days 91 days to 1 year Total Up to90 days 91 days to 1 year Total ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Current tax liabilities USD - 20,981 20,981 2,863 14,994 17,857 Current tax liabilities CLP - 61 61 - 17 17 Current tax liabilities EUR - 642 642 - - - Current tax liabilities MXN - 959 959 - - - Subtotal current tax liabilities - 22,643 22,643 2,863 15,011 17,874 Provisions for employee benefits, current USD 2,981 6,011 8,992 12,486 3,901 16,387 Provisions for employee benefits, current AUD 58 - 58 - - - Provisions for employee benefits, current CLP 3 - 3 - - - Provisions for employee benefits, current THB - - - - - - Provisions for employee benefits, current MXN 43 - 43 - - - Subtotal Provisions for employee benefits, current 3,085 6,011 9,096 12,486 3,901 16,387 Other current non-financial liabilities USD 51,995 397 52,392 117,136 154 117,290 Other current non-financial liabilities THB - - - 30 - 30 Other current non-financial liabilities BRL 2 - 2 3 - 3 Other current non-financial liabilities CLP 6,264 792 7,056 5,969 2,439 8,408 Other current non-financial liabilities CNY 60 - 60 - - - Other current non-financial liabilities EUR 913 119 1,032 842 - 842 Other current non-financial liabilities MXN 121 53 174 129 64 193 Other current non-financial liabilities JPY 52 - 52 21 12 33 Other current non-financial liabilities PEN 70 - 70 70 - 70 Other current non-financial liabilities ZAR - - - 10 - 10 Other current non-financial liabilities COP - - - - - - Other current non-financial liabilities ARS - 117 117 20 - 20 Subtotal other current non-financial liabilities 59,477 1,478 60,955 124,230 2,669 126,899 Total current liabilities 434,237 41,645 475,882 478,587 298,225 776,812 As of December 31, 2020 Class of liability Currency Over 1 year to 2 Over 2 years to 3 Over 3 years to 4 Over 4 years to 5 Over 5 years Total ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Non-current liabilities Other non-current financial liabilities USD - 312,730 69,376 248,664 838,399 1,469,169 Other non-current financial liabilities CLF - - - - 430,344 430,344 Subtotal Other non-current financial liabilities - 312,730 69,376 248,664 1,268,743 1,899,513 Non-current lease liabilities USD 1,977 - - - 4,158 6,135 Non-current lease liabilities UF 15,258 - - - - 15,258 Non-current lease liabilities MXN 2,189 - - - - 2,189 Non-current lease liabilities JPY 1,964 - - - - 1,964 Subtotal non-current lease liabilities 21,388 - - - 4,158 25,546 Non-current Trade and other payables USD - 4,027 - - - 4,027 Subtotal Non-current Trade and other payables - 4,027 - - - 4,027 Other non-current provisions USD - 36,391 - - 26,226 62,617 Subtotal Other non-current provisions - 36,391 - - 26,226 62,617 Deferred tax liabilities USD - 919 - - 155,182 156,101 Subtotal Deferred tax liabilities - 919 - - 155,182 156,101 Provisions for employee benefits, non-current USD 31,585 - - - - 31,585 Provisions for employee benefits, non-current CLP 610 - - - - 610 Provisions for employee benefits, non-current MXN - - - - - - Provisions for employee benefits, non-current JPY 4 - - - - 4 Subtotal Provisions for employee benefits, non-current 32,199 - - - - 32,199 Total non-current liabilities 53,587 354,067 69,376 248,664 1,454,309 2,180,003 Total liabilities 2,655,885 As of December 31, 2019 Class of liability Currency Over 1 year to 2 Over 2 years to 3 Over 3 years to 4 Over 4 years to 5 Over 5 years Total ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Non-current liabilities Other non-current financial liabilities USD 89,896 42,336 313,749 13,749 617,055 1,076,785 Other non-current financial liabilities CLF - - - - 411,938 411,938 Subtotal Other non-current financial liabilities 89,896 42,336 313,749 13,749 1,028,993 1,488,723 Non-current lease liabilities USD - - - - 30,203 30,203 Subtotal non-current lease liabilities - - - - 30,203 30,203 Non-current Trade and other payables USD - - - - - - Subtotal Non-current Trade and other payables - - - - - - Other non-current provisions USD 23,014 167 - 1,452 10,057 34,690 Subtotal Other non-current provisions 23,014 167 - 1,452 10,057 34,690 Deferred tax liabilities USD - - - - 183,411 183,411 Subtotal Deferred tax liabilities - - - - 183,411 183,411 Provisions for employee benefits, non-current USD - - - - 34,884 34,884 Provisions for employee benefits, non-current CLP - - - - 519 519 Provisions for employee benefits, non-current MXN - - - - 236 236 Provisions for employee benefits, non-current JPY - - - - 201 201 Subtotal Provisions for employee benefits, non-current - - - - 35,840 35,840 Total non-current liabilities 112,910 42,503 313,749 15,201 1,288,504 1,772,867 Total liabilities 2,549,679 b) Effect of exchange rate changes on the statement of income For the period from January to December of the year Foreign currency exchange rate changes 2020 2019 2018 ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Profit (loss) in foreign currency (4,423 ) (2,169 ) (16,597 ) Foreign currency translation reserve (*) 14,176 562 (1,394 ) Total 9,753 (1,607 ) (17,991 ) (*) includes MUS$ 14,580, which were transferred through sale of Grupo Tarsa, SQM Eastmed and other smaller companies. The average and closing exchange rate for foreign currency is revealed in Note 3.3

Income tax and deferred taxes

Income tax and deferred taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Disclosure of income tax [Abstract]
Disclosure of income tax [text block]	Note 27 Income tax and deferred taxes Accounts receivable from taxes as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, are as follows: 27.1 Current and non-current tax assets (a) Current Current tax assets As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 ThUS$ ThUS$ Monthly provisional income tax payments, Chilean companies 37,123 47,283 Monthly provisional income tax payments, foreign companies 1,265 124 Corporate tax credits (1) 1,566 1,262 1st category tax absorbed by tax loss (2) 2,322 916 Taxes in recovery process 89,948 41,848 Total 132,224 91,433 (b) Non-current Non-current tax assets As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 ThUS$ ThUS$ Monthly provisional income tax payments, Chilean companies compensated by the specific tax on mining activity (Lithium) 6,398 6,398 Specific tax on mining activities (IEAM) paid by Lithium (on consignment) 83,966 25,781 Total 90,364 32,179 (1) These credits are available for Companies and are related to corporate tax payments in April of the following year, These credits include, among others, credits for training expenses (SENCE), credits for acquisition of fixed assets, donations and credits in Chile for taxes paid abroad. (2) This concept corresponds to the absorption of the tax losses determined by the company at the end of the year, which must be attributed to the dividends received during the year. 27.2 Current tax liabilities Current tax liabilities As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 ThUS$ ThUS$ 1st Category income tax 14,736 7,863 Foreign company income tax 7,838 9,944 Article 21 single tax 69 67 Total 22,643 17,874 Income tax is calculated based on the profit or loss for tax purposes that is applied to the effective tax rate applicable in Chile. As established by Law No. 20,780 is 27%. The royalty is determined by applying the taxable rate to the net operating income obtained, according to the chart in force, the Company currently provisioned 5% for mining royalties that involve operations in the Salar de Atacama and 5.38% for caliche extraction operations. The income tax rate for the main countries where the Company operates is presented below: Income tax Income tax Country 2020 2019 Spain 25 % 25 % Belgium 25 % 29.58 % Mexico 30 % 30 % United States 21% + 3,36 % 21% + 3,25 % South Africa 28 % 28 % 27.3 Income tax and deferred taxes (a) Deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2020 Net liability position Description of deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2020 Assets Liabilities ThUS$ ThUS$ Unrealized loss 90,585 - Property, plant and equipment and capitalized interest - (187,168 ) Restoration and rehabilitation provision 6,598 - Manufacturing expenses - (107,215 ) Staff severance indemnities, unemployment insurance - (6,669 ) Vacation accrual 6,138 - Inventory provision 22,200 - Materials provision 8,812 - Forward - - Employee benefits - - Research and development expenses - (3,580 ) Bad debt provision 5,072 - Provision for legal complaints and expenses 19,637 - Loan acquisition expenses - (5,212 ) Financial instruments recorded at market value - (3,929 ) Specific tax on mining activity - (3,014 ) Tax loss benefit 844 - Other 1,454 - Foreign items (other) - (654 ) Balances to date 161,340 (317,441 ) Net balance (156,101 ) (b) Deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2019 Net liability position Description of deferred tax assets and liabilities Assets Liabilities ThUS$ ThUS$ Unrealized loss 82,075 - Property, plant and equipment and capitalized interest - (197,167 ) Facility closure provision 7,313 - Manufacturing expenses - (106,420 ) Staff severance indemnities, unemployment insurance - (6,000 ) Vacation 5,591 - Inventory provision 23,885 - Materials provision 7,982 - Employee benefits 2,689 - Research and development expenses - (3,533 ) Bad debt provision 3,542 - Provision for legal complaints and expenses 2,546 - Loan acquisition expenses - (3,856 ) Financial instruments recorded at market value - (1,287 ) Specific tax on mining activity - (1,357 ) Tax loss benefit 2,296 - Other - (2,021 ) Foreign items (other) 311 - Balances to date 138,230 (321,641 ) Net balance (183,411 ) (c) Reconciliation of changes in deferred tax liabilities (assets) as of December 31, 2020 Reconciliation of changes in deferred tax liabilities (assets) Deferred tax Deferred tax Deferred taxes Total increases Deferred tax ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Unrealized loss (82,076 ) (8,509 ) - (8,509 ) (90,585 ) Property, plant and equipment and capitalized interest 197,167 (9,999 ) - (9,999 ) 187,168 Facility closure provision (7,312 ) 714 - 714 (6,598 ) Manufacturing expenses 106,420 795 - 795 107,215 Staff severance indemnities, unemployment insurance 6,000 514 155 669 6,669 Vacation accrual (5,591 ) (547 ) - (547 ) (6,138 ) Inventory provision (23,885 ) 1,685 - 1,685 (22,200 ) Materials provision (7,982 ) (830 ) - (830 ) (8,812 ) Forward - 1,001 (1,001 ) - - Employee benefits (2,689 ) 2,689 - 2,689 - Research and development expenses 3,534 46 - 46 3,580 bad debt provision (3,542 ) (1,530 ) - (1,530 ) (5,072 ) Provision for legal complaints and expenses (2,546 ) (17,091 ) - (17,091 ) (19,637 ) Loan approval expenses 3,856 1,356 - 1,356 5,212 Junior mining companies (valued based on stock price) 1,287 - 2,642 2,642 3,929 specific tax on mining activity 1,356 1,668 (10 ) 1,658 3,014 Tax loss benefit (2,296 ) 1,452 - 1,452 (844 ) Other 2,021 (3,475 ) - (3,475 ) (1,454 ) Foreign items (other) (311 ) 965 - 965 654 Total temporary differences, unused losses and unused tax credits 183,411 (29,096 ) 1,786 (27,310 ) 156,101 (d) Reconciliation of changes in deferred tax liabilities (assets) as of December 31, 2019 Reconciliation of changes in deferred tax liabilities (assets) Deferred tax Deferred tax recognized in Deferred taxes Total increases Deferred tax ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Unrealized loss (75,832 ) (6,243 ) - (6,243 ) (82,075 ) Property, plant and equipment and capitalized interest 196,843 324 - 324 197,167 Facility closure provision (4,280 ) (3,033 ) - (3,033 ) (7,313 ) Manufacturing expenses 103,760 2,660 - 2,660 106,420 Staff severance indemnities, unemployment insurance 5,679 1,007 (686 ) 321 6,000 Vacation accrual (5,155 ) (436 ) - (436 ) (5,591 ) Inventory provision (28,155 ) 4,270 - 4,270 (23,885 ) Materials provision (6,239 ) (1,743 ) - (1,743 ) (7,982 ) Forward (2,169 ) (514 ) 2,683 2,169 - Employee benefits (3,309 ) 620 - 620 (2,689 ) Research and development expenses 2,216 1,317 - 1,317 3,533 bad debt provisions (4,188 ) 646 - 646 (3,542 ) Provision for legal complaints and expenses (4,013 ) 1,467 - 1,467 (2,546 ) Loan approval expenses 2,337 1,519 - 1,519 3,856 Financial instruments recorded at market value 976 - 311 311 1,287 specific tax on mining activity 3,278 (1,905 ) (16 ) (1,921 ) 1,357 Tax loss benefit (1,124 ) (1,172 ) - (1,172 ) (2,296 ) Other (5,005 ) 7,026 - 7,026 2,021 Foreign items (other) (259 ) (52 ) - (52 ) (311 ) Total temporary differences, unused losses and unused tax credits 175,361 5,758 2,292 8,050 183,411 (e) Deferred taxes related to benefits for tax losses The Company’s tax loss carryforwards were mainly generated by losses in Chile, which in accordance with current Chilean tax regulations have no expiration date. As of December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019, tax loss carryforwards are detailed as follows: Deferred taxes related to benefits for tax losses As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 ThUS$ ThUS$ Chile 818 2,296 Foreign 26 - Total 844 2,296 The tax losses as of December 31, 2020 correspond mainly to SQM S.A., SQM Potasio S.A., SIT S.A., Orcoma SpA., and Orcoma Estudio SpA. The tax losses from foreign companies correspond mainly to SQM Africa Pty Ltd. And SQM (Shanghai) Chemicals. (f) Movements in deferred tax assets and liabilities Movements in deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 are detailed as follows: Assets (liabilities) Movements in deferred tax assets and liabilities As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 ThUS$ ThUS$ Deferred tax assets and liabilities, net opening balance (183,411 ) (175,361 ) Increase (decrease) in deferred taxes in profit or loss 29,096 (5,758 ) Decrease in deferred taxes in equity (1,786 ) (2,292 ) Total (156,101 ) (183,411 ) (g) Disclosures on income tax (expenses) benefit Current and deferred tax (expenses) benefit are detailed as follows: (Expense) Income Disclosures on income tax expense (benefit) As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 As of December 31, 2018 ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Current income tax (expense) income Current tax expense (97,374 ) (116,483 ) (207,959 ) Adjustments to prior year current income tax (expense) benefit (1,901 ) 12,222 1,577 Current income tax expense, net, total (99,275 ) (104,261 ) (206,382 ) Deferred tax expense Deferred tax expense relating to the creation and reversal of temporary differences 26,219 2,551 26,434 Tax adjustments related to the creation and reversal of temporary differences from the previous year 2,877 (8,309 ) 973 Deferred tax expense, net, total 29,096 (5,758 ) 27,407 Income tax expense (70,179 ) (110,019 ) (178,975 ) Tax (expenses) benefit for foreign and domestic parties are detailed as follows: (Expense) Income Income tax (expense) benefit As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 As of December 31, 2018 ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Current income tax benefit (expense) by foreign and domestic parties, net Current income tax expense, foreign parties, net (9,782 ) (7,394 ) (7,516 ) Current income tax expense, domestic, net (89,493 ) (96,867 ) (198,866 ) Current income tax expense, net, total (99,275 ) (104,261 ) (206,382 ) Deferred tax benefit (expense) by foreign and domestic parties, net Current income tax benefit, foreign parties, net 10,284 2,370 (1,885 ) Current income tax benefit (expense), domestic, net 18,812 (8,128 ) 29,292 Deferred tax expense, net, total 29,096 (5,758 ) 27,407 Income tax expense (70,179 ) (110,019 ) (178,975 ) (h) Equity interest in taxation attributable to equity-accounted investees The Company does not recognize any deferred tax liability in all cases of taxable temporary differences associated with investments in subsidiaries, branches and associated companies or interest in joint ventures, because as indicated in the standard, the following two conditions are jointly met: (i) the parent, investor or interest holder is able to control the time for reversal of the temporary difference; and (ii) It is more likely than not that the temporary difference will not be reversed in the foreseeable future. In addition, the Company does not recognize deferred income tax assets for all deductible temporary differences from investments in subsidiaries, branches and associated companies or interests in joint ventures because it is unlikely that they will meet the following requirements: (i) Temporary differences are reversed in a foreseeable future; and (ii) The Company has tax earnings, against which temporary differences can be used. (i) Disclosures on the tax effects of other comprehensive income components: As of December 31, 2020 Income tax related to other income and expense components with a charge Amount before taxes (Expense) income for Amount after taxes ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Gain (loss) from defined benefit plans 974 (145 ) 829 Cash flow hedge (3,706 ) 1,001 (2,705 ) Reserve for gains (losses) from financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income 9,785 (2,642 ) 7,143 Total 7,053 (1,786 ) 5,267 As of December 31, 2019 Income tax related to other income and expense components with a charge Amount before taxes (Expense) income for Amount after taxes ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Gain (loss) from defined benefit plans (3,310 ) 702 (2,608 ) Cash flow hedge 1,908 (2,683 ) (775 ) Reserve for gains (losses) from financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income 1,152 (311 ) 841 Total (250 ) (2,292 ) (2,542 ) As of December 31, 2018 Income tax related to other income and expense components with a charge Amount before taxes (Expense) income for Amount after taxes ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Gain (loss) from defined benefit plans (1,327 ) 396 (931 ) Cash flow hedge 5,723 - 5,723 Reserve for gains (losses) from financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income (5,546 ) 1,498 (4,048 ) Total (1,150 ) 1,894 744 (j) Explanation of the relationship between (expense) benefit for tax purposes and accounting income. Based on IAS 12, paragraph 81, letter “c”, the company has estimated that the method that discloses the most significant information for users of the financial statements is the numeric conciliation between the tax expense (income) and the result of multiplying the accounting profit by the current rate in Chile. The aforementioned choice is based on the fact that the Company and subsidiaries established in Chile generate a large part of the Company’s tax expense (benefit). The amounts provided by subsidiaries established outside Chile have no relative importance in the overall context. Reconciliation between the tax income (expense) and the tax calculated by multiplying accounting income by the Chilean corporate income tax rate. (Expense) Benefits Income Tax Expense (Benefit) As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 As of December 31, 2018 ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Consolidated income before taxes 238,538 390,622 621,038 Income tax rate in force in Chile 27 % 27 % 27 % Tax expense using the statutory tax rate (64,405 ) (105,468 ) (167,680 ) Net effect of royalty tax payments (4,659 ) (4,314 ) (4,919 ) Effect of fines affected by article 21 and passive income (1,804 ) (724 ) (2,957 ) Tax effect of revenue from regular activities exempt from taxation 1,786 2,376 1,446 Tax rate effect of non-tax-deductible expenses for determining taxable profit (loss) (2,987 ) (2,128 ) (2,327 ) Tax effect of tax rates supported abroad (2,077 ) (252 ) (8,714 ) Surplus provision Internal revenue service - - 3,517 Effects of changes resulting from classifying a permanent item as a temporary one 4,826 - - Other tax effects from reconciliation between accounting gains and tax expenses (859 ) 491 2,659 Tax expense using the effective tax rate (70,179 ) (110,019 ) (178,975 ) (k) Tax periods potentially subject to verification: The Group’s Companies are potentially subject to income tax audits by tax authorities in each country These audits are limited to a number of interim tax periods, which, in general, when they elapse, give rise to the expiration of these inspections. Tax audits, due to their nature, are often complex and may require several years. Below, we provide a summary of tax periods that are potentially subject to verification, in accordance with the tax regulations in force in the country of origin: (i) Chile According to article 200 of Decree Law No 830, the taxes will be reviewed for any deficiencies in terms of payment and to generate any taxes that might arise. There is a 3-year prescriptive period for such review, dating from the expiration of the legal deadline when payment should have been made. This prescriptive period can be extended to 6 years for the revision of taxes subject to declaration, when such declaration has not been filed or has been presented with maliciously false information. (ii) United States In the United States, the tax authority may review tax returns for up to 3 years from the expiration date of the tax return. In the event that an omission or error is detected in the tax return of sales or cost of sales, the review can be extended for a period of up to 6 years. (iii) Mexico: In Mexico, the tax authority can review tax returns up to 5 years from the expiration date of the tax return. (iv) Spain: In Spain, the tax authority can review tax returns up to 4 years from the expiration date of the tax return. A subsidiary of the Company, SQM Iberian S.A., is being reviewed by the Spanish Tax Authority. This audit could involve adjustments to tax returns filed in Spain. (v) Belgium: In Belgium, the tax authority may review tax returns for up to 3 years from the expiration date of the tax return if no tax losses exist. In the event of detecting an omission or error in the tax return, the review can be extended for a period of up to 5 years. On December 31, 2019, a current tax of ThUS$ 1,068 was recognized, which corresponds to a difference in taxes in SQM Europe N.V. determined at the end of an audit of transfer prices in the 2017 trade year. (vi) South Africa: In South Africa, the tax authority may review tax returns for up to 3 years from the expiration date of the tax return. In the event that an omission or error in the tax return is detected, the review can be extended for a period of up to 5 years. A subsidiary of the Company, SQM Africa Pty., is being reviewed by the South African Tax Authority. This audit could involve adjustments to tax returns filed in South Africa.

Assets held for sale

Assets held for sale	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Non-current assets or disposal groups classified as held for sale or as held for distribution to owners [abstract]
Disclosure of non-current assets held for sale and discontinued operations [text block]	Note 28 Assets held for sale The non-current assets held for sale and the components of the disposal groups classified as held for sale are presented in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position under the item “Non-current assets or groups of assets classified as held for sale”. The following table shows the movements in assets held for sale: Assets held for sale As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 ThUS$ ThUS$ Land 1,493 2,454 Mining rights 136 - Total assets held for sale 1,629 2,454

Events occurred after the repor

Events occurred after the reporting date	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Disclosure Of Events After Reporting Period Explanatory [Abstract]
Disclosure of events after reporting period [text block]	Note 29 Events occurred after the reporting date 29.1 Authorization of the financial statements The consolidated financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries, prepared for the period ended December 31, 2020, were approved and authorized for issuance by the Company´s Board of Directors on March 3, 2021. 29.2 Disclosures on events occurring after the reporting date The total financial impact of COVID-19 cannot be reasonably estimated at this time, due to uncertainty as to its severity and duration. It was anticipated that average sales volumes and prices will depend on the duration of the coronavirus in different markets, the efficiency of the measures implemented to contain the spread of the virus in each country, and the fiscal and national incentives that can be implemented in different jurisdictions to promote economic recovery. The Company continues to monitor and evaluate the spread of the coronavirus and its impact on our operations, business, financial condition and results of operations. On November 11, 2020, the DOJ presented a motion to dismiss the criminal information against the Company notified in Note 23. This motion was granted by the United States District Court for the District of Columbia on January 19, 2021. Note 21 contains further details. An extraordinary shareholders' meeting held on January 22, 2021 resolved, among other matters, to approve an increase in the Company’s capital of US$ 1,100,000,000 by issuing 22,442,580 Series B shares, to be offered preferentially and under the same conditions only to Series B shareholders. Pursuant to Article 69 N° 5 of Law 18,046 on Corporations, the approval of this resolution grants the dissenting Series A shareholders the right to withdraw from the Company, upon payment by the Company of the value of their shares. A dissenting shareholder will be considered to be a Series A shareholder who at the meeting has opposed the resolution giving the right to withdraw, or who did not attend the meeting, but expressed their dissent in writing to the Company within 30 days of the date of the extraordinary shareholders' meeting, which is by February 21, 2021. On January 7, 2021, Ocaña y Vega Limitada filed for arbitration against the Company to claim damages associated with the early termination of two construction contracts. The arbitration claim is valued at approximately ThUS$ 377. On January 25, 2020, a sub-contractor´s employee sued the Company for compensation for a work-related accident in the sum of approximately ThUS$718. On February 9, 2021, two of the Company´s subsidiaries signed an agreement to conclude a dispute related to sales contracts and a share of the joint venture with Sichuan SQM Migao Chemical Fertilizers Co Ltd. The Company received US$ 11.5 million as a result of this settlement. On February 17, 2021, the Company reported that the Board of Directors approved the investment in the Mount Holland lithium project in Australia. This project is a joint venture with Wesfarmers Limited. The Company's share of the investment in the project is expected to reach approximately US$700 million between 2021 and 2025, according to information provided in the final feasibility study. On February 23, 2021, the Company informed the CMF that the declaratory public deed referred to in the extraordinary shareholders' meeting of the Company held on January 22, 2021, where it was agreed, among other matters, to increase the share capital by US$1,100,000,000, through the issuance of 22,442,580 Series B shares, to be issued, subscribed and paid within the term expiring on January 22, 2024, and which will be offered preferentially and under the same conditions to Series B assignees of the options and/or third parties, which was subject to the Resolutory Condition requiring the exercise of the aforementioned right to withdraw of more than 0.5% of the total Series A shares of the Company, all under the terms and conditions agreed at the Shareholders' Meeting. The Declaratory Deed: (a) establishes the waiver by the Company's board of directors, at an extraordinary meeting held on February 20, 2021, of the Resolutory Condition; (b) establishes that the legal term of 30 days for the exercise of the right to withdraw from the Capital Increase expired on February 21, 2021, and only one shareholder expressed their intention to exercise this right, for a total of 648 Series A shares, representing approximately 0.0004% of the total Series A shares. Therefore, the Resolutory Condition, had it not been for the waiver indicated above, would not have been fulfilled and would have deemed to have failed; and (c) establishes that pursuant to the provisions of the Meeting: (i) the Capital Increase and related matters have become effective as of February 1, 2021, the date on which the minutes of the Meeting were legalized in a public deed; (ii) the Capital Increase and related matters have become final, since the Resolutory Condition was waived by the Company's board of directors and would have failed, in any case, as the right to withdraw was exercised for less than 0.5% of the total Series A shares within the legal term; and (iii) with the execution of the Declaratory Deed, the requirements and formalities contemplated in the Meeting were fully met. On March 3, 2021, the Board of Directors agreed to amend the general policy on regular transactions with related parties, approved at the meeting held on November 21, 2018, and it also approved a revised text of the policy, which is transcribed below: 1. Regular transactions between the Company and Soquimich Comercial S.A., Ajay SQM Chile S.A., Ajay North America, Ajay Europe SARL, SQM Vitas Fzco, SQM Vitas Holland, SQM Vitas Brasil Agroindustria, SQM Vitas Perú S.A.C., Abu Dhabi Fertilizer Industries WWL, Plantacote NV and Pavoni & C. SpA. are as follows: (a) Any sale, marketing, distribution and supply of raw materials, by-products and products extracted, processed or marketed by the Company in any capacity by the aforementioned subsidiaries and affiliated companies. (b) Any advisory services provided by the Company related to the activities referred to in (a) above, and the procurement of such services by the aforementioned subsidiaries and affiliated companies; (c) Any advisory services covering financial, accounting, administrative, taxation, legal, infrastructure, advertising, IT, management, insurance, personnel selection, hiring, training and any general back office services provided by the Company, and the procurement of such services by the aforementioned subsidiaries and affiliated companies. (d) Any working capital finance provided by the Company to the aforementioned subsidiaries and affiliated companies not exceeding US$ 5 million in a 12 consecutive month period, based on these subsidiaries as a whole. 2. Any engineering, environmental and other specialized studies provided by the Company to study, develop and construct mines related to the Mt. Holland project, and all ancillary activities required to complete those studies are regular transactions between the Company and Covalent Lithium Pty Ltd. 3. The following transactions with related parties may be performed without complying with the requirements and procedures of Article 147 of Corporation Law, if they are regular, ordinary and required for the Company's normal business: (a) Any procurement from Empresa Nacional de Telecomunicaciones S.A. and Entel PCS Telecomunicaciones S.A. of telecommunications, computer and technology services in general, including the purchase, sale, lease and supply of equipment and goods required to operate and maintain these services, for amounts not exceeding US$ 5 million over a 12 consecutive month period, and (b) Any procurement from Banco de Chile of any kind of financial or brokerage transactions, purchases and sales of foreign currencies and other usual treasury transactions. 4. The Board of Directors also unanimously agreed to expressly adopt a generally applicable authorization that allows the Company to procure the following transactions (i) those that are not a material amount, and (ii) those between legal entities in which the Company directly or indirectly owns at least 95% of the counterparty, all without the need to comply with the requirements and procedures in paragraphs 1) to 7) of Article 147 of Corporation Law. The Board of Directors has defined transactions with related parties that are a material amount as (a) those that total over 3,000 UF over a 12 consecutive month period for directors, principal executives, their related persons, their spouses or relatives up to the second degree of consanguinity, and any entity controlled directly or indirectly by any of them, and (b) the threshold determined in accordance with paragraph a) of Article 147 of Corporation Law for all other counterparties. On March 3, 2021, the Board of Directors agreed to call an ordinary general shareholders' meeting for April 23, 2021. Management has no knowledge of other significant events occurring between December 31, 2020 and the date of issue of these consolidated financial statements, which could have a significant effect on these.

Significant accounting polici_2

Significant accounting policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Disclosure Of Changes In Accounting Policies Accounting Estimates And Errors Explanatory [Abstract]
Description of accounting policy for classification of balances as current and non-current [Text Block]	3.1 Classification of balances as current and non-current In the consolidated statement of financial position, balances are classified in consideration of their recovery (maturity) dates; i.e., those maturing within a period equal to or less than 12 months are classified as current counted from the closing date of the consolidated financial statements and those with maturity dates exceeding the aforementioned period are classified as non-current. The exception to the foregoing relates to deferred taxes, which are classified as non-current, regardless of the maturity they have.
Description of accounting policy for functional currency [text block]	3.2 Functional and presentation currency The Company’s consolidated financial statements are presented in United States dollars, without decimal places, which is the Company’s functional and presentation currency and is the currency of the main economic environment in which it operates. Consequently, the term foreign currency is defined as any currency other than the U.S. dollar.
Description of accounting policy for foreign currency translation [text block]	3.3 Accounting policy for foreign currency translation (a) SQM group entities: The revenue, expenses, assets and liabilities of all entities that have a functional currency other than the presentation currency are converted to the presentation currency as follows: - Assets and liabilities are converted at the closing exchange rate prevailing on the reporting date. - Revenues and expenses of each profit or loss account are converted at monthly average exchange rates. - All resulting foreign currency translation gains and losses are recognized as a separate component in translation reserves. In consolidation, foreign currency differences arising from the translation of a net investment in foreign entities are recorded in shareholder’s equity (“other reserves”), At the date of disposal, such foreign currency translation differences are recognized in the statement of income as part of the gain or loss from the sale. The main exchange rates and UF used to translate monetary assets and liabilities, expressed in foreign currency at the end and average of each period in respect to U.S. dollars, are as follows: Closing exchange rates Average exchange rates Currencies As of December 31, As of December 31, As of December 31, As of December 31, ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Brazilian real 5.18 4.02 5.14 4.11 New Peruvian sol 3.62 3.31 3.60 3.35 Argentine peso 84.14 59.83 82.62 59.86 Japanese yen 105.56 108.90 103.81 109.12 Euro 0.81 0.89 0.82 0.90 Mexican peso 19.93 18.89 19.97 19.11 Australian dollar 1.30 1.43 1.33 1.45 Pound Sterling 0.74 0.76 0.74 0.76 South African rand 14.61 14.06 14.88 14.42 Chilean peso 710.95 748.74 731.92 767.22 Chinese yuan 6.51 6.98 6.53 7.01 Indian rupee 73.30 71.31 73.65 71.16 Thai Baht 29.94 29.97 30.08 30.22 Turkish lira 7.36 5.94 7.70 5.85 UF (*) 40.89 37.81 39.73 36.90 (*) US$ per UF (b) Transactions and balances The Company’s non-monetary transactions in currencies other than the functional currency (Dollar) are translated to the respective functional currencies of Group entities at the exchange rate on the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies at the reporting date are retranslated to the functional currency at the exchange rate at that date. All differences are recorded in the statement of income except for all monetary items that provide an effective hedge for a net investment in a foreign operation. These items are recognized in other comprehensive income until disposal of the invesment when they are recognized in the statement of income. Charges and credits attributable to foreign currency translation differences on those hedge monetary items are also recognized in other comprehensive income. Non-monetary assets and liabilities that are measured at historical cost in a foreign currency are retranslated to the functional currency at the historical exchange rate of the transaction. Non-monetary items that are measured based on fair value in a foreign currency are translated using the exchange rate at the date on which the fair value is determined.
Description of accounting policy for cash flows [text block]	3.4 Consolidated statement of cash flows Cash equivalents correspond to highly liquid short-term investments that are easily convertible into known amounts of cash and subject to insignificant risk of changes in their value and mature in less than three months from the date of acquisition of the instrument. For the purposes of the statement of cash flows, cash and cash equivalents comprise cash and cash equivalents as defined above. The statement of cash flows present cash transactions performed during the year, determined using the direct method.
Description of accounting policy for financial assets [text block]	3.5 Accounting policy for Financial assets Management determines the classification of its financial assets, in accordance with the provisions of IFRS 9, at fair value (either through other comprehensive income, or through profit or loss), and at amortized cost. The classification depends on the business model of the entity to manage the financial assets and the contractual terms of the cash flows. In the initial recognition, the Company measures its financial assets at fair value more or less, in the case of a financial asset that is not accounted for at fair value through profit or loss, the transaction costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition of the financial asset on the date when the Company commits to the purchase or sale of an asset. In the case of account receivables and other accounts receivables, the transaction price at the initial recognition is measured in accordance with the provisions of IFRS 15. After initial recognition, the Company measures its financial assets according to the Company's business model for managing its financial assets and the contractual terms of its cash flows: (a) Financial instruments measured at amortized cost. Financial assets that meet the following conditions are included in this category (i) the business model that supports it aims to maintain the financial assets to obtain the contractual cash flows and the contractual conditions of the financial asset give place, on specified dates, to cash flows that are only payments of the principal and interest on the outstanding principal amount. The Company’s financial assets that meet these conditions are: (ii) cash equivalents; (iii) related party receivables; (iv) trade debtors; (v) other receivables. (b) Financial instruments at fair value. A financial asset should be measured at fair value through profit or loss or fair value through other comprehensive income, depending on the following: (i) "Fair Value Through Other Comprehensive Income": Assets held to collect contractual cash flows and to be sold, where the asset cash flows are only capital and interest payments, are measured at fair value through other comprehensive income. Changes in book values are through other comprehensive income, except for the recognition of impairment losses, interest income and exchange gains and losses, which are recognized in the income statement. When a financial asset is derecognized, the cumulative gain or loss previously recognized in other comprehensive income is reclassified from equity to the income statement. Interest income from these financial assets is included in financial income using the effective interest method. Exchange gains and losses are presented in the income statement and impairment losses are separately presented in the income statement. (ii) "Fair Value Through Profit and Loss": Assets that do not meet the amortized cost or "Fair Value Through Other Comprehensive Income" criteria are valued at "Fair Value Through Profit and Loss". (c) Financial equity assets at fair value through other comprehensive income. Equity instruments that are not classified as held for trading and which the Group has irrevocably chosen to recognize in this category. Financial asset impairment The Company evaluates expected credit losses associated with its debt instruments carried at amortized cost and fair value through other comprehensive income. The impairment method used depends on whether there has been a significant increase in credit risk. The Company applies the IFRS 9 simplified approach to measure expected credit losses using the lifetime expected loss on all trade receivables. Expected credit losses are measured by grouping receivables by their shared credit risk characteristics and days overdue. The Company has concluded that the expected loss rates for trade receivables are a reasonable approximation of the loss rates for these assets. Expected loss rates are based on sales payment profiles and historical credit losses within this period. Historical loss rates are adjusted to reflect current and expected information regarding macroeconomic factors that affect the ability of customers to meet their commitments. Impairment losses from receivables and contract assets are shown as net impairment losses in the line “Impairment of financial assets and reversal of impairment losses”, see Note 23.7. The subsequent recovery of previously canceled amounts is accredited in the same line.
Description of accounting policy for financial liabilities [text block]	3.6 Financial liabilities Management determines the classification of its financial liabilities, in accordance with the provisions of IFRS 9, at fair value or at amortized cost. The classification depends on the business model of the entity to manage the financial assets and the contractual terms of the cash flows. At the initial recognition, the Company measures its financial liabilities by their fair value more or less, in the case of a financial liability that is not accounted for at fair value through profit or loss, the transaction costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition of the financial liability. After initial recognition, the Company measures its financial liabilities at amortized cost unless the Company, at the initial moment, irrevocably designates the financial liability as measured at fair value through profit or loss. Financial liabilities measured at amortized cost are commercial accounts payable and other accounts payable and other financial liabilities. Valuation at amortized cost is made using the effective interest rate method. Amortized cost is calculated by considering any premium or discount on the acquisition and includes transaction costs that are an integral part of the effective interest rate. Financial liabilities are recorded as not current when they mature in more than 12 months and as current when they mature in less than 12 months.
Description of accounting policy for reclassification of financial instruments [text block]	3.7 Reclassification of financial instruments When the Company changes its business model for managing financial assets, it will reclassify all its financial assets affected by the new business model. Financial liabilities cannot be reclassified.
Description of accounting policy for derecognition of financial instruments [text block]	3.8 Financial instrument derecognition The Company derecognizes a financial asset when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the asset expire, or it transfers the rights to receive the contractual cash flows in a transaction in which substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership of the financial asset are transferred; and the control of the financial assets has not been retained. The Company derecognizes a financial liability when its contractual obligations or a part of these are discharged, paid to the creditor or legally extinguished from the principle responsibility contained in the liability.
Description of accounting policy for derivative financial instruments and hedging [text block]	3.9 Derivative and hedging financial instruments Derivatives are recognized initially at fair value as of the date on which the derivatives contract is signed and, they are subsequently assessed at fair value. The method for recognizing the resulting gain or loss depends on whether the derivative has been designated as an accounting hedge instrument and, if so, it depends on the type of hedging, which may be as follows: a) Fair value hedge of assets and liabilities recognized (fair value hedges); b) Hedging of a single risk associated with a recognized asset or liability or a highly probable forecast transaction (cash flow hedge). At the beginning of the transaction, the Company documents the relationship that exists between hedging instruments and those items hedged, as well as their objectives for risk management purposes and the strategy to conduct different hedging operations. The Company also documents its evaluation both at the beginning and at the end of each period if the derivatives used in hedging transactions are highly effective to offset changes in the fair value or in cash flows of hedged items. The fair value of derivative instruments used for hedging purposes is shown in Note 14.3. Changes in the cash flow hedge reserve are classified as a non-current asset or liability if the remaining expiration period of the hedged item is more than 12 months, and as a current asset or liability if the remaining expiration period of the hedged item is less than 12 months. Derivatives that are not designated or do not qualify as hedging derivatives are classified as current assets or liabilities, and changes in the fair value are directly recognized through profit or loss. a) Fair value hedge Changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated and qualify as fair value hedges are recorded in profit or loss, together with any changes in the fair value of the hedged asset or liability that are attributable to the hedged risk. The gain or loss relating to the effective portion of interest rate swaps that hedge fixed rate borrowings is recognized in profit or loss within finance costs, together with changes in the fair value of the hedged fixed rate borrowings attributable to interest rate risk. The gain or loss relating to the ineffective portion is recognized in profit or loss within other income or other expenses. If the hedge no longer meets the criteria for hedge accounting, the adjustment to the carrying amount of a hedged item for which the effective interest method is used is amortized to profit or loss over the period to maturity using a recalculated effective interest rate. b) Cash flow hedges The effective portion of the gain or loss on the hedging instrument is initially recognized with a debit or credit to other comprehensive income, while any ineffective portion is immediately recognized with a debit or credit to income, as appropriate depending on the nature of the hedged risk. The amounts accumulated in net equity are carried over to results when the hedged items are settled or when these have an impact on results. When a hedging instrument no longer meets the criteria for hedge accounting, any cumulative deferred gain or loss and deferred costs of hedging in equity at that time remains in equity until the forecast transaction occurs. When the forecast transaction is no longer expected to occur, the cumulative gain or loss and deferred costs of hedging that were reported in equity are immediately reclassified to profit or loss.
Description of accounting policy for derivative financial instruments not considered as hedges [text block]	3.10 Derivative financial instruments not considered as hedges Derivative financial instruments not considered as hedges are recognized at fair value with the effect in the results of the year. The Company has derivative financial instruments to hedge foreign currency risk exposure. The Company continually evaluates the existence of embedded derivatives in both its contracts and in its financial instruments. As of December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019, the Company does not have any embedded derivatives.
Description of accounting policy for deferred acquisition costs arising from insurance contracts [text block]	3.11 Deferred acquisition costs from insurance contracts Acquisition costs from insurance contracts are classified as prepayments and correspond to insurance contracts in force, recognized using the straight-line method and on an accrual basis independent of payment date. These are recognized under other non-financial assets. 3.12 Leases (a) Right-of-use assets The Company recognizes right-of-use assets on the initial lease date (i.e., the date on which the underlying asset is available for use). Right-of-use assets are measured at cost, less any accumulated depreciation and impairment losses, adjusted by any new measurement of the lease liability. The cost of right-of-use assets includes the amount of recognized lease liabilities, direct initial costs incurred and lease payments made on the start date or sooner, less the lease incentives received. Unless the Company is reasonably sure it will take ownership of the leased asset at the end of the lease period, the assets recognized through right-of-use are depreciated in a straight line during the shortest period of their estimated useful life and lease period. Right-of-use assets are subject to impairment as per “IAS 36 Impairment of Assets”. (b) Lease liabilities On the lease start date, the Company recognizes lease liabilities measured at present value of lease payments that will be made during the lease period. Lease payments include fixed payments (including payments that are essentially fixed), less incentives for lease receivables, variable lease payments that are dependent on an index or rate and amounts that are expected to be paid as guaranteed residual value. Lease payments also include the exercise price of a purchase option if the Company is reasonably sure it will exercise this and penalty payments for terminating a lease, if the lease period reflects that the Company will exercise the option to terminate. Variable lease payments that are not dependent on an index or rate are recognized as expenses in the period that produces the event or condition that triggers payment. When calculating the present value of lease payments, the Company uses the incremental borrowing rate on the initial lease date if the interest rate implicit in the lease cannot be determined easily. After the start date, the lease liability balance will increase to reflect the accumulation of interest and will diminish as lease payments are made. Furthermore, the book value of lease liabilities is remeasured in the event of an amendment, a change in the lease period, a change in the fixed lease payments in substance or a change in the assessment to buy the underlying asset. Payments made that affect lease liabilities are presented as part of the financing activities in the cash flow statement. (c) Short-term leases and low-value asset leases The Company applies the short-term lease recognition exemption to leases with a lease term of 12 months or less starting on the start date and that don’t have a purchase option. It also applies the low-value asset lease recognition exemptions. Lease payments in short-term leases and low-value asset leases are recognized as lineal expenses during the lease term. (d) Significant judgments in the determination of the lease term for contracts with renewal options The Company determines the lease term as the non-cancellable period of the lease, together with periods covered by an option to extend the lease if it is reasonably certain that this will be exercised, or any period covered by an option to terminate the lease, if it is reasonably certain that this will not be exercised. The Company has the option, under some of its leases, to lease assets for additional terms. The Company applies its judgment when assessing whether it is reasonably certain that it will exercise the option to renovate. In other words, it considers all the relevant factors that create an economic incentive for it to exercise the option to renovate. After the start date, the Company reevaluates the lease term if there is a significant event or change in the circumstances that are under its control and affect its capacity to exercise (or not exercise) the option to renovate.
Description of accounting policy for trade and other receivables [text block]	3.13 Inventory measurement The method used to determine the cost of inventories is the weighted average monthly cost of warehouse storage. In determining production costs for own products, the company includes the costs of labor, raw materials, materials and supplies used in production, depreciation and maintenance of the goods that participate in the production process, the costs of product movement necessary to maintain stock on location and in the condition in which they are found, and also includes the indirect costs of each task such as laboratories, process and planning areas, and personnel expenses related to production, among others. For finished and in-process products, the company has four types of provisions, which are reviewed quarterly: (a) Provision associated with the lower value of stock: The provision is directly identified with the product that generates it and involves three types: (i) provision of lower realizable value, which corresponds to the difference between the inventory cost of intermediary or finished products, and the sale price minus the necessary costs to bring them to the same conditions and location as the product with which they are compared; (ii) provision for future uncertain use that corresponds to the value of those products in process that are likely not going to be used in sales based on the company’s long-term plans; (iii) reprocessing costs of products that are unfeasible for sale due to current specifications. (b) Provision associated with physical differences in inventory: A provision is made for differences that exceed the tolerance considered in the respective inventory process (physical and annual inventories are taken for the productive units in Chile and the port of Tocopilla, the business subsidiaries depend on the last zero ground obtained, but in general it is at least once a year), these differences are recognized immediately. (c) Potential errors in the determination of stock: The company has an algorithm that is reviewed at least once a year and corresponds to diverse percentages assigned to each inventory based on the product, location, complexity involved in the associated measurement, rotation and control mechanisms. (d) Provisions undertaken by business subsidiaries: these are historical percentages that are adjusted as zero ground is attained based on normal inventory management. Inventories of raw materials, materials and supplies for production are recorded at acquisition cost. Cyclical inventories are performed in warehouses, as well as general inventories every three years. Differences are recognized at the moment they are detected. The company has a provision that makes quarterly calculations from percentages associated with each type of material (classification by warehouse and rotation), these percentages use the lower value resulting from deterioration or obsolescence as well as potential losses. This provision is reviewed at least annually, and considers the historical profit and loss obtained in the inventory processes.
Description of accounting policy for transactions with non-controlling interests [text block]	3.14 Transactions with non-controlling interests Non-controlling interests are recorded in the consolidated statement of financial position within equity but separate from equity attributable to the owners of the Parent.
Description of accounting policy for transactions with related parties [text block]	3.15 Related party transactions Transactions between the Company and its subsidiaries are part of the Company’s normal operations within its scope of business activities. Conditions for such transactions are those normally effective for those types of operations with regard to terms and market prices. The maturity conditions vary according to the originating transaction.
Description of accounting policy for property, plant and equipment [text block]	3.16 Property, plant and equipment Property, plant and equipment assets are stated at acquisition cost, net of the related accumulated depreciation, amortization and impairment losses that they might have experienced. In addition to the price paid for the acquisition of tangible property, plant and equipment, the Company has considered the following concepts as part of the acquisition cost, as applicable: (a) Accrued interest expenses during the construction period that are directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of qualifying assets, which are those that require a substantial period prior to being ready for use. The interest rate used is that related to the project’s specific financing or, should this not exist, the average financing rate of the investor company. (b) The future costs that the Company will have to experience, related to the closure of its facilities at the end of their useful life, are included at the present value of disbursements expected to be required to settle the and its subsequent variation is recorded directly in results. Having initially recognized provisions for closure and refurbishment, the corresponding cost is capitalized as an asset in “Property, plant and equipment” and amortized in line with the amortization criteria for the associated assets. Construction-in-progress is transferred to property, plant and equipment in operation once the assets are available for use and the related depreciation and amortization begins on that date. Extension, modernization or improvement costs that represent an increase in productivity, ability or efficiency or an extension of the useful lives of property, plant and equipment are capitalized as a higher cost of the related assets. All the remaining maintenance, preservation and repair expenses are charged to expense as they are incurred. The replacement of assets, which increase the asset’s useful life or its economic capacity, are recorded as a higher value of property, plant and equipment with the related derecognition of replaced or renewed elements. Gains or losses which are generated from the sale or disposal of property, plant and equipment are recognized as income (or loss) in the period and calculated as the difference between the asset’s sales value and its net carrying value. Costs derived from the daily maintenance of property, plant and equipment are recognized when incurred.
Description of accounting policy for depreciation of property, plant and equipment [Text Block]	3.17 Depreciation of property, plant and equipment Property, plant and equipment are depreciated through the straight-line distribution of cost over the estimated technical useful life of the asset, which is the period in which the Company expects to use the asset. When components of one item of property, plant and equipment have different useful lives, they are recorded as separate assets. Useful lives are reviewed on an annual basis. Fixed assets located in Salar de Atacama consider useful life to be the lesser value between the technical useful life and the years remaining until 2030. In the case of certain mobile equipment, depreciation is performed depending on the hours of operation. The useful lives used for the depreciation and amortization of assets included in property, plant and equipment in years are presented below: Classes of property, plant and equipment Minimum life or rate Maximum life or rate life or average rate in Mining assets 3 7 6 Energy generating assets 3 16 9 Buildings 3 25 13 Supplies and accessories 2 10 7 Office equipment 5 5 5 Transport equipment 5 8 6 Network and communication equipment 4 10 8 IT equipment 5 11 7 Machinery, plant and equipment 5 25 13 Other property, plant and equipment 3 15 10
Description of accounting policy for goodwill [text block]	3.18 Goodwill Goodwill acquired represents the excess in acquisition cost on the fair value of the Company's ownership of the net identifiable assets of the subsidiary on the acquisition date. Goodwill acquired related to the acquisition of subsidiaries is included in the line item goodwill, which is subject to impairment tests annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that it might be impaired and is stated at cost less accumulated impairment losses. Gains and losses related to the sale of an entity include the carrying value of goodwill related to the entity sold. This intangible asset is assigned to cash-generating units with the purpose of testing impairment losses. It is allocated based on cash-generating units expected to obtain benefits from the business combination from which the aforementioned goodwill acquired arose.
Description of accounting policy for intangible assets other than goodwill [text block]	3.19 Intangible assets other than goodwill Intangible assets other than goodwill mainly relate to water rights, emission rights, commercial brands, costs for rights of way for electricity lines, license costs and the development of computer software and mining property and concession rights, client portfolio and commercial agent. (a) Water rights Water rights acquired by the Company relate to water from natural sources and are recorded at acquisition cost. Given that these assets represent legal rights granted in perpetuity to the Company, they are not amortized, but are subject to annual impairment tests. (b) Rights of way for electric lines As required for the operation of industrial plants, the Company has paid rights of way in order to install wires for the different electric lines on third party land. These rights are presented under intangible asset. Amounts paid are capitalized at the date of the agreement and amortized in the statement of income, according to the life of the right of way. (c) Computer software Licenses for IT programs acquired are capitalized based on their acquisition and customization costs. These costs are amortized over their estimated useful lives. Expenses related to the development or maintenance of IT programs are recognized as an expense as and when incurred. Costs directly related to the production of unique and identifiable IT programs controlled by the Group, and which will probably generate economic benefits that are higher than its costs during more than a year, are recognized as intangible assets. Direct costs include the expenses of employees who develop information technology software and general expenses in accordance with corporate charges received. The costs of development for IT programs are recognized as assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives. (d) Mining property and concession rights The Company holds mining property and concession rights from the Chilean and Western Australian Governments. Property rights from the State of Chile are usually obtained at no initial cost (other than the payment of mining patents and minor recording expenses) and once the rights on these concessions have been obtained, they are retained by the Company while annual patents are paid. Such patents, which are paid annually, are recorded as prepaid assets and amortized over the following twelve months. Amounts attributable to mining concessions acquired from third parties that are not from the Chilean Government are recorded at acquisition cost within intangible assets. (e) Estimated useful lives or amortization rates used for finite identifiable intangible assets Finite useful life measures the length of, or number of production or similar units constituting that useful life., except for the mining claims granted by Corfo, which correspond to assets subject to restitution. For this reason they are considered assets with a finite useful life and their useful life is assigned until the year 2030 when the contract ends. The estimated useful life for software which they are amortized corresponds to the periods defined by the contracts or rights from which they originate. f) Minimum and maximum amortization lives or rates of intangible assets: Estimated useful life or amortization rate Minimum Life or Maximum Life or Water rights and rights of way Indefinite Indefinite Mining rights granted by Corfo 10 years 10 years Mining rights Unit-production method IT programs 2 years 8 years
Description of accounting policy for research and development expense [text block]	3.20 Research and development expenses Research and development expenses are charged to profit or loss in the period in which the expenditure was incurred.
Description of accounting policy for exploration and evaluation expenses [text block]	3.21 Exploration and evaluation expenses The Company holds mining concessions for exploration and exploitation of ore, the Company gives the following treatment to expenses associated with exploration and assessment of these resources: (a) Caliche Once the rights have been obtained, the Company records the disbursements directly associated with the exploration and assessment of the deposit as an at cost asset. These disbursements include the following items: geological surveys, drilling, borehole extraction and sampling, activities related to the technical assessment and commercial viability of the extraction, and in general, any disbursement directly related to specific projects where the objective is to find ore resources. If the technical studies determine that the ore grade is not economically viable, the asset is directly charged to profit and loss. If determined otherwise, the asset described above is associated with the extractable ore tonnage which is amortized as it is used. These assets are presented in the “other non-current non-financial assets” category, reclassifying the portion related to the area to be extracted that year as inventories. (b) Metal exploration Expenses related to metal exploration are charged to profit or loss in the period in which they are recognized if the project assessed doesn't qualify for consideration as advanced exploration otherwise, these are amortized during the development stage. (c) Salar de Atacama exploration Salar de Atacama exploration expenses are presented as non-current assets as the property, plant and equipment category and correspond mainly to wells that can also be used in the extraction of the deposit and/or monitoring, these are amortized over 10 years. (d) Mount Holland exploration Mount Holland exploration expenses are presented into “Property, Plant and Equipment”, specifically in Constructions in progress and primarily consider exploration boreholes and complementary studies for the lithium ore study of the area of Western Australia, Australia. These expenses will begin to be amortized in the development stage.
Description of accounting policy for impairment of non-financial assets [text block]	3.22 Impairment of non-financial assets Assets subject to depreciation and amortization are also subject to impairment testing, provided that an event or change in the circumstances indicates that the amounts in the accounting records may not be recoverable, an impairment loss is recognized for the excess of the book value of the asset over its recoverable amount. For assets other than goodwill, the Group annually assesses whether there is any indication that a previously recognized impairment loss may no longer exist or may have decreased. Should such indications exist, the recoverable amount is estimated. The recoverable amount of an asset is the higher between the fair value of an asset or cash generating unit less costs of sales and its value in use, and is determined for an individual asset unless the asset does not generate any cash inflows that are clearly independent from other assets or groups of assets In evaluating value in use, estimated future cash flows are discounted using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessment, the value of money over time and the specific asset risks. Impairment losses from continuing operations are recognized with a debit to profit or loss in the categories of expenses associated with the impaired asset function. A previously recognized impairment loss is only reversed if there have been changes in the estimates used to determine the asset’s recoverable amount since the last time an impairment loss was recognized. If this is the case, the carrying value of the asset is increased to its recoverable amount. This increased amount cannot exceed the carrying value that would have been determined, net of depreciation, if an asset impairment loss had not been recognized in prior years. This reversal is recognized with a credit to profit or loss. Assets with indefinite lives are assessed for impairment annually. The current value of future cash flows generated by these assets has been estimated given the variation in sales volumes, market prices and costs, discounted with a WACC rate. For December 31, 2020, the WACC rate was 9.73%.
Description of accounting policy for dividends [text block]	3.23 Minimum dividend As required by Chilean law and regulations, our dividend policy is decided upon from time to time by our Board of Directors and is announced at the Annual Ordinary Shareholders’ Meeting, which is generally held in April of each year. Shareholder approval of the dividend policy is not required. However, each year the Board must submit the declaration of the final dividend or dividends in respect of the preceding year, consistent with the then-established dividend policy, to the Annual Ordinary Shareholders’ Meeting for approval. As required by the Chilean Companies Act, unless otherwise decided by unanimous vote of the holders of issued shares, we must distribute a cash dividend in an amount equal to at least 30% of our consolidated net income for that year (determined in accordance with CMF regulations), unless and to the extent the Company has a deficit in retained earnings. (See Note 20.4).
Description of accounting policy for earnings per share [text block]	3.24 Earnings per share The basic earnings per share amounts are calculated by dividing the profit for the year attributable to the ordinary owners of the parent by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the year. The Company has not conducted any type of operation of potential dilutive effect that would entail the disclosure of diluted earnings per share.
Description of accounting policy for borrowings [text block]	3.25 Capitalization of interest expenses The cost of interest is recognized as an expense in the year in which it is incurred, except for interest that is directly related to the acquisition and construction of tangible property, plant and equipment assets and that complies with the requirements of IAS 23. The Company capitalizes all interest costs directly related to the construction or to the acquisition of property, plant and equipment, which require a substantial time to be suitable for use. The financial expenses accrued during the construction period that are directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of assets that qualify for this, use the corresponding interest rate for the financing specific to the project; where this does not exist, the mean financing rate of the subsidiary that makes the investment is used.
Description of accounting policy for provisions [text block]	3.26 Other provisions Provisions are recognized when: · The Company has a present,legal or constructive obligation as the result of a past event. · It is more likely than not that certain resources must be used, to settle the obligation. · A reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation. In the event that the provision or a portion of it is reimbursed, the reimbursement is recognized as a separate asset solely if there is certainty of income. In the consolidated statement of income, the expense for any provision is presented net of any reimbursement. Should the effect of the value of money over time be significant, provisions are discounted using a discount rate before tax that reflects the liability’s specific risks. When a discount rate is used, the increase in the provision over time is recognized as a finance cost. The Company’s policy is to maintain provisions to cover risks and expenses based on a better estimate to deal with possible or certain and quantifiable responsibilities from current litigation, compensations or obligations, pending expenses for which the amount has not yet been determined, collaterals and other similar guarantees for which the Company is responsible. These are recorded at the time the responsibility or the obligation that determines the compensation or payment is generated.
Description of accounting policy for employee benefits [text block]	3.27 Obligations related to employee termination benefits and pension commitments Obligations towards the Company’s employees comply with the provisions of the collective bargaining agreements in force, which are formalized through collective employment agreements and individual employment contracts, except for the United States, which is regulated in accordance with employment plans in force up to 2002. (See more details in Note 18.4). These obligations are valued using actuarial calculations, according to the projected unit credit method which considers such assumptions as the mortality rate, employee turnover, interest rates, retirement dates, effects related to increases in employees’ salaries, as well as the effects on variations in services derived from variations in the inflation rate. The criteria in force contained in the revised IAS 19 are also considered. Actuarial gains and losses that may be generated by variations in defined, pre-established obligations are directly recorded in “Other Comprehensive Income”. Actuarial losses and gains have their origin in deviations between the estimate and the actual behavior of actuarial assumptions or in the reformulation of established actuarial assumptions. The Company’s subsidiary SQM North America has established pension plans for its retired employees that are calculated by measuring the projected obligation using a net salary progressive rate net of adjustments for inflation, mortality and turnover assumptions, deducting the resulting amounts at present value. The net balance of this obligation is presented under the “Non-Current Provisions for Employee Benefits” (refer to Note 18.4).
Description of accounting policy for share-based payment transactions [text block]	3.28 Compensation plans Compensation plans implemented through benefits provided in share-based payments settled in cash are recognized in the financial statements at their fair value, in accordance with IFRS 2. Changes in the fair value of options granted are recognized with a charge to payroll in the results for the period (see Note 18.6).
Description of accounting policy for recognition of revenue [text block]	3.29 Revenue recognition Revenue includes the fair value of considerations received or receivable for the sale of goods and services during the performance of the Company's activities. Revenue is presented net of value added tax, estimated returns, rebates and discounts and after the elimination of sales among subsidiaries. Revenues are recognized when the specific conditions for each income stream are met, as follows: (a) Sale of goods The sale of goods is recognized when the Company has delivered products to the customer, and there is no obligation pending compliance that could affect the acceptance of products by the customer. The delivery does not occur until products have been shipped to the customer or confirmed as received by the customer, and the related risks of obsolescence and loss have been transferred to the customer and the customer has accepted the products in accordance with the conditions established in the sale, when the acceptance period has ended, or when there is objective evidence that those criteria required for acceptance have been met. Sales are recognized in consideration of the price set in the sales agreement, net of volume discounts and estimated returns at the date of the sale. Volume discounts are evaluated in consideration of annual foreseen purchases and in accordance with the criteria defined in agreements. (b) Sale of services Revenue associated with the rendering of services is recognized considering the degree of completion of the service as of the date of presentation of the consolidated classified statement of financial position, provided that the result from the transaction can be estimated reliably. (c) Income from dividends Income from dividends is recognized when the right to receive the payment is established.
Description of accounting policy for finance income and costs [text block]	3.30 Finance income and finance costs Finance income is mainly composed of interest income from financial instruments such as term deposits and mutual fund deposits. Interest income is recognized in profit or loss at amortized cost, using the effective interest rate method. Finance costs are mainly composed of interest on bank borrowing expenses, interest on bonds issued and interest capitalized for borrowing costs for the acquisition, construction or production or qualifying assets. Borrowing costs and bonds issued are also recognized in profit or loss using the effective interest rate method.
Description of accounting policy for income tax and deferred taxes [Text Block]	3.31 Current income tax and deferred Corporate income tax for the year is determined as the sum of current and deferred income taxes from the different consolidated companies. Current taxes are based on the application of the various types of taxes attributable to taxable income for the period. Differences between the book value of assets and liabilities and their tax basis generate the balance of deferred tax assets or liabilities, which are calculated using the tax rates expected to be applicable when the assets and liabilities are realized. In conformity with current tax regulations, the provision for corporate income tax and taxes on mining activity is recognized on an accrual basis, presenting the net balances of accumulated monthly tax provisional payments for the fiscal period and associated credits. The balances of these accounts are presented in current income taxes recoverable or current taxes payable, as applicable. The income tax and variations in deferred tax assets or liabilities that are not the result of business combinations are recorded in the statement of income accounts or equity accounts in the consolidated statement of financial position, considering the origin of the gains or losses which have generated them. At each reporting period, the carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed and recognized only if it is probable that future taxable amounts will be available to allow the recovery of all or a portion of the deferred tax assets. With respect to deductible temporary differences associated with investments in subsidiaries, associated companies and interest in joint ventures, deferred tax assets are recognized solely provided that it is more likely than not that the temporary differences will be reversed in the near future and that there will be taxable income with which they may be used. The deferred taxes related to items directly recognized in equity is registered with effect on other comprehensive income and not with effect on income. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset if there is a legally receivable right of offsetting tax assets against tax liabilities and the deferred tax is related to the same tax entity and authority. The recognized deferred tax assets refer to the amount of income tax to recover in future periods, related to: a) deductible temporary differences; b) compensation for losses obtained in prior periods, which have not yet been subject to tax deduction; and c) compensation for unused credits from prior periods. The Company recognizes deferred tax assets when it has the certainty that they can be offset with tax income from subsequent periods, unused tax losses or credits to date, but only when this availability of future tax income is probable and can be used for offsetting these unused tax losses or credits. The recognized deferred tax liabilities refer to the amount of income tax to pay in a future period, related to taxable temporary differences.
Description of accounting policy for segment reporting [text block]	3.32 Operating segment reporting IFRS 8 requires that companies adopt a management approach to disclose information on the operations generated by its operating segments. In general, this is the information that management uses internally for the evaluation of segment performance and making the decision on how to allocate resources for this purpose. An operating segment is a group of assets and operations responsible for providing products or services subject to risks and performance that are different from those of other business segments. A geographical segment is responsible for providing products or services in a given economic environment subject to risks and performance that are different from those of other segments operating in other economic environments. Allocation of assets and liabilities, to each segment is not possible given that these are associated with more than one segment, except for depreciation, amortization and impairment of assets, which are directly allocated in accordance with the criteria established in the costing process for product inventories to the corresponding segments.
Description of accounting policy for responsibility for information and estimates made [Text Block]	3.33 Primary accounting criteria, estimates and assumptions Management is responsible for the information contained in these consolidated financial statements, which expressly indicate that all the principles and criteria included in IFRS, as issued by the IASB, have been applied in full. In preparing the consolidated financial statements of Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A. and its subsidiaries, management has made judgments and estimates to quantify certain assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and commitments included therein. Basically, these estimates refer to: · Estimated useful lives are determined based on current facts and past experience and take into consideration the expected physical life of the asset, the potential for technological obsolescence, and regulations. (See Notes 3.22, 15 and 16). · Impairment losses of certain assets - Goodwill and intangible assets that have an indefinite useful life are not amortized and are assessed for impairment on an annual basis, or more frequently if the events or changes in circumstances indicate that these may have deteriorated Other assets, including property, plant and equipment, exploration assets, goodwill and intangible assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts exceed their recoverable amounts. If an impairment assessment is required, the assessment of value in use often requires estimates and assumptions such as discount rates, exchange rates, commodity prices, future capital requirements and future operating performance. Changes in such estimates could impact the recoverable values of these assets. Estimates are reviewed regularly by management (See Notes 15 and 16). · Assumptions used in calculating the actuarial amount of pension-related and severance indemnity payment benefit commitments (See Note 18) and determination of long-term provisions. · Contingencies – The amount recognized as a provision, including legal, contractual, constructive and other exposures or obligations, is the best estimate of the consideration required to settle the related liability, including any related interest charges, considering the risks and uncertainties surrounding the obligation. In addition, contingencies will only be resolved when one or more future events occur or fail to occur. Therefore, the assessment of contingencies inherently involves the exercise of significant judgment and estimates of the outcome of future events. The Company assesses its liabilities and contingencies based upon the best information available, relevant tax laws and other appropriate requirements (See Notes 21). · Volume determination for certain in-process and finished products is based on topographical measurements and technical studies that cover the different variables affecting products in stock (density and moisture, among others), and related allowance. · Estimates for obsolescence provisions to ensure that the carrying value of inventory is not in excess of the net realizable Inventory valuation. (See Note 11). Despite the fact that these estimates have been made on the basis of the best information available on the date of preparation of these consolidated financial statements, certain events may occur in the future and oblige their amendment (upwards or downwards) over the next few years, which would be made prospectively.
Description of accounting policy for environment related expense [text block]	3.34 Environment In general, the Company follows the criteria of considering amounts used in environmental protection and improvement as environmental expenses. However, the cost of facilities, machinery and equipment used for the same purpose are considered property, plant and equipment, as the case may be.

Identification and Activities_2

Identification and Activities of the Company and Subsidiaries (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Disclosure of Identification and Activities of the Company and Subsidiaries [Abstract]
Disclosure of information about employees [text block]	As of December 31, 2020, and 2019, the workforce was as follows: As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 Employees SQM S.A. other Total SQM S.A. other Total Executives 30 85 115 30 91 121 Professionals 94 1,156 1,250 110 1,170 1,280 Technicians and operators 267 3,310 3,577 282 3,481 3,763 Foreign employees 17 548 565 17 560 577 Overall total 408 5,099 5,507 439 5,302 5,741
Schedule of Shareholders stock and Ownership Percentage [Text Block]	The following information is derived from our registry and reports managed by the DCV and informed to the CMF and the Chilean Stock Exchanges: Shareholders as of December 31, 2020 No. of Series A % of Series A No. of Series B % of Series B % of total Inversiones TLC SpA (1) 62,556,568 43.80 % - - 23.77 % The Bank of New York Mellon, ADRs - - 50,792,452 42.19 % 19.30 % Sociedad de Inversiones Pampa Calichera S.A. (2) 44,894,152 31.43 % 922,971 0.77 % 17.41 % Potasios de Chile S.A. 18,179,147 12.73 % - - 6.91 % Inversiones Global Mining (Chile) Limitada 8,798,539 6.16 % - - 3.34 % Euroamerica C de B S. A. 1,418 - 8,788,517 7.30 % 3.34 % Banco Santander via foreign investor accounts - - 7,294,827 6.06 % 2.77 % Banco de Chile via State Street - - 6,971,782 5.79 % 2.65 % Banco de Chile non-resident third party accounts - - 6,129,339 5.09 % 2.33 % Inversiones la Esperanza de Chile Limitada 4,147,263 2.90 % 46,500 0.04 % 1.59 % Banchile Corredora de Bolsa S. A. 459,202 0.32 % 2,426,758 2.02 % 1.10 % Banco de Chile on behalf of Citibank NA New York customers 177,463 0.12 % 1,732,249 1.44 % 0.73 % Shareholders as of December 31, 2019 No. of Series A % of Series A No. of Series B % of Series B % of total Inversiones TLC SpA (1) 62,556,568 43.80 % - - 23.77 % Sociedad de Inversiones Pampa Calichera S.A. (2) 44,894,152 31.43 % 3,793,154 3.15 % 18.50 % The Bank of New York Mellon, ADRs - - 38,311,788 31.83 % 14.56 % Potasios de Chile S.A. 18,179,147 12.73 % - - 6.91 % Inversiones Global Mining (Chile) Limitada 8,798,539 6.16 % - - 3.34 % Banco Itaú via foreign investor accounts - - 7,373,216 6.13 % 2.80 % Banco de Chile non-resident third party accounts 109 - 6,842,746 5.68 % 2.60 % Banco Santander via foreign investor accounts - - 6,618,416 5.50 % 2.51 % Euroamerica C de B S. A. 3,056 - 4,863,467 4.04 % 1.85 % Banchile C de B S. A. 491,729 0.34 % 4,285,696 3.56 % 1.82 % Inversiones la Esperanza de Chile Limitada 4,147,263 2.90 % 46,500 0.04 % 1.59 % Bolsa de comercio de Santiago Bolsa de valores 30,590 0.02 % 3,077,930 2.56 % 1.18 %

Basis of presentation for the_2

Basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Disclosure of Basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [Abstract]
Disclosure Of Reclassification Of Assets [Text Block]	Items Original balances Reclassification Balances reclassified ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Property, plant and equipment, (net) 1,607,070 (37,164 ) 1,569,906 Right-of-use assets - 37,164 37,164 Other current financial liabilities 298,822 (7,694 ) 291,128 Lease liabilities, current - 7,694 7,694 Other non-current financial liabilities 1,518,926 (30,203 ) 1,488,723 Lease liabilities, non-current - 30,203 30,203

Significant accounting polici_3

Significant accounting policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Significant accounting policies [Abstract]
Disclosure of foreign exchange rates used o translate monetary items [Text Block]	The main exchange rates and UF used to translate monetary assets and liabilities, expressed in foreign currency at the end and average of each period in respect to U.S. dollars, are as follows: Closing exchange rates Average exchange rates Currencies As of December 31, As of December 31, As of December 31, As of December 31, ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Brazilian real 5.18 4.02 5.14 4.11 New Peruvian sol 3.62 3.31 3.60 3.35 Argentine peso 84.14 59.83 82.62 59.86 Japanese yen 105.56 108.90 103.81 109.12 Euro 0.81 0.89 0.82 0.90 Mexican peso 19.93 18.89 19.97 19.11 Australian dollar 1.30 1.43 1.33 1.45 Pound Sterling 0.74 0.76 0.74 0.76 South African rand 14.61 14.06 14.88 14.42 Chilean peso 710.95 748.74 731.92 767.22 Chinese yuan 6.51 6.98 6.53 7.01 Indian rupee 73.30 71.31 73.65 71.16 Thai Baht 29.94 29.97 30.08 30.22 Turkish lira 7.36 5.94 7.70 5.85 UF (*) 40.89 37.81 39.73 36.90
Disclosure of useful lives of property, plant and equipment [Text Block]	The useful lives used for the depreciation and amortization of assets included in property, plant and equipment in years are presented below: Classes of property, plant and equipment Minimum life or rate Maximum life or rate life or average rate in Mining assets 3 7 6 Energy generating assets 3 16 9 Buildings 3 25 13 Supplies and accessories 2 10 7 Office equipment 5 5 5 Transport equipment 5 8 6 Network and communication equipment 4 10 8 IT equipment 5 11 7 Machinery, plant and equipment 5 25 13 Other property, plant and equipment 3 15 10

Financial risk management (Tabl

Financial risk management (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Disclosure Of Financial Risk Management Explanatory [Abstract]
Disclosure of credit risk exposure [text block]	The credit quality of financial assets that are not past due or impaired can be evaluated by reference to external credit ratings (if they are available) or historical information on counterparty late payment rates: Financial institution Financial assets Rating As of Moody´s S&P Fitch ThUS$ Banco de Crédito e Inversiones Time deposits P-1 A-1 - 9,002 Banco de Chile Time deposits P-1 A-1 - 10,503 Banco Estado Time deposits P-1 A-1 - 1,001 Banco Itau Corpbanca Time deposits P-2 A-2 - 7,299 Banco Santander – Santiago Time deposits P-1 A-1 - 16,702 Scotiabank Sud Americano Time deposits - - F1+ 7,002 JP Morgan US dollar Liquidity Fund Institutional Investment fund Aaa-mf AAAm AAAmmf 102,753 Legg Mason - Western Asset Institutional cash reserves Investment fund - AAAm AAAmmf 107,625 Other banks with lower balances Time deposits - - - 86 Total 261,973 Financial institution Financial assets Rating As of Moody´s S&P Fitch ThUS$ Banco de Crédito e Inversiones 90 days to 1 year P-1 A-1 - 185,589 Banco Itaú Corpbanca 90 days to 1 year P-2 A-2 - 49,006 Banco Santander - Santiago 90 days to 1 year P-1 A-1 - 45,168 Banco Scotiabank Sud Americano 90 days to 1 year - - F1+ 31,668 JP Morgan Asset Management 90 days to 1 year P-1 A-1 N1+ 34,028 Total 345,459 Financial institution Financial assets Rating As of Moody´s S&P Fitch ThUS$ Banco de Chile Time deposits P-1 A-1 - 50,221 Banco de Crédito e Inversiones Time deposits P-1 A-1 - 42,096 Banco Itaú Corpbanca Time deposits P-2 A-2 - 39,093 Banco Santander Time deposits P-1 A-1 - 2,708 Scotiabank Sud Americano Time deposits - - F1+ 14,428 Banco Estado Time deposits P-1 A-1 - 500 BBVA Banco Francés Time deposits - - - 53 JP Morgan US dollar Liquidity Fund Institutional Investment fund Aaa-mf AAAm AAAmmf 181,155 Legg Mason - Western Asset Institutional cash reserves Investment fund - AAAm AAAmmf 146,078 Total 476,332 Financial institution Financial assets Rating As of Moody´s S&P Fitch ThUS$ Banco Scotiabank Sud Americano 90 days to 1 year P-2 - - 54,180 Banco de Crédito e Inversiones 90 days to 1 year P-1 A-1 - 178,448 Banco Santander (*) 90 days to 1 year P-1 A-1 - 74,365 Banco Itau Corpbanca 90 days to 1 year P-2 A-2 - 127,579 Banco Security 90 days to 1 year - A-2 F2 17,965 Banco de Chile 90 days to 1 year - - - 18,026 Banco Estado 90 days to 1 year P-1 A-1 - 15,126 Total 485,689 (*) This includes ThUS$ 1,870 associated with collateral in guarantee used to reduce the liquidity risk.
Disclosure of cash and cash equivalents of cashflows [Text Block]	The position in other cash and cash equivalents are invested in highly liquid mutual funds with an AAA risk rating. (1) Unsecured obligations are presented on a contractual basis and have no effects related to anticipated redemptions. Nature of undiscounted cash flows As of December 31, 2020 Carrying Less than 1 year 1 to 5 years Over 5 years Total Bank borrowings 70.08 0.94 71.40 - 72.34 Unsecured obligations (1) 1,872.09 88.22 927.17 1,727.14 2,742.53 Sub total 1,942.17 89.16 998.57 1,727.14 2,814.87 Hedging liabilities 40.21 6.06 12.34 11.07 29.47 Derivative financial instruments 5.39 5.39 - - 5.39 Sub total 45.60 11.45 12.34 11.07 34.86 Current and non-current lease liabilities 31.07 6.40 21.04 7.17 34.61 Trade accounts payable and other accounts payable 203.93 203.93 - - 203.93 Total 2,222.77 310.94 1,031.95 1,745.38 3,088.27 Nature of undiscounted cash flows As of December 31, 2019 (figures expressed in millions of US dollars) Carrying Less than 1 year 1 to 5 years Over 5 years Total Bank borrowings 70.19 2.17 74.87 - 77.04 Unsecured obligations 1,697.11 326.34 614.29 1,184.38 2,125.01 Sub total 1,767.30 328.51 689.16 1,184.38 2,202.05 Hedging liabilities 23.66 6.57 24.33 32.37 63.27 Derivative financial instruments 3.17 3.17 - - 3.17 Sub total 26.83 9.74 24.33 32.37 66.44 Current and non-current lease liabilities 37.90 8.90 23.01 10.27 42.18 Trade accounts payable and other accounts payable 205.79 205.79 - - 205.79 Total 2,037.82 552.94 736.50 1,227.02 2,516.46 1 All current assets divided by all current liabilities.

Separate information on the m_2

Separate information on the main office, parent entity and joint action agreements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Separate Information On The Main Office Parent Entity And Joint Action Agreements [Abstract]
Disclosure of Parent's stand-alone assets and liabilities [Text Block]	6.1 Parent’s stand-alone assets and liabilities Parent’s stand-alone assets and liabilities As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 ThUS$ ThUS$ Assets 4,173,308 4,069,649 Liabilities (2,050,223 ) (1,983,382 ) Equity 2,123,085 2,086,267

Board of Directors, Senior Ma_2

Board of Directors, Senior Management and Key management personnel (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Disclosure of information about Board of Directors Senior Management and Key management personnel [Abstract]
Disclosure of information about key management personnel [text block]	As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the number of the key management personnel is 126 and 124, respectively. Key management personnel compensation For the year ended 2020 For the year ended 2019 For the year ended 2018 ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Key management personnel compensation 22,858 22,598 27,907

Equity-accounted investees (Tab

Equity-accounted investees (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Disclosure Of Equity-accounted investees [Abstract]
Disclosure of associates [text block]	As of December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019, in accordance with criteria established in Note 2: Equity-accounted investees Share in profit (loss) of associates and joint Share in profit (loss) of associates and joint Share in total other comprehensive income Associate As of As of As of As of As of As of As of As of As of As of As of As of ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Abu Dhabi Fertilizer Industries WWL 11,505 11,609 10,821 (156 ) 634 596 - 1 - (156 ) 635 596 Doktor Tarsa Tarim Sanayi AS (*) - 26,001 21,582 4,031 3,912 241 - 198 489 4,031 4,110 730 Ajay North America 14,468 14,669 14,951 2,191 2,871 3,728 - - - 2,191 2,871 3,728 Ajay Europe SARL 7,875 7,451 7,845 1,029 1,165 1,373 756 (179 ) (439 ) 1,785 986 934 Charlee SQM Thailand Co Ltd - - - - - 316 - - - - - 316 SQM Eastmed Turkey (*) - 623 310 247 354 370 - (42 ) (21 ) 247 312 349 Kore Potash PLC 26,175 24,739 20,467 (224 ) (534 ) (1,543 ) (374 ) (549 ) (1,206 ) (598 ) (1.083 ) (2,749 ) Total 60,023 85,092 75,976 7,118 8,402 5,081 382 (571 ) (1.177 ) 7,500 7,831 3,904 (*) As of December 31, 2020, these investments no longer form part of the group. See Note 8.4 (a). (**) These investments include adjustments for unrealized results.
Disclosure of interests in associates [text block]	Dividends received for the period ending Associate Description of the nature of the relationship Domicile Country of Share of As of December As of December As of December ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Abu Dhabi Fertilizer Industries WWL Distribution and commercialization of specialty plant nutrients in the Middle East. PO Box 71871, Abu Dhabi United Arab Emirates 37 % - - 6,632 Ajay North America Production and distribution of iodine and iodine derivatives. 1400 Industry RD Power Springs GA 30129 United States 49 % 1,967 2,796 2,807 Ajay Europe SARL Production and distribution of iodine and iodine derivatives. Z.I. du Grand Verger BP 227 53602 Evron Cedex France 50 % 1,197 1,055 811 Charlee SQM Thailand Co Ltd Production and distribution of iodine and iodine derivatives. 31 Soi 138 (Meesuk) LLapdrawrd, Bangkapi, 10240 Bangkok Thailand 40 % - - 362 SQM Eastmed Turkey Production and distribution of iodine and iodine derivatives. Organize Sanayi Bolgesi, Ikinci Kisim, 22 cadde TR07100 Antalya Turkey 50 % - - - Kore Potash Ltd Prospecting, exploration and mining development L 3 88 William ST Perth, was 6000 United Kingdom 20.20 % - - - Total 3,164 3,851 10,612 The companies described in the table below are related parties of the following associates: (1) Doktor Tarsa Tarim Sanayi AS (2) Terra Tarsa B.V. (3) Abu Dhabi Fertilizer Industries WWL Dividends received for the period ending Associate Description of the nature of the relationship Domicile Country of Share of As of December As of December As of December ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Terra Tarsa Ukraine LLC (2) Distribution and trading of specialty plant nutrients. 74800 Ukraine, Kakhovka, 4 Yuzhnaya Str. Ukraine 100 % - - - Terra Tarsa BV (1) Distribution and trading of specialty plant nutrients, in the Middle East. Herikerbergweg 238, Luna Arena, 1101CM Amsterdam PO Box 23393, 1100DW Amsterdam Zuidoost Holland 50 % - - - Plantacote NV (1) Sale of CRF and production and sales of WSNPK. Houtdok-Noordkaai 25a, 2030 Antwerpen, Belgium Belgium 100 % - - - Doctochem Tarim Sanayai Ticaret LTD (1) Production, distribution and trading of specialty plant nutrition. Eski Büyükdere Cad No: 7 GIZ 2000 Plaza K:17 D:67-68 Maslak Sariyer Ístambul. Turkey 100 % - - - Terra Tarsa Don LLC (2) Distribution and sale of specialty fertilizers. Zorge Street, house 17, 344090, Rostov-on-Don Russian Federation 100 % - - - Doktolab Tarim Arastirma San. (1) Laboratory services. 27. Cd. No:2, 07190 Aosb 2. Kısım/Döşemealtı, Antalya, Turkey Turkey 100 % - - - International Technical and Trading Agencies Co WLL (3) Distribution and trading of specialty plant nutrients, in the Middle East. P.O Box: 950918 Amman 11195 Jordan 50 % - - - Total - - - (*) This percentage does not consider the shareholdings of the holders of these subsidiaries.
Disclosure of Detailed Informatin on Summarized Financial Information of Associates Explanatory [Text Block]	As of December 31, 2020 for the period ended as of December 31, 2020 Assets Liabilities Other Associate Current Non-current Current Non-current Revenue Gain (loss) comprehensive Comprehensive ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Abu Dhabi Fertilizer Industries WWL 29,313 8,586 6,706 101 6,641 (420 ) - (420 ) Ajay North America 18,513 15,749 4,737 - 42,920 4,471 - 4,471 Ajay Europe SARL 22,032 1,493 7,773 - 41,950 2,058 1,736 3,794 Kore Potash PLC 5,691 124,112 786 - - (3,233 ) 486 (2,747 ) Total 75,549 149,940 20,002 101 91,511 2,876 2,222 5,098 As of December 31, 2019 for the period ended as of December 31, 2019 Assets Liabilities Other Associate Current Non-current Current Non-current Revenue Gain (loss) comprehensive Comprehensive ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Abu Dhabi Fertilizer Industries WWL 28,543 9,971 7,133 - 31,588 1,713 4 1,717 Doktor Tarsa Tarim Sanayi AS 97,797 15,196 22,420 38,522 93,768 7,824 396 8,220 Ajay North America 19,748 13,250 3,061 - 38,833 5,860 - 5,860 Ajay Europe SARL 19,589 1,456 6,144 - 35,709 2,329 (358 ) 1,971 SQM Eastmed Turkey 2,718 1,833 2,600 704 3,086 709 (84 ) 625 Kore Potash PLC 7,938 119,362 2,214 - - (2,716 ) (2,791 ) (5,507 ) Total 176,333 161,068 43,572 39,226 202,984 15,719 (2,833 ) 12,886 As of December 31, 2018 for the period ended as of December 31, 2018 Assets Liabilities Other Associate Current Non-current Current Non-current Revenue Gain (loss) comprehensive Comprehensive ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Abu Dhabi Fertilizer Industries WWL 23,496 11,444 5,695 - 33,098 1,611 (1 ) 1,610 Doktor Tarsa Tarim Sanayi AS 66,498 12,242 27,067 8,509 74,144 481 978 1,459 Ajay North America 21,644 12,409 3,542 - 40,290 7,608 - 7,608 Ajay Europe SARL 21,219 1,214 6,743 - 36,337 2,747 (878 ) 1,869 SQM Eastmed Turkey 1,724 2,160 1,829 1,434 3,192 740 (42 ) 698 Kore Potash PLC 6,659 148,426 2,180 - - (8,198 ) (6,882 ) (15,080 ) Total 141,240 187,895 47,056 9,943 187,061 4,989 (6,825 ) (1,836 )

Joint Ventures (Tables)

Joint Ventures (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Disclosure Of Joint Ventures Explanatory [Abstract]
Disclosure of detailed information about investments in joint ventures [Text Block]	9.3 Investment in joint ventures accounted for under the equity method of accounting Dividends received for the period ending Joint venture Description of the nature of the relationship Domicile Country of Share of As of December As of December As of December ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Sichuan SQM Migao Chemical Fertilizers Co Ltd. Production and distribution of soluble fertilizers. Huangjing Road, Dawan Town, Qingbaijiang District, Chengdu Municipality, Sichuan Province China 50 % - - - Coromandel SQM India Production and distribution of potassium nitrate. 1-2-10, Sardar Patel Road, Secunderabad – 500003 Andhra Pradesh India 50 % - - - SQM Vitas Fzco. Production and commercialization of specialty plant, animal nutrition and industrial hygiene. Jebel ALI Free Zone P.O. Box 18222, Dubai United Arab Emirates 50 % - 10,598 - SQM Qingdao Star Corp Nutrition Co. Ltd. Production and distribution of nutrient plant solutions with specialties NPK soluble. Longquan Town, Jimo City, Qingdao Municipality, Shangdong Province China 50 % 2,223 - - SQM Vitas Holland Without information production of specialized fertilizers and other products for distribution in Italy and other countries. Herikerbergweg 238, 1101 CM Amsterdam Zuidoost Holland 50 % - - - Pavoni & C. Spa products for distribution in Italy and other countries. Corso Italia 172, 95129 Catania (CT), Sicilia Italy 50 % - - - Covalent Lithium Pty Ltd. Development and operation of the Mt Holland Lithium project, which will include the construction of a lithium extraction and refining mine L18, 109 St Georges Tce Perth WA 6000 |PO Box Z5200 St Georges Tce Perth WA 6831 Australia 50 % - - - Total 2,223 10,598 - The companies described in the following table are related to the following joint ventures: (1) SQM Vitas Fzco. (2) Pavoni & C. Spa. Dividends received for the period ending Joint venture Description of the nature of the relationship Domicile Country of Share of As of As of As of ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ SQM Vitas Brasil Agroindustria (1) Production and trading of specialty vegetable and animal nutrition and industrial hygiene. Via Cndeias, Km. 01 Sem Numero, Lote 4, Bairro Cia Norte, Candeias, Bahia. Brazil 49.99 % - - - SQM Vitas Perú S.A.C. (1) Production and trading of specialty vegetable and animal nutrition and industrial hygiene Av. Juan de Arona 187, Torre B, Oficina 301-II, San Isidro, Lima Peru 50 % - - - Arpa Speciali S.R.L. (2) Production of specialty fertilizers and others for distribution in Italy and other countries. Mantova (MN) Via Cremona 27 Int. 25 Italy 50.48 % - - - Total - - - (*) The percentages presented correspond to the ownership used in the consolidation of the company.
Disclosure of reconciliation of summarised financial information of joint venture accounted for using equity method to carrying amount of interest in joint venture [text block]	Equity-accounted investees Share in profit (loss) of associates and joint ventures accounted for using Joint Venture As of As of As of As of As of As of ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Coromandel SQM India (*) - 1,568 1,729 - (98 ) 174 SQM Vitas Fzco. 9,720 9,111 20,202 2,010 1,797 1,781 SQM Qingdao Star Corp Nutrition Co. Ltd. (*) - 3,464 3,168 83 296 188 SQM Vitas B.V. - 1,304 1,345 - (15 ) (14 ) Minera Exar S.A. (1) - - - - - (206 ) Pavoni & C. Spa 7,222 6,864 7,084 9 36 (39 ) Covalent Lithium Pty Ltd. (**) - 40 53 - - 36 Sichuan SQM Migao Chemical Fertilizers Co Ltd. (***) 9,028 1,992 1,992 (280 ) (632 ) (650 ) Total 25,970 24,343 35,573 1,822 1,384 1,270 Share on other comprehensive income of associates and joint ventures Share on total other comprehensive income of associates and joint ventures Joint Venture As of As of As of As of As of As of ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Coromandel SQM India (*) - (38 ) (159 ) - (136 ) 15 SQM Vitas Fzco. (1,469 ) 437 (903 ) 541 2,234 878 SQM Qingdao Star Corp Nutrition Co. Ltd. (*) - - - 83 296 188 SQM Vitas B.V. - (27 ) (70 ) - (42 ) (84 ) Minera Exar S.A. (1) - - - - - (206 ) Pavoni & C. Spa 349 (255 ) 70 358 (219 ) 31 Covalent Lithium Pty Ltd. (**) 16 (13 ) - 16 (13 ) 36 Sichuan SQM Migao Chemical Fertilizers Co Ltd. (***) - - - (280 ) (632 ) (650 ) Total (1,104 ) 104 (1,062 ) 718 1,488 208 (*) As of December 31, 2020, these investments were no longer part of the group, see note 9.2 (a). (**) As of December 31, 2020, this joint venture has a negative value of ThUS$ (92), which is presented in Other non-current provisions. (***) See subsequent events in Notes 9.2 and 29.2. (****) These investments include adjustments for unrealized gains. The amounts described in the following box represent numbers used in the consolidation of the company: Equity-accounted investees Share in profit (loss) of associates and joint ventures accounted for using Joint Venture As of As of As of As of As of As of ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ SQM Vitas Brasil Agroindustria (1) 3,511 5,347 5,915 1,018 564 1,439 SQM Vitas Perú S.A.C. (1) 1,659 1,955 2,671 660 211 (275 ) Arpa Speciali S.R.L. (2) (*) - 92 62 - 31 (44 ) Total 5,170 7,394 8,648 1,678 806 1,120 Share on other comprehensive income of associates and joint ventures Share on total other comprehensive income of associates and joint ventures Joint Venture As of As of As of As of As of As of ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ SQM Vitas Brasil Agroindustria (1) (1,469 ) (225 ) (792 ) (451 ) 339 647 SQM Vitas Perú S.A.C. (1) - 661 (112 ) 660 872 (387 ) Arpa Speciali S.R.L. (2) (*) - (1 ) - - 30 (44 ) Total (1,469 ) 435 (904 ) 209 1,241 216 The following companies are subsidiaries of: (1) SQM Vitas Fzco. (2) Pavoni & C. Spa
Disclosure of assets,liabilities,revenue and expenses from joint venure explanatory [Text Block]	As of December 31, 2020 For the period ended December 31, 2020 Assets Liabilities Gain (loss) from Other Comprehensive Joint Venture Current Non-current Current Non-current Revenue operations income income ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Sichuan SQM Migao Chemical Fertilizers Co Ltd. 29,507 4,412 14,156 - 9 (562 ) - (562 ) Coromandel SQM India - - - - - - - - SQM Vitas Fzco. (496 ) 20,431 496 - - 4,019 - 4,019 SQM Qingdao Star Corp Nutrition Co. Ltd. - - - - - - - - SQM Vitas Brasil Agroindustria 40,064 5,527 33,410 - 78,960 2,036 (2,938 ) (902 ) SQM Vitas Perú S.A.C. 34,548 7,928 33,145 1,080 37,591 1,319 - 1,319 Pavoni & C. Spa 10,645 7,493 9,270 836 15,958 16 698 714 Covalent Lithium Pty Ltd. 1,418 2,131 2,823 910 - (232 ) 33 (199 ) Total 115,686 47,922 93,300 2,826 132,518 6,596 (2,207 ) 4,389 As of December 31, 2019 For the period ended December 31, 2019 Assets Liabilities Gain (loss) from Other Comprehensive Joint Venture Current Non-current Current Non-current Revenue operations income income ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Sichuan SQM Migao Chemical Fertilizers Co Ltd. 28,668 5,129 13,472 - 7 (1,262 ) - (1,262 ) Coromandel SQM India 4,504 633 1,704 - 8,197 (197 ) (77 ) (274 ) SQM Vitas Fzco. 9,695 1 1,136 - 36 3,595 (876 ) 2,719 SQM Qingdao Star Corp Nutrition Co. Ltd. 7,534 26 632 - 12,003 592 - 592 SQM Vitas B.V. 2,609 - 2 - - (30 ) (53 ) (83 ) SQM Vitas Brasil Agroindustria 46,118 7,299 40,334 - 87,901 1,128 (451 ) 677 SQM Vitas Perú S.A.C. 29,452 8,378 24,855 6,044 28,590 421 1,322 1,743 Pavoni & C. Spa 9,444 7,074 8,466 735 14,296 71 (510 ) (439 ) Covalent Lithium Pty Ltd. 1,616 958 2,111 383 - - (25 ) (25 ) Total 139,640 29,498 92,712 7,162 151,030 4,318 (670 ) 3,648 As of December 31, 2018 For the period ended December 31, 2018 Assets Liabilities Gain (loss) from Other Comprehensive Joint Venture Current Non-current Current Non-current Revenue operations income income ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Sichuan SQM Migao Chemical Fertilizers Co Ltd. 28,577 5,913 12,902 - 16 (1,301 ) - (1,301 ) Coromandel SQM India 5,905 852 3,050 - 11,605 348 (318 ) 30 SQM Vitas Fzco. 30,430 17,592 2,678 - 16,583 3,561 (1,806 ) 1,755 SQM Qingdao Star Corp Nutrition Co. Ltd. 7,754 114 1,533 - 13,004 377 - 377 SQM Vitas B.V. 2,692 - 1 - - (28 ) (139 ) (167 ) SQM Vitas Brasil Agroindustria 36,648 7,566 31,808 - 82,625 2,879 (1,585 ) 1,294 SQM Vitas Perú S.A.C. 22,365 7,785 18,996 5,966 28,619 (550 ) (223 ) (773 ) Pavoni & C. Spa 10,062 6,490 8,098 698 15,461 (79 ) 140 61 Covalent Lithium Pty Ltd. 239 100 233 - - 106 - 106 Total 144,672 46,412 79,299 6,664 167,913 5,313 (3,931 ) 1,382 As of December 31, 2019 For the period ended December 31, 2019 Assets Liabilities Gain (loss) from Other Comprehensive Joint Venture Current Non-current Current Non-current Revenue operations income income ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Sichuan SQM Migao Chemical Fertilizers Co Ltd. 28,668 5,129 13,472 - 7 (1,262 ) - (1,262 ) Coromandel SQM India 4,504 633 1,704 - 8,197 (197 ) (77 ) (274 ) SQM Vitas Fzco. 9,695 1 1,136 - 36 3,595 (876 ) 2,719 SQM Qingdao Star Corp Nutrition Co. Ltd. 7,534 26 632 - 12,003 592 - 592 SQM Vitas B.V. 2,609 - 2 - - (30 ) (53 ) (83 ) SQM Vitas Brasil Agroindustria 46,118 7,299 40,334 - 87,901 1,128 (451 ) 677 SQM Vitas Perú S.A.C. 29,452 8,378 24,855 6,044 28,590 421 1,322 1,743 Pavoni & C. Spa 9,444 7,074 8,466 735 14,296 71 (510 ) (439 ) Covalent Lithium Pty Ltd. 1,616 958 2,111 383 - - (25 ) (25 ) Total 139,640 29,498 92,712 7,162 151,030 4,318 (670 ) 3,648 As of December 31, 2018 For the period ended December 31, 2018 Assets Liabilities Gain (loss) from Other Comprehensive Joint Venture Current Non-current Current Non-current Revenue operations income income ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Sichuan SQM Migao Chemical Fertilizers Co Ltd. 28,577 5,913 12,902 - 16 (1,301 ) - (1,301 ) Coromandel SQM India 5,905 852 3,050 - 11,605 348 (318 ) 30 SQM Vitas Fzco. 30,430 17,592 2,678 - 16,583 3,561 (1,806 ) 1,755 SQM Qingdao Star Corp Nutrition Co. Ltd. 7,754 114 1,533 - 13,004 377 - 377 SQM Vitas B.V. 2,692 - 1 - - (28 ) (139 ) (167 ) SQM Vitas Brasil Agroindustria 36,648 7,566 31,808 - 82,625 2,879 (1,585 ) 1,294 SQM Vitas Perú S.A.C. 22,365 7,785 18,996 5,966 28,619 (550 ) (223 ) (773 ) Pavoni & C. Spa 10,062 6,490 8,098 698 15,461 (79 ) 140 61 Covalent Lithium Pty Ltd. 239 100 233 - - 106 - 106 Total 144,672 46,412 79,299 6,664 167,913 5,313 (3,931 ) 1,382
Disclosure of detailed information about other joint venture information explanatory [Text Block]	9.5 Other Joint Venture disclosures Cash and cash equivalents Other current financial liabilities Other non-current financial Joint Venture As of As of As of As of As of As of ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Sichuan SQM Migao Chemical Fertilizers Co Ltd. 30 33 - - - - Coromandel SQM India - 2,240 - - - - SQM Vitas Fzco. 4,251 3,071 - - - - SQM Qingdao Star Corp Nutrition Co. Ltd. - 4,640 - - - - SQM Vitas B.V. - 2,609 - - - - SQM Vitas Brasil Agroindustria 4,065 2,101 6,820 9,106 - - SQM Vitas Perú S.A.C. 1,043 225 227 258 691 895 Pavoni & C. Spa 767 314 5,573 5,509 - - Covalent Lithium Pty Ltd. 653 693 953 472 - - Total 10,809 15,926 13,573 15,345 691 895 Depreciation and amortization expense for the Interest expense for the period Income tax benefit (expense) for the period Joint Venture As of As of As of As of As of As of ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Sichuan SQM Migao Chemical Fertilizers Co Ltd. (394 ) (743 ) - - 244 153 Coromandel SQM India - (291 ) - (4 ) - (27 ) SQM Vitas Fzco. (1 ) - (2 ) (7 ) - - SQM Qingdao Star Corp Nutrition Co. Ltd. - (62 ) - - - (241 ) SQM Vitas B.V. - - - (1 ) - - SQM Vitas Brasil Agroindustria (355 ) (33 ) (656 ) (1,176 ) (34 ) 181 SQM Vitas Perú S.A.C. (257 ) (287 ) (326 ) (435 ) (197 ) (316 ) Pavoni & C. Spa (263 ) (149 ) (410 ) - (120 ) (214 ) Covalent Lithium Pty Ltd. (213 ) (126 ) (18 ) (32 ) 714 - Total (1,483 ) (1,691 ) (1,412 ) (1,655 ) 607 (464 )

Cash And Cash Equivalents (Tabl

Cash And Cash Equivalents (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
DisclosureOfCashAndCashEquivalentsExplanatory [Abstract]
Disclosure of detailed information about cash and cash equivalents [Text Block]	As of December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019, cash and cash equivalents are detailed as follows: Cash As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, ThUS$ ThUS$ Cash on hand 54 71 Cash in banks 244,848 105,141 Other demand deposits 2,227 6,986 Total Cash 247,129 112,198 Cash equivalents As of December 31, As of December 31, ThUS$ ThUS$ Short-term deposits, classified as cash equivalents 51,595 149,099 Short-term investments, classified as cash equivalents 210,378 327,233 Total cash equivalents 261,973 476,332 Total cash and cash equivalents 509,102 588,530
Disclosure of detailed information about short term investments [Text Block]	As of December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019, the short-term investments classified as cash and cash equivalents relate to mutual funds (investment liquidity funds) for investments in: Institution As of December 31, As of December 31, ThUS$ ThUS$ Legg Mason - Western Asset Institutional Cash Reserves 107,625 181,155 JP Morgan US dollar Liquidity Fund Institutional 102,753 146,078 Total 210,378 327,233
Disclosure of cash and cash equivalents by currency [Text Block]	As of December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019, information on cash and cash equivalents by currency is detailed as follows: Currency As of December 31, As of December 31, ThUS$ ThUS$ Peso (*) 7,190 8,240 Dollar 454,402 558,572 Euro 17,144 3,131 Mexican Peso 1,378 2,103 South African Rand 14,286 3,929 Japanese Yen 1,646 1,559 Peruvian Sol 3 4 Indian rupee 6 6 Chinese Yuan 11,597 2,484 Indonesian rupee 3 3 Argentine Peso - 3 Pound Sterling 19 3 Australian Dollar 1,411 8,492 South Korean won 16 - Dirham United Arab Emirates - - Polish Zloty 1 1 Total 509,102 588,530 (*) The Company maintains financial derivative instruments policies which allow management to convert term deposits denominated in pesos and UF to Dollars.
Disclosure of restricted cash and cash equivalents [text block]	As of December 31, 2020, and, December 31, 2019 pledged assets are as follows Restricted cash balances As of December 31, As of December 31, ThUS$ ThUS$ Isapre Norte Grande Ltda. 731 551 Total 731 551
Disclosure of detailed information about short term deposits [Text Block]	The detail at the end of each period is as follows: Receiver of the deposit Type of deposit Original Interest Rate Placement date Expiration date Principal Interest accrued to-date As of December 31, ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Banco Santander - Santiago Fixed term Dollar 0.35 % 12-30-2020 03-30-2021 7,000 - 7,000 Scotiabank Sud Americano Fixed term Dollar 0.35 % 11-30-2020 01-08-2021 1,500 1 1,501 Banco de Chile Fixed term Dollar 0.61 % 11-30-2020 01-08-2021 2,000 1 2,001 Banco de Chile Fixed term Dollar 0.61 % 11-30-2020 01-08-2021 3,500 1 3,501 Banco crédito e inversiones Fixed term Dollar 0.46 % 12-01-2020 01-15-2021 500 - 500 Scotiabank Sud Americano Fixed term Dollar 0.4 % 12-01-2020 01-15-2021 500 - 500 Scotiabank Sud Americano Fixed term Dollar 0.4 % 12-02-2020 01-20-2021 2,500 1 2,501 Banco Santander - Santiago Fixed term Dollar 0.5 % 12-09-2020 01-25-2021 500 - 500 Scotiabank Sud Americano Fixed term Dollar 0.5 % 12-09-2020 01-25-2021 1,000 - 1,000 Banco Santander - Santiago Fixed term Dollar 0.5 % 12-09-2020 01-25-2021 6,000 1 6,001 Banco crédito e inversiones Fixed term Dollar 0.51 % 12-09-2020 01-25-2021 6,000 1 6,001 Banco crédito e inversiones Fixed term Dollar 0.26 % 12-14-2020 01-29-2021 500 - 500 Banco Estado Fixed term Dollar 0.14 % 12-14-2020 01-29-2021 1,000 1 1,001 Scotiabank Sud Americano Fixed term Dollar 0.4 % 12-14-2020 01-29-2021 1,500 - 1,500 Banco de Chile Fixed term Dollar 0.56 % 12-14-2020 01-29-2021 5,000 1 5,001 Banco Itaú Corpbanca Fixed term Dollar 0.68 % 12-18-2020 01-01-2021 500 - 500 Banco Itaú Corpbanca Fixed term Dollar 0.68 % 12-18-2020 02-01-2021 2,000 1 2,001 Banco crédito e inversiones Fixed term Dollar 0.2 % 12-23-2020 02-05-2021 2,000 1 2,001 Banco Itaú Corpbanca Fixed term Dollar 0.4 % 12-24-2020 02-08-2021 1,000 - 1,000 Banco Santander - Santiago Fixed term Dollar 0.26 % 12-29-2020 01-08-2021 2,500 1 2,501 Banco Santander - Santiago Fixed term Dollar 0.15 % 12-30-2020 02-12-2021 700 - 700 Banco Itaú Corpbanca Fixed term Peso 0.35 % 12-29-2020 01-05-2021 3,798 - 3,798 BBVA Banco Francés Fixed term Dollar 1.8 % 12-31-2020 03-06-2021 86 - 86 Total 51,584 11 51,595 Receiver of the deposit Type of deposit Original Interest Rate Placement date Expiration date Principal Interest accrued As of December 31, 2019 ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Banco crédito e inversiones Fixed term Dollar 3.45 % 11-18-2019 02-13-2020 18,000 74 18,074 Banco crédito e inversiones Fixed term Dollar 2.85 % 12-26-2019 02-20-2020 20,000 8 20,008 Banco de Chile Fixed term Dollar 3.45 % 11-15-2019 01-23-2020 14,000 62 14,062 Banco de Chile Fixed term Dollar 3.50 % 11-15-2019 01-09-2020 18,000 80 18,080 Banco de Chile Fixed term Dollar 3.45 % 11-15-2019 01-16-2020 18,000 79 18,079 Banco Itaú Corpbanca Fixed term Dollar 2.90 % 12-26-2019 02-20-2020 33,000 13 33,013 Scotiabank Sud Americano Fixed term Peso 2.16 % 12-30-2019 01-08-2020 6,812 - 6,812 Banco crédito e inversiones Fixed term Dollar 3.51 % 11-21-2019 01-28-2020 1,000 4 1,004 Banco crédito e inversiones Fixed term Dollar 3.75 % 12-02-2019 02-27-2020 2,000 6 2,006 Banco crédito e inversiones Fixed term Dollar 3.60 % 11-25-2019 01-28-2020 1,000 4 1,004 Banco Estado Fixed term Dollar 2.15 % 12-16-2019 01-06-2020 500 - 500 Banco Santander - Santiago Fixed term Dollar 2.55 % 12-09-2019 02-04-2020 1,700 3 1,703 Banco Itaú Corpbanca Fixed term Dollar 2.55 % 12-16-2019 01-06-2020 2,500 3 2,503 Banco Itaú Corpbanca Fixed term Dollar 3.64 % 11-29-2019 02-13-2020 1,500 5 1,505 Banco Itaú Corpbanca Fixed term Dollar 2.80 % 11-12-2019 01-28-2020 2,000 8 2,008 Banco Santander - Santiago Fixed term Dollar 2.33 % 10-16-2019 01-12-2020 1,000 5 1,005 Scotiabank Sud Americano Fixed term Dollar 2.45 % 12-17-2019 01-13-2020 3,600 3 3,603 Scotiabank Sud Americano Fixed term Dollar 3.20 % 11-13-2019 01-30-2020 500 2 502 Scotiabank Sud Americano Fixed term Dollar 3.40 % 12-02-2019 02-27-2020 2,000 5 2,005 Scotiabank Sud Americano Fixed term Dollar 3.45 % 11-18-2019 01-30-2020 1,500 6 1,506 BBVA Banco Francés Fixed term Dollar 39 % 12-26-2019 01-27-2020 52 1 53 Banco Itaú S.A. On demand Dollar 8 % 10-17-2019 01-17-2020 64 - 64 Total 148,728 371 149,099
Disclosure of reconciliation of liabilities arising from financing activities [text block]	This section sets out an analysis of net debt and relating movements for each of the periods presented. The definition of the net debt is described in Note 20.1. Net debt As of December 31, As of December 31, ThUS$ ThUS$ Cash and cash equivalents 509,102 588,530 Other current financial assets 348,069 505,490 Other non-current financial hedge assets 37,276 3,918 Other current financial liabilities (68,955 ) (291,128 ) Lease liabilities, current (5,528 ) (7,694 ) Other non-current financial liabilities (1,899,513 ) (1,488,723 ) Lease liabilities, non-current (25,546 ) (30,203 ) Total (1,105,095 ) (719,810 ) As of From cash flow Not from cash flow As of Cash and cash equivalents December Amounts from Amounts from Other cash Hedging and non- Exchange rate Others December 31, 2020 ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Obligations with the public and bank loans (1,753,028 ) (136,692 ) 73,933 7,819 - (33,280 ) (81,616 ) (1,922,864 ) Current and non-current lease liabilities (37,897 ) 8,015 1,133 - - - (2,325 ) (31,074 ) Financial instruments derived from hedging (23,655 ) 814 7,634 - (20,909 ) - (4,094 ) (40,210 ) Financial instruments derived from non-hedging (3,169 ) - - - (2,226 ) - - (5,395 ) Current and non-current financial liabilities (1,817,749 ) (127,863 ) 82,700 7,819 (23,135 ) (33,280 ) (88,035 ) (1,999,543 ) Cash and cash equivalents 588,530 - - (78,988 ) - (440 ) - 509,102 Deposits that do not qualify as cash and cash equivalents 485,689 - - (123,196 ) - (14,032 ) (3,002 ) 345,459 Derivatives from hedge assets 21,188 - (1,216 ) (39,290 ) 56,207 - 388 37,277 Derivatives from other financial non-hedge assets 2,532 - - 6,902 (6,824 ) - - 2,610 Total (719,810 ) (127,863 ) 81,484 (226,753 ) 26,248 (47,752 ) (90,649 ) (1,105,095 )

Inventories (Table)

Inventories (Table)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Disclosure Of Inventories Explanatory [Abstract]
Disclosure of detailed information about inventories [Text Block]	The composition of inventory at each period-end is as follows: Type of inventory As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 ThUS$ ThUS$ Raw material 10,694 7,287 Production supplies 31,007 26,064 Products-in-progress 487,830 457,563 Finished product 563,497 492,424 Total 1,093,028 983,338
Disclosure of information about inventory reserves [Text Block]	The breakdown of inventory allowances is detailed as follows: Type of inventory As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 ThUS$ ThUS$ Raw material and supplies for production 1,934 2,488 Products-in-progress 66,122 71,468 Finished product 12,874 14,218 Total 80,930 88,174
Disclosure of movements in provisions for inventories [Text Block]	As of December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019, movements in provisions are detailed as follows: Conciliation As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 As of December 31, 2018 ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Beginning balance 88,174 105,282 96,284 Increase in Lower Value (1) (5,404 ) (6,987 ) 7,845 Additional Provision Differences of Inventory (2) (704 ) (123 ) 3,176 Increase / Decrease eventual differences and others (3) 1,244 (6,262 ) 2,436 Provision Used (2,380 ) (3,736 ) (4,459 ) Total changes (7,244 ) (17,108 ) 8,998 Final balance 80,930 88,174 105,282 (1) There are three types of Lower Value Provisions: (a) Economic Realizable Lower Value, (b) Potential Inventory with Uncertain Future Use and (c) Reprocessing Costs of Off-Specification Products. (2) Provisions for Inventory Differences generated when physical differences are detected when taking inventory, which exceed the tolerance levels for this process. (3) This algorithm corresponds to the provision of diverse percentages based on the complexity in the measurement and rotation of stock, as well as standard differences based on previous results, as is the case with provisions relating to Commercial Offices.

Related party disclosures (Tabl

Related party disclosures (Table)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Disclosure Of Related Party Explanatory [Abstract]
Disclosure of detailed information about related parties [Text Block]	As of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the detail of entities that are identified as subsidiaries or related parties of the SQM Group is as follows: Tax ID No Name Country of origin Functional currency Nature foreign Nitratos Naturais Do Chile Ltda. Brazil Dollar Subsidiary foreign Nitrate Corporation of Chile Ltd. United Kingdom Dollar Subsidiary foreign SQM North America Corp. United States Dollar Subsidiary foreign SQM Europe N.V. Belgium Dollar Subsidiary foreign Soquimich European Holding B.V. Netherlands Dollar Subsidiary foreign SQM Corporation N.V. Curacao Dollar Subsidiary foreign SQM Comercial De México S.A. de C.V. Mexico Dollar Subsidiary foreign North American Trading Company United States Dollar Subsidiary foreign Administración y Servicios Santiago S.A. de C.V. Mexico Dollar Subsidiary foreign SQM Perú S.A. Peru Dollar Subsidiary foreign SQM Ecuador S.A. Ecuador Dollar Subsidiary foreign SQM Nitratos Mexico S.A. de C.V. Mexico Dollar Subsidiary foreign SQMC Holding Corporation L.L.P. United States Dollar Subsidiary foreign SQM Investment Corporation N.V. Curacao Dollar Subsidiary foreign SQM Brasil Limitada Brazil Dollar Subsidiary foreign SQM France S.A. France Dollar Subsidiary foreign SQM Japan Co. Ltd. Japan Dollar Subsidiary foreign Royal Seed Trading Corporation A.V.V. Aruba Dollar Subsidiary foreign SQM Oceania Pty Limited Australia Dollar Subsidiary foreign Rs Agro-Chemical Trading Corporation A.V.V. Aruba Dollar Subsidiary foreign SQM Indonesia S.A. Indonesia Dollar Subsidiary foreign SQM Virginia L.L.C. United States Dollar Subsidiary foreign Comercial Caimán Internacional S.A. Panama Dollar Subsidiary foreign SQM África Pty. Ltd. South Africa Dollar Subsidiary foreign SQM Colombia SAS Colombia Dollar Subsidiary foreign SQM Internacional N.V. Belgium Dollar Subsidiary foreign SQM (Shanghai) Chemicals Co. Ltd. China Dollar Subsidiary foreign SQM Lithium Specialties LLC United States Dollar Subsidiary foreign SQM Iberian S.A. Spain Dollar Subsidiary foreign SQM Beijing Commercial Co. Ltd. China Dollar Subsidiary foreign SQM Thailand Limited Thailand Dollar Subsidiary foreign SQM Australia PTY Australia Dollar Subsidiary foreign SQM Holland B.V. Netherlands Dollar Subsidiary foreign SQM Korea LLC Korea Dollar Subsidiary 96.801.610-5 Comercial Hydro S.A. Chile Dollar Subsidiary 96.651.060-9 SQM Potasio S.A. Chile Dollar Subsidiary 96.592.190-7 SQM Nitratos S.A. Chile Dollar Subsidiary 96.592.180-K Ajay SQM Chile S.A. Chile Dollar Subsidiary 79.947.100-0 SQM Industrial S.A. Chile Dollar Subsidiary 79.906.120-1 Isapre Norte Grande Ltda. Chile Peso Subsidiary 79.876.080-7 Almacenes y Depósitos Ltda. Chile Peso Subsidiary Tax ID No Name Country of origin Functional currency Nature 79.770.780-5 Servicios Integrales de Tránsitos y Transferencias S.A. Chile Dollar Subsidiary 79.768.170-9 Soquimich Comercial S.A. Chile Dollar Subsidiary 79.626.800-K SQM Salar S.A. Chile Dollar Subsidiary 76.534.490-5 Sociedad Prestadora de Servicios de Salud Cruz del Norte S.A. Chile Peso Subsidiary 76.425.380-9 Exploraciones Mineras S.A. Chile Dollar Subsidiary 76.064.419-6 Comercial Agrorama Ltda. Chile Peso Subsidiary 76.145.229-0 Agrorama S.A. Chile Peso Subsidiary 76.359.919-1 Orcoma Estudios SPA Chile Dollar Subsidiary 76.360.575-2 Orcoma SPA Chile Dollar Subsidiary 76.686.311-9 SQM MaG SpA Chile Dollar Subsidiary 77.114.779-8 Sociedad Contractual Minera Búfalo Chile Dollar Subsidiary foreign Abu Dhabi Fertilizer Industries WWL Arab Emirates Arab Emirates dirham Associate foreign Ajay North America United States Dollar Associate foreign Ajay Europe SARL France Euro Associate foreign Kore Potash PLC United Kingdom Dollar Associate foreign Sichuan SQM Migao Chemical Fertilizers Co Ltda. China Dollar Joint venture foreign SQM Vitas Fzco. Arab Emirates Arab Emirates dirham Joint venture foreign SQM Star Qingdao Corp Nutrition Co., Ltd. China Dollar Joint venture foreign Covalent Lithium Pty Ltd. Australia Dollar Joint venture foreign Pavoni & C, SPA Italy Euro Joint venture 96.511.530-7 Sociedad de Inversiones Pampa Calichera Chile Dollar Other related parties 96.529.340-K Norte Grande S.A. Chile Peso Other related parties 79.049.778-9 Callegari Agrícola S.A. Chile Peso Other related parties foreign SQM Vitas Brasil Agroindustria (1) Brazil Real brazilian Other related parties foreign SQM Vitas Perú S.A.C. (1) Peru Dollar Other related parties foreign Abu Dhabi Fertilizer Industries WWL (2) Oman United Arab Emirates dirham Other related parties foreign International Technical and Trading Agencies CO WLL (2) Jordan United Arab Emirates dirham Other related parties (1) These Companies are subsidiaries of the joint venture SQM Vitas Fzco. (2) These Companies are subsidiaries of the joint venture Abu Dhabi Fertilizer Industries WWL Ltda. and therefore it absorbs these and takes responsibility of all of their assets and liabilities. * The following entities were considered related parties as of December 31, 2019 (see Note 8.4 letter a and Note 9.2): SQI Corporation N.V., SQM Italia SRL, Doktor Tarsa Tarim, SQM Eastmed Turkey, Terra Tarsa Ukraine LLC, Terra Tarsa B.V., Plantacote N.V., Terra Tarsa Don LLC, Doktolab Tarim Arastirma San., Doctochem Tarim Sanayi Ticaret Ltd. STI, Coromandel SQM India Sichuan SQM Migao Chemical Fertilizers Co Ltd. and Arpa Speciali S.R.L. The following other related parties correspond to mining contractual corporations. Tax ID No. Name Country of origin Functional Relationship N/A Ara Dos Primera del Salar de Pampa Blanca, Sierra Gorda Chile Peso Other related parties N/A Ara Tres Primera del Salar de Pampa Blanca, Sierra Gorda Chile Peso Other related parties N/A Ara Cuatro Primera del Salar de Pampa Blanca, Sierra Gorda Chile Peso Other related parties N/A Ara Cinco Primera del Salar de Pampa Blanca, Sierra Gorda Chile Peso Other related parties N/A Curicó Dos Primera del Salar de Pampa Alta, Sierra Gorda Chile Peso Other related parties N/A Curicó Tres Primera del Sector de Pampa Alta, Sierra Gorda Chile Peso Other related parties N/A Evelyn Veinticuatro Primera de Sierra Gorda Chile Peso Other related parties N/A Filomena Tres Primera de Oficina Filomena, Sierra Gorda Chile Peso Other related parties N/A Filomena Cuatro Primera de Oficina Filomena, Sierra Gorda Chile Peso Other related parties N/A Francis Cuatro Primera de Pampa Blanca, Sierra Gorda Chile Peso Other related parties N/A Francis Cuatro Segunda del Salar de Pampa Blanca, Sierra Gorda Chile Peso Other related parties N/A Francis Cuatro Tercera de Pampa Blanca, Sierra Gorda Chile Peso Other related parties N/A Francis Cuatro Cuarta de Pampa Blanca, Sierra Gorda Chile Peso Other related parties N/A Francis Cuatro Quinta de Pampa Blanca, Sierra Gorda Chile Peso Other related parties N/A Francis Primera del Salar de Pampa Blanca de Sierra Gorda Chile Peso Other related parties N/A Francis Segunda del Salar de Pampa Blanca de Sierra Gorda Chile Peso Other related parties N/A Francis Tercera del Salar de Pampa Blanca de Sierra Gorda Chile Peso Other related parties N/A Ivon Primera de Sierra Gorda Chile Peso Other related parties N/A Ivon Décima Segunda de Sierra Gorda Chile Peso Other related parties N/A Ivon Sexta de Sierra Gorda Chile Peso Other related parties N/A Julia Primera de Sierra Gorda Chile Peso Other related parties N/A Lorena Trigésimo Quinta de Sierra Gorda Chile Peso Other related parties N/A Perseverancia Primera de Sierra Gorda Chile Peso Other related parties N/A Tamara 40 Primera del Sector S.E. OF. Concepción, Sierra Gorda Chile Peso Other related parties N/A Tamara Tercera de Oficina Concepción, Sierra Gorda Chile Peso Other related parties N/A Tamara 40 Segunda del Sector S.E. OF Concepción, Sierra Gorda Chile Peso Other related parties
Disclosure of transactions between related parties [text block]	As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the detail of significant transactions with related parties is as follows Tax ID No Name Nature Country of Transaction As of As of As of ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Foreign Doktor Tarsa Tarim Sanayi AS Associate Turkey Sale of products 1,053 14,767 16,726 Foreign Ajay Europe S.A.R.L. Associate France Sale of products 23,162 21,348 19,470 Foreign Ajay Europe S.A.R.L. Associate France Dividends 1,197 1,055 811 Foreign Ajay North America LL.C. Associate United States of America Sale of products 20,259 16,932 16,810 Foreign Ajay North America LL.C. Associate United States of America Dividends 1,967 2,796 2,807 Foreign Abu Dhabi Fertilizer Industries WWL Associate Arab Emirates Sale of products - 3,749 5,811 Foreign Abu Dhabi Fertilizer Industries WWL Associate Arab Emirates Dividends - - 6,632 Foreign Charlee SQM Thailand Co Ltd. (1) Associate Thailand Sale of products - - 4,960 Foreign Charlee SQM Thailand Co Ltd. (1) Associate Thailand Dividends - - 362 Foreign SQM Vitas Brasil Agroindustria Other related parties Brazil Sale of products 41,341 46,876 44,827 Foreign SQM Vitas Perú S.A.C. Other related parties Perú Sale of products 17,723 24,138 17,204 Foreign SQM Vitas Fzco Joint venture Arab Emirates Dividends - 10,598 - Foreign Coromandel SQM India Joint venture India Sale of products 1,510 3,955 7,696 Foreign SQM Star Qingdao Corp Nutrition Co., Ltd. Joint venture China Sale of products - 1,929 - Foreign Terra Tarsa Ukraine LLC Other related parties Ukraine Sale of products 737 1,280 1,674 Foreign Plantacote NV Other related parties Belgium Sale of products - 4,096 4,554 Foreign Pavoni & CPA Joint venture Italy Sale of products 1,125 3,152 201 Foreign Arpa Speciali S.R.L. Other related parties Italy Sale of products - 2,359 207 Foreign SQM Star Qingdao Corp Nutrition Co., Ltd. Joint venture China Dividends 2,223 - Foreign Terra Tarsa Don LLC Other related parties Russian Federation Sale of products - 40 187 Foreign SQM Eastmed Turkey Associate Turkey Sale of products - 47 30
Disclosure of amounts receivable from related parties [Text Block]	12.5 Trade receivables due from related parties, current: Tax ID No Company Nature Country of origin Currency As of December As of December ThUS$ ThUS$ Foreign Doktor Tarsa Tarim Sanayi AS Associate Turkey Dollar - 110 Foreign Ajay Europe S.A. R.L. Associate France Euro 4,625 3,712 Foreign Ajay North America LLC. Associate United States of America Dollar 2,956 2,290 Foreign Abu Dhabi Fertilizer Industries WWL Associate United Arab Emirates United Arab Emirates Dirham 595 803 96.511.530-7 Soc. de Inversiones Pampa Calichera Other related parties Chile Dollar 6 6 Foreign SQM Vitas Brasil Agroindustria Other related parties Brazil Dollar 24,335 27,275 Foreign SQM Vitas Perú S.A.C. Other related parties Peru Dollar 24,205 23,475 Foreign Coromandel SQM India Joint venture India Indian Rupee - 1,792 Foreign SQM Vitas Fzco. Joint venture United Arab Emirates United Arab Emirates Dirham 236 234 Foreign Terra Tarsa Ukraine LLC Other related parties Ukraine Ukrainian hryvnia - 7 Foreign Terra Tarsa Don LLC Other related parties Federation of Russia Russian Ruble - 13 Foreign Plantacote NV Other related parties Belgium Euro - 657 Foreign SQM Eastmed Turkey Associate Turkey Euro - 47 Foreign Pavoni & C SpA Joint venture Italy Euro 1,095 1,028 Foreign Arpa Speciali S.R.L. Other related parties Italy Euro - 134 Foreign Covalent Lithium Pty Ltd . Joint venture Australia Australia 84 - Foreign Sichuan SQM Migao Chemical Fertilizers Co Ltd. Joint venture China Dollar 4,464 - Allowance - (356 ) Total 62,601 61,227
Details of transactions with entities who are affiliated to the keymanagerial personnel [Text Block]	Below is a list of transactions with clients and suppliers with whom a relationship with key Company personnel was identified: Tax ID No Name Nature Country of origin Transaction As of ThUS$ 10.581.580-8 Gonzalo Guerrero Yamamoto Chairman / director Chile Services – Supplier 20 71.644.300-0 Universidad del Desarrollo Chairman / director Chile Services – Supplier 125 72.012.000-3 Universidad Tecnológica de Chile Chairman / director Chile Services – Supplier 41 76.389.727-3 Sociedad Periodística El Libero Shareholders Chile Services – Supplier - 76.825.265-3 Link Capital Partners SpA Family of director Chile Services – Supplier 224 76.839.170-k Proveedora Industrial Arrigoni Director in common Chile Services – Supplier 5 90.193.000-7 El Mercurio S.A.P. Family of director Chile Services – Supplier 36 92.580.000-7 Emp. Nac. Telecomunicaciones S.A. Family of director Chile Services – Supplier 1,847 96.806.980-2 Entel PCS Telecomunicaciones S.A. Family of director Chile Services – Supplier 264 97.004.000-5 Banco de Chile Director in common Chile Services – Supplier 44,696 99.012.000-5 Cia. de Seg. de Vida Consorcio Nacional Family of director Chile Services – Supplier 71 90.266.000-3 Enaex S.A. Director in common Chile Servicies – Client 19 92.580.000-7 Emp. Nac. Telecomunicaciones S.A. Family of director Chile Servicies – Client 43 96.529.340-K Norte Grande S.A. Director in common Chile Lease 135
Disclosure of amounts payable to related parties [Text Block]	12.6 Trade payables due to related parties, current: Tax ID No Company Nature Country of Currency As of December 31, As of December 31, ThUS$ ThUS$ Foreign Ajay Europe S.A.R.L. Associate France Euro 50 - Foreign Ajay North America LL.C. Associate United States of America Dollar 232 - Foreign SQM Star Qingdao Corp Nutrition Co., Ltd. Joint venture China Dollar - 243 Foreign Covalent Lithium Pty Ltd Joint venture Australia Australian dollar 324 232 Total 606 475

Financial instruments (Tables)

Financial instruments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Disclosure Of Financials instruments [Abstract]
Disclosure of detailed information about other financial assets [Text Block]	13.1 Types of other current and non-current financial assets Description of other financial assets As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 ThUS$ ThUS$ Financial assets at amortized cost (1) 345,459 485,689 Derivative financial instruments - For hedging - 17,270 - Non-hedging (2) 2,610 2,531 Total other current financial assets 348,069 505,490 Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income 14,569 4,785 Derivative financial instruments - For hedging 37,276 3,918 Other financial assets at amortized cost 80 75 Total other non-current financial assets 51,925 8,778
Disclosure of detailed information about other non current financial assets [Text Block]	Institution As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 ThUS$ ThUS$ Banco de Crédito e Inversiones 185,589 185,400 Banco Santander (3) 45,168 74,365 Banco Itau Corpbanca 49,006 120,628 Banco Security - 17,964 Banco de Chile - 18,026 Banco Estado - 15,126 Scotiabank Sud Americano 31,668 54,180 JP Morgan Asset Management 34,028 - Total 345,459 485,689 (1) Corresponds to term deposits whose maturity date is greater than 90 days and less than 360 days from the investment date constituted in the aforementioned financial institutions: (2) Correspond to forwards and options that were not classified as hedging instruments (See detail in Note 13.3). (3) As of December 31, 2020, there were no margin calls and as of December 31, 2019, this value was ThUS$ 1,870.
Disclosure of trade and other receivables [text block]	13.2 Trade and other receivables As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 Trade and other receivables Current Non-current Total Current Non-current Total ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Trade receivables, current 313,265 - 313,265 367,583 - 367,583 Prepayments, current 19,900 - 19,900 20,309 - 20,309 Other receivables, current 32,041 11,165 43,206 11,250 1,710 12,960 Total trade and other receivables 365,206 11,165 376,371 399,142 1,710 400,852 See discussion about credit risk in Note 5.2. As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 Trade and other receivables Assets before Allowance for Assets for trade Assets before Allowance for Assets for trade ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Receivables related to credit operations, current 327,586 (14,321 ) 313,265 383,775 (16,192 ) 367,583 Trade receivables, current 327,586 (14,321 ) 313,265 383,775 (16,192 ) 367,583 Prepayments, current 20,684 (784 ) 19,900 21,092 (783 ) 20,309 Other receivables, current 36,664 (4,623 ) 32,041 15,659 (4,409 ) 11,250 Current trade and other receivables 57,348 (5,407 ) 51,941 36,751 (5,192 ) 31,559 Other receivables, non-current 11,165 - 11,165 1,710 - 1,710 Non-current receivables 11,165 - 11,165 1,710 - 1,710 Total trade and other receivables 396,099 (19,728 ) 376,371 422,236 (21,384 ) 400,852
Disclosure of financial assets that are either past due or impaired [text block]	As of December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019 the detail of the renegotiated portfolio is as follows: As of December 31, 2020 Portfolio analysis Past due segments Number of customers with non- Gross non-renegotiated Number of customers with Gross renegotiated portfolio Current 1,281 301,939 23 179 1 - 30 days 119 12,140 8 60 31 - 60 days 12 1,226 - - 61 - 90 days 5 159 - - 91 - 120 days 5 1,448 1 41 121 - 150 days 2 2,384 2 2 151 - 180 days 3 1,398 4 12 181 - 210 days 1 - 2 5 211 - 250 days 3 2 6 114 >250 days 156 5,030 64 1,447 Total 1,587 325,726 110 1,860 As of December 31, 2019 Portfolio analysis Past due segments Number of customers non- Gross non-renegotiated Number of customers Gross renegotiated portfolio Current 1,486 351,931 69 892 1 - 30 days 166 20,195 72 526 31 - 60 days 26 1,279 4 10 61 - 90 days 12 519 3 54 91 - 120 days 5 1,026 2 66 121 - 150 days 5 361 7 49 151 - 180 days 7 190 2 33 181 - 210 days 4 51 - - 211 - 250 days 6 48 8 11 >250 days 144 5,449 137 1,085 Total 1,861 381,049 304 2,726
Disclosure of detailed information about expected credit exposure of accounts receivable based on aging analysis [Table Text Block]	As of December 31, 2020 Trade accounts receivable days past due Trade and other receivables Current 1 to 30 days 31 to 60 days 61 to 90 Over 90 Trade Trade receivables ThUS$ ThUS$ Expected Loss Rate on 1 % 10 % 39 % 52 % 79 % - - Total Gross Book Value 302,118 12,200 1,226 159 11,883 327,586 70,145 Deterioration Estimate 3,187 1,207 477 83 9,367 14,321 7,545 As of December 31, 2019 Trade accounts receivable days past due Trade and other receivables Current 1 to 30 days 31 to 60 days 61 to 90 Over 90 Trade Trade receivables ThUS$ ThUS$ Expected Loss Rate on 1 % 18 % 34 % 44 % 78 % - - Total Gross Book Value 352,823 20,721 1,288 573 8,370 383,775 72,550 Deterioration Estimate 5,285 3,664 440 251 6,552 16,192 11,323
Disclosure of detailed information about movement in provision of trade receivables [Table Text Block]	As of December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019, movements in provisions are as follows: Provisions As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 ThUS$ ThUS$ Provision Impairment Accounts receivable at the beginning of the Period 32,707 32,634 (Decrease) increase impairment of accounts receivable (4,684 ) 1,057 Use of Provision Applied to Accounts Receivable (750 ) (984 ) Impairment of Accounts Receivable Provision at the end of the Period 27,273 32,707 (1) Trade and Other Receivables Provision 14,321 16,192 (2) Current other Receivables Provision 5,407 5,192 (3) Provision Trade payables due to related parties, current 7,545 11,323 Recovery of Insurance 347 320 Impairment of Accounts Receivable Provision 27,273 32,707 Renegotiated Provision 1,728 1,905 Non-renegotiated Provision 25,545 30,802
Disclosure of allowance for credit losses [text block]	Expressed in ThUS$ Assets / (Liabilities) Total Realized Hedging Reserve in Gross Hedging with debt as underlying as of December 31, 2020 Hedging Assets 37,276 24,428 12,848 Hedging Liabilities (19,195 ) (12,956 ) (6,239 ) Underlying Debt Hedge 18,081 11,472 6,609 Underlying Investment Coverage as of December 31, 2020 Hedging Assets - - - Hedging Liabilities (21,004 ) (20,626 ) (378 ) Underlying Investments Hedge (21,004 ) (20,626 ) (378 ) Expressed in ThUS$ Assets / (Liabilities) Total Realized Hedging Reserve in Gross Hedging with debt as underlying as of December 31, 2019 Hedging Assets 3,918 (4,194 ) 8,112 Hedging Liabilities (22,771 ) (25,363 ) 2,592 Underlying Debt Hedge (18,853 ) (29,557 ) 10,704 Underlying Investment Coverage as of December 31, 2019 Hedging Assets 17,270 17,857 (587 ) Hedging Liabilities (889 ) (711 ) (178 ) Underlying Investments Hedge 16,381 17,146 (765 ) Hedging Effect in Profit and Equity for the period as of December Variation Total Result Hedge Reserve Variation Analysis Effect by Type of Coverage Underlying Debt Hedge 36,935 41,029 (4,094 ) Underlying Investments Hedge (37,385 ) (37,772 ) 387 Total hedging effect on profit or loss and equity in the period (450 ) 3,257 (3,707 ) Analysis Effect by type of asset Hedging in Current and Non-Current Assets 16,088 10,765 5,323 Hedging in Current and Non-Current Liabilities (16,538 ) (7,508 ) (9,030 ) Total Hedge Effect in Profit or Loss and Equity for the period (450 ) 3,257 (3,707 )
Disclosure of maturity analysis for derivative financial liabilities [text block]	Derivative contract maturities are detailed as follows: Series Contract amount Currency Maturity date ThUS$ H 134,049 UF 01/04/2023 O 58,748 UF 02/01/2022 P 134,228 UF 01/15/2028 Q 106,933 UF 06/01/2030
Disclosure of financial liabilities [text block]	As of December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019, the detail is as follows: As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 Other current and non-current financial Currents Non-Current Total Currents Non-Current Total ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Liabilities at amortized cost Bank borrowings 82 69,376 69,458 199 69,138 69,337 Obligations with the public 36,781 1,816,626 1,853,407 280,578 1,403,108 1,683,686 Derivative financial instruments For hedging 26,699 13,511 40,210 7,183 16,477 23,660 Non-Hedging 5,393 - 5,393 3,168 - 3,168 Total 68,955 1,899,513 1,968,468 291,128 1,488,723 1,779,851
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [text block]	As of December 31, 2020, and 2019, the detail is as follows: Current and non-current bank borrowings As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 ThUS$ ThUS$ Current loans 82 199 Non-current loans 69,376 69,138 Current and non-current loans 69,458 69,337
Disclosure of detailed information about short term borrowings [Text Block]	As of December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019, the detail of this caption is as follows: Debtor Creditor Tax ID No. Company Country Tax ID No. Financial Country Currency or Payment of Repayment Effective rate Nominal rate 93.007.000-9 SQM S.A. Chile O-E Scotiabank Cayman USA USD Upon maturity 05/30/2023 1.00% 1.36% Debtor Creditor Nominal amounts as of December 31, 2020 Current amounts as of December 31, 2020 Company Financial institution Up to 90 days 90 days to 1 year Total Up to 90 days 90 days to 1 Subtotal Borrowing Total ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ SQM S.A. Scotiabank Cayman - - - - 82 82 - 82 Total - - - - 82 82 - 82 Debtor Creditor Currency or Tax ID No Company Country Tax ID Financial institution Country adjustment Repayment maturity Effective rate Nominal rate 93.007.000-9 SQM S.A. Chile Foreign Scotiabank Cayman USA US$ Upon maturity 05/29/2023 2.11% 3.01% Foreign Nitratos Naturais do Chile Lim. Brazil Foreign Banco ITAU Brasil Brazil BRL Upon maturity 12/31/2019 13.57% 4.25% Debtor Creditor Nominal amounts as of December 31, 2019 Current amounts as of December 31, 2019 Company Financial institution Up to 90 days 90 days to 1 Total Up to 90 days 90 days to 1 Subtotal Borrowing Total ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ SQM S.A. Scotiabank Cayman - - - - 187 187 - 187 Nitratos Naturais do Chile Banco ITAU Brasil - - - 12 - 12 - 12 Total - - - 12 187 199 - 199
Disclosure of detailed information about current maturities of unsecured obligations [Text Block]	As of December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019, the detail of current unsecured interest-bearing obligations is composed of promissory notes and bonds, as follows: Debtor Number of Currency or Periodicity Tax ID No. Company Country registration or ID Series Maturity date adjustment Payment of Repayment Effective rate Nominal rate 93.007.000-9 SQM S.A. Chile - MUS$250 01/28/2021 US$ Semiannual Upon maturity 1.95% 4.38% 93.007.000-9 SQM S.A. Chile - MUS$300 04/03/2021 US$ Semiannual Upon maturity 1.08% 3.63% 93.007.000-9 SQM S.A. Chile - MUS$450 05/07/2021 US$ Semiannual Upon maturity 3.59% 4.25% 93.007.000-9 SQM S.A. Chile - MUS$400 01/22/2021 US$ Semiannual Upon maturity 4.17% 4.25% 93.007.000-9 SQM S.A. Chile 564 H 01/05/2021 UF Semiannual Semiannual 0.58% 4.90% 93.007.000-9 SQM S.A. Chile 699 O 02/01/2021 UF Semiannual Upon maturity 2.24% 3.80% 93.007.000-9 SQM S.A. Chile 563 P 01/15/2021 UF Semiannual Upon maturity 2.37% 3.25% 93.007.000-9 SQM S.A. Chile 700 Q 06/01/2021 UF Semiannual Upon maturity 2.92% 3.45% Effective rates of bonds in Pesos and UF are expressed and calculated in Dollars based on the flows agreed in Cross Currency Swap Agreements. Nominal amounts as of December 31, 2020 Carrying amounts of maturities as of December 31, 2020 Company Country Series Up to 90 90 days to 1 Total Up to 90 days 90 days to 1 Subtotal Borrowing Total ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ SQM S.A. Chile MUS$250 4,648 - 4,648 4,648 - 4,648 (433 ) 4,215 SQM S.A. Chile MUS$300 - 2,658 2,658 - 2,658 2,658 (614 ) 2,044 SQM S.A. Chile MUS$450 7,508 - 7,508 7,508 - 7,508 (679 ) 6,829 SQM S.A. Chile MUS$400 - 2,869 2,869 - 2,869 2,869 (237 ) 2,632 SQM S.A. Chile H 18,212 - 18,212 18,212 - 18,212 (172 ) 18,040 SQM S.A. Chile O 962 - 962 962 - 962 (82 ) 880 SQM S.A. Chile P 1,824 - 1,824 1,824 - 1,824 (12 ) 1,812 SQM S.A. Chile Q - 350 350 - 350 350 (21 ) 329 Total 33,154 5,877 39,031 33,154 5,877 39,031 (2,250 ) 36,781 Debtor Number of Currency or Periodicity Tax I No. Company Country registration or ID Series Maturity date adjustment Payment of Repayment Effective rate Nominal rate 93.007.000-9 SQM S.A. Chile - MUS$250 04/21/2020 US$ Semiannual Upon maturity 0.43% 5.50% 93.007.000-9 SQM S.A. Chile - MUS$250 01/28/2020 US$ Semiannual Upon maturity 2.35% 4.38 93.007.000-9 SQM S.A. Chile - MUS$300 04/03/2020 US$ Semiannual Upon maturity 1.42 3.63 93.007.000-9 SQM S.A. Chile - MUS$450 05/07/2020 US$ Semiannual Upon maturity 4.07 4.25 93.007.000-9 SQM S.A. Chile 564 H 01/05/2020 UF Semiannual Semiannual 1.36 4.90 93.007.000-9 SQM S.A. Chile 699 O 02/01/2020 UF Semiannual Upon maturity 2.41 3.80 93.007.000-9 SQM S.A. Chile 563 P 01/15/2020 UF Semiannual Upon maturity 2.71 3.25 93.007.000-9 SQM S.A. Chile 700 Q 06/01/2020 UF Semiannual Upon maturity 3.11 3.45 Nominal amounts as of December 31, 2019 Carrying amounts of maturities as of December 31, 2019 Company Country Series Up to 90 90 days to 1 Total Up to 90 days 90 days to 1 Subtotal Borrowing Total ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ SQM S.A. Chile MUS$250 - 252,674 252,674 - 252,674 252,674 (386 ) 252,288 SQM S.A. Chile MUS$250 4,648 - 4,648 4,648 - 4,648 (433 ) 4,215 SQM S.A. Chile MUS$300 - 2,658 2,658 - 2,658 2,658 (614 ) 2,044 SQM S.A. Chile MUS$450 - 2,869 2,869 - 2,869 2,869 (679 ) 2,190 SQM S.A. Chile H 17,166 - 17,166 17,166 - 17,166 (139 ) 17,027 SQM S.A. Chile O 890 - 890 890 - 890 (67 ) 823 SQM S.A. Chile P 1,686 - 1,686 1,686 - 1,686 (12 ) 1,674 SQM S.A. Chile Q - 323 323 - 323 323 (6 ) 317 Total 24,390 258,524 282,914 24,390 258,524 282,914 (2,336 ) 280,578
Disclosure of detailed information about non current maturities of unsecured obligations [Text Block]	The following table shows the details of bank loans as of December 31, 2020 and 2019: Debtor Creditor Currency or Type of Tax ID No. Company Country Tax ID No. Financial institution Country adjustment index amortization Effective rate Nominal rate 93.007.000-9 SQM S.A. Chile Foreign Scotiabank Cayman USA USD Maturity 1.98% 1.36% Debtor Creditor Nominal non-current maturities as of December 31, 2020 Carrying amounts of maturities as of December 31, 2020 Company Financial institution Between 1 and 2 Between 2 and Between 3 Total Between 1 Between 2 Between 3 Subtotal Costs of Total ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ SQM S.A. Scotiabank Cayman - 70,000 - 70,000 - 70,000 - 70,000 (624 ) 69,376 Total - 70,000 - 70,000 - 70,000 - 70,000 (624 ) 69,376 Debtor Creditor Currency or Tax ID No. Company Country Tax ID No. Financial institution Country adjustment index Type of Effective rate Nominal rate 93.007.000-9 SQM S.A. Chile Foreign Scotiabank Cayman USA USD Maturity 2.84% 3.01% Debtor Creditor Nominal non-current maturities as of December 31, 2019 Carrying amounts of maturities as of December 31, 2019 Company Financial institution Over 1 year Over 2 Over 3 Over 4 Over 5 Total Over 1 year Over 2 Costs of Total ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ SQM S.A. Scotiabank Cayman - - 70,000 70,000 - - 70,000 70,000 (862 ) 69,138 Total - - 70,000 70,000 - - 70,000 70,000 (862 ) 69,138 The following table shows the details of “unsecured debentures that accrue non-current interest” as of December 31, 2020, and 2019: Debtor Number of Currency or Periodicity Tax ID No. Company Country registration or ID Series Maturity date adjustment Payment of Repayment Effective rate Nominal rate 93.007.000-9 SQM S.A. Chile - MUS$250 01/28/2025 US$ Semiannual Upon maturity 4.08% 4.38% 93.007.000-9 SQM S.A. Chile - MUS$300 04/03/2023 US$ Semiannual Upon maturity 3.43% 3.63% 93.007.000-9 SQM S.A. Chile - MUS$450 05/07/2029 US$ Semiannual Upon maturity 4.18% 4.25% 93.007.000-9 SQM S.A. Chile - MUS$400 01/22/2050 US$ Semiannual Upon maturity 4.22% 4.25% 93.007.000-9 SQM S.A. Chile 564 H 01/05/2030 UF Semiannual Semiannual 4.76% 4.90% 93.007.000-9 SQM S.A. Chile 699 O 02/01/2033 UF Semiannual Upon maturity 3.68% 3.80% 93.007.000-9 SQM S.A. Chile 563 P 01/15/2028 UF Semiannual Upon maturity 3.24% 3.25% 93.007.000-9 SQM S.A. Chile 700 Q 06/01/2038 UF Semiannual Upon maturity 3.43% 3.45% Nominal non-current maturities as of December 31, 2020 Carrying amounts of maturities as of December 31, 2020 Series Over 1 Over 2 Over 3 Over 4 Over 5 Total Over 1 Over 2 Over 3 Over 4 Over 5 Subtotal Bond Total ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ MUS$250 - - - 250,000 - 250,000 - - - 250,000 - 250,000 (1,336 ) 248,664 MUS$300 - 300,000 - - - 300,000 - 300,000 - - - 300,000 (781 ) 299,219 MUS$450 - - - - 450,000 450,000 - - - - 450,000 450,000 (5,020 ) 444,980 MUS$400 - - - - 400,000 400,000 - - - - 400,000 400,000 (6,582 ) 393,418 H - - - - 126,386 126,386 - - - - 126,386 126,386 (1,378 ) 125,008 O - - - - 61,334 61,334 - - - - 61,334 61,334 (904 ) 60,430 P - - - - 122,668 122,668 - - - - 122,668 122,668 (77 ) 122,591 Q - - - - 122,668 122,668 - - - - 122,668 122,668 (352 ) 122,316 Total - 300,000 - 250,000 1,283,056 1,833,056 - 300,000 - 250,000 1,283,056 1,833,056 (16,430 ) 1,816,626 Debtor Number of Currency or Periodicity Tax ID No. Company Country registration or ID of the instrument Series Maturity date adjustment index Payment of interest Repayment Effective rate Nominal rate 93.007.000-9 SQM S.A. Chile - MUS$250 01/28/2025 US$ Semiannual Upon maturity 4.08% 4.38% 93.007.000-9 SQM S.A. Chile - MUS$300 04/03/2023 US$ Semiannual Upon maturity 3.43% 3.63% 93.007.000-9 SQM S.A. Chile - MUS$450 05/07/2029 US$ Semiannual Upon maturity 4.19% 4.25% 93.007.000-9 SQM S.A. Chile 564 H 01/05/2030 UF Semiannual Semiannual 4.78% 4.90% 93.007.000-9 SQM S.A. Chile 699 O 02/01/2033 UF Semiannual Upon maturity 3.70% 5.50% 93.007.000-9 SQM S.A. Chile 563 P 01/15/2028 UF Semiannual Upon maturity 3.24% 3.25% 93.007.000-9 SQM S.A. Chile 700 Q 06/01/2038 UF Semiannual Upon maturity 3.45% 3.45% Nominal non-current maturities as of December 31, 2019 Carrying amounts of maturities as of December 31, 2019 Series Over 1 Over 2 Over 3 Over 4 Over 5 Total Over 1 Over 2 Over 3 Over 4 Over 5 Subtotal Bond Total ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ MUS$250 - - - - 250,000 250,000 - - - - 250,000 250,000 (1,514 ) 248,486 MUS$300 - - 300,000 - - 300,000 - - 300,000 - - 300,000 (1,393 ) 298,607 MUS$450 - - - - 450,000 450,000 - - - - 450,000 450,000 (5,923 ) 444,077 H 13,749 13,749 13,749 13,749 75,621 130,617 13,749 13,749 13,749 13,749 75,621 130,617 (1,253 ) 129,364 O - - - - 56,715 56,715 - - - - 56,715 56,715 (811 ) 55,904 P - - - - 113,430 113,430 - - - - 113,430 113,430 (89 ) 113,341 Q - - - - 113,430 113,430 - - - - 113,430 113,430 (101 ) 113,329 Total 13,749 13,749 313,749 13,749 1,059,196 1,414,192 13,749 13,749 313,749 13,749 1,059,196 1,414,192 (11,084 ) 1,403,108
Disclosure of information about issue of series H bonds [Text Block]	For the periods ended December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019, the Company has made the following payments with a charge to the Series H bonds and their associated CCS hedging: Payments made December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Payments of interest, Series H bonds 6,601 7,868 8,325 CCS Coverage 2,575 1,952 495
Disclosure of information about second issue of single series bonds [Text Block]	As of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the detail of payments charged to the line of single series bonds, second issue is as follows Payments made December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Interest payment 6,875 13,750 13,750
Disclosure of information about issue of series O bonds [Text Block]	For the periods ended December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019, the Company has made the following payments with a charge to Series O bonds and their associated CCS hedging Payments made December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Payment of interest, Series O bonds 2,070 2,308 2,457 CCS Coverage 599 354 205
Disclosure of information about third issue of single series bonds [Text Block]	For the periods ended 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019, the following payments have been made with a debit to the line of single-series bonds, third issue: Payments made December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Payment of interest 10,875 10,875 10,875
Disclosure of information about fourth issue of single series bonds [Text Block]	For the periods ended on December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the following payments have been made. Payments made December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Payment of interest 10,938 10,938 10,938
Disclosure of information about issue of series P bonds [Table Text Block]	For the periods ended on December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the following payments and their associated CCS have been made: Payments made December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Payment of interest series P 3,534 3,960 1,085 CCS Coverage 3,439 2,995 1,421
Disclosure of information about issue of series Q bonds [Table Text Block]	For the years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the following payments have been made: Payments made December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Payment of interest series Q 3,769 3,791 319 CCS Coverage 1,021 - -
Disclosure of information about fifth issue of single series bonds [Text Block]	For the periods ended on December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the following payments have been made: Payments made December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Payment of interest 19,125 9,563 -
Disclosure of information about sixth issue of single series bonds [Text Block]	Payments made December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Payment of interest 8,500 - -
Disclosure of trade and other payables [text block]	13.5 Trade and other payables a) Details trade and other payables As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 Details trade and other payables Current Non-current Total Current Non-current Total ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Accounts payable 203,346 - 203,346 205,414 - 205,414 Other accounts payable 587 - 587 376 - 376 Prepayments from customers - 4,027 4,027 - - - Total 203,933 4,027 207,960 205,790 - 205,790
Disclosure of detailed information about the current and past due suppliers [Text Block]	As of December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019, the balance of current and past due accounts payable is made up as follows: Suppliers current on all payments Amounts according to payment periods as of December 31, 2020 Type of Supplier Up to 30 31 - 60 61 - 90 91 - 120 121 - 365 366 and more Total ThUS$ Goods 111,323 1,947 123 31 5 4,027 117,456 Services 46,187 1,380 16 757 86 - 48,426 Others 29,325 7 - - - - 29,332 Total 186,835 3,334 139 788 91 4,027 195,214 Amounts according to payment periods as of December 31, 2019 Type of Supplier Up to 30 31 - 60 61 - 90 91 - 120 121 - 365 366 and more Total ThUS$ Goods 126,577 4,655 128 116 2,019 - 133,495 Services 51,785 168 - - 87 - 52,040 Others 8,741 146 - - - 8,887 Total 187,103 4,969 128 116 2,106 - 194,422 Suppliers past due on payments Amounts according to payment periods as of December 31, 2020 Type of Supplier Up to 30 31 - 60 61 - 90 91 - 120 121 - 365 366 and more Total ThUS$ Goods 1,305 59 47 39 517 - 1,967 Services 2,298 764 - 453 505 - 4,020 Others 3,258 150 371 118 2,275 - 6,172 Total 6,861 973 418 610 3,297 - 12,159 Amounts according to payment periods as of December 31 2019 Type of Supplier Up to 30 31 - 60 61 - 90 91 - 120 121 - 365 366 and more Total ThUS$ Goods 2,086 264 35 65 1,060 - 3,510 Services 3,073 329 116 387 580 - 4,485 Others 1,918 45 311 215 508 - 2,997 Total 7,077 638 462 667 2,148 - 10,992
Disclosure of detailed information about categories of financial assets [Text Block]	a) Financial Assets As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 Description of financial assets Current Non-current Total Current Non-current Total ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Cash and cash equivalent 509,102 - 509,102 588,530 - 588,530 Trade receivables due from related parties at amortized cost 62,601 - 62,601 61,227 - 61,227 Financial assets measured at amortized cost 345,459 80 345,539 485,689 75 485,764 Loans and receivables measured at amortized cost 365,206 11,165 376,371 399,142 1,710 400,852 Total financial assets measured at amortized cost 1,282,368 11,245 1,293,613 1,534,588 1,785 1,536,373 Financial instruments for hedging purposes through equity - 37,276 37,276 17,270 3,918 21,188 Financial instruments held for trading at through profit or loss 2,610 - 2,610 2,531 - 2,531 Financial assets classified as available for sale at fair value through equity - 14,569 14,569 - 4,785 4,785 Total financial assets at fair value 2,610 51,845 54,455 19,801 8,703 28,504 Total financial assets 1,284,978 63,090 1,348,068 1,554,389 10,488 1,564,877
Disclosure of detailed information about categories of financial liabilities [Text Block]	b) Financial Liabilities As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 Description of financial liabilities Current Non-current Total Current Non-current Total ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ For hedging purposes through equity 26,699 13,511 40,210 7,183 16,477 23,660 Held for trading at fair value through profit or loss 5,393 - 5,393 3,168 - 3,168 Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss 32,092 13,511 45,603 10,351 16,477 26,828 Bank loans 82 69,376 69,458 199 69,138 69,337 Obligations to the public 36,781 1,816,626 1,853,407 280,578 1,403,108 1,683,686 Lease Liabilities 5,528 25,546 31,074 7,694 30,203 37,897 Trade and other payables 203,933 4,027 207,960 205,790 - 205,790 Trade payables due to related parties 606 - 606 475 - 475 Total financial liabilities at amortized cost 246,930 1,915,575 2,162,505 494,736 1,502,449 1,997,185 Total financial liabilities 279,022 1,929,086 2,208,108 505,087 1,518,926 2,024,013
Disclosure of fair value measurement [text block]	As of December 31, 2020 Measurement Methodology Fair value measurement of assets and liabilities Carrying Amount at Fair value Book Value Fair Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Financial Assets Cash and cash equivalents 509,102 509,102 - - 509,102 - Other current financial assets - Time deposits 345,459 345,459 - - 345,459 - - Derivative financial instruments - Forwards - - 2,263 - 2,263 - - Options - - 347 - 347 - Non-current accounts receivable 11,165 11,165 - - - - Other non-current financial assets: - Other 99 99 - - 99 - - Actions - - 14,549 14,549 - - - Hedging assets – Swaps - - 37,276 - 37,276 - Other current financial liabilities - Bank loans 82 82 - - 82 - - Derivative instruments - - - - - - - Forwards - - 4,614 - 4,614 - - Options - - 780 - 780 - -Hedging liabilities - Swaps - - 5,695 - 5,695 - -Inversions -Swaps - - 21,004 - 21,004 - - Unsecured obligations 36,781 36,781 - - 36,781 - - Current lease liabilities 5,528 5,528 - - 5,528 - Other non-current financial liabilities - Bank loans 69,376 71,029 - - 71,029 - - Unsecured obligations 1,816,626 2,355,943 - - 2,355,943 - - Non-current hedging liabilities - - 13,511 - 13,511 - - Non-current lease liabilities 25,546 26,027 - - 26,027 - As of December 31, 2019 Measurement methodology Fair value measurement of assets and liabilities Carrying Amount at Fair value Book Value Fair Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Financial Assets Cash and cash equivalents 588,530 588,530 - - 588,530 - Other current financial assets: - Time deposits 485,689 485,689 - - 485,689 - -Derivative financial instruments - - - - - - - Forwards - 2,420 - 2,420 - - Options - - 111 - 111 - -Investment hedge swaps - - 17,270 - 17,270 - Non-current accounts receivable 1,710 1,710 - - - - Other non-current financial assets - Other 94 94 - - 94 - - Actions - - 4,785 4,785 - - - Hedging assets – Swaps - - 3,918 - 3,918 - Other current financial liabilities - Bank loans 199 199 - - 199 - -Derivative instruments - - - - - - - Forwards - - 2,837 - 2,837 - - Options - - 289 - 289 - - Hedging liabilities – Swaps - - 7,183 - 7,183 - - Unsecured obligations 280,578 280,578 - - 280,578 - -Current lease liabilities 7,694 7,694 - - 7,694 - Other non-current financial liabilities: - Bank loans 69,138 71,033 - - 71,033 - - Unsecured obligations 1,403,108 1,658,506 - - 1,658,506 - - Non-current hedging liabilities - - 16,477 - 16,477 - - Non-current lease liabilities 30,203 33,187 - - 33,187 -

Right-of-use assets and Lease_2

Right-of-use assets and Lease liabilities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Presentation of leases for lessee [abstract]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [text block]	14.1 Right-of-use assets
Disclosure of lease liabilities by classification [Table Text Block]	As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 Lease liabilities Current Non-Current Current Non-Current ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Lease liabilities 5,528 25,546 7,694 30,203 Total 5,528 25,546 7,694 30,203
Disclosure details of lease agreement [Table Text Block]	i) Current and non-current lease liabilities Debtor Creditor Contract Type of Maturity Tax ID No. Company Country TAX ID No. Supplier Country indexation unit amortization date Effective rate 79.626.800-K SQM Salar S.A. Chile 83.776.000-3 Empresa Constructora Contex Ltda Chile UF Monthly 03-31-2021 0% 79.626.800-K SQM Salar S.A. Chile 76.146.110-9 Transportes, Construcción y Servicios Cribach Ltda Chile Peso Monthly 09-01-2020 8.93 79.626.800-K SQM Salar S.A. Chile 76.065.017-K SKM Industrial Ltda. Chile Peso Monthly 06-01-2022 8.93% 79.626.800-K SQM Salar S.A. Chile 96.862.140-8 Ameco Chile S.A. Chile Peso Monthly 04-24-2021 4.07% 79.947.100-0 SQM Industrial S.A. Chile 96.856.400-5 El Trovador S.A. Chile UF Monthly 02-08-2030 3.10% 79.947.100-0 SQM Industrial S.A. Chile 76.976.580-8 Sociedad Comercial Grandleasing Chile Ltda Chile UF Monthly 08-26-2024 2.72% 79.768.170-9 Soquimich Comercial S.A. Chile 76.729.932-K SAAM Logistics S.A. Chile UF Monthly 08-01-2022 0.81% 79.768.170-9 Soquimich Comercial S.A. Chile 91.577.000-2 Muelles de Penco S.A. Chile UF Monthly 07-06-2023 1.30% 79.768.170-9 Soquimich Comercial S.A. Chile 91.577.000-2 Muelles de Penco S.A. Chile UF Monthly 07-06-2023 1.30% 79.768.170-9 Soquimich Comercial S.A. Chile 76.722.280-7 Inmobiliaria Chincui SPA Chile UF Monthly 05-01-2028 3.38% 79.768.170-9 Soquimich Comercial S.A. Chile 96.565.580-8 Compañía de Leasing Tattersall S.A. Chile UF Monthly 05-24-2021 6.18% Foreign SQM North America Corp. USA Foreign Paces West LL. USA Dollar Monthly 12-31-2027 3.36% Foreign SQM North America Corp. USA Foreign Hawkins Nunmber One, LLC USA Dollar Monthly 08-31-2024 3.33% Foreign SQM Comercial de México S.A. de C.V. Mexico Foreign Onni Ensenada S.A. de C.V. Mexico Dollar Monthly 12-03-2026 3.45% Foreign SQM Comercial de México S.A. de C.V. Mexico Foreign Madol Inmobiliaria S.A. de C.V. Mexico Mexican Peso Monthly 10-31-2023 7.84% Foreign SQM Comercial de México S.A. de C.V. Mexico Foreign Madol Inmobiliaria S.A. de C.V. Mexico Mexican Peso Monthly 10-31-2023 7.84% Foreign SQM Europe N.V. Belgium Foreign Straatsburgdok N.V. Belgium Euro Monthly 03-31-2027 1.30% Foreign SQM Australia PTY Australia Foreign The trust Company (Australia) Pty Ltd Australia Australian dollar Monthly 01-31-2021 3.60%
Disclosure details of current lease liabilities [Table Text Block]	(a) As of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, current lease liabilities are analyzed as follows: Debtor Creditor Nominal amounts as of December 31,2020 Amounts at amortized cost as of December 31, 2020 Company Supplier Up to 90 days 90 days to 1 year Total Up to 90 days 90 days to 1 year Total ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ SQM Salar S.A. Empresa Constructora Contex Ltda 536 - 536 536 - 536 SQM Salar S.A. Transportes, Construcción y Servicios Cribach Ltda - - - - - - SQM Salar S.A. SKM Industrial Ltda. 202 607 809 181 566 747 SQM Salar S.A. Ameco Chile S.A. 135 - 135 134 - 134 SQM Industrial S.A. El Trovador S.A. 466 1,399 1,865 353 1,076 1,429 SQM Industrial S.A. Sociedad Comercial Grandleasing Chile Ltda 180 540 720 164 498 662 Soquimich Comercial S.A. SAAM Logistics S.A. - - - - - - Soquimich Comercial S.A. Muelles de Penco S.A. 41 124 165 54 107 161 Soquimich Comercial S.A. Muelles de Penco S.A. 44 133 177 57 115 172 Soquimich Comercial S.A. Inmobiliaria Chincui SPA 157 471 628 123 376 499 Soquimich Comercial S.A. Compañía de Leasing Tattersall S.A. 55 18 73 54 18 72 SQM North America Corp. Paces West LL. 53 163 216 41 128 169 SQM North America Corp. Hawkins Nunmber One, LLC 31 96 127 28 85 113 SQM Comercial de México S.A. de C.V. Onni Ensenada S.A. de C.V. 99 296 395 81 246 327 SQM Comercial de México S.A. de C.V. Madol Inmobiliaria S.A. de C.V. 20 59 79 16 49 65 SQM Comercial de México S.A. de C.V. Madol Inmobiliaria S.A. de C.V. 7 21 28 6 18 24 SQM Europe N.V. Straatsburgdok N.V. 91 302 393 83 279 362 SQM Australia PTY The trust Company (Australia) Pty Ltd 14 42 56 14 42 56 Total 2,131 4,271 6,402 1,925 3,603 5,528 Debtor Creditor Nominal amounts as of December 31,2019 Amounts at amortized cost as of December 31, 2019 Company Supplier Up to 90 days 90 days to 1 year Total Up to 90 days 90 days to 1 year Total ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ SQM Salar S.A. Empresa Constructora Contex Ltda 554 1,662 2,216 506 1,578 2,084 SQM Salar S.A. Transportes, Construcción y Servicios Cribach Ltda 74 124 198 71 121 192 SQM Salar S.A. SKM Industrial Ltda. 202 607 809 166 519 685 SQM Salar S.A. Ameco Chile S.A. 135 404 539 129 394 523 SQM Industrial S.A. El Trovador S.A. 466 1,399 1,865 343 1,044 1,387 SQM Industrial S.A. Sociedad Comercial Grandleasing Chile Ltda 180 540 720 159 485 644 Soquimich Comercial S.A. SAAM Logistics S.A. 106 142 248 103 140 243 Soquimich Comercial S.A. Muelles de Penco S.A. 45 60 105 44 59 103 Soquimich Comercial S.A. Muelles de Penco S.A. 48 64 112 47 64 111 Soquimich Comercial S.A. Inmobiliaria Chincui SPA 157 471 628 119 363 482 Soquimich Comercial S.A. Compañía de Leasing Tattersall S.A. 55 164 219 51 157 208 SQM North America Corp. Paces West LL. 49 156 205 34 116 150 SQM North America Corp. Hawkins Nunmber One, LLC 31 93 124 26 81 107 SQM Comercial de México S.A. de C.V. Onni Ensenada S.A. de C.V. 99 296 395 78 238 316 SQM Comercial de México S.A. de C.V. Madol Inmobiliaria S.A. de C.V. 20 59 79 15 46 61 SQM Comercial de México S.A. de C.V. Madol Inmobiliaria S.A. de C.V. 7 21 28 5 16 21 SQM Europe N.V. Straatsburgdok N.V. 91 273 364 82 247 329 SQM Australia PTY The trust Company (Australia) Pty Ltd 16 32 48 16 32 48 Total 2,335 6,567 8,902 1,994 5,700 7,694
Disclosure details of non current lease liabilities [Table Text Block]	As of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Non-current lease liabilities are analyzed as follows: Debtor Creditor Nominal amounts as of December 31,2020 Amounts at amortized cost as of December 31, 2020 Company Supplier 1-2 2-3 3-4 Total 1-2 2-3 3-4 Total ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ SQM Salar S.A. Empresa Constructora Contex Ltda - - - - - - - - SQM Salar S.A. Transportes, Construcción y Servicios Cribach Ltda - - - - - - - - SQM Salar S.A. SKM Industrial Ltda. 337 - - 337 330 - - 330 SQM Salar S.A. Ameco Chile S.A. - - - - - - - - SQM Industrial S.A. El Trovador S.A. 3,730 5,594 5,905 15,229 2,993 4,847 5,622 13,462 SQM Industrial S.A. Sociedad Comercial Grandleasing Chile Ltda 1,441 420 - 1,861 1,379 417 - 1,796 Soquimich Comercial S.A. SAAM Logistics S.A. - - - - - - - - Soquimich Comercial S.A. Muelles de Penco S.A. 262 - - 262 163 96 - 259 Soquimich Comercial S.A. Muelles de Penco S.A. 281 - - 281 175 103 - 278 Soquimich Comercial S.A. Inmobiliaria Chincui SPA 1,255 1,883 889 4,027 1,047 1,707 867 3,621 Soquimich Comercial S.A. Compañía de Leasing Tattersall S.A. - - - - - - - - SQM North America Corp. Paces West LL. 452 730 258 1,440 377 668 253 1,298 SQM North America Corp. Hawkins Nunmber One, LLC 263 90 - 353 249 89 - 338 SQM Comercial de México S.A. de C.V. Onni Ensenada S.A. de C.V. 789 1,151 - 1,940 689 1,094 - 1,783 SQM Comercial de México S.A. de C.V. Madol Inmobiliaria S.A. de C.V. 144 - - 144 133 - - 133 SQM Comercial de México S.A. de C.V. Madol Inmobiliaria S.A. de C.V. 52 - - 52 48 - - 48 SQM Europe N.V. Straatsburgdok N.V. 816 1,339 113 2,268 768 1,308 113 2,189 SQM Australia PTY The trust Company (Australia) Pty Ltd 11 - - 11 11 - - 11 Total 9,833 11,207 7,165 28,205 8,362 10,329 6,855 25,546 Debtor Creditor Nominal amounts as of December 31,2019 Amounts at amortized cost as of December 31, 2019 Company Supplier 1-2 Years 2-3 Years 3-4 Years Total 1-2 Years 2-3 Years 3-4 Years Total ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ SQM Salar S.A. Empresa Constructora Contex Ltda 554 - - 554 547 - - 547 SQM Salar S.A. Transportes, Construcción y Servicios Cribach Ltda - - - - - - - - SQM Salar S.A. SKM Industrial Ltda. 1,147 - - 1,147 1,077 - - 1,077 SQM Salar S.A. Ameco Chile S.A. 135 - - 135 134 - - 134 SQM Industrial S.A. El Trovador S.A. 3,730 5,594 7,373 16,697 2,903 4,701 7,287 14,891 SQM Industrial S.A. Sociedad Comercial Grandleasing Chile Ltda 1,441 1,141 - 2,582 1,342 1,115 - 2,457 Soquimich Comercial S.A. SAAM Logistics S.A. - - - - - - - - Soquimich Comercial S.A. Muelles de Penco S.A. - - - - - - - - Soquimich Comercial S.A. Muelles de Penco S.A. - - - - - - - - Soquimich Comercial S.A. Inmobiliaria Chincui SPA 1,255 1,883 1,464 4,602 1,013 1,651 1,455 4,119 Soquimich Comercial S.A. Compañía de Leasing Tattersall S.A. 73 - - 73 72 - - 72 SQM North America Corp. Paces West LL. 439 709 508 1,656 351 627 492 1,470 SQM North America Corp. Hawkins Nunmber One, LLC 257 224 - 481 234 217 - 451 SQM Comercial de México S.A. de C.V. Onni Ensenada S.A. de C.V. 789 1,184 362 2,335 665 1,088 356 2,109 SQM Comercial de México S.A. de C.V. Madol Inmobiliaria S.A. de C.V. 157 65 - 222 135 63 - 198 SQM Comercial de México S.A. de C.V. Madol Inmobiliaria S.A. de C.V. 57 24 - 81 49 23 - 72 SQM Europe N.V. Straatsburgdok N.V. 801 1,295 564 2,660 744 1,248 559 2,551 SQM Australia PTY The trust Company (Australia) Pty Ltd 55 - - 55 55 - - 55 Total 10,890 12,119 10,271 33,280 9,321 10,733 10,149 30,203

Intangible assets and goodwill

Intangible assets and goodwill (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Disclosure Of Intangible Assets And Goodwill [Abstract]
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets and goodwill explanatory [Text Block]	As of December 31, 2020 Intangible assets and goodwill Useful life Net Value ThUS$ IT programs Finite 4,826 Mining rights Finite 150,046 Water rights and rights of way. Indefinite 23,343 Customer-related intangible assets Finite - Other intangible assets Finite 192 Intangible assets other than goodwill 178,407 Goodwill Indefinite 41,966 Total Intangible Asset 220,373 As of December 31, 2019 Intangible assets and goodwill Useful life Net value ThUS$ IT programs Finite 6,011 Mining rights Finite 157,570 Water rights and rights of way. Indefinite 23,342 Customer-related intangible assets Finite 1,273 Other intangible assets. Finite 162 Intangible assets other than goodwill 188,358 Goodwill Indefinite 34,726 Total Intangible Assets 223,084
Disclosure of reconciliation of changes in intangible assets and goodwill [text block]	a) Movements in identifiable intangible assets as of December 31, 2020: Gross Value IT programs Mining rights, Water rights, and Customer-related Other intangible Goodwill Identifiable ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Opening Balance 34,471 158,337 25,423 1,778 2,188 38,120 260,317 Additions 508 2,295 - - 72 7,380 10,255 Other increases / decreases for foreign currency exchange rates 5 - 1 - - - 6 Decreases through sale - (136 ) - - - - (136 ) Other increases (decreases) 297 - - - 14 - 311 Total increases (decreases) 810 2,159 1 - 86 7,380 10,436 Closing balance 35,281 160,496 25,424 1,778 2,274 45,500 270,753 Accumulated amortization and impairment IT programs Mining rights, Water rights, and Customer-related Other intangible Goodwill Identifiable ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Opening Balance (28,460 ) (767 ) (2,081 ) (505 ) (2,026 ) (3,394 ) (37,233 ) Other increases / decreases for foreign currency exchange rates - - - - - - - Other increases (decreases) - (2 ) - - - - (2 ) Impairment losses recognized in profit for the year (14 ) (654 ) - (990 ) - (140 ) (1,798 ) Amortization (1,981 ) (9,027 ) - (283 ) (56 ) - (11,347 ) Total increases (decreases) (1,995 ) (9,683 ) - (1,273 ) (56 ) (140 ) (13,147 ) Closing balance (30,455 ) (10,450 ) (2,081 ) (1,778 ) (2,082 ) (3,534 ) (50,380 ) Net value IT programs Mining rights, Water rights, and Customer-related Other intangible Goodwill Identifiable ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Opening Balance 6,011 157,570 23,342 1,273 162 34,726 223,084 Additions 508 2,295 - - 72 7,380 10,255 Amortization (1,981 ) (9,027 ) - (283 ) (56 ) - (11,347 ) Impairment losses recognized in profit for the year (14 ) (654 ) - (990 ) - (140 ) (1,798 ) Other increases / decreases for foreign currency exchange rates 5 - 1 - - - 6 Decreases through sale - (136 ) - - - - (136 ) Other increases (decreases) 297 (2 ) - - 14 - 309 Total increases (decreases) (1,185 ) (7,524 ) 1 (1,273 ) 30 7,240 (2,711 ) Closing balance 4,826 150,046 23,343 - 192 41,966 220,373 Movements in identifiable intangible assets as of December 31, 2019: Gross Value Movements in identifiable intangible assets IT programs Mining rights, Water rights, Customer-related Other intangible Goodwill Identifiable ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Opening Balance 29,137 159,424 25,425 1,778 2,165 38,120 256,049 Additions 2,606 227 - - 23 - 2,856 Other increases / decreases of foreign currency (7 ) - (2 ) - - - (9 ) Decreases through sale - (1,314 ) - - - - (1,314 ) Other increases (decreases) 2,735 - - - - - 2,735 Total increases (decreases) 5,334 (1,087 ) (2 ) - 23 - 4,268 Closing balance 34,471 158,337 25,423 1,778 2,188 38,120 260,317 Accumulated amortization and impairment IT programs Mining rights, Water rights, Customer-related Other intangible Goodwill Identifiable ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Opening Balance (24,569 ) (168 ) (1,649 ) (205 ) (1,988 ) (3,254 ) (31,833 ) Other increases / decreases of foreign currency 3 - - - - - 3 Other increases (decreases) (256 ) - - - - - (256 ) Impairment losses recognized in profit for the year - (481 ) (432 ) - - (140 ) (1,053 ) Amortization (3,638 ) (118 ) - (300 ) (38 ) - (4,094 ) Total increases (decreases) (3,891 ) (599 ) (432 ) (300 ) (38 ) (140 ) (5,400 ) Closing balance (28,460 ) (767 ) (2,081 ) (505 ) (2,026 ) (3,394 ) (37,233 ) Net value Movements in Identifiable intangible assets IT programs Mining rights, Water rights, Customer-related Other intangible Goodwill Identifiable ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Opening Balance 4,568 159,256 23,776 1,573 177 34,866 224,216 Additions 2,606 227 - - 23 - 2,856 Amortization (3,638 ) (118 ) - (300 ) (38 ) - (4,094 ) Impairment losses recognized in profit or loss for the year - (481 ) (432 ) - - (140 ) (1,053 ) Other increases / decreases of foreign currency (4 ) - (2 ) - - - (6 ) Decreases through sale - (1,314 ) - - - (1,314 ) Other increases (decreases) 2,479 - - - - - 2,479 Total increases (decreases) 1,443 (1,686 ) (434 ) (300 ) (15 ) (140 ) (1,132 ) Closing balance 6,011 157,570 23,342 1,273 162 34,726 223,084
Disclosure of reconciliation of changes in goodwill	(b) Movements in identifiable goodwill as of December 31, 2020 Gross Value Movements in identifiable goodwill Goodwill at the start of Additional recognition Impairment losses recognized Total increase (decrease) Goodwill at end of period ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ SQM Industrial S.A. 3,214 - - - 3,214 SQM S.A. 22,255 - - - 22,255 SQM Iberian S.A. 148 - - - 148 SQM Investment Corporation 86 - - - 86 Soquimich Comercial S.A. 320 - - - 320 Soquimich European Holding B.V. 11,373 10 - 10 11,383 SQM Holland B.V. - 7,370 - 7,370 7,370 SQM Potasio S.A. 724 - - - 724 Total increases (decreases) 38,120 7,380 - 7,380 45,500 Closing balance 38,120 7,380 - 7,380 45,500 Accumulated impairment Movements in identifiable goodwill Goodwill at the start of Additional recognition Impairment losses recognized Total increase (decrease) Goodwill at end of period ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ SQM Industrial S.A. (3,214 ) - - - (3,214 ) SQM S.A. - - - - - SQM Iberian S.A. - - - - - SQM Investment Corporation - - - - - Soquimich Comercial S.A. (180 ) - (140 ) (140 ) (320 ) Soquimich European Holding B.V. - - - - - SQM Holland B.V. - - - - - SQM Potasio S.A. - - - - - Total increases (decreases) (3,394 ) - (140 ) (140 ) (3,534 ) Closing balance (3,394 ) - (140 ) (140 ) (3,534 ) Net Value Movements in identifiable goodwill Goodwill at the start of Additional recognition Impairment losses recognized Total increase (decrease) Goodwill at end of period ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ SQM Industrial S.A. - - - - - SQM S.A. 22,255 - - - 22,255 SQM Iberian S.A. 148 - - - 148 SQM Investment Corporation 86 - - - 86 Soquimich Comercial S.A. 140 - (140 ) (140 ) - Soquimich European Holding B.V. 11,373 10 - 10 11,383 SQM Holland B.V. - 7,370 - 7,370 7,370 SQM Potasio S.A. 724 - - - 724 Total increases (decreases) 34,726 7,380 (140 ) 7,240 41,966 Closing balance 34,726 7,380 (140 ) 7,240 41,966 Movements in identifiable goodwill as of December 31, 2019 Gross Value Movements in identifiable goodwill Goodwill at the start of the Additional recognition Impairment losses recognized Total increase (decrease) Goodwill at end of period ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ SQM Industrial S.A. 3,214 - - - 3,214 SQM S.A. 22,255 - - - 22,255 SQM Iberian S.A. 148 - - - 148 SQM Investment Corporation 86 - - - 86 Soquimich Comercial S.A. 320 - - - 320 Soquimich European Holding B.V. 11,373 - - - 11,373 SQM Potasio S.A. 724 - - - 724 Total increases (decreases) 38,120 - - - 38,120 Closing balance 38,120 - - - 38,120 Accumulated impairment Movements in identifiable goodwill Goodwill at the start of the Additional recognition Impairment losses recognized Total increase (decrease) Goodwill at end of period ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ SQM Industrial S.A. (3,214 ) - - - (3,214 ) SQM S.A. - - - - - SQM Iberian S.A. - - - - - SQM Investment Corporation - - - - - Soquimich Comercial S.A. (40 ) - (140 ) (140 ) (180 ) Soquimich European Holding B.V. - - - - - SQM Potasio S.A. - - - - - Total increases (decreases) (3,254 ) - (140 ) (140 ) (3,394 ) Closing balance (3,254 ) - (140 ) (140 ) (3,394 ) Net Value Movements in identifiable goodwill Goodwill at the start of Additional recognition Impairment losses recognized Total increase (decrease) Goodwill at end of period ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ SQM Industrial S.A. - - - - - SQM S.A. 22,255 - - - 22,255 SQM Iberian S.A. 148 - - - 148 SQM Investment Corporation 86 - - - 86 Soquimich Comercial S.A. 280 - (140 ) (140 ) 140 Soquimich European Holding B.V. 11,373 - - - 11,373 SQM Potasio S.A. 724 - - - 724 Total increases (decreases) 34,866 - (140 ) (140 ) 34,726 Closing balance 34,866 - (140 ) (140 ) 34,726

Property, plant and equipment (

Property, plant and equipment (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Disclosure of detailed information about property, plant and equipment [abstract]
Disclosure of detailed information about property, plant and equipment [text block]	16.1 Types of property, plant and equipment Description of types of property, plant and equipment As of December 31, As of December 31, ThUS$ ThUS$ Property, plant and equipment, net Land 23,579 23,620 Buildings 239,666 227,173 Other property, plant and equipment 35,418 32,645 Transport equipment 2,880 2,686 Supplies and accessories 4,183 4,579 Office equipment 459 420 Network and communication equipment 1,272 663 Mining assets 47,052 23,174 IT equipment 4,083 4,359 Energy generating assets 4,878 5,998 Constructions in progress 486,345 375,316 Machinery, plant and equipment 887,504 869,273 Total 1,737,319 1,569,906 Property, plant and equipment, gross Land 23,579 23,620 Buildings 705,089 666,027 Other property, plant and equipment 234,238 257,247 Transport equipment 13,030 12,143 Supplies and accessories 26,101 25,531 Office equipment 11,607 11,441 Network and communication equipment 8,951 8,009 Mining assets 194,562 161,619 IT equipment 29,629 28,693 Energy generating assets 38,540 38,495 Constructions in progress 486,345 375,316 Machinery, plant and equipment 3,304,061 3,142,461 Total 5,075,732 4,750,602 Accumulated depreciation and value impairment of property, plant and equipment, total Accumulated depreciation and impairment of buildings (465,423 ) (438,854 ) Accumulated depreciation and impairment of other property, plant and equipment (198,820 ) (224,602 ) Accumulated depreciation and impairment of transport equipment (10,150 ) (9,457 ) Accumulated depreciation and impairment of supplies and accessories (21,918 ) (20,952 ) Accumulated depreciation and impairment of office equipment (11,148 ) (11,021 ) Accumulated depreciation and impairment of network and communication equipment (7,679 ) (7,346 ) Accumulated depreciation and impairment of mining assets (147,510 ) (138,445 ) Accumulated depreciation and impairment of IT equipment (25,546 ) (24,334 ) Accumulated depreciation and impairment of energy generating assets (33,662 ) (32,497 ) Accumulated depreciation and impairment of machinery, plant and equipment (2,416,557 ) (2,273,188 ) Total (3,338,413 ) (3,180,696 ) Description of classes of property, plant and equipment As of December 31, As of December 31, ThUS$ ThUS$ Property, plant and equipment, net Pumps 28,184 32,525 Conveyor Belt 20,117 21,911 Crystallizer 22,145 24,102 Plant Equipment 173,335 170,263 Tanks 15,367 14,159 Filter 35,553 27,080 Electrical equipment/facilities 93,937 92,090 Other Property, Plant & Equipment 49,930 53,409 Site Closure 36,828 12,056 Piping 102,578 96,402 Well 226,347 238,670 Pond 41,906 41,319 Spare Parts (1) 41,277 45,287 Total 887.504 869,273 (1) Spare parts is presented net of provision. The reconciliation of the spare parts provision as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 is as follows: Reconciliation As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 ThUS$ ThUS$ Opening balance 39,265 32,414 Increase in provisions 3,616 6,851 Closing balance 42,881 39,265
Disclosure of reconciliation of changes in property, plant and equipment [Text Block]	16.2 Conciliation of changes in property, plant and equipment by type: Reconciliation of changes in property, plant and equipment by class as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019: Reconciliation of changes in property, plant and equipment by class as of December 31, 2020, gross amount Land Buildings Other Transport Supplies Equipment Network and Mining IT Energy Assets Machinery, Property, ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Opening balance 23,620 666,027 257,247 12,143 25,531 11,441 8,009 161,619 28,693 38,495 375,316 3,142,461 4,750,602 Additions - 838 278 - 82 33 386 - 429 - 319,192 987 322,225 Disposals - - (33,048 ) - (1 ) - - - - - - (149 ) (33,198 ) Increase (decrease) in foreign currency translation difference 22 49 2 1 5 - - - 12 - - 53 144 Reclassifications - 32,179 9,940 886 488 133 558 32,943 548 45 (203,412 ) 125,692 - Other increases (decreases) (27 ) 5,996 (181 ) - (4 ) - (2 ) - (53 ) - (4,751 ) 35,017 35,995 Decreases for classification as held for sale (36 ) - - - - - - - - - - - (36 ) Total changes (41 ) 39,062 (23,009 ) 887 570 166 942 32,943 936 45 111,029 161,600 325,130 Closing balance 23,579 705,089 234,238 13,030 26,101 11,607 8,951 194,562 29,629 38,540 486,345 3,304,061 5,075,732 Reconciliation of changes in property, plant and equipment by class as of December 31, 2020, accumulated depreciation Land Buildings Other Transport Supplies Equipment Network and Mining IT Energy Assets Machinery, Property, ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Opening balance - (438,854 ) (224,602 ) (9,457 ) (20,952 ) (11,021 ) (7,346 ) (138,445 ) (24,334 ) (32,497 ) - (2,273,188 ) (3,180,696 ) Changes Disposals - - 33,048 - 1 - - - - - - 148 33,197 Depreciation expense - (26,779 ) (7,284 ) (692 ) (966 ) (126 ) (335 ) (9,065 ) (1,242 ) (1,165 ) - (134,230 ) (181,884 ) Impairment - (23 ) (21 ) - - - - - (12 ) - - (9,507 ) (9,563 ) Increase (decrease) in foreign currency translation difference - (20 ) (2 ) (1 ) (4 ) (1 ) - - (10 ) - - (28 ) (66 ) Reclassifications - - - - - - - - - - - - - Other increases (decreases) (1) - 253 41 - 3 - 2 - 52 - - 248 599 Decreases for classification as held for sale - - - - - - - - - - - - - Total changes - (26,569 ) 25,782 (693 ) (966 ) (127 ) (333 ) (9,065 ) (1,212 ) (1,165 ) - (143,369 ) (157,717 ) Closing balance - (465,423 ) (198,820 ) (10,150 ) (21,918 ) (11,148 ) (7,679 ) (147,510 ) (25,546 ) (33,662 ) - (2,416,557 ) (3,338,413 ) Reconciliation of changes in property, plant and equipment by class as of December 31, 2020, net amount Land Buildings Other Transport Supplies Equipment Network and Mining IT Energy Assets Machinery, Property, ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Opening balance 23,620 227,173 32,645 2,686 4,579 420 663 23,174 4,359 5,998 375,316 869,273 1,569,906 Additions - 838 278 - 82 33 386 - 429 - 319,192 987 322,225 Disposals - - - - - - - - - - - (1 ) (1 ) Depreciation expense - (26,779 ) (7,284 ) (692 ) (966 ) (126 ) (335 ) (9,065 ) (1,242 ) (1,165 ) - (134,230 ) (181,884 ) Deterioration - (23 ) (21 ) - - - - - (12 ) - - (9,507 ) (9,563 ) Increase (decrease) in foreign currency translation difference 22 29 - - 1 (1 ) - - 2 - - 25 78 Reclassifications - 32,179 9,940 886 488 133 558 32,943 548 45 (203,412 ) 125,692 - Other increases (decreases) (1) (27 ) 6,249 (140 ) - (1 ) - - - (1 ) - (4,751 ) 35,265 36,594 Decreases for classification as held for sale (2) (36 ) - - - - - - - - - - - (36 ) Total changes (41 ) 12,493 2,773 194 (396 ) 39 609 23,878 (276 ) (1,120 ) 111,029 18,231 167,413 Closing balance 23,579 239,666 35,418 2,880 4,183 459 1,272 47,052 4,083 4,878 486,345 887,504 1,737,319 (1) The net balance of “Other Increases (Decreases)” corresponds to all those items that are reclassified to or from “Property, Plant and Equipment”, They can have the following origin: (i) work in progress which is expensed to profit or loss, forming part of operating costs or other expenses per function, as appropriate; (ii) the variation representing the purchase and use of materials and spare parts; (iii) projects corresponding mainly to exploration expenditures and ground studies that are reclassified to the item other non-current financial assets; (iv) software that is reclassified to “Intangibles (v) Provisions related to the investment plan and assets related to closing the site. (2) The Company classifies as non-current held for sale property, plant and equipment (disposal group) that, at the closing date of the financial statements, is subject to a commitment for sale or where the sales process has been initiated and where the sale is expected to occur within twelve months of that date, is classified by the Company as non-current assets held for sale. These assets or disposal groups are valued at the lower of carrying amount or the estimated sales value less the costs to sell and stop being amortized from the moment they are classified as non-current assets held for sale. Reconciliation of changes in property, plant and equipment by class as of December 31, 2019, gross amount Land Buildings Other Transport Supplies Equipment Network and Mining IT Energy Assets Machinery, Property, ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ $ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Opening balance 24,695 648,719 245,731 11,668 24,456 11,377 7,505 132,309 29,955 36,930 207,830 3,068,862 4,450,037 Additions - 290 332 - 37 43 159 - 492 - 314,236 6,077 321,666 Disposals - - (858 ) - - - - - (3 ) - - (17 ) (878 ) Increase (decrease) in foreign currency translation difference (35 ) (72 ) (4 ) (2 ) (9 ) (3 ) - - (6 ) - - (72 ) (203 ) Reclassifications 132 18,526 12,456 477 745 - 89 16,901 1,289 1,565 (140,104 ) 88,088 164 Other increases (decreases) - - (410 ) - 302 24 256 12,409 (3,034 ) - (6,646 ) (20,477 ) (17,576 ) Decreases for classification as held for sale (1,172 ) (1,436 ) - - - - - - - - - - (2,608 ) Total changes (1,075 ) 17,308 11,516 475 1,075 64 504 29,310 (1,262 ) 1,565 167,486 73,599 300,565 Closing balance 23,620 666,027 257,247 12,143 25,531 11,441 8,009 161,619 28,693 38,495 375,316 3,142,461 4,750,602 Reconciliation of changes in property, plant and equipment by class as of December 31, 2019, accumulated depreciation Land Buildings Other Transport Supplies Equipment Network and Mining IT Energy Assets Machinery, Property, ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Opening balance - (409,911 ) (217,556 ) (8,776 ) (19,734 ) (10,864 ) (6,813 ) (120,808 ) (24,975 ) (30,813 ) - (2,144,964 ) (2,995,214 ) Changes Disposals - - 858 - - - - - 1 - - - 859 Depreciation expense - (29,000 ) (8,013 ) (683 ) (1,144 ) (161 ) (426 ) (7,033 ) (1,158 ) (1,676 ) - (138,999 ) (188,293 ) Impairment - (49 ) - - - - - - - - - - (49 ) Increase (decrease) in foreign currency translation difference - 28 3 1 7 1 - - 5 - - 34 79 Reclassifications - 7 (6 ) 1 6 - 1 - (5 ) - - (207 ) (203 ) Other increases (decreases) (1) - (209 ) 112 - (87 ) 3 (108 ) (10,604 ) 1,798 (8 ) - 10,948 1,845 Decreases for classification as held for sale - 280 - - - - - - - - - - 280 Total changes - (28,943 ) (7,046 ) (681 ) (1,218 ) (157 ) (533 ) (17,637 ) 641 (1,684 ) - (128,224 ) (185,482 ) Closing balance - (438,854 ) (224,602 ) (9,457 ) (20,952 ) (11,021 ) (7,346 ) (138,445 ) (24,334 ) (32,497 ) - (2,273,188 ) (3,180,696 ) Reconciliation of changes in property, plant and equipment by class as of December 31, 2019, net amount Land Buildings Other Transport Supplies Equipment Network and Mining IT Energy Assets Machinery, Property, ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Opening balance 24,695 238,808 28,175 2,892 4,722 513 692 11,501 4,980 6,117 207,830 923,898 1,454,823 Additions - 290 332 - 37 43 159 - 492 - 314,236 6,077 321,666 Disposals - - - - - - - - (2 ) - - (17 ) (19 ) Depreciation expense - (29,000 ) (8,013 ) (683 ) (1,144 ) (161 ) (426 ) (7,033 ) (1,158 ) (1,676 ) - (138,999 ) (188,293 ) Impairment - (49 ) - - - - - - - - - - (49 ) Increase (decrease) in foreign currency translation difference (35 ) (44 ) (1 ) (1 ) (2 ) (2 ) - - (1 ) - - (38 ) (124 ) Reclassifications 132 18,533 12,450 478 751 - 90 16,901 1,284 1,565 (140,104 ) 87,881 (39 ) Other increases (decreases) (1) - (209 ) (298 ) - 215 27 148 1,805 (1,236 ) (8 ) (6,646 ) (9,529 ) (15,731 ) Decreases for classification as held for sale (2) (1,172 ) (1,156 ) - - - - - - - - - - (2,328 ) Total changes (1,075 ) (11,635 ) 4,470 (206 ) (143 ) (93 ) (29 ) 11,673 (621 ) (119 ) 167,486 (54,625 ) 115,083 Closing balance 23,620 227,173 32,645 2,686 4,579 420 663 23,174 4,359 5,998 375,316 869,273 1,569,906 (1) The net balance of “Other increases (Decreases)” corresponds to all those items that are reclassified to or from property, plant and equipment, They can have the following origin: (i) work in progress which is expensed to profit or loss, forming part of operating costs or other expenses per function, as appropriate;, (ii) the variation representing the purchase and use of materials and spare parts; (iii) projects corresponding mainly to exploration expenditures and ground studies that are reclassified to the item other non-current financial assets; (iv) software that is reclassified to “Intangibles”, (v) Assets related to closing the site. (2) The Company classifies as non-current held for sale property, plant and equipment (disposal group) that, at the closing date of the financial statements, is subject to a commitment for sale or where the sales process has been initiated and where the sale is expected to occur within twelve months of that date, is classified by the Company as non-current assets held for sale. These assets or disposal groups are valued at the lower of carrying amount or the estimated sales value less the costs to sell and stop being amortized from the moment they are classified as non-current assets held for sale.
Disclosure of rates and costs for capitalized interest of property, plant and equipment [Text Block]	Costs of capitalized interest As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 ThUS$ ThUS$ Capitalized interest rate 4 % 4 % Amount of costs for interest capitalized in ThUS$ 8,462 7,841

Other current and non-current_2

Other current and non-current non-financial assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Disclosure of other non-financial assets [Abstract]
Disclosure of detailed information about other current and non-current non-financial assets [Text Block]	As of December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019, the detail of “Other Current and Non-current Assets” is as follows: Other non-financial assets, current As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 ThUS$ ThUS$ Domestic Value Added Tax 18,107 17,807 Foreign Value Added Tax 7,785 8,566 Prepaid mining licenses 1,025 1,244 Prepaid insurance 10,307 7,135 Other prepayments 946 1,423 Refund of Value Added Tax to exporters 14,316 10,560 Other taxes 4,499 3,213 Other assets 414 604 Total 57,399 50,552 Other non-financial assets, non-current As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 ThUS$ ThUS$ Exploration and evaluation expenses (1) 17,883 18,654 Guarantee deposits 731 551 Other assets 3,428 524 Total 22,042 19,729 (1) Reconciliation of changes in assets for exploration and mineral resource evaluation, by type.
Disclosure of reconciliation of changes in assets for exploration and mineral resource evaluation [Text Block]	Movements in assets for the exploration and evaluation of mineral resources as of December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019: Conciliation As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 As of December 31, 2018 ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Opening balance 18,654 26,189 17,721 Change in assets for exploration and evaluation of mineral resources Additions - - 11,298 Short term reclassifications (526 ) (1,311 ) 1,987 Increase (decrease) due to transfers and other charges (245 ) (6,224 ) (4,817 ) Total changes (771 ) (7,535 ) 8,468 Total 17,883 18,654 26,189

Employee benefits (Tables)

Employee benefits (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Disclosure of detailed information about provision for employee benefits [Abstract]
Disclosure of detailed information about provision for employee benefits [Text Block]	Classes of benefits and expenses by employee As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 ThUS$ ThUS$ Current Profit sharing and bonuses 7,770 - Performance bonds and operational targets 1,326 16,387 Total 9,096 16,387 Non-current Profit sharing and bonuses - 8,026 Severance indemnity payments 32,199 27,814 Total 32,199 35,840
Disclosure of detailed information about post employment benefit obligations [Text Block]	Reconciliation As of As of As of Changes in the benefit obligation ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Benefit obligation at the beginning of the year 9,586 8,657 8,755 Service cost - - - Interest cost 280 336 319 Actuarial loss 506 984 63 Benefits paid (508 ) (391 ) (480 ) Total 9,864 9,586 8,657 Reconciliation As of As of As of Changes in the plan assets ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Fair value of plan assets at the beginning of the year 8,754 8,404 8,751 Actual return (loss) in plan assets 4,642 741 133 Benefits paid (508 ) (391 ) (480 ) Fair value of plan assets at the end of the year 12,888 8,754 8,404 Financing status 3,025 (832 ) (253 ) Items not yet recognized as net periodic pension cost components: Net actuarial loss at the beginning of the year (3,634 ) (3,022 ) (2,614 ) Amortization during the year 326 242 160 Net estimated gain or loss occurred during the year 3,500 (854 ) (568 ) Adjustment to recognize the minimum pension obligation 192 (3,634 ) (3,022 ) Service cost or benefits received during the year As of As of As of ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Service cost or benefits received during the year - - - Interest cost in benefit obligation 280 336 319 Actual return in plan assets 4,642 741 133 Amortization of prior year losses 326 242 160 Net gain during the year 3,500 (854 ) (568 ) Net periodic pension expense (31 ) (33 ) (159 )
Disclosure of net defined benefit liability (asset) [text block]	As of December 31, 2020, and 2019, severance indemnities calculated at the actuarial value are as follows: Staff severance indemnities As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 As of December 31, 2018 ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Opening balance (27,814 ) (28,233 ) (27,445 ) Current cost of Service (3,804 ) (2,880 ) (1,529 ) Interest cost (1,486 ) (1,661 ) (1,658 ) Actuarial gain/loss (2,826 ) (2,514 ) (1,617 ) Exchange rate difference (1,513 ) 2,475 2,710 Benefits paid during the year 5,244 4,999 1,306 Total (32,199 ) (27,814 ) (28,233 )
Disclosure of detailed information about employee Actuarial assumption rate [Text Block]	The liability recorded for staff severance indemnity is valued at the actuarial value method, using the following actuarial assumptions: Actuarial assumptions As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 As of December 31, 2018 Annual/Years Mortality rate RV - 2014 RV - 2014 RV - 2014 Actual annual interest rate 3.65 % 3.68 % 4.64 % Voluntary retirement rate: Men 6.49 % 6.49 % 6.49 % Annual Women 6.49 % 6.49 % 6.49 % Annual Salary increase 3.00 % 3.00 % 3.00 % Annual Retirement age: Men 65 65 65 Years Women 60 60 60 Years
Disclosure Of Sensitivity Analysis For Actuarial Assumptions Explanatory [Text Block]	As of December 31, 2020, and 2019, the Company has conducted a sensitivity analysis of the main assumptions of the actuarial calculation, determining the following: Sensitivity analysis as of December 31, 2020 Effect + 100 basis points Effect - 100 basis points ThUS$ ThUS$ Discount rate (1,985 ) 2,234 Employee turnover rate (261 ) 291 Sensitivity analysis as of December 31, 2019 Effect + 100 basis points Effect - 100 basis points ThUS$ ThUS$ Discount rate (1,796 ) 2,021 Employee turnover rate (236 ) 263

Provisions and other non-fina_2

Provisions and other non-financial liabilities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Disclosure of other provisions [abstract]
Disclosure of detailed information about provisions [Text Block]	19.1 Types of provisions As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 Types of provisions Current Non-current Total Current Non-current Total ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Provision for legal complaints (1) 8,905 1,260 10,165 13,472 1,452 14,924 Provision for dismantling, restoration and rehabilitation cost (2) - 61,265 61,265 - 33,238 33,238 Other provisions (3) 95,261 92 95,353 97,093 - 97,093 Total 104,166 62,617 166,783 110,565 34,690 145,255 (1) These provisions correspond to legal processes that are pending resolution or that have not yet been disbursed, these provisions are mainly related to litigation involving the subsidiaries located in Chile, Brazil and the United States (see note 21.1). (2) The commitments related to Sernageomin have been incorporated through the issuance of the guarantee for the restoration of the place where the production sites are located. (3) See Note 19.2
Description of detailed information about other current and noncurrent provision [Text Block]	19.2 Description of other provisions Current provisions, other short-term provisions As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 ThUS$ ThUS$ Rent under Lease contract (1) 85,167 90,320 Provision for additional tax related to foreign loans 740 543 End of agreement bonus 8,159 3,641 Directors’ per diem allowance 698 1,802 Miscellaneous provisions 497 787 Total 95,261 97,093 (1) Payment Obligations for the lease contract with CORFO: These correspond to obligations assumed in the Lease Agreement. Our subsidiary SQM Salar holds exclusive rights to exploit the mineral resources in an area covering approximately 140,000 hectares of land in the Salar de Atacama in northern Chile, of which SQM Salar is only entitled to exploit the mineral resources in 81,920 hectares. These rights are owned by Corfo and leased to SQM Salar pursuant to the Lease Agreement. Corfo cannot unilaterally amend the Lease Agreement and the Project Agreement, and the rights to exploit the resources cannot be transferred. The Lease Agreement establishes that SQM Salar is responsible for making quarterly lease payments to Corfo according to specified percentages of the value of production of minerals extracted from the Salar de Atacama brines, maintaining Corfo’s rights over the Mining Exploitation Concessions and making annual payments to the Chilean government for such concession rights. The Lease Agreement was entered into in 1993 and expires on December 31, 2030. On January 17, 2018, SQM and CORFO reached an agreement to end an arbitration process directed by the arbitrator, Mr. Héctor Humeres Noguer, in case 1954-2014 of the Arbitration and Mediation Center of Santiago Chamber of Commerce and other cases related to it.
Disclosure of other current liabilities [text block]	19.3 Other non-financial liabilities, Current Description of other liabilities As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 ThUS$ ThUS$ Tax withholdings 1,208 3,345 VAT payable 1,642 3,465 Guarantees received 2,636 2,641 Accrual for dividend 8,027 68,890 Monthly tax provisional payments 8,407 16,659 Deferred income 6,435 3,033 Withholdings from employees and salaries payable 5,017 4,575 Accrued vacations (1) 24,003 21,686 Other current liabilities 3,580 2,605 Total 60,955 126,899 (1) Vacation benefit (short-term benefits to employees, current) is in line with the provisions established in Chile’s Labor Code, which indicates that employees with more than a year of service will be entitled to annual vacation for a period of at least fifteen paid business days. The Company provides the benefit of two additional vacation days.
Disclosure of reconciliation of changes in other provisions [Text Block]	19.4 Changes in provisions Description of items that gave rise to variations as of December 31, 2020 Legal complaints Provision for Others provisions Total ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Total provisions, initial balance 14,924 33,238 97,093 145,255 Changes Additional provisions 62,922 30,974 60,685 154,581 Provision used (67,685 ) - (59,939 ) (127,624 ) Increase(decrease) in foreign currency exchange 4 - (2,486 ) (2,482 ) Others - (2,947 ) - (2,947 ) Total Increase (decreases) (4,759 ) 28,027 (1,740 ) 21,528 Total 10,165 61,265 95,353 166,783 Description of items that gave rise to variations as of December 31, 2019 Legal complaints Provision for Others provisions Total ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Total provisions, initial balance 14,862 28,822 94,335 138,019 Changes Additional provisions 4,111 - 150,314 154,425 Provision used (4,049 ) - (147,532 ) (151,581 ) Increase(decrease) in foreign currency exchange - - (24 ) (24 ) Others - 4,416 - 4,416 Total Increase (decreases) 62 4,416 2,758 7,236 Total 14,924 33,238 97,093 145,255 Description of items that gave rise to variations as of December 31, 2018 Legal complaints Provision for Others provisions Total ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Total provisions, initial balance 19,419 26,954 47,073 93,446 Changes Additional provisions 1,000 1,820 181,244 184,064 Provision used (5,557 ) - (133,949 ) (139,506 ) Increase(decrease) in foreign currency exchange - - - - Others - 48 (33 ) 15 Total Increase (decreases) (4,557 ) 1,868 47,262 44,573 Total 14,862 28,822 94,335 138,019

Disclosures on reserves in Eq_2

Disclosures on reserves in Equity (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Disclosure of detailed information about controls capital management [Abstract]
Disclosure of detailed information about controls capital management [Text Block]	Capital Management As of December 31, As of Description (1) Calculation (1) Net Financial Debt (ThUS$) 1,074,020 681,912 Financial Debt – Financial Resources Other current Financial Liabilities + Other Non-Current Financial Liabilities– Cash and Cash Equivalents – Other Current Financial Assets – Hedging Assets, non-current Liquidity 5.40 3.45 Current Assets divided by Current Liabilities Total Current Assets / Total Current Liabilities ROE 7.79 % 13.15 % Profit for the year divided by Total Equity LTM (2) Adjusted EBITDA (ThUS$) 579,765 644,223 Adjusted EBITDA Profit for the year + Depreciation and Amortization Expenses + Finance Costs + Income Tax – Other income and Share of profit of associates and joint ventures + Other expenses – Finance income – Currency differences EBITDA (ThUS$) 524,650 668,912 EBITDA Profit for the year + Depreciation and Amortization Expenses + Finance Costs + Income Tax ROA 9.83 % 12.76 % Adjusted EBITDA – Depreciation divided by Total Assets net of financial resources less related parties’ investments (LTM Gross Profit – Administrative Expenses)/ (Total Assets – Cash and Cash Equivalents – Other Current Financial Assets – Other Non-Current Financial Assets – Equity-accounted Investments) Indebtedness 0.50 0.32 Total Liabilities on Equity Total Liabilities / Total Equity
Disclosure of classes of share capital [text block]	Detail of capital classes in shares: As of December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019, the Company has not placed any new shares issues on the market Type of capital in preferred shares As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 Series A Series B Series A Series B Description of type of capital in shares Number of authorized shares 142,819,552 120,376,972 142,819,552 120,376,972 Number of fully subscribed and paid shares 142,819,552 120,376,972 142,819,552 120,376,972 Number of subscribed, partially paid shares - - - - Par value of shares in US$ 0.9435 2.8464 0.9435 2.8464 Increase (decrease) in the number of current shares - - - - Number of current shares 142,819,552 120,376,972 142,819,552 120,376,972 Number of shares owned by the entity or its subsidiaries or associates - - - - Number of shares whose issuance is reserved due to the existence of options or agreements to dispose shares - - - - Capital amount in shares ThUS$ 134,750 342,636 134,750 342,636 Amount of premium issuance ThUS$ - - - - Amount of reserves ThUS$ - - - - Total number of subscribed shares 142,819,552 120,376,972 142,819,552 120,376,972 20.3 Disclosures on reserves in Equity As of December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019, this caption comprises the following: Disclosures on reserves in equity As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 As of December 31, 2018 ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Reserve for currency exchange conversion (1) (11,569 ) (25,745 ) (26,307 ) Reserve for cash flow hedges (2) 4,491 7,196 7,971 Reserve for gains and losses from financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income (3) 6,872 (270 ) (1,111 ) Reserve for actuarial gains or losses in defined benefit plans (4) (8,680 ) (9,490 ) (6,884 ) Other reserves 16,318 14,086 11,332 Total 7,432 (14,223 ) (14,999 )
Disclosure of detailed information about movement in other reserves [Text Block]	Movements in other reserves and changes in interest were as follows: Foreign Reserve for cash flow hedges Reserve for actuarial gains Reserve for gains (losses) Other Total reserves Before Before Before Deferred Before Deferred Before Deferred Total Movements taxes taxes Tax taxes taxes taxes taxes taxes Reserves Taxes reserves ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Opening balance as of January 1, 2018 (24,913 ) 2,248 - (6,847 ) 894 4,787 (1,850 ) 11,332 (13,393 ) (956 ) (14,349 ) Increase 6,542 14,794 - 674 (133 ) 294 (79 ) - 22,304 (212 ) 22,092 Decrease (7,936 ) (9,071 ) - (2,003 ) 531 (5,841 ) 1,578 - (24,851 ) 2,109 (22,742 ) Closing balance as of December 31, 2018 (26,307 ) 7,971 - (8,176 ) 1,292 (760 ) (351 ) 11,332 (15,940 ) 941 (14,999 ) Increase 1,824 8,628 (2,683 ) - - 1,570 (424 ) 3,093 15,115 (3,107 ) 12,008 Decrease (1,262 ) (6,720 ) - (3,306 ) 700 (418 ) 113 (339 ) (12,045 ) 813 (11,232 ) Closing balance as of December 31, 2019 (25,745 ) 9,879 (2,683 ) (11,482 ) 1,992 392 (662 ) 14,086 (12,870 ) (1,353 ) (14,223 ) Increase 15,732 - - 3,858 430 11,885 (3,180 ) 2,121 33,596 (2,750 ) 30,846 Decrease (1,556 ) (3,706 ) 1,001 (2,903 ) (575 ) (2,101 ) 538 111 (10,155 ) 964 (9,191 ) Closing balance as of December 31, 2020 (11,569 ) 6,173 (1,682 ) (10,527 ) 1,847 10,176 (3,304 ) 16,318 10,571 (3,139 ) 7,432
Disclosure of detailed information about legal reserves reported in the individual financial statements of the subsidiaries [Text Block]	Subsidiary – Associate As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 As of December 31, 2018 ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ SQM Iberian S.A. 9,464 9,464 9,464 SQM Europe NV 1,957 1,957 1,957 Soquimich European holding B.V. 828 828 828 Abu Dhabi Fertilizer Industries WWL 455 455 455 Doktor Tarsa Tarim Sanayi AS - 305 305 Kore Potash PLC 3,170 2,754 - Total 15,874 15,763 13,009 Other derivative reserves of the acquisition of subsidiaries, which was already under Company ownership at the acquisition date (IAS 27R) SQM Iberian S.A. (1,677 ) (1,677 ) (1,677 ) Orcoma Estudios SPA 2,121 - - Total Other reserves 16,318 14,086 11,332
Disclosure of dividends [text block]	Dividends discounted from equity from January to December 2020 and 2019 were the following: Dividends December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Ajay SQM Chile S.A. Dividends 556 882 823 Ajay SQM Chile S.A Payable Dividend 682 - - Soquimich Comercial S.A. Potential Dividend 5,904 3,936 7,872 Soquimich Comercial S.A. Payable Dividend 2,976 1,999 1,038 Non-controlling interests 10,118 6,817 9,733 Interim dividend 44,986 211,224 331,199 Potential dividend 100,000 - 100,000 Dividends payable 4,369 66,891 108,631 Owners of the Parent 149,355 278,115 539,830 Dividends discounted from equity for the period 159,473 284,932 549,563

Contingencies and restrictions

Contingencies and restrictions (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Disclosure of contingent liability [Abstract]
Disclosure of detailed information about financial indicators [Text Block]	As of December 31, 2020, the above-mentioned financial indicator has the following values: Indicator As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 Leverage 0.50 0.32
Disclosure of detailed information about grantor obligations [Text Block]	Grantor Relationship As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 ThUS$ ThUS$ Ferosor Agrícola S.A. Unrelated Third party 5,626 5,372 Tattersall Agroinsumos S.A. Unrelated Third party 2,000 2,000 Covepa SPA Unrelated Third party 703 671 Johannes Epple Davanzo Unrelated Third party 314 300 Hortofrutícola La Serena Unrelated Third party 303 282 Com. Serv Johannes Epple Davanz Unrelated Third party 408 269 Juan Luis Gaete Chesta Unrelated Third party 190 182 Arena Fertilizantes y Semillas Unrelated Third party 211 201 Vicente Oyarce Castro Unrelated Third party 229 213 Bernardo Guzmán Schmidt Unrelated Third party 130 121 Total 10,114 9,611

Gains (losses) from operating_2

Gains (losses) from operating activities in the statement of income, included according to their nature (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Disclosure Of Revenue From Products and Services [Abstract]
Disclosure of disaggregation of revenue from contracts with customers [text block]	The Group derives revenues from the sale of goods (which are recognized at one point in time) and from the provision of services (which are recognized over time) and are distributed among the following geographical areas and main product and service lines. (a) Geographic areas: For the period ended December 31, 2020 Geographic areas Specialty Iodine and Lithium and Potassium Industrial Other Total Chile 100,353 1,234 399 23,963 4,059 23,737 153,745 Latin America and the Caribbean 69,535 10,843 1,597 72,697 4,951 367 159,990 Europe 145,896 142,161 49,719 30,029 11,585 735 380,125 North America 246,737 90,292 25,558 39,432 23,963 1,588 427,570 Asia and Others 139,167 90,127 306,100 43,173 116,050 1,144 695,761 Total 701,688 334,657 383,373 209,294 160,608 27,571 1,817,191 For the period ended as of December 31, 2019 Geographic areas Specialty Iodine and Lithium and Potassium Industrial Other Total Chile 109,975 1,064 599 27,371 39,512 33,336 211,857 Latin America and the Caribbean 78,872 7,972 3,593 64,868 6,354 269 161,928 Europa 149,992 123,525 76,250 27,973 15,289 735 393,764 North America 243,399 90,070 45,810 43,312 27,798 883 451,272 Asia and Others 141,682 148,389 379,462 48,627 5,922 752 724,834 Total 723,920 371,020 505,714 212,151 94,875 35,975 1,943,655 For the period ended as of December 31, 2018 Geographic areas Specialty Iodine and Lithium and Potassium Industrial Other Total ThUS$ Chile 111,595 1,052 700 25,593 4,575 45,834 189,349 Latin America and the Caribbean 77,737 6,389 3,598 80,192 12,098 177 180,191 Europe 200,229 112,080 103,430 46,068 17,384 473 479,664 North America 240,995 83,587 68,254 50,685 27,347 647 471,515 Asia and Others 151,195 121,864 558,819 64,936 46,863 1,407 945,084 Total 781,751 324,972 734,801 267,474 108,267 48,538 2,265,803
Disclosure Of Revenue By Products Text Block [Text Block]	(b) Main product and service lines: For the period from January to December of the year Products and Services 2020 2019 2018 ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Specialty plant nutrition 701,688 723,920 781,751 - Sodium Nitrates 18,291 20,679 17,688 -Potassium nitrate and sodium potassium nitrate 424,041 457,477 527,945 - Specialty Blends 163,033 153,739 145,511 - Other specialty fertilizers 96,323 92,025 90,607 Iodine and derivatives 334,657 371,020 324,972 Lithium and derivatives 383,373 505,714 734,801 Potassium 209,294 212,151 267,474 Industrial chemicals 160,608 94,875 108,267 Other 27,571 35,975 48,538 - Services 3,241 3,410 4,017 - Income from property leases 1,457 1,438 1,474 - Income from subleases on right-of-use assets 176 261 - - Commodities 11,938 16,176 18,581 -Other ordinary income of Commercial Offices 10,759 14,690 24,466 Total 1,817,191 1,943,655 2,265,803
Disclosure of cost of sales [text block]	23.2 Cost of sales Cost of sales broken down by nature of expense For the period from January to Nature of expense 2020 2019 2018 ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Raw materials and consumables used (287,877 ) (271,912 ) (260,869 ) Classes of employee benefit expenses (178,956 ) (178,493 ) (203,571 ) Depreciation expense (182,410 ) (188,157 ) (212,641 ) Depreciation of Right-of-use Assets (contracts under IFRS 16) (5,814 ) (5,450 ) - Amortization expense (12,655 ) (5,102 ) (6,376 ) Investment plan expenses (14,286 ) (18,367 ) (11,860 ) Provision for site closure (911 ) (911 ) (2,045 ) Provision for materials, spare parts and supplies 640 (7,500 ) 1,721 Contractors (142,001 ) (120,793 ) (120,923 ) Operating leases (57,461 ) (47,708 ) (37,245 ) Mining concessions (6,645 ) (7,856 ) (8,168 ) Operations transport (68,730 ) (56,376 ) (64,352 ) Freight / product transport costs (52,156 ) (46,264 ) (51,387 ) Purchase of products from third parties (224,115 ) (210,583 ) (182,695 ) Insurance (17,657 ) (16,968 ) (11,923 ) CORFO rights and other agreements (74,418 ) (143,861 ) (182,954 ) Export costs (71,718 ) (75,908 ) (107,418 ) Expenses related to Variable Parts Leases (contracts under IFRS 16) (1,133 ) (1,037 ) - Variation in inventory 97,467 52,557 20,597 Variation in inventory provision 7,244 17,107 (8,997 ) Other (40,729 ) (50,021 ) (34,525 ) Total (1,334,321 ) (1,383,603 ) (1,485,631 )
Disclosure of detailed information about other income [Text Block]	23.3 Other income Other income For the period from January to December of the year 2020 2019 2018 ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Discounts obtained from suppliers 665 676 705 Fines charged to suppliers 267 483 698 Taxes recovered 346 457 996 Amounts recovered from insurance 14,719 492 443 Overestimate of provisions for third-party obligations 118 983 375 Sale of assets classified as properties, plant and equipment 3,222 2,422 1,536 Options on mining rights 5,852 5,298 16,095 Easements, pipelines and roads 1,619 7,204 10,806 Mining licenses and notary costs reimbursed 85 203 394 Total 26,893 18,218 32,048
Description of detailed information about employee benefits by nature of expenses [Text Block]	23.4 Administrative expenses Administrative expenses For the period from January to December of the year 2020 2019 2018 ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Employee benefit expenses (55,152 ) (60,255 ) (63,880 ) Marketing costs (2,377 ) (3,911 ) (3,078 ) Amortization expenses (91 ) (5 ) (15 ) Entertainment expenses (4,858 ) (5,783 ) (4,805 ) Advisory services (13,880 ) (13,862 ) (12,848 ) Lease of buildings and facilities (3,111 ) (3,653 ) (4,556 ) Insurance (3,478 ) (2,553 ) (1,758 ) Office expenses (6,204 ) (7,327 ) (8,165 ) Contractors (5,079 ) (4,874 ) (5,730 ) Depreciation of Right-of-use Assets (contracts under IFRS 16) (2,617 ) (2,501 ) - Other expenses, by nature (10,170 ) (12,456 ) (13,291 ) Total (107,017 ) (117,180 ) (118,126 )
Disclosure of detailed information about other expenses [Text Block]	23.5 Other expenses Other expenses For the period from January to December of the year 2020 2019 2018 ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Depreciation and amortization expense Depreciation of assets not in use (42 ) (136 ) (59 ) Subtotal (42 ) (136 ) (59 ) Impairment losses (reversals of impairment losses) recognized in profit for the year Properties, plant and equipment (9,563 ) (49 ) (1,390 ) Intangible assets other than goodwill (1,658 ) (913 ) (1,736 ) Goodwill (140 ) (140 ) (3,254 ) Amortization of intangible assets (283 ) - - Subtotal (11,644 ) (1,102 ) (6,380 ) Other expenses, by nature Legal expenses (69,965 ) (9,277 ) (15,139 ) VAT and other unrecoverable taxes (626 ) (613 ) (1,187 ) Fines paid (314 ) (145 ) (965 ) Investment plan expenses (864 ) (1,693 ) (7,555 ) Exploration expenses (5,262 ) (5,537 ) (5,864 ) Donations (8,793 ) (5,026 ) (4,502 ) Reorganization of related businesses - - 6,000 Other operating expenses (2,102 ) (2,466 ) (1,256 ) Subtotal (87,926 ) (24,757 ) (30,468 ) Total (99,612 ) (25,995 ) (36,907 )
Disclosure of detailed information about other income expenses [Text Block]	23.6 Other gains (losses) For the period from January to December of the year Other income (expenses) 2020 2019 2018 ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Adjust previous year application method of participation (49 ) (985 ) (664 ) Losses in the sale of investments in associates (11,830 ) - (759 ) Impairment of interests in associates 7,235 631 (8,802 ) Losses in the sale of investments in joint Ventures (481 ) - 14,507 Others (188 ) (29 ) 2,122 Total (5,313 ) (383 ) 6,404
Disclosure of detailed information about impairment reversion of value of financial assets impairment Losses [Text Block]	23.7 (Impairment) /reversion of value of financial assets impairment losses For the period from January to Description 2020 2019 2018 ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ (Impairment) /reversion of value of financial assets impairment losses (See Note 13.2) 4,684 (1,057 ) 2,967 Total 4,684 (1,057 ) 2,967
Disclosure of detailed information about expenses by nature [Text Block]	23.8 Summary of expenses by nature The following summary considers notes 23.2, 23.4 and 23.5 Expenses by nature For the period from January to December of the year 2020 2019 2018 ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Raw materials and consumables (287,877 ) (271,912 ) (260,869 ) Classes of Employee Benefit Expenses (234,108 ) (238,748 ) (267,451 ) Depreciation and amortization expense Depreciation expense (182,452 ) (188,293 ) (212,700 ) Depreciation of Right-of-use Assets (8,431 ) (7,951 ) - Impairment of Value (1,658 ) (913 ) (1,390 ) Properties, plant and equipment (9,563 ) (49 ) (3,254 ) Goodwill (140 ) (140 ) - Amortization expense (13,029 ) (5,107 ) (8,127 ) Legal expenses (69,965 ) (9,277 ) (15,139 ) Investment plan expenses (15,150 ) (20,060 ) (19,415 ) Exploration expenses (5,262 ) (5,537 ) (5,864 ) Provision for site closure (911 ) (911 ) (2,045 ) Provision for materials, spare parts and supplies 640 (7,500 ) 1,721 Contractors (147,080 ) (125,667 ) (126,653 ) Operation leases (60,572 ) (51,361 ) (41,801 ) Mining concessions (6,645 ) (7,856 ) (8,168 ) Operation transport (68,730 ) (56,376 ) (64,352 ) Freight and product transport costs (52,156 ) (46,264 ) (51,387 ) Purchase of products from third parties (224,115 ) (210,583 ) (182,695 ) CORFO rights y other agreements (74,418 ) (143,861 ) (182,954 ) Export costs (71,718 ) (75,908 ) (107,418 ) Expenses related to Variable Parts Leases (IFRS 16) (1,133 ) (1,037 ) - Insurance (21,135 ) (19,521 ) (13,681 ) Restructuring of joint ventures 6,000 Consultant and advisor services (13,880 ) (13,862 ) (12,848 ) Variation in gross inventory 97,467 52,557 20,597 Variation in provision on product inventory 7,244 17,107 (8,997 ) Other expenses (76,173 ) (87,748 ) (71,774 ) Total expenses by nature (1,540,950 ) (1,526,778 ) (1,640,664 )
Disclosure of interest expense [text block]	23.9 Finance expenses For the period from January to December of the year Finance expenses 2020 2019 2018 ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Interest expense from bank borrowings and overdrafts (2,797 ) (2,133 ) (1,707 ) Interest expense from bonds (87,030 ) (72,984 ) (55,887 ) Interest expense from loans (1,598 ) (2,682 ) (3,093 ) Capitalized interest expenses 8,462 7,841 5,021 Financial expenses for restoration and rehabilitation provisions 2,947 (4,417 ) (960 ) Interest on lease agreement (1,133 ) (1,535 ) - Other finance costs (1,050 ) (1,029 ) (1,181 ) Total (82,199 ) (76,939 ) (57,807 )
Disclosure of finance income [text block]	23.10 Finance income For the period from January to December of the year Finance income 2020 2019 2018 ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Interest from term deposits 10,260 15,345 13,758 Interest from marketable securities 2,147 6,765 6,253 Interest from maintenance of minimum bank balance in current account 18 - 262 Other finance income 1,031 4,130 2,195 Other finance interest 259 49 65 Total 13,715 26,289 22,533

Reportable segments (Tables)

Reportable segments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Disclosure of entity's operating segments [Abstract]
Disclosure of entity's operating segments [text block]	Operating segment items as of December 31, 2020 Specialty Iodine and its Lithium and Industrial Potassium Other Reportable Operating Unallocated Total as of ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Revenue 701,688 334,657 383,373 160,608 209,294 27,571 1,817,191 1,817,191 - 1,817,191 Revenues from transactions with other operating segments of the same entity - - - - - - - - - - Revenues from external customers and transactions with other operating segments of the same entity 701,688 334,657 383,373 160,608 209,294 27,571 1,817,191 1,817,191 - 1,817,191 Costs of sales (537,801 ) (168,499 ) (297,048 ) (119,092 ) (187,019 ) (24,862 ) (1,334,321 ) (1,334,321 ) - (1,334,321 ) Administrative expenses - - - - - - - - (107,017 ) (107,017 ) Finance expense - - - - - - - - (82,199 ) (82,199 ) Depreciation and amortization expense (55,335 ) (40,687 ) (56,092 ) (14,136 ) (34,570 ) (3,092 ) (203,912 ) (203,912 ) - (203,912 ) The entity’s interest in the profit or loss of associates and joint ventures accounted for by the equity method - - - - - - - - 8,940 8,940 Income (loss) before taxes 163,887 166,158 86,325 41,516 22,275 2,709 482,870 482,870 (244,332 ) 238,538 Income tax expense - - - - - - - - (70,179 ) (70,179 ) Net income (loss) 163,887 166,158 86,325 41,516 22,275 2,709 482,870 482,870 (314,511 ) 168,359 Assets - 4,818,463 4,818,463 Equity-accounted investees - - - - - - - - 85,993 85,993 Incorporation of non-current assets other than financial instruments, deferred tax assets, net defined benefit assets and rights arising from insurance contracts - - - - - - - - 358,009 358,009 Liabilities - - - - - - - - 2,655,885 2,655,885 Impairment loss recognized in profit or loss - 4,684 4,684 Reversal of impairment losses recognized in profit or loss for the period - - - - - - - - (11,644 ) (11,644 ) Cash flows from (used in) operating activities - - - - - - - - 182,234 182,234 Cash flows from (used in) investing activities - - - - - - - - (167,091 ) (167,091 ) Cash flows from (used in) financing activities - - - - - - - - (94,132 ) (94,132 ) Operating segment items as of December 31, 2019 Specialty Iodine and its Lithium and Industrial Potassium Other Reportable Operating Unallocated Total as of ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Revenue 723,920 371,020 505,714 94,875 212,151 35,975 1,943,655 1,943,655 - 1,943,655 Revenues from transactions with other operating segments of the same entity - - - - - - - - - - Revenues from external customers and transactions with other operating segments of the same entity 723,920 371,020 505,714 94,875 212,151 35,975 1,943,655 1,943,655 - 1,943,655 Costs of sales (573,808 ) (230,468 ) (306,250 ) (63,590 ) (176,199 ) (33,288 ) (1,383,603 ) (1,383,603 ) - (1,383,603 ) Administrative expenses - - - - - - - - (117,180 ) (117,180 ) Finance expense - - - - - - - - (76,939 ) (76,939 ) Depreciation and amortization expense (67,700 ) (43,336 ) (45,238 ) (6,854 ) (37,691 ) (532 ) (201,351 ) (201,351 ) - (201,351 ) The entity’s interest in the profit or loss of associates and joint ventures accounted for by the equity method - - - - - - - - 9,786 9,786 Income tax expense, continuing operations 150,112 140,552 199,464 31,285 35,952 2,687 560,052 560,052 (169,430 ) 390,622 Income tax expense - - - - - - - - (110,019 ) (110,019 ) Net income (loss) 150,112 140,552 199,464 31,285 35,952 2,687 560,052 560,052 (279,449 ) 280,603 Assets - - - - - - - - 4,684,151 4,684,151 Equity-accounted investees - - - - - - - - 109,435 109,435 Incorporation of non-current assets other than financial instruments, deferred tax assets, net defined benefit assets and rights arising from insurance contracts - - - - - - - - 110,021 110,021 Liabilities - - - - - - - - 2,549,679 2,549,679 Impairment loss recognized in profit or loss - - - - - - - - (1,057 ) (1,057 ) Reversal of impairment losses recognized in profit or loss for the period - - - - - - - - (1,102 ) (1,102 ) Cash flows from (used in) operating activities - - - - - - - - 426,971 426,971 Cash flows from (used in) investing activities - - - - - - - - (485,471 ) (485,471 ) Cash flows from (used in) financing activities - - - - - - - - 105,896 105,896 Operating segment items as of December 31, 2018 Specialty Iodine and its Lithium and Industrial Potassium Other Reportable Operating Unallocated Total as of ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Revenue 781,751 324,972 734,801 108,267 267,474 48,538 2,265,803 2,265,803 - 2,265,803 Revenues from transactions with other operating segments of the same entity - - - - - - - - - - Revenues from external customers and transactions with other operating segments of the same entity 781,751 324,972 734,801 108,267 267,474 48,538 2,265,803 2,265,803 - 2,265,803 Costs of sales (613,267 ) (217,464 ) (316,875 ) (72,964 ) (217,386 ) (47,675 ) (1,485,631 ) (1,485,631 ) - (1,485,631 ) Administrative expenses - - - - - - - - (118,126 ) (118,126 ) Finance expense - - - - - - - - (57,807 ) (57,807 ) Depreciation and amortization expense (79,061 ) (42,438 ) (42,283 ) (8,454 ) (47,940 ) (651 ) (220,827 ) (220,827 ) - (220,827 ) The entity’s interest in the profit or loss of associates and joint ventures accounted for by the equity method - - - - - - - - 6,351 6,351 Income tax expense, continuing operations - - - - - - - - (178,975 ) (178,975 ) Income tax expense 168,484 107,508 417,926 35,303 50,088 863 780,172 780,172 (159,134 ) 621,038 Net income (loss) 168,484 107,508 417,926 35,303 50,088 863 780,172 780,172 (338,109 ) 442,063 Assets - - - - - - - - 4,268,094 4,268,094 Equity-accounted investees - - - - - - - - 111,549 111,549 Incorporation of non-current assets other than financial instruments, deferred tax assets, net defined benefit assets and rights arising from insurance contracts - - - - - - - - (15,028 ) (15,028 ) Liabilities - - - - - - - - 2,130,292 2,130,292 Impairment loss recognized in profit or loss - - - - - - - - 2,967 2,967 Reversal of impairment losses recognized in profit or loss for the period - - - - - - - - - - Cash flows from (used in) operating activities - - - - - - - - 524,839 524,839 Cash flows from (used in) investing activities - - - - - - - - (187,004 ) (187,004 ) Cash flows from (used in) financing activities - - - - - - - - (387,313 ) (387,313 ) Items in the statement of comprehensive income as of December 31, 2020 Specialty plant Iodine and its Lithium and its Industrial Potassium Other products Corporate Unit Total segments ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Revenue 701,688 334,657 383,373 160,608 209,294 27,571 - 1,817,191 Costs of sales (537,801 ) (168,499 ) (297,048 ) (119,092 ) (187,019 ) (24,862 ) - (1,334,321 ) Gross profit 163,887 166,158 86,325 41,516 22,275 2,709 - 482,870 Other incomes by function - - - - - - 26,893 26,893 Administrative expenses - - - - - - (107,017 ) (107,017 ) Other expenses by function - - - - - - (99,612 ) (99,612 ) Impairment of gains and review of impairment losses (impairment losses) determined in accordance with IFRS 9 - - - - - - 4,684 4,684 Other gains (losses) - - - - - - (5,313 ) (5,313 ) Financial income - - - - - - 13,715 13,715 Financial costs - - - - - - (82,199 ) (82,199 ) interest in the profit or loss of associates and joint ventures accounted for by the equity method - - - - - - 8,940 8,940 Exchange differences - - - - - - (4,423 ) (4,423 ) Profit (loss) before taxes 163,887 166,158 86,325 41,516 22,275 2,709 (244,332 ) 238,538 Income tax expense - - - - - - (70,179 ) (70,179 ) Profit (loss) from continuing operations 163,887 166,158 86,325 41,516 22,275 2,709 (314,511 ) 168,359 Profit (loss) from discontinued operations - - - - - - - - Profit (loss) 163,887 166,158 86,325 41,516 22,275 2,709 (314,511 ) 168,359 Profit, attributable to Profit (loss) attributable to the controller´s owners - - - - - - 164,518 164,518 Profit (loss) attributable to the non-controllers - - - - - - 3,841 3,841 Profit - - - - - - 168,359 168,359 Items in the statement of comprehensive income as of Specialty plant Iodine and its Lithium and its Industrial Potassium Other products Corporate Unit Total segments ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Revenue 723,920 371,020 505,714 94,875 212,151 35,975 - 1,943,655 Cost of sales (573,808 ) (230,468 ) (306,250 ) (63,590 ) (176,199 ) (33,288 ) - (1,383,603 ) Gross profit 150,112 140,552 199,464 31,285 35,952 2,687 - 560,052 Other incomes by function - - - - - - 18,218 18,218 Administrative expenses - - - - - - (117,180 ) (117,180 ) Other expenses by function - - - - - - (25,995 ) (25,995 ) Impairment of gains and review of impairment losses (impairment losses) determined in accordance with IFRS 9 - - - - - - (1,057 ) (1,057 ) Other gains (losses) - - - - - - (383 ) (383 ) Financial income - - - - - - 26,289 26,289 Financial costs - - - - - - (76,939 ) (76,939 ) interest in the profit or loss of associates and joint ventures accounted for by the equity method - - - - - - 9,786 9,786 Exchange differences - - - - - - (2,169 ) (2,169 ) Profit (loss) before taxes 150,112 140,552 199,464 31,285 35,952 2,687 (169,430 ) 390,622 Income tax expense - - - - - - (110,019 ) (110,019 ) Profit (loss) from continuing operations 150,112 140,552 199,464 31,285 35,952 2,687 (279,449 ) 280,603 Profit (loss) from discontinued operations - - - - - - - - Profit (loss) 150,112 140,552 199,464 31,285 35,952 2,687 (279,449 ) 280,603 Profit (loss), attributable to Profit (loss) attributable to the controller´s owners - - - - - - 278,115 278,115 Profit (loss) attributable to the non-controllers - - - - - - 2,488 2,488 Profit (loss) - - - - - - 280,603 280,603 Items in the statement of comprehensive income as of Specialty plant Iodine and its Lithium and its Industrial Potassium Other products Corporate Unit Total segments ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Revenue 781,751 324,972 734,801 108,267 267,474 48,538 - 2,265,803 Cost of sales (613,267 ) (217,464 ) (316,875 ) (72,964 ) (217,386 ) (47,675 ) - (1,485,631 ) Gross profit 168,484 107,508 417,926 35,303 50,088 863 - 780,172 Other incomes by function - - - - - - 32,048 32,048 Administrative expenses - - - - - - (118,126 ) (118,126 ) Other expenses by function - - - - - - (36,907 ) (36,907 ) Impairment of gains and review of impairment losses (impairment losses) determined in accordance with IFRS 9 - - - - - - 2,967 2,967 Other gains (losses) - - - - - - 6,404 6,404 Financial income - - - - - - 22,533 22,533 Financial costs - - - - - - (57,807 ) (57,807 ) interest in the profit or loss of associates and joint ventures accounted for by the equity method - - - - - - 6,351 6,351 Exchange differences - - - - - - (16,597 ) (16,597 ) Profit (loss) before taxes 168,484 107,508 417,926 35,303 50,088 863 (159,134 ) 621,038 Income tax expense - - - - - - (178,975 ) (178,975 ) Profit (loss) from continuing operations 168,484 107,508 417,926 35,303 50,088 863 (338,109 ) 442,063 Profit (loss) from discontinued operations - - - - - - - - Profit (loss) 168,484 107,508 417,926 35,303 50,088 863 (338,109 ) 442,063 Profit (loss), attributable to Profit (loss) attributable to the controller´s owners - - - - - - 439,830 439,830 Profit (loss) attributable to the non-controllers - - - - - - 2,233 2,233 Profit (loss) - - - - - - 442,063 442,063
Disclosure of geographical areas [text block]	Items as of December 31, 2020 Chile Latin America and the Europe North America Asia and others Total ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Revenue 153,745 159,990 380,126 427,572 695,758 1,817,191 Investment accounted for under the equity method - - 41,273 14,468 30,252 85,993 Intangible assets other than goodwill 95,934 565 825 2,274 78,809 178,407 Goodwill 23,065 - 18,901 - - 41,966 Property, plant and equipment, net 1,667,824 642 12,592 3,494 52,767 1,737,319 Right-of-use assets 23,461 2,298 2,428 1,776 61 30,024 Other non-current assets 19,377 17 7 2,641 - 22,042 Non-current assets 1,829,661 3,522 76,026 24,653 161,889 2,095,751 Items as of December 31, 2019 Chile Latin America and the Europe North America Asia and others Total ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Revenue 211,857 161,928 393,764 451,272 724,834 1,943,655 Investment accounted for under the equity method - - 42,243 14,669 52,523 109,435 Intangible assets other than goodwill 106,910 420 1,397 2,683 76,948 188,358 Goodwill 23,205 - 11,521 - - 34,726 Property, plant and equipment, net 1,526,919 513 3,424 6,250 32,800 1,569,906 Right-of-use assets 29,427 2,734 2,817 2,083 103 37,164 Other non-current assets 20,321 28 4 (624 ) - 19,729 Non-current assets 1,706,782 3,695 61,406 25,061 162,374 1,959,318 Items as of December 31, 2018 Chile Latin America and the Europe North America Asia and others Total ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Revenue 189,349 180,189 479,664 471,515 945,086 2,265,803 Investment accounted for under the equity method (6,588 ) - 61,256 16,115 40,766 111,549 Intangible assets other than goodwill 110,544 1,215 238 152 77,201 189,350 Goodwill 22,535 86 11,521 724 - 34,866 Property, plant and equipment, net 1,445,349 347 4,451 3,098 1,578 1,454,823 Other non-current assets 17,111 23 - (892 ) 11,297 27,539 Non-current assets 1,588,951 1,671 77,466 19,197 130,842 1,818,127

Effect of fluctuations in for_2

Effect of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Disclosure of effect of changes in foreign exchange rates [Abstract]
Disclosure of foreign currency exchange differences recognized in profit or loss except for financial instruments measured at fair value through profit or loss [Text Block]	(a) Foreign currency exchange differences recognized in profit or loss and other comprehensive income: Foreign currency exchange differences recognized in profit or loss and other comprehensive As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 As of December 31, 2018 ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Conversion foreign exchange gains (losses) recognized in the result of the year (4,423 ) (2,169 ) (16,597 ) Conversion foreign exchange reserves Conversion foreign exchange reserves attributable to the owners of the controlling entity 14,176 562 (1,394 ) Conversion foreign exchange reserves attributable to the non-controlling entity (176 ) 225 174 Total 14,000 787 (1,220 )
Disclosure of reserve of exchange differences on translation [Text Block]	(b) Reserves for foreign currency exchange differences: As of December 31, 2020, and 2019, are detailed as follows: Details As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 As of December 31, 2018 ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Changes in equity generated by the equity method value through conversion: Comercial Hydro S.A. 1,004 1,004 1,004 SQMC Internacional Ltda. (9 ) (9 ) (17 ) Proinsa Ltda. (10 ) (10 ) (11 ) Comercial Agrorama Ltda. (19 ) 33 (21 ) Isapre Norte Grande Ltda. (14 ) (44 ) (1 ) Almacenes y Depósitos Ltda. 211 142 113 Sacal S.A. (3 ) (3 ) (3 ) Sociedad Prestadora de Servicios de Salud Cruz del Norte S.A. (13 ) (19 ) (10 ) Agrorama S.A. 92 231 132 Doktor Tarsa - (13,811 ) (13,811 ) SQM Vitas Fzco (3,736 ) (2,267 ) (2,682 ) Ajay Europe (693 ) (1,449 ) (1,270 ) SQM Eastmed Turkey - (155 ) (113 ) Doctochem - 7 - Coromandel SQM India - (431 ) (393 ) SQM Italia SRL - (236 ) (213 ) SQM Oceanía Pty Ltd. (579 ) (634 ) (634 ) SQM Indonesia S.A. (124 ) (124 ) (124 ) Abu Dhabi Fertillizers Industries WWL. 372 372 (435 ) SQM Vitas Holland 99 (197 ) (170 ) SQM Thailand Limited (68 ) (68 ) (68 ) SQM Europe (1,983 ) (1,983 ) (1,983 ) SQM Australia Pty Ltd. (4,052 ) (4,035 ) (4,222 ) Pavoni & C. Spa 164 (185 ) 70 Terra Tarsa BV - 116 (82 ) Plantacote NV - (16 ) (34 ) Doktolab Tarim Arastirma San. - (54 ) (29 ) Kore Potash PLC (a) (1,128 ) (1,754 ) (1,206 ) SQM Colombia SAS (80 ) (166 ) (94 ) Total (11,569 ) (25,745 ) (26,307 )

Disclosures on the effects of_2

Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Foreign exchange rates [abstract]
Disclosure of detailed information about assets held in foreign currency subject to fluctuations in exchange rates [Text Block]	a) Assets held in foreign currency subject to fluctuations in exchange rates are detailed as follows: Class of Asset Currency As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 ThUS$ ThUS$ Cash and cash equivalents USD 454,402 558,572 Cash and cash equivalents ARS - 3 Cash and cash equivalents CLP 7,190 8,240 Cash and cash equivalents CNY 11,597 2,484 Cash and cash equivalents EUR 17,144 3,131 Cash and cash equivalents GBP 19 3 Cash and cash equivalents AUD 1,411 8,492 Cash and cash equivalents INR 6 6 Cash and cash equivalents MXN 1,378 2,103 Cash and cash equivalents PEN 3 4 Cash and cash equivalents AED - - Cash and cash equivalents JPY 1,646 1,559 Cash and cash equivalents ZAR 14,286 3,929 Cash and cash equivalents KRW 16 - Cash and cash equivalents IDR 3 3 Cash and cash equivalents PLN 1 1 Subtotal cash and cash equivalents 509,102 588,530 Other current financial assets USD 145,893 127,889 Other current financial assets CLF - 36,896 Other current financial assets CLP 202,176 340,705 Subtotal other current financial assets 348,069 505,490 Other current non-financial assets USD 20,645 16,535 Other current non-financial assets AUD 224 285 Other current non-financial assets BRL - 2 Other current non-financial assets CLF 53 31 Other current non-financial assets CLP 27,837 24,374 Other current non-financial assets CNY 1,661 326 Other current non-financial assets EUR 1,531 3,055 Other current non-financial assets COP 70 - Other current non-financial assets MXN 4,488 2,629 Other current non-financial assets THB 70 22 Other current non-financial assets JPY 157 174 Other current non-financial assets ZAR 646 3,119 Other current non-financial assets SEK 17 - Subtotal other non-financial current assets 57,399 50,552 Trade and other receivables USD 230,214 225,554 Trade and other receivables PEN 1 6 Trade and other receivables BRL 23 19 Trade and other receivables CLF 545 504 Trade and other receivables CLP 47,133 56,023 Trade and other receivables CNY 22,882 3,340 Trade and other receivables EUR 22,868 24,925 Trade and other receivables GBP 682 148 Trade and other receivables MXN 355 211 Trade and other receivables AED 533 1,193 Trade and other receivables THB 1,167 1,695 Trade and other receivables JPY 23,010 66,266 Trade and other receivables AUD 589 801 Trade and other receivables ZAR 12,504 15,900 Trade and other receivables COP 2,675 2,557 Trade and other receivables SEK 25 - Subtotal trade and other receivables 365,206 399,142 Receivables from related parties USD 61,379 60,135 Receivables from related parties EUR 1,222 1,092 Subtotal receivables from related parties 62,601 61,227 Class of assets Currency As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, ThUS$ ThUS$ Current inventories USD 1,093,028 983,338 Subtotal Current Inventories 1,093,028 983,338 Current tax assets USD 128,529 87,509 Current tax assets ARS - 1 Current tax assets CLP 3,015 1,623 Current tax assets EUR 218 61 Current tax assets MXN - 1,806 Current tax assets PEN 4 - Current tax assets ZAR 26 139 Current tax assets COP 417 294 Current tax assets THB 15 - Subtotal current tax assets 132,224 91,433 Non-current assets or groups of assets classified as held for sale USD 1,629 2,454 Subtotal Non-current assets or groups of assets classified as held for sale 1,629 2,454 Total current assets 2,569,258 2,682,166 Other non-current financial assets USD 51,828 8,687 Other non-current financial assets CLP 20 20 Other non-current financial assets JPY 77 71 Subtotal Other non-current financial assets 51,925 8,778 Other non-current non-financial assets USD 21,236 19,101 Other non-current non-financial assets BRL 17 22 Other non-current non-financial assets COP - 6 Other non-current non-financial assets EUR 7 4 Other non-current non-financial assets CLP 782 596 Subtotal Other non-current non-financial assets 22,042 19,729 Other receivables, non-current USD 10,061 522 Other receivables, non-current CLF 152 165 Other receivables, non-current MXN 102 43 Other receivables, non-current CLP 850 980 Subtotal Other receivables, non-current 11,165 1,710 Investments classified using the equity method of accounting USD 23,417 57,777 Investments classified using the equity method of accounting TRY 792 26,624 Investments classified using the equity method of accounting AED 47,774 9,111 Investments classified using the equity method of accounting EUR 11,082 14,315 Investments classified using the equity method of accounting INR 1,304 1,568 Investments classified using the equity method of accounting THB 1,624 40 Subtotal Investments classified using the equity method of accounting 85,993 109,435 Intangible assets other than goodwill USD 176,282 185,951 Intangible assets other than goodwill MXN 1,025 1,137 Intangible assets other than goodwill CLP 182 136 Intangible assets other than goodwill EUR 696 1,134 Intangible assets other than goodwill CNY 222 - Subtotal intangible assets other than goodwill 178,407 188,358 Purchases goodwill, gross USD 34,438 34,438 Purchases goodwill, gross CLP - 140 Purchases goodwill, gross EUR 7,528 148 Subtotal Purchases goodwill, gross 41,966 34,726 Property, plant and equipment USD 1,719,358 1,556,160 Property, plant and equipment CLP 3,237 3,294 Property, plant and equipment EUR 10,954 4,756 Property, plant and equipment AED 923 - Property, plant and equipment BRL 111 - Property, plant and equipment MXN 2,494 5,588 Property, plant and equipment COP 120 108 Property, plant and equipment KRW 122 - Subtotal property, plant and equipment 1,737,319 1,569,906 Right-of-use assets USD 25,238 37,164 Right-of-use assets EUR 2,428 - Right-of-use assets AED 60 - Right-of-use assets MXN 2,298 - Subtotal Right-of-use assets 30,024 37,164 Current tax assets, non-current USD 90,364 32,179 Subtotal Current tax assets, non-current 90,364 32,179 Total non-current assets 2,249,205 2,001,985 Total assets 4,818,463 4,684,151
Disclosure of detailed information about liabilities held in foreign currencies [Text Block]	As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 Class of liability Currency Up to 90 days More than 90 days Total Up to 90 days More than 90 days Total ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Current liabilities Other current financial liabilities USD 43,218 4,676 47,894 20,582 250,694 271,276 Other current financial liabilities CLF 20,732 329 21,061 19,518 323 19,841 Other current financial liabilities BRL - - - 11 - 11 Subtotal other current financial liabilities 63,950 5,005 68,955 40,111 251,017 291,128 Lease liabilities, current USD - 4,750 4,750 - 7,694 7,694 Lease liabilities, current MXN - 416 416 - - - Lease liabilities, current EUR - 362 362 - - - Subtotal Lease liabilities, current - 5,528 5,528 - 7,694 7,694 Trade and other payables USD 83,425 - 83,425 44,146 - 44,146 Trade and other payables CLF 123 - 123 - - - Trade and other payables BRL 9 - 9 10 - 10 Trade and other payables THB 30 - 30 53 - 53 Trade and other payables CLP 73,857 - 73,857 73,703 17,108 90,811 Trade and other payables CNY 1,323 - 1,323 - - - Trade and other payables EUR 40,280 - 40,280 58,538 5 58,543 Trade and other payables GBP 18 - 18 17 - 17 Trade and other payables INR 1 - 1 1 - 1 Trade and other payables MXN 584 - 584 5,122 - 5,122 Trade and other payables PEN 5 - 5 5 - 5 Trade and other payables AUD 2,935 - 2,935 4,442 - 4,442 Trade and other payables ZAR 1,168 - 1,168 2,260 - 2,260 Trade and other payables AED - - - 188 - 188 Trade and other payables COP 175 - 175 192 - 192 Subtotal trade and other payables 203,933 - 203,933 188,677 17,113 205,790 Trade payables due to related parties, current USD - 282 282 475 - 475 Trade payables due to related parties, current AUD 324 - 324 - - - Subtotal Trade payables due to related parties, current 324 282 606 475 - 475 Other current provisions USD 103,252 698 103,950 109,650 820 110,470 Other current provisions ARS - - - 7 - 7 Other current provisions CLP 216 - 216 82 - 82 Other current provisions EUR - - - 6 - 6 Subtotal other current provisions 103,468 698 104,166 109,745 820 110,565 Class of liability As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 Currency Up to90 days 91 days to 1 year Total Up to90 days 91 days to 1 year Total ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Current tax liabilities USD - 20,981 20,981 2,863 14,994 17,857 Current tax liabilities CLP - 61 61 - 17 17 Current tax liabilities EUR - 642 642 - - - Current tax liabilities MXN - 959 959 - - - Subtotal current tax liabilities - 22,643 22,643 2,863 15,011 17,874 Provisions for employee benefits, current USD 2,981 6,011 8,992 12,486 3,901 16,387 Provisions for employee benefits, current AUD 58 - 58 - - - Provisions for employee benefits, current CLP 3 - 3 - - - Provisions for employee benefits, current THB - - - - - - Provisions for employee benefits, current MXN 43 - 43 - - - Subtotal Provisions for employee benefits, current 3,085 6,011 9,096 12,486 3,901 16,387 Other current non-financial liabilities USD 51,995 397 52,392 117,136 154 117,290 Other current non-financial liabilities THB - - - 30 - 30 Other current non-financial liabilities BRL 2 - 2 3 - 3 Other current non-financial liabilities CLP 6,264 792 7,056 5,969 2,439 8,408 Other current non-financial liabilities CNY 60 - 60 - - - Other current non-financial liabilities EUR 913 119 1,032 842 - 842 Other current non-financial liabilities MXN 121 53 174 129 64 193 Other current non-financial liabilities JPY 52 - 52 21 12 33 Other current non-financial liabilities PEN 70 - 70 70 - 70 Other current non-financial liabilities ZAR - - - 10 - 10 Other current non-financial liabilities COP - - - - - - Other current non-financial liabilities ARS - 117 117 20 - 20 Subtotal other current non-financial liabilities 59,477 1,478 60,955 124,230 2,669 126,899 Total current liabilities 434,237 41,645 475,882 478,587 298,225 776,812 As of December 31, 2020 Class of liability Currency Over 1 year to 2 Over 2 years to 3 Over 3 years to 4 Over 4 years to 5 Over 5 years Total ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Non-current liabilities Other non-current financial liabilities USD - 312,730 69,376 248,664 838,399 1,469,169 Other non-current financial liabilities CLF - - - - 430,344 430,344 Subtotal Other non-current financial liabilities - 312,730 69,376 248,664 1,268,743 1,899,513 Non-current lease liabilities USD 1,977 - - - 4,158 6,135 Non-current lease liabilities UF 15,258 - - - - 15,258 Non-current lease liabilities MXN 2,189 - - - - 2,189 Non-current lease liabilities JPY 1,964 - - - - 1,964 Subtotal non-current lease liabilities 21,388 - - - 4,158 25,546 Non-current Trade and other payables USD - 4,027 - - - 4,027 Subtotal Non-current Trade and other payables - 4,027 - - - 4,027 Other non-current provisions USD - 36,391 - - 26,226 62,617 Subtotal Other non-current provisions - 36,391 - - 26,226 62,617 Deferred tax liabilities USD - 919 - - 155,182 156,101 Subtotal Deferred tax liabilities - 919 - - 155,182 156,101 Provisions for employee benefits, non-current USD 31,585 - - - - 31,585 Provisions for employee benefits, non-current CLP 610 - - - - 610 Provisions for employee benefits, non-current MXN - - - - - - Provisions for employee benefits, non-current JPY 4 - - - - 4 Subtotal Provisions for employee benefits, non-current 32,199 - - - - 32,199 Total non-current liabilities 53,587 354,067 69,376 248,664 1,454,309 2,180,003 Total liabilities 2,655,885 As of December 31, 2019 Class of liability Currency Over 1 year to 2 Over 2 years to 3 Over 3 years to 4 Over 4 years to 5 Over 5 years Total ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Non-current liabilities Other non-current financial liabilities USD 89,896 42,336 313,749 13,749 617,055 1,076,785 Other non-current financial liabilities CLF - - - - 411,938 411,938 Subtotal Other non-current financial liabilities 89,896 42,336 313,749 13,749 1,028,993 1,488,723 Non-current lease liabilities USD - - - - 30,203 30,203 Subtotal non-current lease liabilities - - - - 30,203 30,203 Non-current Trade and other payables USD - - - - - - Subtotal Non-current Trade and other payables - - - - - - Other non-current provisions USD 23,014 167 - 1,452 10,057 34,690 Subtotal Other non-current provisions 23,014 167 - 1,452 10,057 34,690 Deferred tax liabilities USD - - - - 183,411 183,411 Subtotal Deferred tax liabilities - - - - 183,411 183,411 Provisions for employee benefits, non-current USD - - - - 34,884 34,884 Provisions for employee benefits, non-current CLP - - - - 519 519 Provisions for employee benefits, non-current MXN - - - - 236 236 Provisions for employee benefits, non-current JPY - - - - 201 201 Subtotal Provisions for employee benefits, non-current - - - - 35,840 35,840 Total non-current liabilities 112,910 42,503 313,749 15,201 1,288,504 1,772,867 Total liabilities 2,549,679
Disclosure of detailed information about effect of exchange rate changes on the statement of income explanatory [Text Block]	For the period from January to December of the year Foreign currency exchange rate changes 2020 2019 2018 ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Profit (loss) in foreign currency (4,423 ) (2,169 ) (16,597 ) Foreign currency translation reserve (*) 14,176 562 (1,394 ) Total 9,753 (1,607 ) (17,991 ) (*) includes MUS$ 14,580, which were transferred through sale of Grupo Tarsa, SQM Eastmed and other smaller companies.

Income tax and deferred taxes (

Income tax and deferred taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Disclosure of income tax [Abstract]
Disclosure of detailed information about current and non-current tax assets [Text Block]	(a) Current Current tax assets As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 ThUS$ ThUS$ Monthly provisional income tax payments, Chilean companies 37,123 47,283 Monthly provisional income tax payments, foreign companies 1,265 124 Corporate tax credits (1) 1,566 1,262 1st category tax absorbed by tax loss (2) 2,322 916 Taxes in recovery process 89,948 41,848 Total 132,224 91,433 (b) Non-current Non-current tax assets As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 ThUS$ ThUS$ Monthly provisional income tax payments, Chilean companies compensated by the specific tax on mining activity (Lithium) 6,398 6,398 Specific tax on mining activities (IEAM) paid by Lithium (on consignment) 83,966 25,781 Total 90,364 32,179 (1) These credits are available for Companies and are related to corporate tax payments in April of the following year, These credits include, among others, credits for training expenses (SENCE), credits for acquisition of fixed assets, donations and credits in Chile for taxes paid abroad. (2) This concept corresponds to the absorption of the tax losses determined by the company at the end of the year, which must be attributed to the dividends received during the year.
Disclosure of detailed information about current tax liabilities [Text Block]	27.2 Current tax liabilities Current tax liabilities As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 ThUS$ ThUS$ 1st Category income tax 14,736 7,863 Foreign company income tax 7,838 9,944 Article 21 single tax 69 67 Total 22,643 17,874
Description of detailed information regarding income tax rates applicable for various countries [Text Block]	The income tax rate for the main countries where the Company operates is presented below: Income tax Income tax Country 2020 2019 Spain 25 % 25 % Belgium 25 % 29.58 % Mexico 30 % 30 % United States 21% + 3,36 % 21% + 3,25 % South Africa 28 % 28 %
Disclosure of deferred taxes [text block]	(a) Deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2020 Net liability position Description of deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2020 Assets Liabilities ThUS$ ThUS$ Unrealized loss 90,585 - Property, plant and equipment and capitalized interest - (187,168 ) Restoration and rehabilitation provision 6,598 - Manufacturing expenses - (107,215 ) Staff severance indemnities, unemployment insurance - (6,669 ) Vacation accrual 6,138 - Inventory provision 22,200 - Materials provision 8,812 - Forward - - Employee benefits - - Research and development expenses - (3,580 ) Bad debt provision 5,072 - Provision for legal complaints and expenses 19,637 - Loan acquisition expenses - (5,212 ) Financial instruments recorded at market value - (3,929 ) Specific tax on mining activity - (3,014 ) Tax loss benefit 844 - Other 1,454 - Foreign items (other) - (654 ) Balances to date 161,340 (317,441 ) Net balance (156,101 ) (b) Deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2019 Net liability position Description of deferred tax assets and liabilities Assets Liabilities ThUS$ ThUS$ Unrealized loss 82,075 - Property, plant and equipment and capitalized interest - (197,167 ) Facility closure provision 7,313 - Manufacturing expenses - (106,420 ) Staff severance indemnities, unemployment insurance - (6,000 ) Vacation 5,591 - Inventory provision 23,885 - Materials provision 7,982 - Employee benefits 2,689 - Research and development expenses - (3,533 ) Bad debt provision 3,542 - Provision for legal complaints and expenses 2,546 - Loan acquisition expenses - (3,856 ) Financial instruments recorded at market value - (1,287 ) Specific tax on mining activity - (1,357 ) Tax loss benefit 2,296 - Other - (2,021 ) Foreign items (other) 311 - Balances to date 138,230 (321,641 ) Net balance (183,411 )
Disclosure of detailed information about reconciliation of changes in deferred tax liabilities assets [Text Block]	(c) Reconciliation of changes in deferred tax liabilities (assets) as of December 31, 2020 Reconciliation of changes in deferred tax liabilities (assets) Deferred tax Deferred tax Deferred taxes Total increases Deferred tax ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Unrealized loss (82,076 ) (8,509 ) - (8,509 ) (90,585 ) Property, plant and equipment and capitalized interest 197,167 (9,999 ) - (9,999 ) 187,168 Facility closure provision (7,312 ) 714 - 714 (6,598 ) Manufacturing expenses 106,420 795 - 795 107,215 Staff severance indemnities, unemployment insurance 6,000 514 155 669 6,669 Vacation accrual (5,591 ) (547 ) - (547 ) (6,138 ) Inventory provision (23,885 ) 1,685 - 1,685 (22,200 ) Materials provision (7,982 ) (830 ) - (830 ) (8,812 ) Forward - 1,001 (1,001 ) - - Employee benefits (2,689 ) 2,689 - 2,689 - Research and development expenses 3,534 46 - 46 3,580 bad debt provision (3,542 ) (1,530 ) - (1,530 ) (5,072 ) Provision for legal complaints and expenses (2,546 ) (17,091 ) - (17,091 ) (19,637 ) Loan approval expenses 3,856 1,356 - 1,356 5,212 Junior mining companies (valued based on stock price) 1,287 - 2,642 2,642 3,929 specific tax on mining activity 1,356 1,668 (10 ) 1,658 3,014 Tax loss benefit (2,296 ) 1,452 - 1,452 (844 ) Other 2,021 (3,475 ) - (3,475 ) (1,454 ) Foreign items (other) (311 ) 965 - 965 654 Total temporary differences, unused losses and unused tax credits 183,411 (29,096 ) 1,786 (27,310 ) 156,101 (d) Reconciliation of changes in deferred tax liabilities (assets) as of December 31, 2019 Reconciliation of changes in deferred tax liabilities (assets) Deferred tax Deferred tax recognized in Deferred taxes Total increases Deferred tax ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Unrealized loss (75,832 ) (6,243 ) - (6,243 ) (82,075 ) Property, plant and equipment and capitalized interest 196,843 324 - 324 197,167 Facility closure provision (4,280 ) (3,033 ) - (3,033 ) (7,313 ) Manufacturing expenses 103,760 2,660 - 2,660 106,420 Staff severance indemnities, unemployment insurance 5,679 1,007 (686 ) 321 6,000 Vacation accrual (5,155 ) (436 ) - (436 ) (5,591 ) Inventory provision (28,155 ) 4,270 - 4,270 (23,885 ) Materials provision (6,239 ) (1,743 ) - (1,743 ) (7,982 ) Forward (2,169 ) (514 ) 2,683 2,169 - Employee benefits (3,309 ) 620 - 620 (2,689 ) Research and development expenses 2,216 1,317 - 1,317 3,533 bad debt provisions (4,188 ) 646 - 646 (3,542 ) Provision for legal complaints and expenses (4,013 ) 1,467 - 1,467 (2,546 ) Loan approval expenses 2,337 1,519 - 1,519 3,856 Financial instruments recorded at market value 976 - 311 311 1,287 specific tax on mining activity 3,278 (1,905 ) (16 ) (1,921 ) 1,357 Tax loss benefit (1,124 ) (1,172 ) - (1,172 ) (2,296 ) Other (5,005 ) 7,026 - 7,026 2,021 Foreign items (other) (259 ) (52 ) - (52 ) (311 ) Total temporary differences, unused losses and unused tax credits 175,361 5,758 2,292 8,050 183,411
Disclosure of detailed information about net operating loss carryforwards [Text Block]	As of December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019, tax loss carryforwards are detailed as follows: Deferred taxes related to benefits for tax losses As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 ThUS$ ThUS$ Chile 818 2,296 Foreign 26 - Total 844 2,296
Disclosure of detailed information about movements in deferred tax assets and liabilities [Text Block]	Movements in deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 are detailed as follows: Assets (liabilities) Movements in deferred tax assets and liabilities As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 ThUS$ ThUS$ Deferred tax assets and liabilities, net opening balance (183,411 ) (175,361 ) Increase (decrease) in deferred taxes in profit or loss 29,096 (5,758 ) Decrease in deferred taxes in equity (1,786 ) (2,292 ) Total (156,101 ) (183,411 )
Disclosure of detailed information about current and deferred tax expenses income [Text Block]	Current and deferred tax (expenses) benefit are detailed as follows: (Expense) Income Disclosures on income tax expense (benefit) As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 As of December 31, 2018 ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Current income tax (expense) income Current tax expense (97,374 ) (116,483 ) (207,959 ) Adjustments to prior year current income tax (expense) benefit (1,901 ) 12,222 1,577 Current income tax expense, net, total (99,275 ) (104,261 ) (206,382 ) Deferred tax expense Deferred tax expense relating to the creation and reversal of temporary differences 26,219 2,551 26,434 Tax adjustments related to the creation and reversal of temporary differences from the previous year 2,877 (8,309 ) 973 Deferred tax expense, net, total 29,096 (5,758 ) 27,407 Income tax expense (70,179 ) (110,019 ) (178,975 ) Tax (expenses) benefit for foreign and domestic parties are detailed as follows: (Expense) Income Income tax (expense) benefit As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 As of December 31, 2018 ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Current income tax benefit (expense) by foreign and domestic parties, net Current income tax expense, foreign parties, net (9,782 ) (7,394 ) (7,516 ) Current income tax expense, domestic, net (89,493 ) (96,867 ) (198,866 ) Current income tax expense, net, total (99,275 ) (104,261 ) (206,382 ) Deferred tax benefit (expense) by foreign and domestic parties, net Current income tax benefit, foreign parties, net 10,284 2,370 (1,885 ) Current income tax benefit (expense), domestic, net 18,812 (8,128 ) 29,292 Deferred tax expense, net, total 29,096 (5,758 ) 27,407 Income tax expense (70,179 ) (110,019 ) (178,975 )
Disclosure of detailed information about tax effects of other comprehensive income components [Text Block]	(i) Disclosures on the tax effects of other comprehensive income components: As of December 31, 2020 Income tax related to other income and expense components with a charge Amount before taxes (Expense) income for Amount after taxes ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Gain (loss) from defined benefit plans 974 (145 ) 829 Cash flow hedge (3,706 ) 1,001 (2,705 ) Reserve for gains (losses) from financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income 9,785 (2,642 ) 7,143 Total 7,053 (1,786 ) 5,267 As of December 31, 2019 Income tax related to other income and expense components with a charge Amount before taxes (Expense) income for Amount after taxes ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Gain (loss) from defined benefit plans (3,310 ) 702 (2,608 ) Cash flow hedge 1,908 (2,683 ) (775 ) Reserve for gains (losses) from financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income 1,152 (311 ) 841 Total (250 ) (2,292 ) (2,542 ) As of December 31, 2018 Income tax related to other income and expense components with a charge Amount before taxes (Expense) income for Amount after taxes ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Gain (loss) from defined benefit plans (1,327 ) 396 (931 ) Cash flow hedge 5,723 - 5,723 Reserve for gains (losses) from financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income (5,546 ) 1,498 (4,048 ) Total (1,150 ) 1,894 744
Disclosure of reconciliation of accounting profit multiplied by applicable tax rates [Text Block]	Reconciliation between the tax income (expense) and the tax calculated by multiplying accounting income by the Chilean corporate income tax rate. (Expense) Benefits Income Tax Expense (Benefit) As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 As of December 31, 2018 ThUS$ ThUS$ ThUS$ Consolidated income before taxes 238,538 390,622 621,038 Income tax rate in force in Chile 27 % 27 % 27 % Tax expense using the statutory tax rate (64,405 ) (105,468 ) (167,680 ) Net effect of royalty tax payments (4,659 ) (4,314 ) (4,919 ) Effect of fines affected by article 21 and passive income (1,804 ) (724 ) (2,957 ) Tax effect of revenue from regular activities exempt from taxation 1,786 2,376 1,446 Tax rate effect of non-tax-deductible expenses for determining taxable profit (loss) (2,987 ) (2,128 ) (2,327 ) Tax effect of tax rates supported abroad (2,077 ) (252 ) (8,714 ) Surplus provision Internal revenue service - - 3,517 Effects of changes resulting from classifying a permanent item as a temporary one 4,826 - - Other tax effects from reconciliation between accounting gains and tax expenses (859 ) 491 2,659 Tax expense using the effective tax rate (70,179 ) (110,019 ) (178,975 )

Assets held for sale (Tables)

Assets held for sale (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Non-current assets or disposal groups classified as held for sale or as held for distribution to owners [abstract]
Disclosure of detailed information about available for sale noncurrent assets [Text Block]	The following table shows the movements in assets held for sale: Assets held for sale As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 ThUS$ ThUS$ Land 1,493 2,454 Mining rights 136 - Total assets held for sale 1,629 2,454

Identification and Activities_3

Identification and Activities of the Company and Subsidiaries (Details)	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020Employees	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019Employees
Disclosure Of Information About Employees Explanatory [Line Items]
Number of employees	126	5,507	124	5,741
Executives [Member]
Disclosure Of Information About Employees Explanatory [Line Items]
Number of employees		115		121
Professionals [Member]
Disclosure Of Information About Employees Explanatory [Line Items]
Number of employees		1,250		1,280
Technicians and operators [Member]
Disclosure Of Information About Employees Explanatory [Line Items]
Number of employees		3,577		3,763
Foreign employees [Member]
Disclosure Of Information About Employees Explanatory [Line Items]
Number of employees		565		577
SQM S.A [Member]
Disclosure Of Information About Employees Explanatory [Line Items]
Number of employees		408		439
SQM S.A [Member] | Executives [Member]
Disclosure Of Information About Employees Explanatory [Line Items]
Number of employees		30		30
SQM S.A [Member] | Professionals [Member]
Disclosure Of Information About Employees Explanatory [Line Items]
Number of employees		94		110
SQM S.A [Member] | Technicians and operators [Member]
Disclosure Of Information About Employees Explanatory [Line Items]
Number of employees		267		282
SQM S.A [Member] | Foreign employees [Member]
Disclosure Of Information About Employees Explanatory [Line Items]
Number of employees		17		17
Other Subsidiaries [Member]
Disclosure Of Information About Employees Explanatory [Line Items]
Number of employees		5,099		5,302
Other Subsidiaries [Member] | Executives [Member]
Disclosure Of Information About Employees Explanatory [Line Items]
Number of employees		85		91
Other Subsidiaries [Member] | Professionals [Member]
Disclosure Of Information About Employees Explanatory [Line Items]
Number of employees		1,156		1,170
Other Subsidiaries [Member] | Technicians and operators [Member]
Disclosure Of Information About Employees Explanatory [Line Items]
Number of employees		3,310		3,481
Other Subsidiaries [Member] | Foreign employees [Member]
Disclosure Of Information About Employees Explanatory [Line Items]
Number of employees		548		560

Identification and Activities_4

Identification and Activities of the Company and Subsidiaries (Details 1) - shares	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Inversiones TLC SPA [Member]
Identification and Activities of the Company and Subsidiaries [Line Items]
Number of Shares Outstanding, Ownership Percentage	23.77%	23.77%
The Bank of New York Mellon, ADRs [Member]
Identification and Activities of the Company and Subsidiaries [Line Items]
Number of Shares Outstanding, Ownership Percentage	19.30%	14.56%
Sociedad de Inversiones Pampa Calichera S.A. [Member]
Identification and Activities of the Company and Subsidiaries [Line Items]
Number of Shares Outstanding, Ownership Percentage	17.41%	18.50%
Potasios de Chile S.A. [Member]
Identification and Activities of the Company and Subsidiaries [Line Items]
Number of Shares Outstanding, Ownership Percentage	6.91%	6.91%
Inversiones Global Mining Chile Limitada [Member]
Identification and Activities of the Company and Subsidiaries [Line Items]
Number of Shares Outstanding, Ownership Percentage	3.34%	3.34%
Banco de Chile Non Resident Third Party Accounts [Member]
Identification and Activities of the Company and Subsidiaries [Line Items]
Number of Shares Outstanding, Ownership Percentage	2.33%	2.60%
Banco Itau via Foreign Investor Accounts [Member]
Identification and Activities of the Company and Subsidiaries [Line Items]
Number of Shares Outstanding, Ownership Percentage		2.80%
Banco Santander via Foreign Investor [Member]
Identification and Activities of the Company and Subsidiaries [Line Items]
Number of Shares Outstanding, Ownership Percentage	2.77%	2.51%
Banco de Chile via State Street [Member]
Identification and Activities of the Company and Subsidiaries [Line Items]
Number of Shares Outstanding, Ownership Percentage	2.65%
Euroamerica C de B SA [Member]
Identification and Activities of the Company and Subsidiaries [Line Items]
Number of Shares Outstanding, Ownership Percentage	3.34%	1.85%
Banchile C de B S A [Member]
Identification and Activities of the Company and Subsidiaries [Line Items]
Number of Shares Outstanding, Ownership Percentage		1.82%
Inversiones la Esperanza de Chile Limitada [Member]
Identification and Activities of the Company and Subsidiaries [Line Items]
Number of Shares Outstanding, Ownership Percentage	1.59%	1.59%
Banchile Corredora de Bolsa S. A. [Member]
Identification and Activities of the Company and Subsidiaries [Line Items]
Number of Shares Outstanding, Ownership Percentage	1.10%
Banco de Chile on behalf of Citibank NA New York customers [member]
Identification and Activities of the Company and Subsidiaries [Line Items]
Number of Shares Outstanding, Ownership Percentage	0.73%
Santiago stock exchanges [Member]
Identification and Activities of the Company and Subsidiaries [Line Items]
Number of Shares Outstanding, Ownership Percentage		1.18%
Series A Stock [Member] | Inversiones TLC SPA [Member]
Identification and Activities of the Company and Subsidiaries [Line Items]
Number of shares outstanding	62,556,568	62,556,568
Number of Shares Outstanding, Ownership Percentage	43.80%	43.80%
Series A Stock [Member] | The Bank of New York Mellon, ADRs [Member]
Identification and Activities of the Company and Subsidiaries [Line Items]
Number of shares outstanding	0	0
Number of Shares Outstanding, Ownership Percentage	0.00%	0.00%
Series A Stock [Member] | Sociedad de Inversiones Pampa Calichera S.A. [Member]
Identification and Activities of the Company and Subsidiaries [Line Items]
Number of shares outstanding	44,894,152	44,894,152
Number of Shares Outstanding, Ownership Percentage	31.43%	31.43%
Series A Stock [Member] | Potasios de Chile S.A. [Member]
Identification and Activities of the Company and Subsidiaries [Line Items]
Number of shares outstanding	18,179,147	18,179,147
Number of Shares Outstanding, Ownership Percentage	12.73%	12.73%
Series A Stock [Member] | Inversiones Global Mining Chile Limitada [Member]
Identification and Activities of the Company and Subsidiaries [Line Items]
Number of shares outstanding	8,798,539	8,798,539
Number of Shares Outstanding, Ownership Percentage	6.16%	6.16%
Series A Stock [Member] | Banco de Chile Non Resident Third Party Accounts [Member]
Identification and Activities of the Company and Subsidiaries [Line Items]
Number of shares outstanding	0	109
Number of Shares Outstanding, Ownership Percentage	0.00%	0.00%
Series A Stock [Member] | Banco Itau via Foreign Investor Accounts [Member]
Identification and Activities of the Company and Subsidiaries [Line Items]
Number of shares outstanding		0
Number of Shares Outstanding, Ownership Percentage		0.00%
Series A Stock [Member] | Banco Santander via Foreign Investor [Member]
Identification and Activities of the Company and Subsidiaries [Line Items]
Number of shares outstanding	0	0
Number of Shares Outstanding, Ownership Percentage	0.00%	0.00%
Series A Stock [Member] | Banco de Chile via State Street [Member]
Identification and Activities of the Company and Subsidiaries [Line Items]
Number of shares outstanding	0
Number of Shares Outstanding, Ownership Percentage	0.00%
Series A Stock [Member] | Euroamerica C de B SA [Member]
Identification and Activities of the Company and Subsidiaries [Line Items]
Number of shares outstanding	1,418	3,056
Number of Shares Outstanding, Ownership Percentage	0.00%	0.00%
Series A Stock [Member] | Banchile C de B S A [Member]
Identification and Activities of the Company and Subsidiaries [Line Items]
Number of shares outstanding		491,729
Number of Shares Outstanding, Ownership Percentage		0.34%
Series A Stock [Member] | Inversiones la Esperanza de Chile Limitada [Member]
Identification and Activities of the Company and Subsidiaries [Line Items]
Number of shares outstanding	4,147,263	4,147,263
Number of Shares Outstanding, Ownership Percentage	2.90%	2.90%
Series A Stock [Member] | Banchile Corredora de Bolsa S. A. [Member]
Identification and Activities of the Company and Subsidiaries [Line Items]
Number of shares outstanding	459,202
Number of Shares Outstanding, Ownership Percentage	0.32%
Series A Stock [Member] | Banco de Chile on behalf of Citibank NA New York customers [member]
Identification and Activities of the Company and Subsidiaries [Line Items]
Number of shares outstanding	177,463
Number of Shares Outstanding, Ownership Percentage	0.12%
Series A Stock [Member] | Santiago stock exchanges [Member]
Identification and Activities of the Company and Subsidiaries [Line Items]
Number of shares outstanding		30,590
Number of Shares Outstanding, Ownership Percentage		0.02%
Series B Stock [Member] | Inversiones TLC SPA [Member]
Identification and Activities of the Company and Subsidiaries [Line Items]
Number of shares outstanding	0	0
Number of Shares Outstanding, Ownership Percentage	0.00%	0.00%
Series B Stock [Member] | The Bank of New York Mellon, ADRs [Member]
Identification and Activities of the Company and Subsidiaries [Line Items]
Number of shares outstanding	50,792,452	38,311,788
Number of Shares Outstanding, Ownership Percentage	42.19%	31.83%
Series B Stock [Member] | Sociedad de Inversiones Pampa Calichera S.A. [Member]
Identification and Activities of the Company and Subsidiaries [Line Items]
Number of shares outstanding	922,971	3,793,154
Number of Shares Outstanding, Ownership Percentage	0.77%	3.15%
Series B Stock [Member] | Potasios de Chile S.A. [Member]
Identification and Activities of the Company and Subsidiaries [Line Items]
Number of shares outstanding	0	0
Number of Shares Outstanding, Ownership Percentage	0.00%	0.00%
Series B Stock [Member] | Inversiones Global Mining Chile Limitada [Member]
Identification and Activities of the Company and Subsidiaries [Line Items]
Number of shares outstanding	0	0
Number of Shares Outstanding, Ownership Percentage	0.00%	0.00%
Series B Stock [Member] | Banco de Chile Non Resident Third Party Accounts [Member]
Identification and Activities of the Company and Subsidiaries [Line Items]
Number of shares outstanding	6,129,339	6,842,746
Number of Shares Outstanding, Ownership Percentage	5.09%	5.68%
Series B Stock [Member] | Banco Itau via Foreign Investor Accounts [Member]
Identification and Activities of the Company and Subsidiaries [Line Items]
Number of shares outstanding		7,373,216
Number of Shares Outstanding, Ownership Percentage		6.13%
Series B Stock [Member] | Banco Santander via Foreign Investor [Member]
Identification and Activities of the Company and Subsidiaries [Line Items]
Number of shares outstanding	7,294,827	6,618,416
Number of Shares Outstanding, Ownership Percentage	6.06%	5.50%
Series B Stock [Member] | Banco de Chile via State Street [Member]
Identification and Activities of the Company and Subsidiaries [Line Items]
Number of shares outstanding	6,971,782
Number of Shares Outstanding, Ownership Percentage	5.79%
Series B Stock [Member] | Euroamerica C de B SA [Member]
Identification and Activities of the Company and Subsidiaries [Line Items]
Number of shares outstanding	8,788,517	4,863,467
Number of Shares Outstanding, Ownership Percentage	7.30%	4.04%
Series B Stock [Member] | Banchile C de B S A [Member]
Identification and Activities of the Company and Subsidiaries [Line Items]
Number of shares outstanding		4,285,696
Number of Shares Outstanding, Ownership Percentage		3.56%
Series B Stock [Member] | Inversiones la Esperanza de Chile Limitada [Member]
Identification and Activities of the Company and Subsidiaries [Line Items]
Number of shares outstanding	46,500	46,500
Number of Shares Outstanding, Ownership Percentage	0.04%	0.04%
Series B Stock [Member] | Banchile Corredora de Bolsa S. A. [Member]
Identification and Activities of the Company and Subsidiaries [Line Items]
Number of shares outstanding	2,426,758
Number of Shares Outstanding, Ownership Percentage	2.02%
Series B Stock [Member] | Banco de Chile on behalf of Citibank NA New York customers [member]
Identification and Activities of the Company and Subsidiaries [Line Items]
Number of shares outstanding	1,732,249
Number of Shares Outstanding, Ownership Percentage	1.44%
Series B Stock [Member] | Santiago stock exchanges [Member]
Identification and Activities of the Company and Subsidiaries [Line Items]
Number of shares outstanding		3,077,930
Number of Shares Outstanding, Ownership Percentage		2.56%

Identification and Activities_5

Identification and Activities of the Company and Subsidiaries (Details Textual)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020shares	Dec. 31, 2019shares
Identification and Activities of the Company and Subsidiaries [Line Items]
Percentage of shareholder Outstanding shares interest in excess	5.00%
Number of shareholders	1,358
Inversiones TLC SPA [Member]
Identification and Activities of the Company and Subsidiaries [Line Items]
Percentage of voting equity held by entity or by its subsidiaries	23.77%
Number of shares in entity held by entity or by its subsidiaries or associates	62,556,568
Number of shares reserved for issue under options and contracts for sale of shares		62,556,568
Inversiones TLC SPA [Member] | Series A Stock [Member]
Identification and Activities of the Company and Subsidiaries [Line Items]
Percentage of voting equity held by entity or by its subsidiaries	25.86%
Inversiones TLC SPA [Member] | Series B Stock [Member]
Identification and Activities of the Company and Subsidiaries [Line Items]
Percentage of voting equity held by entity or by its subsidiaries	25.86%
Number of shares in entity held by entity or by its subsidiaries or associates	5,516,772
Banco de Chile via State Street [Member] | Series A Stock [Member]
Identification and Activities of the Company and Subsidiaries [Line Items]
Number of shares in entity held by entity or by its subsidiaries or associates	57,235,201
Banco de Chile via State Street [Member] | Series B Stock [Member]
Identification and Activities of the Company and Subsidiaries [Line Items]
Number of shares in entity held by entity or by its subsidiaries or associates	11,418,078

Basis of presentation for the_3

Basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Disclosure Of Basis Of Presentation For Consolidated Financial Statement [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, (net)	$ 1,737,319	$ 1,569,906	$ 1,454,823
Right-of-use assets	30,024	37,164	$ 0
Other current financial liabilities	68,955	291,128
Lease liabilities, current	5,528	7,694
Other non-current financial liabilities	1,899,513	1,488,723
Lease liabilities, non-current	$ 25,546	30,203
Balances originally reported [Member]
Disclosure Of Basis Of Presentation For Consolidated Financial Statement [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, (net)		1,607,070
Right-of-use assets		0
Other current financial liabilities		298,822
Lease liabilities, current		0
Other non-current financial liabilities		1,518,926
Lease liabilities, non-current		0
Reclassification balances [Member]
Disclosure Of Basis Of Presentation For Consolidated Financial Statement [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, (net)		(37,164)
Right-of-use assets		37,164
Other current financial liabilities		(7,694)
Lease liabilities, current		7,694
Other non-current financial liabilities		(30,203)
Lease liabilities, non-current		30,203
Reclassified balances [member]
Disclosure Of Basis Of Presentation For Consolidated Financial Statement [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, (net)		1,569,906
Right-of-use assets		37,164
Other current financial liabilities		291,128
Lease liabilities, current		7,694
Other non-current financial liabilities		1,488,723
Lease liabilities, non-current		$ 30,203

Significant accounting polici_4

Significant accounting policies (Details)		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Brazilian real [Member]
Significant accounting policies [Line Items]
Closing foreign exchange rate		5.18	4.02
Average foreign exchange rate		5.14	4.11
New Peruvian Sol [Member]
Significant accounting policies [Line Items]
Closing foreign exchange rate		3.62	3.31
Average foreign exchange rate		3.60	3.35
Argentine peso [Member]
Significant accounting policies [Line Items]
Closing foreign exchange rate		84.14	59.83
Average foreign exchange rate		82.62	59.86
Japanese yen [Member]
Significant accounting policies [Line Items]
Closing foreign exchange rate		105.56	108.90
Average foreign exchange rate		103.81	109.12
Euro [Member]
Significant accounting policies [Line Items]
Closing foreign exchange rate		0.81	0.89
Average foreign exchange rate		0.82	0.90
Mexican peso [Member]
Significant accounting policies [Line Items]
Closing foreign exchange rate		19.93	18.89
Average foreign exchange rate		19.97	19.11
Australian dollar [Member]
Significant accounting policies [Line Items]
Closing foreign exchange rate		1.30	1.43
Average foreign exchange rate		1.33	1.45
Pound Sterling [Member]
Significant accounting policies [Line Items]
Closing foreign exchange rate		0.74	0.76
Average foreign exchange rate		0.74	0.76
South African rand [Member]
Significant accounting policies [Line Items]
Closing foreign exchange rate		14.61	14.06
Average foreign exchange rate		14.88	14.42
Chilean peso [Member]
Significant accounting policies [Line Items]
Closing foreign exchange rate		710.95	748.74
Average foreign exchange rate		731.92	767.22
Chinese yuan [Member]
Significant accounting policies [Line Items]
Closing foreign exchange rate		6.51	6.98
Average foreign exchange rate		6.53	7.01
Indian rupee [Member]
Significant accounting policies [Line Items]
Closing foreign exchange rate		73.30	71.31
Average foreign exchange rate		73.65	71.16
Thai Baht [Member]
Significant accounting policies [Line Items]
Closing foreign exchange rate		29.94	29.97
Average foreign exchange rate		30.08	30.22
Turkish lira [Member]
Significant accounting policies [Line Items]
Closing foreign exchange rate		7.36	5.94
Average foreign exchange rate		7.70	5.85
Uf [Member]
Significant accounting policies [Line Items]
Closing foreign exchange rate	[1]	40.89	37.81
Average foreign exchange rate	[1]	39.73	36.90
[1]	US$ per UF

Significant accounting polici_5

Significant accounting policies (Details 1)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Bottom of range [Member] | Mining assets [Member]
Significant accounting policies [Line Items]
Useful life measured as period of time, property, plant and equipment	3 years
Bottom of range [Member] | Energy generating assets [Member]
Significant accounting policies [Line Items]
Useful life measured as period of time, property, plant and equipment	3 years
Bottom of range [Member] | Buildings [Member]
Significant accounting policies [Line Items]
Useful life measured as period of time, property, plant and equipment	3 years
Bottom of range [Member] | Supplies and accessories [Member]
Significant accounting policies [Line Items]
Useful life measured as period of time, property, plant and equipment	2 years
Bottom of range [Member] | Office Equipment [Member]
Significant accounting policies [Line Items]
Useful life measured as period of time, property, plant and equipment	5 years
Bottom of range [Member] | Transport equipment [Member]
Significant accounting policies [Line Items]
Useful life measured as period of time, property, plant and equipment	5 years
Bottom of range [Member] | Network and communication equipment [Member]
Significant accounting policies [Line Items]
Useful life measured as period of time, property, plant and equipment	4 years
Bottom of range [Member] | IT equipment [Member]
Significant accounting policies [Line Items]
Useful life measured as period of time, property, plant and equipment	5 years
Bottom of range [Member] | Machinery, plant and equipment [Member]
Significant accounting policies [Line Items]
Useful life measured as period of time, property, plant and equipment	5 years
Bottom of range [Member] | Other property, plant and equipment [Member]
Significant accounting policies [Line Items]
Useful life measured as period of time, property, plant and equipment	3 years
Top of range [Member] | Mining assets [Member]
Significant accounting policies [Line Items]
Useful life measured as period of time, property, plant and equipment	7 years
Top of range [Member] | Energy generating assets [Member]
Significant accounting policies [Line Items]
Useful life measured as period of time, property, plant and equipment	16 years
Top of range [Member] | Buildings [Member]
Significant accounting policies [Line Items]
Useful life measured as period of time, property, plant and equipment	25 years
Top of range [Member] | Supplies and accessories [Member]
Significant accounting policies [Line Items]
Useful life measured as period of time, property, plant and equipment	10 years
Top of range [Member] | Office Equipment [Member]
Significant accounting policies [Line Items]
Useful life measured as period of time, property, plant and equipment	5 years
Top of range [Member] | Transport equipment [Member]
Significant accounting policies [Line Items]
Useful life measured as period of time, property, plant and equipment	8 years
Top of range [Member] | Network and communication equipment [Member]
Significant accounting policies [Line Items]
Useful life measured as period of time, property, plant and equipment	10 years
Top of range [Member] | IT equipment [Member]
Significant accounting policies [Line Items]
Useful life measured as period of time, property, plant and equipment	11 years
Top of range [Member] | Machinery, plant and equipment [Member]
Significant accounting policies [Line Items]
Useful life measured as period of time, property, plant and equipment	25 years
Top of range [Member] | Other property, plant and equipment [Member]
Significant accounting policies [Line Items]
Useful life measured as period of time, property, plant and equipment	15 years
Weighted Average [Member] | Mining assets [Member]
Significant accounting policies [Line Items]
Useful life measured as period of time, property, plant and equipment	6 years
Weighted Average [Member] | Energy generating assets [Member]
Significant accounting policies [Line Items]
Useful life measured as period of time, property, plant and equipment	9 years
Weighted Average [Member] | Buildings [Member]
Significant accounting policies [Line Items]
Useful life measured as period of time, property, plant and equipment	13 years
Weighted Average [Member] | Supplies and accessories [Member]
Significant accounting policies [Line Items]
Useful life measured as period of time, property, plant and equipment	7 years
Weighted Average [Member] | Office Equipment [Member]
Significant accounting policies [Line Items]
Useful life measured as period of time, property, plant and equipment	5 years
Weighted Average [Member] | Transport equipment [Member]
Significant accounting policies [Line Items]
Useful life measured as period of time, property, plant and equipment	6 years
Weighted Average [Member] | Network and communication equipment [Member]
Significant accounting policies [Line Items]
Useful life measured as period of time, property, plant and equipment	8 years
Weighted Average [Member] | IT equipment [Member]
Significant accounting policies [Line Items]
Useful life measured as period of time, property, plant and equipment	7 years
Weighted Average [Member] | Machinery, plant and equipment [Member]
Significant accounting policies [Line Items]
Useful life measured as period of time, property, plant and equipment	13 years
Weighted Average [Member] | Other property, plant and equipment [Member]
Significant accounting policies [Line Items]
Useful life measured as period of time, property, plant and equipment	10 years

Significant accounting polici_6

Significant accounting policies (Details 2)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Water rights and rights of way [member] | Bottom of range [member]
Significant accounting policies [Line Items]
Description of useful life, intangible assets other than goodwill	Indefinite
Water rights and rights of way [member] | Top of range [member]
Significant accounting policies [Line Items]
Description of useful life, intangible assets other than goodwill	Indefinite
Mining rights granted by Corfo [member] | Bottom of range [member]
Significant accounting policies [Line Items]
Useful life measured as period of time, intangible assets other than goodwill	10 years
Mining rights granted by Corfo [member] | Top of range [member]
Significant accounting policies [Line Items]
Useful life measured as period of time, intangible assets other than goodwill	10 years
Mining rights [member]
Significant accounting policies [Line Items]
Description of useful life, intangible assets other than goodwill	Unit-production method
IT programs [member] | Bottom of range [member]
Significant accounting policies [Line Items]
Useful life measured as period of time, intangible assets other than goodwill	2 years
IT programs [member] | Top of range [member]
Significant accounting policies [Line Items]
Useful life measured as period of time, intangible assets other than goodwill	8 years

Significant accounting polici_7

Significant accounting policies (Details Textual)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Significant accounting policies [Line Items]
Amortization Period	10 years
Bottom of range [member]
Significant accounting policies [Line Items]
Cash dividend rate	30.00%

Financial risk management (Deta

Financial risk management (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Time deposits [Member] | Financial Assets Neither Past Due Nor Impaired Total [Member]
Financial risk management [Line Items]
Financial assets	$ 261,973
Time and Investment Fund Deposits Total [Member] | Financial Assets Neither Past Due Nor Impaired Total [Member]
Financial risk management [Line Items]
Financial assets		$ 476,332
90 days to 1 year [Member] | Financial Assets Neither Past Due Nor Impaired Total [Member]
Financial risk management [Line Items]
Financial assets	345,459	485,689
No Rating [Member] | Time deposits [Member] | BBVA Banco Frances [Member] | Financial assets neither past due nor impaired [member]
Financial risk management [Line Items]
Financial assets		53
No Rating [Member] | Time deposits [Member] | Other banks with lower balances [Member] | Financial assets neither past due nor impaired [member]
Financial risk management [Line Items]
Financial assets	86
No Rating [Member] | 90 days to 1 year [Member] | Banco de Chile [Member] | Financial assets neither past due nor impaired [member]
Financial risk management [Line Items]
Financial assets		18,026
Fitch F1 [Member] | Time deposits [Member] | Scotiabank Sud Americano [Member] | Financial assets neither past due nor impaired [member]
Financial risk management [Line Items]
Financial assets	7,002	14,428
Fitch F1 [Member] | 90 days to 1 year [Member] | Banco Scotiabank Sud Americano [Member] | Financial assets neither past due nor impaired [member]
Financial risk management [Line Items]
Financial assets	31,668
Moody's P-2 [Member] | 90 days to 1 year [Member] | Banco Scotiabank Sud Americano [Member] | Financial assets neither past due nor impaired [member]
Financial risk management [Line Items]
Financial assets		54,180
Moody's P-1 S&P A-1 [Member] | Time deposits [Member] | Banco Credito e Inversiones [Member] | Financial assets neither past due nor impaired [member]
Financial risk management [Line Items]
Financial assets	9,002	42,096
Moody's P-1 S&P A-1 [Member] | Time deposits [Member] | Banco Santander - Santiago [Member] | Financial assets neither past due nor impaired [member]
Financial risk management [Line Items]
Financial assets	16,702
Moody's P-1 S&P A-1 [Member] | Time deposits [Member] | Banco de Chile [Member] | Financial assets neither past due nor impaired [member]
Financial risk management [Line Items]
Financial assets	10,503	50,221
Moody's P-1 S&P A-1 [Member] | Time deposits [Member] | Banco Estado [Member] | Financial assets neither past due nor impaired [member]
Financial risk management [Line Items]
Financial assets	1,001	500
Moody's P-1 S&P A-1 [Member] | Time deposits [Member] | Banco Santander [Member] | Financial assets neither past due nor impaired [member]
Financial risk management [Line Items]
Financial assets		2,708
Moody's P-1 S&P A-1 [Member] | 90 days to 1 year [Member] | Banco Credito e Inversiones [Member] | Financial assets neither past due nor impaired [member]
Financial risk management [Line Items]
Financial assets	185,589
Moody's P-1 S&P A-1 [Member] | 90 days to 1 year [Member] | Banco Santander - Santiago [Member]
Financial risk management [Line Items]
Financial assets		74,365
Moody's P-1 S&P A-1 [Member] | 90 days to 1 year [Member] | Banco Santander - Santiago [Member] | Financial assets neither past due nor impaired [member]
Financial risk management [Line Items]
Financial assets	45,168
Moody's P-1 S&P A-1 [Member] | 90 days to 1 year [Member] | Banco Estado [Member] | Financial assets neither past due nor impaired [member]
Financial risk management [Line Items]
Financial assets		15,126
Moody's P-1 S&P A-1 [Member] | 90 days to 1 year [Member] | Banco de Crédito e Inversiones [Member] | Financial assets neither past due nor impaired [member]
Financial risk management [Line Items]
Financial assets		178,448
Moody's P-2 S&P A-2 [Member] | Time deposits [Member] | Banco Itau Corpbanca [Member] | Financial assets neither past due nor impaired [member]
Financial risk management [Line Items]
Financial assets	7,299	39,093
Moody's P-2 S&P A-2 [Member] | 90 days to 1 year [Member] | Banco Itau Corpbanca [Member] | Financial assets neither past due nor impaired [member]
Financial risk management [Line Items]
Financial assets	49,006	127,579
S&P A-2 Fitch F2 [Member] | 90 days to 1 year [Member] | Banco Security [Member] | Financial assets neither past due nor impaired [member]
Financial risk management [Line Items]
Financial assets		17,965
Moodys Aaamf SP AAAm Fitch AAAmmf [Member] | Investment Fund [Member] | JP Morgan US dollar Liquidity Fund Institutional [Member] | Financial assets neither past due nor impaired [member]
Financial risk management [Line Items]
Financial assets	102,753	181,155
SP AAAm Fitch AAAmmf [Member] | Investment Fund [Member] | Legg Mason - Western Asset Institutional Cash Reserves [Member] | Financial assets neither past due nor impaired [member]
Financial risk management [Line Items]
Financial assets	107,625	$ 146,078
Moody's P-1 S&P A-1 Fitch N1+ [Member] | 90 days to 1 year [Member] | JP Morgan Asset Management [Member] | Financial assets neither past due nor impaired [member]
Financial risk management [Line Items]
Financial assets	$ 34,028

Financial risk management (De_2

Financial risk management (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Financial risk management [Line Items]
Bank borrowings	$ 72,340	$ 77,040
Unsecured obligations	2,742,530	2,125,010
Subtotal	2,814,870	2,202,050
Hedging liabilities	29,470	63,270
Derivative financial instruments	5,390	3,170
Subtotal	34,860	66,440
Current and non-current lease liabilities	34,610	42,180
Trade accounts payable and other accounts payable	203,933	205,790
Total	3,088,270	2,516,460
Less than 1 year [member]
Financial risk management [Line Items]
Bank borrowings	940	2,170
Unsecured obligations	88,220	326,340
Subtotal	89,160	328,510
Hedging liabilities	6,060	6,570
Derivative financial instruments	5,390	3,170
Subtotal	11,450	9,740
Current and non-current lease liabilities	6,400	8,900
Trade accounts payable and other accounts payable	203,930	205,790
Total	310,940	552,940
1 to 5 years [member]
Financial risk management [Line Items]
Bank borrowings	71,400	74,870
Unsecured obligations	927,170	614,290
Subtotal	998,570	689,160
Hedging liabilities	12,340	24,330
Derivative financial instruments	0	0
Subtotal	12,340	24,330
Current and non-current lease liabilities	21,040	23,010
Trade accounts payable and other accounts payable	0	0
Total	1,031,950	736,500
Over 5 years [member]
Financial risk management [Line Items]
Bank borrowings	0	0
Unsecured obligations	1,727,140	1,184,380
Subtotal	1,727,140	1,184,380
Hedging liabilities	11,070	32,370
Derivative financial instruments	0	0
Subtotal	11,070	32,370
Current and non-current lease liabilities	7,170	10,270
Trade accounts payable and other accounts payable	0	0
Total	1,745,380	1,227,020
Carrying amount [Member]
Financial risk management [Line Items]
Bank borrowings	70,080	70,190
Unsecured obligations	1,872,090	1,697,110
Subtotal	1,942,170	1,767,300
Hedging liabilities	40,210	23,660
Derivative financial instruments	5,390	3,170
Subtotal	45,600	26,830
Current and non-current lease liabilities	31,070	37,900
Trade accounts payable and other accounts payable	203,930	205,790
Total	$ 2,222,770	$ 2,037,820

Financial risk management (De_3

Financial risk management (Details Textual) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)
Financial risk management [Line Items]
Percentage of Financial Liabilities Maturing in Next 12 Months	4.00%
Undrawn borrowing facilities	$ 478,000
Derivatives designated as fair value hedges liability	$ 29,470	$ 63,270
Percentage of Insurance Covers on Risk	80.00%
Banco Santander [Member]
Financial risk management [Line Items]
Collateral Guarantee Reduce Liquidity Risk	$ 1,870
CHILE
Financial risk management [Line Items]
Average foreign exchange rate	10,000
Derivatives [member]
Financial risk management [Line Items]
Financial assets, at fair value	$ 18,410	18,900
Adjustments for unrealised foreign exchange losses (gains)	$ 473,000
Derivatives [member] | Interest rate hedging [Member]
Financial risk management [Line Items]
Derivative financial instruments percentage of obligations covered	100.00%
Derivatives [member] | Derivative instruments associated with nominative term deposits [Member] | Hedges of foreign exchange risks [Member]
Financial risk management [Line Items]
Derivative instruments designated as fair value hedges assets	$ 21,000
Derivatives designated as fair value hedges liability		$ 16,400
Percentage of foreign exchange risk associated with nominative term deposits	100.00%

Separate information on the m_3

Separate information on the main office, parent entity and joint action agreements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Separate information on the main office, parent entity and joint action agreements [Line Items]
Assets	$ 4,818,463	$ 4,684,151	$ 4,268,094
Liabilities	(2,655,885)	(2,549,679)	(2,130,292)
Equity	2,162,578	2,134,472	$ 2,137,802	$ 2,247,468
Parent [Member]
Separate information on the main office, parent entity and joint action agreements [Line Items]
Assets	4,173,308	4,069,649
Liabilities	(2,050,223)	(1,983,382)
Equity	$ 2,123,085	$ 2,086,267

Board of Directors, Senior Ma_3

Board of Directors, Senior Management and Key management personnel (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Statement [Line Items]
Key management personnel compensation	$ 22,858	$ 22,598	$ 27,907

Board of Directors, Senior Ma_4

Board of Directors, Senior Management and Key management personnel (Details Textual) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2020Employees	Dec. 31, 2019Employees
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Key management personnel compensation	$ 22,858	$ 22,598	$ 27,907
Number of employees	126	124		5,507	5,741
Chairman [Member] | Variable compensation [Member] | National currency [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Key management personnel compensation, Percentage	0.09%	0.12%
Directors [Member] | Variable compensation [Member] | Local currency [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Key management personnel compensation, Percentage	0.045%	0.06%
Directors committee [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Key management personnel compensation	$ 4,582	$ 5,168
Directors committee [Member] | Variable compensation [Member] | Local currency [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Key management personnel compensation, Percentage	0.015%	0.02%
Health, Safety and Environmental Matters Committee [Member] | Fixed compensation [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Key management personnel compensation		$ 100
Corporate Governance Committee [Member] | Fixed compensation [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Key management personnel compensation		$ 100

Equity-accounted investees (Det

Equity-accounted investees (Details) - USD ($)		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Equity-accounted investees [Line Items]
Investments accounted for using equity method		$ 85,993,000	$ 109,435,000	$ 111,549,000
Share of other comprehensive income of associates and joint ventures accounted for using equity method, before tax		7,500,000
Investments accounted for using equity method [member]
Equity-accounted investees [Line Items]
Investments accounted for using equity method	[1]	60,023,000	85,092,000	75,976,000
Share in profit (loss) of associates and joint ventures accounted for using the equity method		7,118,000	8,402,000	5,081,000
Share of other comprehensive income of associates and joint ventures accounted for using equity method, net of tax		382,000	(571,000)	(1,177)
Share of other comprehensive income of associates and joint ventures accounted for using equity method, before tax			7,831,000	3,904,000
Abu Dhabi Fertilizer Industries WWL
Equity-accounted investees [Line Items]
Investments accounted for using equity method	[1]	11,505,000	11,609,000	10,821,000
Share in profit (loss) of associates and joint ventures accounted for using the equity method		(156,000)	634,000	596,000
Share of other comprehensive income of associates and joint ventures accounted for using equity method, net of tax		0	1,000	0
Share of other comprehensive income of associates and joint ventures accounted for using equity method, before tax		(156,000)	635,000	596,000
Doktor Tarsa Tarim Sanayi AS
Equity-accounted investees [Line Items]
Investments accounted for using equity method	[1],[2]	0	26,001,000	21,582,000
Share in profit (loss) of associates and joint ventures accounted for using the equity method	[2]	4,031,000	3,912,000	241,000
Share of other comprehensive income of associates and joint ventures accounted for using equity method, net of tax	[2]	0	198,000	489,000
Share of other comprehensive income of associates and joint ventures accounted for using equity method, before tax	[2]	4,031,000	4,110,000	730,000
Ajay North America
Equity-accounted investees [Line Items]
Investments accounted for using equity method	[1]	14,468,000	14,669,000	14,951,000
Share in profit (loss) of associates and joint ventures accounted for using the equity method		2,191,000	2,871,000	3,728,000
Share of other comprehensive income of associates and joint ventures accounted for using equity method, net of tax		0	0	0
Share of other comprehensive income of associates and joint ventures accounted for using equity method, before tax		2,191,000	2,871,000	3,728,000
Ajay Europe SARL
Equity-accounted investees [Line Items]
Investments accounted for using equity method	[1]	7,875,000	7,451,000	7,845,000
Share in profit (loss) of associates and joint ventures accounted for using the equity method		1,029,000	1,165,000	1,373,000
Share of other comprehensive income of associates and joint ventures accounted for using equity method, net of tax		756,000	(179,000)	(439,000)
Share of other comprehensive income of associates and joint ventures accounted for using equity method, before tax		1,785,000	986,000	934,000
Charlee SQM Thailand Co, Ltd,
Equity-accounted investees [Line Items]
Investments accounted for using equity method	[1]	0	0	0
Share in profit (loss) of associates and joint ventures accounted for using the equity method		0	0	316,000
Share of other comprehensive income of associates and joint ventures accounted for using equity method, net of tax		0	0	0
Share of other comprehensive income of associates and joint ventures accounted for using equity method, before tax		0	0	316,000
SQM Eastmed Turkey
Equity-accounted investees [Line Items]
Investments accounted for using equity method	[1],[2]	0	623,000	310,000
Share in profit (loss) of associates and joint ventures accounted for using the equity method	[2]	247,000	354,000	370,000
Share of other comprehensive income of associates and joint ventures accounted for using equity method, net of tax	[2]	0	(42,000)	(21,000)
Share of other comprehensive income of associates and joint ventures accounted for using equity method, before tax	[2]	247,000	312,000	349,000
Kore Potash Ltd
Equity-accounted investees [Line Items]
Investments accounted for using equity method	[1]	26,175,000	24,739,000	20,467,000
Share in profit (loss) of associates and joint ventures accounted for using the equity method		(224,000)	(534,000)	(1,543,000)
Share of other comprehensive income of associates and joint ventures accounted for using equity method, net of tax		(374,000)	(549,000)	(1,206,000)
Share of other comprehensive income of associates and joint ventures accounted for using equity method, before tax		$ (598,000)	$ (1,083)	$ (2,749,000)
[1]	These investments include adjustments for unrealized results.
[2]	As of December 31, 2020, these investments no longer form part of the group. See Note 8.4 (a).

Equity-accounted investees (D_2

Equity-accounted investees (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Equity-accounted investees [Line Items]
Dividends received		$ 3,164	$ 3,851	$ 10,612
Abu Dhabi Fertilizer Industries WWL
Equity-accounted investees [Line Items]
Description of the nature of the relationship		Distribution and commercialization of specialty plant nutrients in the Middle East.
Domicile		PO Box 71871, Abu Dhabi
Country of incorporation		United Arab Emirates
Share of ownership in associates		37.00%
Dividends received		$ 0	0	6,632
Ajay North America
Equity-accounted investees [Line Items]
Description of the nature of the relationship		Production and distribution of iodine and iodine derivatives.
Domicile		1400 Industry RD Power Springs GA 30129
Country of incorporation		United States
Share of ownership in associates		49.00%
Dividends received		$ 1,967	2,796	2,807
Ajay Europe SARL
Equity-accounted investees [Line Items]
Description of the nature of the relationship		Production and distribution of iodine and iodine derivatives.
Domicile		Z.I. du Grand Verger BP 227 53602 Evron Cedex
Country of incorporation		France
Share of ownership in associates		50.00%
Dividends received		$ 1,197	1,055	811
Charlee SQM Thailand Co, Ltd,
Equity-accounted investees [Line Items]
Description of the nature of the relationship		Production and distribution of iodine and iodine derivatives.
Domicile		31 Soi 138 (Meesuk) LLapdrawrd, Bangkapi, 10240 Bangkok
Country of incorporation		Thailand
Share of ownership in associates		40.00%
Dividends received		$ 0	0	362
SQM Eastmed Turkey,
Equity-accounted investees [Line Items]
Description of the nature of the relationship		Production and distribution of iodine and iodine derivatives.
Domicile		Organize Sanayi Bolgesi, Ikinci Kisim, 22 cadde TR07100 Antalya
Country of incorporation		Turkey
Share of ownership in associates		50.00%
Dividends received		$ 0	0	0
Kore Potash Ltd.
Equity-accounted investees [Line Items]
Description of the nature of the relationship		Prospecting, exploration and mining development
Domicile		L 3 88 William ST Perth, was 6000
Country of incorporation		United Kingdom
Share of ownership in associates		20.20%
Dividends received		$ 0	0	0
Terra Tarsa B.V | Related Party of Doktor Tarsa Tarim Sanayi AS [Member]
Equity-accounted investees [Line Items]
Description of the nature of the relationship	[1]	Distribution and trading of specialty plant nutrients, in the Middle East.
Domicile	[1]	Herikerbergweg 238, Luna Arena, 1101CM Amsterdam PO Box 23393, 1100DW Amsterdam Zuidoost
Country of incorporation	[1]	Holland
Share of ownership in associates	[1]	50.00%
Dividends received	[1]	$ 0	0	0
Plantacote N.V. | Related Party of Doktor Tarsa Tarim Sanayi AS [Member]
Equity-accounted investees [Line Items]
Description of the nature of the relationship	[1]	Sale of CRF and production and sales of WSNPK.
Domicile	[1]	Houtdok-Noordkaai 25a, 2030 Antwerpen, Belgium
Country of incorporation	[1]	Belgium
Share of ownership in associates	[1]	100.00%
Dividends received	[1]	$ 0	0	0
Doktolab Tarim Arastima San, Tic As | Related Party of Doktor Tarsa Tarim Sanayi AS [Member]
Equity-accounted investees [Line Items]
Description of the nature of the relationship	[1]	Laboratory services.
Domicile	[1]	27. Cd. No:2, 07190 Aosb 2. Kısım/Döşemealtı, Antalya, Turkey
Country of incorporation	[1]	Turkey
Share of ownership in associates	[1]	100.00%
Dividends received	[1]	$ 0	0	0
Terra Tarsa Ukraine LLC | Related Party of Terra Tarsa B.V [Member]
Equity-accounted investees [Line Items]
Description of the nature of the relationship	[2]	Distribution and trading of specialty plant nutrients.
Domicile	[2]	74800 Ukraine, Kakhovka, 4 Yuzhnaya Str.
Country of incorporation	[2]	Ukraine
Share of ownership in associates	[2]	100.00%
Dividends received	[2]	$ 0	0	0
Terra Tarsa Don LLC | Related Party of Terra Tarsa B.V [Member]
Equity-accounted investees [Line Items]
Description of the nature of the relationship	[2]	Distribution and sale of specialty fertilizers.
Domicile	[2]	Zorge Street, house 17, 344090, Rostov-on-Don
Country of incorporation	[2]	Russian Federation
Share of ownership in associates	[2]	100.00%
Dividends received	[2]	$ 0	0	0
Internacional Technical and Trading Agenies Co. WLL | Related Party of Abu Dhabi Fertilizer Industries WWL [Member]
Equity-accounted investees [Line Items]
Description of the nature of the relationship	[3]	Distribution and trading of specialty plant nutrients, in the Middle East.
Domicile	[3]	P.O Box: 950918 Amman 11195
Country of incorporation	[3]	Jordan
Share of ownership in associates	[3]	50.00%
Dividends received	[3]	$ 0	0	0
Doctochem Tarim Sanayai Ticaret LTD | Related Party of Doktor Tarsa Tarim Sanayi AS [Member]
Equity-accounted investees [Line Items]
Description of the nature of the relationship	[1]	Production, distribution and trading of specialty plant nutrition.
Domicile	[1]	Eski Büyükdere Cad No: 7 GIZ 2000 Plaza K:17 D:67-68 Maslak Sariyer Ístambul.
Country of incorporation	[1]	Turkey
Share of ownership in associates	[1]	100.00%
Dividends received	[1]	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
[1]	Doktor Tarsa Tarim Sanayi AS
[2]	Terra Tarsa B.V.
[3]	Abu Dhabi Fertilizer Industries WWL

Equity-accounted investees (D_3

Equity-accounted investees (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Equity-accounted investees [Line Items]
Current assets	$ 2,569,258	$ 2,682,166
Non-current Assets	2,249,205	2,001,985
Current liabilities	475,882	776,812
Non-current liabilities	2,180,003	1,772,867
Revenue	1,817,191	1,943,655	$ 2,265,803
Gain (loss)	168,359	280,603	442,063
Other comprehensive income	19,266	(1,755)	(486)
Comprehensive income	187,625	278,848	441,577
Associates [member]
Equity-accounted investees [Line Items]
Current assets	75,549	176,333	141,240
Non-current Assets	149,940	161,068	187,895
Current liabilities	20,002	43,572	47,056
Non-current liabilities	101	39,226	9,943
Revenue	91,511	202,984	187,061
Gain (loss)	2,876	15,719	4,989
Other comprehensive income	2,222	(2,833)	(6,825)
Comprehensive income	5,098	12,886	(1,836)
Abu Dhabi Fertilizer Industries WWL
Equity-accounted investees [Line Items]
Current assets	29,313	28,543	23,496
Non-current Assets	8,586	9,971	11,444
Current liabilities	6,706	7,133	5,695
Non-current liabilities	101	0	0
Revenue	6,641	31,588	33,098
Gain (loss)	(420)	1,713	1,611
Other comprehensive income	0	4	(1)
Comprehensive income	(420)	1,717	1,610
Doktor Tarsa Tarim Sanayi AS
Equity-accounted investees [Line Items]
Current assets		97,797	66,498
Non-current Assets		15,196	12,242
Current liabilities		22,420	27,067
Non-current liabilities		38,522	8,509
Revenue		93,768	74,144
Gain (loss)		7,824	481
Other comprehensive income		396	978
Comprehensive income		8,220	1,459
Ajay North America
Equity-accounted investees [Line Items]
Current assets	18,513	19,748	21,644
Non-current Assets	15,749	13,250	12,409
Current liabilities	4,737	3,061	3,542
Non-current liabilities	0	0	0
Revenue	42,920	38,833	40,290
Gain (loss)	4,471	5,860	7,608
Other comprehensive income	0	0	0
Comprehensive income	4,471	5,860	7,608
Ajay Europe SARL
Equity-accounted investees [Line Items]
Current assets	22,032	19,589	21,219
Non-current Assets	1,493	1,456	1,214
Current liabilities	7,773	6,144	6,743
Non-current liabilities	0	0	0
Revenue	41,950	35,709	36,337
Gain (loss)	2,058	2,329	2,747
Other comprehensive income	1,736	(358)	(878)
Comprehensive income	3,794	1,971	1,869
SQM Eastmed Turkey
Equity-accounted investees [Line Items]
Current assets		2,718	1,724
Non-current Assets		1,833	2,160
Current liabilities		2,600	1,829
Non-current liabilities		704	1,434
Revenue		3,086	3,192
Gain (loss)		709	740
Other comprehensive income		(84)	(42)
Comprehensive income		625	698
Kore Potash Ltd.
Equity-accounted investees [Line Items]
Current assets	5,691	7,938	6,659
Non-current Assets	124,112	119,362	148,426
Current liabilities	786	2,214	2,180
Non-current liabilities	0	0	0
Revenue	0	0	0
Gain (loss)	(3,233)	(2,716)	(8,198)
Other comprehensive income	486	(2,791)	(6,882)
Comprehensive income	$ (2,747)	$ (5,507)	$ (15,080)

Equity-accounted investees (D_4

Equity-accounted investees (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Jul. 31, 2019	Nov. 14, 2018	Jul. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 11, 2019	May 15, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018
Equity-accounted investees [Line Items]
Investments accounted for using equity method					$ 85,993			$ 85,993	$ 109,435	$ 111,549
Percentage of voting equity interests acquired												50.00%
Dividends paid, classified as financing activities								221,995	329,787	550,352
Profit loss from sale of interests in associates							$ 643
Kore Potash Ltd. [Member]
Equity-accounted investees [Line Items]
Percentage share reduction					0.06%
Proportion of ownership interest in associate					20.20%
Increase decrease in equity through share based payment transaction					$ 79
Kore Potash Ltd. [Member] | SQM [Member] | South Africa
Equity-accounted investees [Line Items]
Proportion of ownership interest in associate		19.67%				20.26%
Investment in associate shares						260,598,591
Total shares in associates						584,753,846
Payment to acquire investment in associates				$ 2,600		$ 1,679
Plantacote N.V [Member] | WSNPK [Member] | SQM [Member] | Netherlands
Equity-accounted investees [Line Items]
Business combination total purchase consideration					16,757			16,757
Business combination goodwill					7,380			7,380
SQM Thailand Co Ltd [Member]
Equity-accounted investees [Line Items]
Dividends paid, classified as financing activities			$ 759
Kore Potash PLC [Member]
Equity-accounted investees [Line Items]
Investments accounted for using equity method													$ 3,000
Percentage share reduction							0.60%
Transfer in equity of non controlling interest to other reserves							$ 754
Doktor Tarsa Tarim Sanayi AS [Member]
Equity-accounted investees [Line Items]
Investments accounted for using equity method	[1],[2]				0			0	26,001	21,582
Proceeds from sales of interests in associates						33,066
Profit loss from sale of interests in associates						11,408
Other current receivables						4,745
Other non current receivables					9,491			9,491
Doktor Tarsa Tarim Sanayi AS [Member] | Doctochem Tarim Sanayi LTD [Member]
Equity-accounted investees [Line Items]
Percentage of voting equity interests acquired											100.00%
SQM Eastmed Turkey [Member]
Equity-accounted investees [Line Items]
Investments accounted for using equity method	[1],[2]				$ 0			$ 0	$ 623	$ 310
Proportion of ownership interest in associate								50.00%
Proceeds from sales of interests in associates						618
Profit loss from sale of interests in associates						$ 408
[1]	As of December 31, 2020, these investments no longer form part of the group. See Note 8.4 (a).
[2]	These investments include adjustments for unrealized results.

Joint Ventures (Details)

Joint Ventures (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Statement [Line Items]
Dividends received		$ 3,164	$ 3,851	$ 10,612
Sichuan SQM Migao Chemical Fertilizers Co Ltda. [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Description of the nature of the relationship		Production and distribution of soluble fertilizers.
Principal place of business of joint venture		Huangjing Road, Dawan Town, Qingbaijiang District, Chengdu Municipality, Sichuan Province
Country of incorporation of joint venture		China
Proportion of ownership interest in joint venture		50.00%
Dividends received		$ 0	0	0
Coromandel SQM India [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Description of the nature of the relationship		Production and distribution of potassium nitrate.
Principal place of business of joint venture		1-2-10, Sardar Patel Road, Secunderabad – 500003 Andhra Pradesh
Country of incorporation of joint venture		India
Proportion of ownership interest in joint venture		50.00%
Dividends received		$ 0	0	0
SQM Vitas Fzco. [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Description of the nature of the relationship		Production and commercialization of specialty plant, animal nutrition and industrial hygiene.
Principal place of business of joint venture		Jebel ALI Free Zone P.O. Box 18222, Dubai
Country of incorporation of joint venture		United Arab Emirates
Proportion of ownership interest in joint venture		50.00%
Dividends received		$ 0	10,598	0
SQM Star Qingdao Corp Nutrition Co., Ltd. [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Description of the nature of the relationship		Production and distribution of nutrient plant solutions with specialties NPK soluble.
Principal place of business of joint venture		Longquan Town, Jimo City, Qingdao Municipality, Shangdong Province
Country of incorporation of joint venture		China
Proportion of ownership interest in joint venture		50.00%
Dividends received		$ 0	0	0
SQM Vitas Holland B.V. [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Description of the nature of the relationship		Without information production of specialized fertilizers and other products for distribution in Italy and other countries.
Principal place of business of joint venture		Herikerbergweg 238, 1101 CM Amsterdam Zuidoost
Country of incorporation of joint venture		Holland
Proportion of ownership interest in joint venture		50.00%
Dividends received		$ 0	0	0
SQM Vitas Brazil Agroindustria [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Description of the nature of the relationship	[1]	Production and trading of specialty vegetable and animal nutrition and industrial hygiene.
Principal place of business of joint venture	[1]	Via Cndeias, Km. 01 Sem Numero, Lote 4, Bairro Cia Norte, Candeias, Bahia.
Country of incorporation of joint venture	[1]	Brazil
Proportion of ownership interest in joint venture	[1],[2]	49.99%
Dividends received	[1]	$ 0	0	0
SQM Vitas Peru S.A.C. [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Description of the nature of the relationship	[1]	Production and trading of specialty vegetable and animal nutrition and industrial hygiene
Principal place of business of joint venture	[1]	Av. Juan de Arona 187, Torre B, Oficina 301-II, San Isidro, Lima
Country of incorporation of joint venture	[1]	Peru
Proportion of ownership interest in joint venture	[1],[2]	50.00%
Dividends received	[1]	$ 0	0	0
Pavoni C Spa [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Description of the nature of the relationship		products for distribution in Italy and other countries.
Principal place of business of joint venture		Corso Italia 172, 95129 Catania (CT), Sicilia
Country of incorporation of joint venture		Italy
Proportion of ownership interest in joint venture		50.00%
Dividends received		$ 0	0	0
Covalent Lithium Pty Ltd [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Description of the nature of the relationship		Development and operation of the Mt Holland Lithium project, which will include the construction of a lithium extraction and refining mine
Principal place of business of joint venture		L18, 109 St Georges Tce Perth WA 6000 |PO Box Z5200 St Georges Tce Perth WA 6831
Country of incorporation of joint venture		Australia
Proportion of ownership interest in joint venture		50.00%
Dividends received		$ 0	0	0
Arpa Speciali SRL [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Description of the nature of the relationship	[3]	Production of specialty fertilizers and others for distribution in Italy and other countries.
Principal place of business of joint venture	[3]	Mantova (MN) Via Cremona 27 Int. 25
Country of incorporation of joint venture	[3]	Italy
Proportion of ownership interest in joint venture	[2],[3]	50.48%
Dividends received	[3]	$ 0	0	0
Dividends Received [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Dividends received		$ 2,223	$ 10,598	$ 0
[1]	SQM Vitas Fzco.
[2]	The percentages presented correspond to the ownership used in the consolidation of the company.
[3]	Pavoni & C. Spa.

Joint Ventures (Details 1)

Joint Ventures (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Statement [Line Items]
Investments accounted for using equity method		$ 85,993	$ 109,435	$ 111,549
Sichuan SQM Migao Chemical Fertilizers Co Ltd [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Investments accounted for using equity method	[1],[2]	9,028	1,992	1,992
Share of profit (loss) from continuing operations of associates and joint ventures accounted for using equity method	[1]	(280)	(632)	(650)
Share of other comprehensive income of associates and joint ventures accounted for using equity method, net of tax	[1]	0	0	0
Share of total comprehensive income of associates and joint ventures accounted for using equity method	[1]	(280)	(632)	(650)
Coromandel SQM India [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Investments accounted for using equity method	[2],[3]	0	1,568	1,729
Share of profit (loss) from continuing operations of associates and joint ventures accounted for using equity method	[3]	0	(98)	174
Share of other comprehensive income of associates and joint ventures accounted for using equity method, net of tax	[3]	0	(38)	(159)
Share of total comprehensive income of associates and joint ventures accounted for using equity method	[3]	0	(136)	15
SQM Vitas Fzco. [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Investments accounted for using equity method	[2]	9,720	9,111	20,202
Share of profit (loss) from continuing operations of associates and joint ventures accounted for using equity method		2,010	1,797	1,781
Share of other comprehensive income of associates and joint ventures accounted for using equity method, net of tax		(1,469)	437	(903)
Share of total comprehensive income of associates and joint ventures accounted for using equity method		541	2,234	878
SQM Star Qingdao Corp Nutrition Co., Ltd. [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Investments accounted for using equity method	[2],[3]	0	3,464	3,168
Share of profit (loss) from continuing operations of associates and joint ventures accounted for using equity method	[3]	83	296	188
Share of other comprehensive income of associates and joint ventures accounted for using equity method, net of tax	[3]	0	0	0
Share of total comprehensive income of associates and joint ventures accounted for using equity method	[3]	83	296	188
SQM Vitas Brazil Agroindustria [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Investments accounted for using equity method	[4]	3,511	5,347	5,915
Share of profit (loss) from continuing operations of associates and joint ventures accounted for using equity method	[4]	1,018	564	1,439
Share of other comprehensive income of associates and joint ventures accounted for using equity method, net of tax	[4]	(1,469)	(225)	(792)
Share of total comprehensive income of associates and joint ventures accounted for using equity method	[4]	(451)	339	647
SQM Vitas Peru S.A.C. [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Investments accounted for using equity method	[4]	1,659	1,955	2,671
Share of profit (loss) from continuing operations of associates and joint ventures accounted for using equity method	[4]	660	211	(275)
Share of other comprehensive income of associates and joint ventures accounted for using equity method, net of tax	[4]	0	661	(112)
Share of total comprehensive income of associates and joint ventures accounted for using equity method	[4]	660	872	(387)
Minera Exar S.A. [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Investments accounted for using equity method	[2],[4]	0	0	0
Share of profit (loss) from continuing operations of associates and joint ventures accounted for using equity method	[4]	0	0	(206)
Share of other comprehensive income of associates and joint ventures accounted for using equity method, net of tax	[4]	0	0	0
Share of total comprehensive income of associates and joint ventures accounted for using equity method	[4]	0	0	(206)
SQM Vitas BV [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Investments accounted for using equity method	[2]	0	1,304	1,345
Share of profit (loss) from continuing operations of associates and joint ventures accounted for using equity method		0	(15)	(14)
Share of other comprehensive income of associates and joint ventures accounted for using equity method, net of tax		0	(27)	(70)
Share of total comprehensive income of associates and joint ventures accounted for using equity method		0	(42)	(84)
Joint ventures [member]
Statement [Line Items]
Investments accounted for using equity method		5,170	7,394	8,648
Share of profit (loss) from continuing operations of associates and joint ventures accounted for using equity method		1,678	806	1,120
Share of other comprehensive income of associates and joint ventures accounted for using equity method, net of tax		(1,469)	435	(904)
Share of total comprehensive income of associates and joint ventures accounted for using equity method		209	1,241	216
Pavoni C Spa [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Investments accounted for using equity method	[2]	7,222	6,864	7,084
Share of profit (loss) from continuing operations of associates and joint ventures accounted for using equity method		9	36	(39)
Share of other comprehensive income of associates and joint ventures accounted for using equity method, net of tax		349	(255)	70
Share of total comprehensive income of associates and joint ventures accounted for using equity method		358	(219)	31
Covalent Lithium Pty Ltd [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Investments accounted for using equity method	[2],[5]	0	40	53
Share of profit (loss) from continuing operations of associates and joint ventures accounted for using equity method	[5]	0	0	36
Share of other comprehensive income of associates and joint ventures accounted for using equity method, net of tax	[5]	16	(13)	0
Share of total comprehensive income of associates and joint ventures accounted for using equity method	[5]	16	(13)	36
Arpa Speciali SRL [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Investments accounted for using equity method	[5],[6]	0	92	62
Share of profit (loss) from continuing operations of associates and joint ventures accounted for using equity method	[5],[6]	0	31	(44)
Share of other comprehensive income of associates and joint ventures accounted for using equity method, net of tax	[5],[6]	0	(1)	0
Share of total comprehensive income of associates and joint ventures accounted for using equity method	[5],[6]	0	30	(44)
Joint Venture Total [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Investments accounted for using equity method	[2]	25,970	24,343	35,573
Share of profit (loss) from continuing operations of associates and joint ventures accounted for using equity method		1,822	1,384	1,270
Share of other comprehensive income of associates and joint ventures accounted for using equity method, net of tax		(1,104)	104	(1,062)
Share of total comprehensive income of associates and joint ventures accounted for using equity method		$ 718	$ 1,488	$ 208
[1]	See subsequent events in Notes 9.2 and 29.2.
[2]	These investments include adjustments for unrealized gains.
[3]	As of December 31, 2020, these investments were no longer part of the group, see note 9.2 (a).
[4]	SQM Vitas Fzco.
[5]	As of December 31, 2020, this joint venture has a negative value of ThUS$ (92), which is presented in Other non-current provisions.
[6]	Pavoni & C. Spa.

Joint Ventures (Parenthetical)

Joint Ventures (Parenthetical) (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Statement [Line Items]
Other non current provisions	$ 62,617	$ 34,690
Sichuan SQM Migao Chemical Fertilizers Co Ltd [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Other non current provisions	$ 92

Joint Ventures (Details 2)

Joint Ventures (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Statement [Line Items]
Current assets	$ 2,569,258	$ 2,682,166
Long-Lived Assets	2,249,205	2,001,985
Current liabilities	475,882	776,812
Non-current liabilities	2,180,003	1,772,867
Revenue	1,817,191	1,943,655	$ 2,265,803
Profit (loss) from continuing operations	168,359	280,603	442,063
Other comprehensive income	19,266	(1,755)	(486)
Comprehensive income	187,625	278,848	441,577
Sichuan SQM Migao Chemical Fertilizers Co Ltda. [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Current assets	29,507	28,668	28,577
Long-Lived Assets	4,412	5,129	5,913
Current liabilities	14,156	13,472	12,902
Non-current liabilities	0	0	0
Revenue	9	7	16
Profit (loss) from continuing operations	(562)	(1,262)	(1,301)
Other comprehensive income	0	0	0
Comprehensive income	(562)	(1,262)	(1,301)
Coromandel SQM India [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Current assets	0	4,504	5,905
Long-Lived Assets	0	633	852
Current liabilities	0	1,704	3,050
Non-current liabilities	0	0	0
Revenue	0	8,197	11,605
Profit (loss) from continuing operations	0	(197)	348
Other comprehensive income	0	(77)	(318)
Comprehensive income	0	(274)	30
SQM Vitas Fzco. [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Current assets	(496)	9,695	30,430
Long-Lived Assets	20,431	1	17,592
Current liabilities	496	1,136	2,678
Non-current liabilities	0	0	0
Revenue	0	36	16,583
Profit (loss) from continuing operations	4,019	3,595	3,561
Other comprehensive income	0	(876)	(1,806)
Comprehensive income	4,019	2,719	1,755
SQM Star Qingdao Corp Nutrition Co., Ltd. [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Current assets	0	7,534	7,754
Long-Lived Assets	0	26	114
Current liabilities	0	632	1,533
Non-current liabilities	0	0	0
Revenue	0	12,003	13,004
Profit (loss) from continuing operations	0	592	377
Other comprehensive income	0	0	0
Comprehensive income	0	592	377
SQM Vitas Brazil Agroindustria [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Current assets	40,064	46,118	36,648
Long-Lived Assets	5,527	7,299	7,566
Current liabilities	33,410	40,334	31,808
Non-current liabilities	0	0	0
Revenue	78,960	87,901	82,625
Profit (loss) from continuing operations	2,036	1,128	2,879
Other comprehensive income	(2,938)	(451)	(1,585)
Comprehensive income	(902)	677	1,294
SQM Vitas Peru S.A.C. [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Current assets	34,548	29,452	22,365
Long-Lived Assets	7,928	8,378	7,785
Current liabilities	33,145	24,855	18,996
Non-current liabilities	1,080	6,044	5,966
Revenue	37,591	28,590	28,619
Profit (loss) from continuing operations	1,319	421	(550)
Other comprehensive income	0	1,322	(223)
Comprehensive income	1,319	1,743	(773)
SQM Vitas BV [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Current assets		2,609	2,692
Long-Lived Assets		0	0
Current liabilities		2	1
Non-current liabilities		0	0
Revenue		0	0
Profit (loss) from continuing operations		(30)	(28)
Other comprehensive income		(53)	(139)
Comprehensive income		(83)	(167)
Joint ventures [member]
Statement [Line Items]
Current assets	115,686	139,640	144,672
Long-Lived Assets	47,922	29,498	46,412
Current liabilities	93,300	92,712	79,299
Non-current liabilities	2,826	7,162	6,664
Revenue	132,518	151,030	167,913
Profit (loss) from continuing operations	6,596	4,318	5,313
Other comprehensive income	(2,207)	(670)	(3,931)
Comprehensive income	4,389	3,648	1,382
Pavoni C Spa [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Current assets	10,645	9,444	10,062
Long-Lived Assets	7,493	7,074	6,490
Current liabilities	9,270	8,466	8,098
Non-current liabilities	836	735	698
Revenue	15,958	14,296	15,461
Profit (loss) from continuing operations	16	71	(79)
Other comprehensive income	698	(510)	140
Comprehensive income	714	(439)	61
Covalent Lithium Pty Ltd [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Current assets	1,418	1,616	239
Long-Lived Assets	2,131	958	100
Current liabilities	2,823	2,111	233
Non-current liabilities	910	383	0
Revenue	0	0	0
Profit (loss) from continuing operations	(232)	0	106
Other comprehensive income	33	(25)	0
Comprehensive income	$ (199)	$ (25)	$ 106

Joint Ventures (Details 3)

Joint Ventures (Details 3) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Statement [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 509,102	$ 588,530	$ 556,066	$ 630,438
Other current financial liabilities	68,955	291,128
Other non-current financial liabilities	1,899,513	1,488,723
Depreciation and amortisation expense	(203,912)	(201,351)	(220,827)
Interest Expense		(76,939)	$ (57,807)	$ (82,199)
Sichuan SQM Migao Chemical Fertilizers Co Ltda. [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	30	33
Other current financial liabilities	0	0
Other non-current financial liabilities	0	0
Depreciation and amortisation expense	(394)	(743)
Interest Expense	0	0
Income Tax Benefit (expense)	244	153
Coromandel SQM India [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	0	2,240
Other current financial liabilities	0	0
Other non-current financial liabilities	0	0
Depreciation and amortisation expense		291
Depreciation and amortisation expense	0
Interest Expense	0	(4)
Income Tax Benefit (expense)	0	(27)
SQM Vitas Fzco. [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	4,251	3,071
Other current financial liabilities	0	0
Other non-current financial liabilities	0	0
Depreciation and amortisation expense	(1)	0
Interest Expense	(2)	(7)
Income Tax Benefit (expense)	0	0
SQM Star Qingdao Corp Nutrition Co., Ltd. [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	0	4,640
Other current financial liabilities	0	0
Other non-current financial liabilities	0	0
Depreciation and amortisation expense	0	(62)
Interest Expense	0	0
Income Tax Benefit (expense)	0	(241)
SQM Vitas Brazil Agroindustria [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	4,065	2,101
Other current financial liabilities	6,820	9,106
Other non-current financial liabilities	0	0
Depreciation and amortisation expense	(257)	(287)
Interest Expense	(326)	(435)
Income Tax Benefit (expense)	(197)	(316)
SQM Vitas Peru S.A.C. [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	1,043	225
Other current financial liabilities	227	258
Other non-current financial liabilities	691	895
SQM Vitas Plantacote B.V [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortisation expense	(355)	(33)
Interest Expense	(656)	(1,176)
Income Tax Benefit (expense)	(34)
SQM Vitas BV [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	0	2,609
Other current financial liabilities	0	0
Other non-current financial liabilities	0	0
Depreciation and amortisation expense	0	0
Interest Expense	0	(1)
Income Tax Benefit (expense)	0	0
Joint ventures [member]
Statement [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	10,809	15,926
Other current financial liabilities	13,573	15,345
Other non-current financial liabilities	691	895
Depreciation and amortisation expense	(1,483)	(1,691)
Interest Expense	(1,412)	(1,655)
Income Tax Benefit (expense)	607	(464)
Pavoni C Spa [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	767	314
Other current financial liabilities	5,573	5,509
Other non-current financial liabilities	0	0
Depreciation and amortisation expense	(263)	(149)
Interest Expense	(410)	0
Income Tax Benefit (expense)	(120)	(214)
Covalent Lithium Pty Ltd [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	653	693
Other current financial liabilities	953	472
Other non-current financial liabilities	0	0
Depreciation and amortisation expense	(213)	(126)
Interest Expense	(18)	(32)
Income Tax Benefit (expense)	$ 714	$ 0

Joint Ventures (Details Textual

Joint Ventures (Details Textual) $ in Thousands, € in Millions		May 15, 2018EUR (€)	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2020USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2018USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2018USD ($)	Feb. 14, 2018USD ($)	Jan. 25, 2018USD ($)
Statement [Line Items]
Percentage of voting equity interests acquired		50.00%
Other cash payments to acquire interests in joint ventures, classified as investing activities					$ 16,949	$ 2,600	$ 19,989
Proportion of voting rights held in joint venture						50.00%
Dividends received					3,164	$ 3,851	10,612
Gain loss on disposal of investments in joint ventures				$ 643
Netherlands | SQM [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Percentage of voting equity interests acquired				100.00%
Dividends received				$ 1,276
Minera Exar S.A. [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Gain (loss) that relates to identifiable assets acquired or liabilities assumed in business combination and is of such size, nature or incidence that disclosure is relevant to understanding combined entity's financial statements							14,507
Capital contributions made by related entities								$ 7,000	$ 13,000
SQM Potasio S.A. [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Impairment loss							8,802
Joint venture contributions											$ 6,000
Pavoni C Spa [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Acquisitions through business combinations, intangible assets and goodwill							3,206
Other cash payments to acquire interests in joint ventures, classified as investing activities | €		€ 2.6
Dividends received					0	0	0
Soquimich European Holding B.V. [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Other cash payments to acquire interests in joint ventures, classified as investing activities | €		€ 5.5
Lithium Americas Corporation [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Joint venture contributions										$ 7,000
Arpa Speciali SRL [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Dividends received	[1]				0	0	0
Disposal of interests in joint ventures consideration receivable				56
Gain loss on disposal of investments in joint ventures				125
Proceeds from disposal of interests in joint ventures				17
Arpa Speciali SRL [Member] | Other Accounts Receivable [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Disposal of interest in joint ventures balance consideration receivable current				20
Disposal of interest in joint ventures balance consideration receivable non current				20
Coromandel SQM India [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Dividends received					0	0	0
Proceeds from disposal of interests in joint ventures				$ 1,505
SQM Star Qingdao Corp Nutrition Co., Ltd. [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Dividends received					0	$ 0	$ 0
Gain loss on disposal of investments in joint ventures			$ 62
Proceeds from disposal of interests in joint ventures			1,303
Sichuan SQM Migao Chemical Fertilizers Co Ltd [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Reversal of impairment losses on investment in associates			7,036
Kidmann Resourcs Westmen And Mt Holland [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Contribution towards projects in joint operations			30,000
Wesment Farmers Limited [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Contribution towards projects in joint operations			$ 15,000
Mt Holland [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Finance activities for the year					$ 30,000
[1]	Pavoni & C. Spa.

Cash and cash equivalents (Deta

Cash and cash equivalents (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Cash And Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Cash on hand	$ 54	$ 71
Cash in banks	244,848	105,141
Other demand deposits	2,227	6,986
Total cash	247,129	112,198
Short-term deposits, classified as cash equivalents	51,595	149,099
Short-term investments, classified as cash equivalents	210,378	327,233
Total cash equivalents	261,973	476,332
Total cash and cash equivalents	$ 509,102	$ 588,530	$ 556,066	$ 630,438

Cash and cash equivalents (De_2

Cash and cash equivalents (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Cash And Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Short-term investments, classified as cash equivalents	$ 210,378	$ 327,233
Legg Mason - Western Asset Institutional Cash Reserves [Member]
Cash And Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Short-term investments, classified as cash equivalents	107,625	181,155
JP Morgan US dollar Liquidity Fund Institutional [Member]
Cash And Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Short-term investments, classified as cash equivalents	$ 102,753	$ 146,078

Cash and cash equivalents (De_3

Cash and cash equivalents (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Cash And Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 509,102	$ 588,530	$ 556,066	$ 630,438
Peso [Member]
Cash And Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	7,190	8,240
Dollar [Member]
Cash And Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	454,402	558,572
Euro [Member]
Cash And Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	17,144	3,131
Mexican Peso [Member]
Cash And Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	1,378	2,103
South African Rand [Member]
Cash And Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	14,286	3,929
Japanese Yen [Member]
Cash And Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	1,646	1,559
Peruvian Sol [Member]
Cash And Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	3	4
Indian Rupee [Member]
Cash And Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	6	6
Chinese Yuan [Member]
Cash And Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	11,597	2,484
Indonesian Rupee [Member]
Cash And Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	3	3
Argentine Peso [Member]
Cash And Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	0	3
Pound Sterling [Member]
Cash And Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	19	3
Australian dollar [Member]
Cash And Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	1,411	8,492
South Korean won [Member]
Cash And Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	16	0
UAE dirham [Member]
Cash And Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Polish Ztoly [Member]
Cash And Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 1	$ 1

Cash and cash equivalents (De_4

Cash and cash equivalents (Details 3) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Restricted cash and cash balances	$ 731	$ 551
Isapre Norte Grande Ltda. [Member]
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Restricted cash and cash balances	$ 731	$ 551

Cash and cash equivalents (De_5

Cash and cash equivalents (Details 4) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Cash And Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Notional amount	$ 39,031	$ 282,914
Short-term deposits, classified as cash equivalents	$ 51,595	$ 149,099
Short term deposit One [Member]
Cash And Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Name of the receiver of deposit	Banco Santander - Santiago	Banco crédito e inversiones
Description of type of deposit	Fixed term	Fixed term
Short term deposits, original currency	Dollar	Dollar
Short term deposits, Interest rate	0.35%	3.45%
Date of short term deposit	Dec. 30, 2020	Nov. 18, 2019
Expiration date	Mar. 30, 2021	Feb. 13, 2020
Notional amount	$ 7,000	$ 18,000
Accrued income	0	74
Short-term deposits, classified as cash equivalents	$ 7,000	$ 18,074
Short term deposit Two [Member]
Cash And Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Name of the receiver of deposit	Scotiabank Sud Americano	Banco crédito e inversiones
Description of type of deposit	Fixed term	Fixed term
Short term deposits, original currency	Dollar	Dollar
Short term deposits, Interest rate	0.35%	2.85%
Date of short term deposit	Nov. 30, 2020	Dec. 26, 2019
Expiration date	Jan. 8, 2021	Feb. 20, 2020
Notional amount	$ 1,500	$ 20,000
Accrued income	1	8
Short-term deposits, classified as cash equivalents	$ 1,501	$ 20,008
Short term deposit Three [Member]
Cash And Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Name of the receiver of deposit	Banco de Chile	Banco de Chile
Description of type of deposit	Fixed term	Fixed term
Short term deposits, original currency	Dollar	Dollar
Short term deposits, Interest rate	0.61%	3.45%
Date of short term deposit	Nov. 30, 2020	Nov. 15, 2019
Expiration date	Jan. 8, 2021	Jan. 23, 2020
Notional amount	$ 2,000	$ 14,000
Accrued income	1	62
Short-term deposits, classified as cash equivalents	$ 2,001	$ 14,062
Short term deposit Four [Member]
Cash And Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Name of the receiver of deposit	Banco de Chile	Banco de Chile
Description of type of deposit	Fixed term	Fixed term
Short term deposits, original currency	Dollar	Dollar
Short term deposits, Interest rate	0.61%	3.50%
Date of short term deposit	Nov. 30, 2020	Nov. 15, 2019
Expiration date	Jan. 8, 2021	Jan. 9, 2020
Notional amount	$ 3,500	$ 18,000
Accrued income	1	80
Short-term deposits, classified as cash equivalents	$ 3,501	$ 18,080
Short term deposit Five [Member]
Cash And Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Name of the receiver of deposit	Banco crédito e inversiones	Banco de Chile
Description of type of deposit	Fixed term	Fixed term
Short term deposits, original currency	Dollar	Dollar
Short term deposits, Interest rate	0.46%	3.45%
Date of short term deposit	Dec. 1, 2020	Nov. 15, 2019
Expiration date	Jan. 15, 2021	Jan. 16, 2020
Notional amount	$ 500	$ 18,000
Accrued income	0	79
Short-term deposits, classified as cash equivalents	$ 500	$ 18,079
Short term deposit Six [Member]
Cash And Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Name of the receiver of deposit	Scotiabank Sud Americano	Banco Itaú Corpbanca
Description of type of deposit	Fixed term	Fixed term
Short term deposits, original currency	Dollar	Dollar
Short term deposits, Interest rate	0.40%	2.90%
Date of short term deposit	Dec. 1, 2020	Dec. 26, 2019
Expiration date	Jan. 15, 2021	Feb. 20, 2020
Notional amount	$ 500	$ 33,000
Accrued income	0	13
Short-term deposits, classified as cash equivalents	$ 500	$ 33,013
Short term deposit Seven [Member]
Cash And Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Name of the receiver of deposit	Scotiabank Sud Americano	Scotiabank Sud Americano
Description of type of deposit	Fixed term	Fixed term
Short term deposits, original currency	Dollar	Peso
Short term deposits, Interest rate	0.40%	2.16%
Date of short term deposit	Dec. 2, 2020	Dec. 30, 2019
Expiration date	Jan. 20, 2021	Jan. 8, 2020
Notional amount	$ 2,500	$ 6,812
Accrued income	1	0
Short-term deposits, classified as cash equivalents	$ 2,501	$ 6,812
Short term deposit Eight [Member]
Cash And Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Name of the receiver of deposit	Banco Santander - Santiago	Banco crédito e inversiones
Description of type of deposit	Fixed term	Fixed term
Short term deposits, original currency	Dollar	Dollar
Short term deposits, Interest rate	0.50%	3.51%
Date of short term deposit	Dec. 9, 2020	Nov. 21, 2019
Expiration date	Jan. 25, 2021	Jan. 28, 2020
Notional amount	$ 500	$ 1,000
Accrued income	0	4
Short-term deposits, classified as cash equivalents	$ 500	$ 1,004
Short term deposit Nine [Member]
Cash And Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Name of the receiver of deposit	Scotiabank Sud Americano	Banco crédito e inversiones
Description of type of deposit	Fixed term	Fixed term
Short term deposits, original currency	Dollar	Dollar
Short term deposits, Interest rate	0.50%	3.75%
Date of short term deposit	Dec. 9, 2020	Dec. 2, 2019
Expiration date	Jan. 25, 2021	Feb. 27, 2020
Notional amount	$ 1,000	$ 2,000
Accrued income	0	6
Short-term deposits, classified as cash equivalents	$ 1,000	$ 2,006
Short term deposit Ten [Member]
Cash And Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Name of the receiver of deposit	Banco Santander - Santiago	Banco crédito e inversiones
Description of type of deposit	Fixed term	Fixed term
Short term deposits, original currency	Dollar	Dollar
Short term deposits, Interest rate	0.50%	3.60%
Date of short term deposit	Dec. 9, 2020	Nov. 25, 2019
Expiration date	Jan. 25, 2021	Jan. 28, 2020
Notional amount	$ 6,000	$ 1,000
Accrued income	1	4
Short-term deposits, classified as cash equivalents	$ 6,001	$ 1,004
Short term deposit Eleven [Member]
Cash And Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Name of the receiver of deposit	Banco crédito e inversiones	Banco Estado
Description of type of deposit	Fixed term	Fixed term
Short term deposits, original currency	Dollar	Dollar
Short term deposits, Interest rate	0.51%	2.15%
Date of short term deposit	Dec. 9, 2020	Dec. 16, 2019
Expiration date	Jan. 25, 2021	Jan. 6, 2020
Notional amount	$ 6,000	$ 500
Accrued income	1	0
Short-term deposits, classified as cash equivalents	$ 6,001	$ 500
Short term deposit Twelve [Member]
Cash And Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Name of the receiver of deposit	Banco crédito e inversiones	Banco Santander - Santiago
Description of type of deposit	Fixed term	Fixed term
Short term deposits, original currency	Dollar	Dollar
Short term deposits, Interest rate	0.26%	2.55%
Date of short term deposit	Dec. 14, 2020	Dec. 9, 2019
Expiration date	Jan. 29, 2021	Feb. 4, 2020
Notional amount	$ 500	$ 1,700
Accrued income	0	3
Short-term deposits, classified as cash equivalents	$ 500	$ 1,703
Short term deposit Thirteen [Member]
Cash And Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Name of the receiver of deposit	Banco Estado	Banco Itaú Corpbanca
Description of type of deposit	Fixed term	Fixed term
Short term deposits, original currency	Dollar	Dollar
Short term deposits, Interest rate	0.14%	2.55%
Date of short term deposit	Dec. 14, 2020	Dec. 16, 2019
Expiration date	Jan. 29, 2021	Jan. 6, 2020
Notional amount	$ 1,000	$ 2,500
Accrued income	1	3
Short-term deposits, classified as cash equivalents	$ 1,001	$ 2,503
Short term deposit Fourteen [Member]
Cash And Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Name of the receiver of deposit	Scotiabank Sud Americano	Banco Itaú Corpbanca
Description of type of deposit	Fixed term	Fixed term
Short term deposits, original currency	Dollar	Dollar
Short term deposits, Interest rate	0.40%	3.64%
Date of short term deposit	Dec. 14, 2020	Nov. 29, 2019
Expiration date	Jan. 29, 2021	Feb. 13, 2020
Notional amount	$ 1,500	$ 1,500
Accrued income	0	5
Short-term deposits, classified as cash equivalents	$ 1,500	$ 1,505
Short term deposit Fifteen [Member]
Cash And Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Name of the receiver of deposit	Banco de Chile	Banco Itaú Corpbanca
Description of type of deposit	Fixed term	Fixed term
Short term deposits, original currency	Dollar	Dollar
Short term deposits, Interest rate	0.56%	2.80%
Date of short term deposit	Dec. 14, 2020	Nov. 12, 2019
Expiration date	Jan. 29, 2021	Jan. 28, 2020
Notional amount	$ 5,000	$ 2,000
Accrued income	1	8
Short-term deposits, classified as cash equivalents	$ 5,001	$ 2,008
Short term deposit Sixteen [Member]
Cash And Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Name of the receiver of deposit	Banco Itaú Corpbanca	Banco Santander - Santiago
Description of type of deposit	Fixed term	Fixed term
Short term deposits, original currency	Dollar	Dollar
Short term deposits, Interest rate	0.68%	2.33%
Date of short term deposit	Dec. 18, 2020	Oct. 16, 2019
Expiration date	Jan. 1, 2021	Jan. 12, 2020
Notional amount	$ 500	$ 1,000
Accrued income	0	5
Short-term deposits, classified as cash equivalents	$ 500	$ 1,005
Short term deposit Seventeen [Member]
Cash And Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Name of the receiver of deposit	Banco Itaú Corpbanca	Scotiabank Sud Americano
Description of type of deposit	Fixed term	Fixed term
Short term deposits, original currency	Dollar	Dollar
Short term deposits, Interest rate	0.68%	2.45%
Date of short term deposit	Dec. 18, 2020	Dec. 17, 2019
Expiration date	Feb. 1, 2021	Jan. 13, 2020
Notional amount	$ 2,000	$ 3,600
Accrued income	1	3
Short-term deposits, classified as cash equivalents	$ 2,001	$ 3,603
Short term deposit Eighteen [Member]
Cash And Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Name of the receiver of deposit	Banco crédito e inversiones	Scotiabank Sud Americano
Description of type of deposit	Fixed term	Fixed term
Short term deposits, original currency	Dollar	Dollar
Short term deposits, Interest rate	0.20%	3.20%
Date of short term deposit	Dec. 23, 2020	Nov. 13, 2019
Expiration date	Feb. 5, 2021	Jan. 30, 2020
Notional amount	$ 2,000	$ 500
Accrued income	1	2
Short-term deposits, classified as cash equivalents	$ 2,001	$ 502
Short term deposit Nineteen [Member]
Cash And Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Name of the receiver of deposit	Banco Itaú Corpbanca	Scotiabank Sud Americano
Description of type of deposit	Fixed term	Fixed term
Short term deposits, original currency	Dollar	Dollar
Short term deposits, Interest rate	0.40%	3.40%
Date of short term deposit	Dec. 24, 2020	Dec. 2, 2019
Expiration date	Feb. 8, 2021	Feb. 27, 2020
Notional amount	$ 1,000	$ 2,000
Accrued income	0	5
Short-term deposits, classified as cash equivalents	$ 1,000	$ 2,005
Short term deposit Twenty [Member]
Cash And Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Name of the receiver of deposit	Banco Santander - Santiago	Scotiabank Sud Americano
Description of type of deposit	Fixed term	Fixed term
Short term deposits, original currency	Dollar	Dollar
Short term deposits, Interest rate	0.26%	3.45%
Date of short term deposit	Dec. 29, 2020	Nov. 18, 2019
Expiration date	Jan. 8, 2021	Jan. 30, 2020
Notional amount	$ 2,500	$ 1,500
Accrued income	1	6
Short-term deposits, classified as cash equivalents	$ 2,501	$ 1,506
Short term deposit Twenty One [Member]
Cash And Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Name of the receiver of deposit	Banco Santander - Santiago	BBVA Banco Francés
Description of type of deposit	Fixed term	Fixed term
Short term deposits, original currency	Dollar	Dollar
Short term deposits, Interest rate	0.15%	39.00%
Date of short term deposit	Dec. 30, 2020	Dec. 26, 2019
Expiration date	Feb. 12, 2021	Jan. 27, 2020
Notional amount	$ 700	$ 52
Accrued income	0	1
Short-term deposits, classified as cash equivalents	$ 700	$ 53
Short term deposit Twenty Two [Member]
Cash And Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Name of the receiver of deposit	Banco Itaú Corpbanca	Banco Itaú S.A.
Description of type of deposit	Fixed term	On demand
Short term deposits, original currency	Peso	Dollar
Short term deposits, Interest rate	0.35%	8.00%
Date of short term deposit	Dec. 29, 2020	Oct. 17, 2019
Expiration date	Jan. 5, 2021	Jan. 17, 2020
Notional amount	$ 3,798	$ 64
Accrued income	0	0
Short-term deposits, classified as cash equivalents	$ 3,798	64
Short term deposit Twenty Three [Member]
Cash And Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Name of the receiver of deposit	BBVA Banco Francés
Description of type of deposit	Fixed term
Short term deposits, original currency	Dollar
Short term deposits, Interest rate	1.80%
Date of short term deposit	Dec. 31, 2020
Expiration date	Mar. 6, 2021
Notional amount	$ 86
Accrued income	0
Short-term deposits, classified as cash equivalents	86
Short term deposit [Member]
Cash And Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Notional amount	51,584	148,728
Accrued income	11	371
Short-term deposits, classified as cash equivalents	$ 51,595	$ 149,099

Cash and cash equivalents (De_6

Cash and cash equivalents (Details 5) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Cash And Cash Equivalent [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 509,102	$ 588,530	$ 556,066	$ 630,438
Other current financial assets	348,069	505,490
Other non-current financial hedge assets	51,925	8,778
Other current financial liabilities	(68,955)	(291,128)
Lease liabilities, current	5,528	7,694
Other non-current financial liabilities	(1,899,513)	(1,488,723)
Lease liabilities, non-current	25,546	30,203
Total	1,105,095	719,810
Net Debt [Member]
Cash And Cash Equivalent [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	509,102	588,530
Other current financial assets	348,069	505,490
Other non-current financial hedge assets	37,276	3,918
Other current financial liabilities	(68,955)	(291,128)
Lease liabilities, current	(5,528)	(7,694)
Other non-current financial liabilities	(1,899,513)	(1,488,723)
Lease liabilities, non-current	(25,546)	(30,203)
Total	$ (1,105,095)	$ (719,810)

Cash and cash equivalents (De_7

Cash and cash equivalents (Details 6) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)
Cash And Cash Equivalent [Line Items]
Net debt, beginning of year	$ (719,810)
Amounts from loans	(127,863)
Amounts from interest	81,484
Other cash income/expenses	(226,753)
Hedging and non-hedging instruments	26,248
Exchange rate differences	(47,752)
Other	(90,649)
Net debt, ending of year	(1,105,095)
Obligations with the public and bank loans [member]
Cash And Cash Equivalent [Line Items]
Net debt, beginning of year	(1,753,028)
Amounts from loans	(136,692)
Amounts from interest	73,933
Other cash income/expenses	7,819
Hedging and non-hedging instruments	0
Exchange rate differences	(33,280)
Other	(81,616)
Net debt, ending of year	(1,922,864)
Current and noncurrent lease liabilities [member]
Cash And Cash Equivalent [Line Items]
Net debt, beginning of year	(37,897)
Amounts from loans	8,015
Amounts from interest	1,133
Other cash income/expenses	0
Hedging and non-hedging instruments	0
Exchange rate differences	0
Other	(2,325)
Net debt, ending of year	(31,074)
Financial instruments derived from hedging [member]
Cash And Cash Equivalent [Line Items]
Net debt, beginning of year	(23,655)
Amounts from loans	814
Amounts from interest	7,634
Other cash income/expenses	0
Hedging and non-hedging instruments	(20,909)
Exchange rate differences	0
Other	(4,094)
Net debt, ending of year	(40,210)
Financial instruments derived from non-hedging member]
Cash And Cash Equivalent [Line Items]
Net debt, beginning of year	(3,169)
Amounts from loans	0
Amounts from interest	0
Other cash income/expenses	0
Hedging and non-hedging instruments	(2,226)
Exchange rate differences	0
Other	0
Net debt, ending of year	(5,395)
Current and non current financial liabilities [member]
Cash And Cash Equivalent [Line Items]
Net debt, beginning of year	(1,817,749)
Amounts from loans	(127,863)
Amounts from interest	82,700
Other cash income/expenses	7,819
Hedging and non-hedging instruments	(23,135)
Exchange rate differences	(33,280)
Other	(88,035)
Net debt, ending of year	(1,999,543)
Cash and cash equivalents [member]
Cash And Cash Equivalent [Line Items]
Net debt, beginning of year	588,530
Amounts from loans	0
Amounts from interest	0
Other cash income/expenses	(78,988)
Hedging and non-hedging instruments	0
Exchange rate differences	(440)
Other	0
Net debt, ending of year	509,102
Deposits that do not qualify as cash and cash equivalents [member]
Cash And Cash Equivalent [Line Items]
Net debt, beginning of year	485,689
Amounts from loans	0
Amounts from interest	0
Other cash income/expenses	(123,196)
Hedging and non-hedging instruments	0
Exchange rate differences	(14,032)
Other	(3,002)
Net debt, ending of year	345,459
Derivatives from hedge assets [member]
Cash And Cash Equivalent [Line Items]
Net debt, beginning of year	21,188
Amounts from loans	0
Amounts from interest	(1,216)
Other cash income/expenses	(39,290)
Hedging and non-hedging instruments	56,207
Exchange rate differences	0
Other	388
Net debt, ending of year	37,277
Derivatives from other financial nonhedge assets [member]
Cash And Cash Equivalent [Line Items]
Net debt, beginning of year	2,532
Amounts from loans	0
Amounts from interest	0
Other cash income/expenses	6,902
Hedging and non-hedging instruments	(6,824)
Exchange rate differences	0
Other	0
Net debt, ending of year	$ 2,610

Inventories (Details)

Inventories (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Inventories [Abstract]
Raw material reserves	$ 10,694	$ 7,287
Production supplies	31,007	26,064
Products-in-progress reserves	487,830	457,563
Finished product reserves	563,497	492,424
Total	$ 1,093,028	$ 983,338

Inventories (Details 1)

Inventories (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Inventories [Abstract]
Raw material reserves	$ 1,934	$ 2,488
Products-in-progress reserves	66,122	71,468
Finished product reserves	12,874	14,218
Total	$ 80,930	$ 88,174	$ 105,282	$ 96,284

Inventories (Details 2)

Inventories (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Inventories [Abstract]
Beginning balance	$ 88,174	$ 105,282	$ 96,284
Increase in Lower Value	(5,404)	(6,987)	7,845
Additional Provision Differences of Inventory	(704)	(123)	3,176
Increase / Decrease eventual differences and others	1,244	(6,262)	2,436
Provision Used	(2,380)	(3,736)	(4,459)
Total changes	(7,244)	(17,108)	8,998
Final Balance	$ 80,930	$ 88,174	$ 105,282

Inventories (Details Textual)

Inventories (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Inventories [Abstract]
Current materials and supplies to be consumed in production process or rendering services	$ 422,535	$ 393,600
Cost of inventories recognised as expense during period	80,930	88,174
Products In Progress	108,909	104,295
Finished product	$ 176,561	$ 204,686

Related party disclosures (Deta

Related party disclosures (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Nitratos Naturais Do Chile Ltda. [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	foreign
Country of origin	Brazil
Functional currency	Dollar
Nature	Subsidiary
Nitrate Corporation Of Chile Ltd. [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	foreign
Country of origin	United Kingdom
Functional currency	Dollar
Nature	Subsidiary
SQM North America Corp. [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	foreign
Country of origin	United States
Functional currency	Dollar
Nature	Subsidiary
SQM Europe N.V. [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	foreign
Country of origin	Belgium
Functional currency	Dollar
Nature	Subsidiary
Soquimich European Holding B.V. [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	foreign
Country of origin	Netherlands
Functional currency	Dollar
Nature	Subsidiary
SQM Corporation N.V. [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	foreign
Country of origin	Curacao
Functional currency	Dollar
Nature	Subsidiary
SQM Comercial De Mexico S.A. de C.V. [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	foreign
Country of origin	Mexico
Functional currency	Dollar
Nature	Subsidiary
North American Trading Company [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	foreign
Country of origin	United States
Functional currency	Dollar
Nature	Subsidiary
Administracion y Servicios Santiago S.A. de C.V. [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	foreign
Country of origin	Mexico
Functional currency	Dollar
Nature	Subsidiary
SQM Peru S.A. [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	foreign
Country of origin	Peru
Functional currency	Dollar
Nature	Subsidiary
SQM Ecuador S.A. [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	foreign
Country of origin	Ecuador
Functional currency	Dollar
Nature	Subsidiary
SQM Nitratos Mexico S.A. de C.V. [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	foreign
Country of origin	Mexico
Functional currency	Dollar
Nature	Subsidiary
SQMC Holding Corporation L.L.P. [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	foreign
Country of origin	United States
Functional currency	Dollar
Nature	Subsidiary
SQM Investment Corporation N.V. [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	foreign
Country of origin	Curacao
Functional currency	Dollar
Nature	Subsidiary
SQM Brasil Limitada [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	foreign
Country of origin	Brazil
Functional currency	Dollar
Nature	Subsidiary
SQM France S.A. [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	foreign
Country of origin	France
Functional currency	Dollar
Nature	Subsidiary
SQM Japan Co. Ltd. [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	foreign
Country of origin	Japan
Functional currency	Dollar
Nature	Subsidiary
Royal Seed Trading Corporation A.V.V. [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	foreign
Country of origin	Aruba
Functional currency	Dollar
Nature	Subsidiary
SQM Oceania Pty Limited [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	foreign
Country of origin	Australia
Functional currency	Dollar
Nature	Subsidiary
Rs Agro-Chemical Trading Corporation A.V.V. [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	foreign
Country of origin	Aruba
Functional currency	Dollar
Nature	Subsidiary
SQM Indonesia S.A. [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	foreign
Country of origin	Indonesia
Functional currency	Dollar
Nature	Subsidiary
SQM Virginia L.L.C. [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	foreign
Country of origin	United States
Functional currency	Dollar
Nature	Subsidiary
Comercial Caiman Internacional S.A. [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	foreign
Country of origin	Panama
Functional currency	Dollar
Nature	Subsidiary
SQM Africa Pty Ltd. [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	foreign
Country of origin	South Africa
Functional currency	Dollar
Nature	Subsidiary
SQM Colombia SAS [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	foreign
Country of origin	Colombia
Functional currency	Dollar
Nature	Subsidiary
SQM Internacional NV [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	foreign
Country of origin	Belgium
Functional currency	Dollar
Nature	Subsidiary
SQM Shanghai Chemicals Co Ltd [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	foreign
Country of origin	China
Functional currency	Dollar
Nature	Subsidiary
SQM Lithium Specialties LLC [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	foreign
Country of origin	United States
Functional currency	Dollar
Nature	Subsidiary
SQM Iberian S.A. [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	foreign
Country of origin	Spain
Functional currency	Dollar
Nature	Subsidiary
SQM Beijing Commercial Co. Ltd. [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	foreign
Country of origin	China
Functional currency	Dollar
Nature	Subsidiary
SQM Thailand Limited [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	foreign
Country of origin	Thailand
Functional currency	Dollar
Nature	Subsidiary
SQM Australia PTY [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	foreign
Country of origin	Australia
Functional currency	Dollar
Nature	Subsidiary
SQM Holland B.V. [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	foreign
Country of origin	Netherlands
Functional currency	Dollar
Nature	Subsidiary
SQM Korea LLC [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	foreign
Country of origin	Korea
Functional currency	Dollar
Nature	Subsidiary
Comercial Hydro S.A. [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	96.801.610-5
Country of origin	Chile
Functional currency	Dollar
Nature	Subsidiary
SQM Potasio S.A. [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	96.651.060-9
Country of origin	Chile
Functional currency	Dollar
Nature	Subsidiary
SQM Nitratos S.A. [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	96.592.190-7
Country of origin	Chile
Functional currency	Dollar
Nature	Subsidiary
Ajay SQM Chile S.A. [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	96.592.180-K
Country of origin	Chile
Functional currency	Dollar
Nature	Subsidiary
SQM Industrial S.A. [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	79.947.100-0
Country of origin	Chile
Functional currency	Dollar
Nature	Subsidiary
Isapre Norte Grande Ltda. [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	79.906.120-1
Country of origin	Chile
Functional currency	Peso
Nature	Subsidiary
Almacenes y Depositos Ltda. [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	79.876.080-7
Country of origin	Chile
Functional currency	Peso
Nature	Subsidiary
Servicios Integrales de Transitos y Transferencias S.A. [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	79.770.780-5
Country of origin	Chile
Functional currency	Dollar
Nature	Subsidiary
Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	79.768.170-9
Country of origin	Chile
Functional currency	Dollar
Nature	Subsidiary
SQM Salar S.A. [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	79.626.800-K
Country of origin	Chile
Functional currency	Dollar
Nature	Subsidiary
Sociedad Prestadora de Servicios de Salud Cruz del Norte S.A. [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	76.534.490-5
Country of origin	Chile
Functional currency	Peso
Nature	Subsidiary
Exploraciones Mineras S.A. [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	76.425.380-9
Country of origin	Chile
Functional currency	Dollar
Nature	Subsidiary
Comercial Agrorama Ltda. [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	76.064.419-6
Country of origin	Chile
Functional currency	Peso
Nature	Subsidiary
Agrorama S.A. [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	76.145.229-0
Country of origin	Chile
Functional currency	Peso
Nature	Subsidiary
Orcoma Estudios SPA [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	76.359.919-1
Country of origin	Chile
Functional currency	Dollar
Nature	Subsidiary
Orcoma SPA [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	76.360.575-2
Country of origin	Chile
Functional currency	Dollar
Nature	Subsidiary
SQM MaG SpA. [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	76.686.311-9
Country of origin	Chile
Functional currency	Dollar
Nature	Subsidiary
Sociedad Contractual Minera Búfalo [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	77.114.779-8
Country of origin	Chile
Functional currency	Dollar
Nature	Subsidiary
Abu Dhabi Fertilizer Industries Wwl [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	Foreign
Country of origin	Arab Emirates
Functional currency	Arab Emirates dirham
Nature	Associate
Ajay North America [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	foreign
Country of origin	United States
Functional currency	Dollar
Nature	Associate
Ajay Europe SARL [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	Foreign
Country of origin	France
Functional currency	Euro
Nature	Associate
Kore Potash Ltd. [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	foreign
Country of origin	United Kingdom
Functional currency	Dollar
Nature	Associate
Sichuan SQM Migao Chemical Fertilizers Co Ltda. [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	foreign
Country of origin	China
Functional currency	Dollar
Nature	Joint venture
SQM Vitas Fzco. [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	Foreign
Country of origin	Arab Emirates
Functional currency	Arab Emirates dirham
Nature	Joint venture
SQM Star Qingdao Corp Nutrition Co., Ltd. [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	Foreign
Country of origin	China
Functional currency	Dollar
Nature	Joint venture
Covalent Lithium Pty Ltd [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	Foreign
Country of origin	Australia
Functional currency	Dollar
Nature	Joint venture
Pavoni & C, SPA [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	Foreign
Country of origin	Italy
Functional currency	Euro
Nature	Joint venture
Sociedad de Inversiones Pampa Calichera [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	96.511.530-7
Country of origin	Chile
Functional currency	Dollar
Nature	Other related parties
Norte Grande S.A. [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	96.529.340-K
Country of origin	Chile
Functional currency	Peso
Nature	Other related parties
Callegari Agricola S.A. [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	79.049.778-9
Country of origin	Chile
Functional currency	Peso
Nature	Other related parties
Sqm Vitas Brazil Agroindustria Foreign [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	Foreign
Country of origin	Brazil
Functional currency	Real brazilian
Nature	Other related parties
SQM Vitas Peru S.A.C. [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	Foreign
Country of origin	Peru
Functional currency	Dollar
Nature	Other related parties
Abu Dhabi Fertilizer Industries WWL [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	foreign
Country of origin	Oman
Functional currency	United Arab Emirates dirham
Nature	Other related parties
International Technical and Trading Agencies CO WLL [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	foreign
Country of origin	Jordan
Functional currency	United Arab Emirates dirham
Nature	Other related parties
Ara Dos Primera del Salar de Pampa Blanca, Sierra Gorda [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID		N/A
Country of origin		Chile
Functional currency		Peso
Nature		Other related parties
Ara Tres Primera del Salar de Pampa Blanca, Sierra Gorda [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID		N/A
Country of origin		Chile
Functional currency		Peso
Nature		Other related parties
Ara Cuatro Primera del Salar de Pampa Blanca Sierra Gorda [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID		N/A
Country of origin		Chile
Functional currency		Peso
Nature		Other related parties
Ara Cinco Primera del Salar de Pampa Blanca, Sierra Gorda [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID		N/A
Country of origin		Chile
Functional currency		Peso
Nature		Other related parties
Curicó Dos Primera del Salar de Pampa Alta, Sierra Gorda [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID		N/A
Country of origin		Chile
Functional currency		Peso
Nature		Other related parties
Curicó Tres Primera del Sector de Pampa Alta, Sierra Gorda [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID		N/A
Country of origin		Chile
Functional currency		Peso
Nature		Other related parties
Evelyn Veinticuatro Primera de Sierra Gorda [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID		N/A
Country of origin		Chile
Functional currency		Peso
Nature		Other related parties
Filomena Tres Primera de Oficina Filomena, Sierra Gorda [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID		N/A
Country of origin		Chile
Functional currency		Peso
Nature		Other related parties
Filomena Cuatro Primera de Oficina Filomena, Sierra Gorda [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID		N/A
Country of origin		Chile
Functional currency		Peso
Nature		Other related parties
Francis Cuatro Primera de Pampa Blanca, Sierra Gorda [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID		N/A
Country of origin		Chile
Functional currency		Peso
Nature		Other related parties
Francis Cuatro Segunda del Salar de Pampa Blanca, Sierra Gorda [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID		N/A
Country of origin		Chile
Functional currency		Peso
Nature		Other related parties
Francis Cuatro Tercera de Pampa Blanca, Sierra Gorda [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID		N/A
Country of origin		Chile
Functional currency		Peso
Nature		Other related parties
Francis Cuatro Cuarta de Pampa Blanca, Sierra Gorda [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID		N/A
Country of origin		Chile
Functional currency		Peso
Nature		Other related parties
Francis Cuatro Quinta de Pampa Blanca, Sierra Gorda [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID		N/A
Country of origin		Chile
Functional currency		Peso
Nature		Other related parties
Francis Primera del Salar de Pampa Blanca de Sierra Gorda [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID		N/A
Country of origin		Chile
Functional currency		Peso
Nature		Other related parties
Francis Segunda del Salar de Pampa Blanca de Sierra Gorda [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID		N/A
Country of origin		Chile
Functional currency		Peso
Nature		Other related parties
Francis Tercera del Salar de Pampa Blanca de Sierra Gorda [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID		N/A
Country of origin		Chile
Functional currency		Peso
Nature		Other related parties
Ivon Primera de Sierra Gorda [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID		N/A
Country of origin		Chile
Functional currency		Peso
Nature		Other related parties
Ivon Décima Segunda de Sierra Gorda [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID		N/A
Country of origin		Chile
Functional currency		Peso
Nature		Other related parties
Ivon Sexta de Sierra Gorda [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID		N/A
Country of origin		Chile
Functional currency		Peso
Nature		Other related parties
Julia Primera de Sierra Gorda [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID		N/A
Country of origin		Chile
Functional currency		Peso
Nature		Other related parties
Lorena Trigésimo Quinta de Sierra Gorda [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID		N/A
Country of origin		Chile
Functional currency		Peso
Nature		Other related parties
Perseverancia Primera de Sierra Gorda [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID		N/A
Country of origin		Chile
Functional currency		Peso
Nature		Other related parties
Tamara 40 Primera del Sector S.E. OF. Concepción, Sierra Gorda [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID		N/A
Country of origin		Chile
Functional currency		Peso
Nature		Other related parties
Tamara Tercera de Oficina Concepción, Sierra Gorda [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID		N/A
Country of origin		Chile
Functional currency		Peso
Nature		Other related parties
Tamara 40 Segunda del Sector S.E. OF Concepción, Sierra Gorda [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID		N/A
Country of origin		Chile
Functional currency		Peso
Nature		Other related parties

Related party disclosures (De_2

Related party disclosures (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Doktor Tarsa Tarim Sanayi AS [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	Foreign
Nature	Associate
Country of origin	Turkey
Transaction	Sale of products
Revenue from sale of goods, related party transactions	$ 1,053	$ 14,767	$ 16,726
Ajay Europe S.A.R.L [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	Foreign
Nature	Associate
Country of origin	France
Transaction	Sale of products
Revenue from sale of goods, related party transactions	$ 23,162	21,348	19,470
Ajay Europe S,A.R.L. [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	Foreign
Nature	Associate
Country of origin	France
Transaction	Dividends
Dividend income	$ 1,197	1,055	811
Ajay North America LLC. [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	Foreign
Nature	Associate
Country of origin	United States of America
Transaction	Sale of products
Revenue from sale of goods, related party transactions	$ 20,259	16,932	16,810
Ajay North America LLC. [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	Foreign
Nature	Associate
Country of origin	United States of America
Transaction	Dividends
Dividend income	$ 1,967	2,796	2,807
Abu Dhabi Fertilizer Industries WWL [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	Foreign
Nature	Associate
Country of origin	Arab Emirates
Transaction	Sale of products
Revenue from sale of goods, related party transactions	$ 0	3,749	5,811
Abu Dhabi Fertilizer Industries WWL [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	Foreign
Nature	Associate
Country of origin	Arab Emirates
Transaction	Dividends
Dividend income	$ 0	0	6,632
Charlee SQM Thailand Co. Ltd. [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	Foreign
Nature	Associate
Country of origin	Thailand
Transaction	Sale of products
Revenue from sale of goods, related party transactions	$ 0	0	4,960
Charlee SQM Thailand Co. Ltd. [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	Foreign
Nature	Associate
Country of origin	Thailand
Transaction	Dividends
Dividend income	$ 0	0	362
SQM Vitas Brasil Agroindustria [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	Foreign
Nature	Other related parties
Country of origin	Brazil
Transaction	Sale of products
Revenue from sale of goods, related party transactions	$ 41,341	46,876	44,827
SQM Vitas Peru S.A.C. [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	Foreign
Nature	Other related parties
Country of origin	Peru
Transaction	Sale of products
Revenue from sale of goods, related party transactions	$ 17,723	24,138	17,204
SQM Vitas Fzco. [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	Foreign
Nature	Joint venture
Country of origin	Arab Emirates
Transaction	Dividends
Dividend income	$ 0	10,598	0
Coromandel SQM India [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	Foreign
Nature	Joint venture
Country of origin	India
Transaction	Sale of products
Revenue from sale of goods, related party transactions	$ 1,510	3,955	7,696
SQM Star Qingdao Corp Nutrition Co., Ltd. [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	Foreign
Nature	Joint venture
Country of origin	China
Transaction	Sale of products
Revenue from sale of goods, related party transactions	$ 0	1,929	0
Terra Tarsa Ukraine LLC [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	Foreign
Nature	Other related parties
Country of origin	Ukraine
Transaction	Sale of products
Revenue from sale of goods, related party transactions	$ 737	1,280	1,674
Plantacote N.V [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	Foreign
Nature	Other related parties
Country of origin	Belgium
Transaction	Sale of products
Revenue from sale of goods, related party transactions	$ 0	4,096	4,554
Pavoni & C, SPA [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	Foreign
Nature	Joint venture
Country of origin	Italy
Transaction	Sale of products
Revenue from sale of goods, related party transactions	$ 1,125	3,152	201
Arpa Speciali SRL [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	Foreign
Nature	Other related parties
Country of origin	Italy
Transaction	Sale of products
Revenue from sale of goods, related party transactions	$ 0	2,359	207
SQM Star Qingdao Corp Nutrition Co., Ltd. [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	Foreign
Nature	Joint venture
Country of origin	China
Transaction	Dividends
Dividend income	$ 2,223	0
Terra Tarsa Don LLC [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	Foreign
Nature	Other related parties
Country of origin	Russian Federation
Transaction	Sale of products
Revenue from sale of goods, related party transactions	$ 0	40	187
SQM Eastmed Turkey [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	Foreign
Nature	Associate
Country of origin	Turkey
Transaction	Sale of products
Revenue from sale of goods, related party transactions	$ 0	$ 47	$ 30

Related party disclosures (De_3

Related party disclosures (Details 2) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)
Gonzalo Guerrero Yamamoto [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Description Of Tax ID	10.581.580-8
Nature	Chairman / director
Country	Chile
Transaction	Services – Supplier
Services received, related party transactions	$ 20
Universidad del Desarrollo [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Description Of Tax ID	71.644.300-0
Nature	Chairman / director
Country	Chile
Transaction	Services – Supplier
Services received, related party transactions	$ 125
Universidad Tecnológica de Chile [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Description Of Tax ID	72.012.000-3
Nature	Chairman / director
Country	Chile
Transaction	Services – Supplier
Services received, related party transactions	$ 41
Sociedad Periodística El Libero [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Description Of Tax ID	76.389.727-3
Nature	Shareholders
Country	Chile
Transaction	Services – Supplier
Services received, related party transactions	$ 0
Link Capital Partners SpA [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Description Of Tax ID	76.825.265-3
Nature	Family of director
Country	Chile
Transaction	Services – Supplier
Services received, related party transactions	$ 224
Proveedora Industrial Arrigoni [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Description Of Tax ID	76.839.170-k
Nature	Director in common
Country	Chile
Transaction	Services – Supplier
Services received, related party transactions	$ 5
El Mercurio S.A.P. [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Description Of Tax ID	90.193.000-7
Nature	Family of director
Country	Chile
Transaction	Services – Supplier
Services received, related party transactions	$ 36
Emp. Nac. Telecomunicaciones S.A. [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Description Of Tax ID	92.580.000-7
Nature	Family of director
Country	Chile
Transaction	Services – Supplier
Services received, related party transactions	$ 1,847
Entel PCS Telecomunicaciones S.A. [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Description Of Tax ID	96.806.980-2
Nature	Family of director
Country	Chile
Transaction	Services – Supplier
Services received, related party transactions	$ 264
Banco de Chile [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Description Of Tax ID	97.004.000-5
Nature	Director in common
Country	Chile
Transaction	Services – Supplier
Services received, related party transactions	$ 44,696
Cia. de Seg. de Vida Consorcio Nacional [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Description Of Tax ID	99.012.000-5
Nature	Family of director
Country	Chile
Transaction	Services – Supplier
Services received, related party transactions	$ 71
Enaex S.A. [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Description Of Tax ID	90.266.000-3
Nature	Director in common
Country	Chile
Transaction	Servicies – Client
Services received, related party transactions	$ 19
Emp. Nac. Telecomunicaciones S.A. [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Description Of Tax ID	92.580.000-7
Nature	Family of director
Country	Chile
Transaction	Servicies – Client
Services received, related party transactions	$ 43
Norte Grande S.A.[Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Description Of Tax ID	96.529.340-K
Nature	Director in common
Country	Chile
Transaction	Lease
Lease	$ 135

Related party disclosures (De_4

Related party disclosures (Details 3) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Current receivables due from related parties	$ 62,601	$ 61,227
Doktor Tarsa Tarim Sanayi AS [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	Foreign
Nature	Associate
Country of origin	Turkey
Currency	Dollar
Current receivables due from related parties	$ 0	110
Ajay Europe SARL [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	Foreign
Nature	Associate
Country of origin	France
Currency	Euro
Current receivables due from related parties	$ 4,625	3,712
Ajay North America LLC. [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	Foreign
Nature	Associate
Country of origin	United States of America
Currency	Dollar
Current receivables due from related parties	$ 2,956	2,290
Abu Dhabi Fertilizer Industries WWL [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	Foreign
Nature	Associate
Country of origin	Arab Emirates
Currency	United Arab Emirates Dirham
Current receivables due from related parties	$ 595	803
Soc.de Inversiones Pampa Calichera [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	96.511.530-7
Nature	Other related parties
Country of origin	Chile
Currency	Dollar
Current receivables due from related parties	$ 6	6
SQM Vitas Brazil Agroindustria [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	Foreign
Nature	Other related parties
Country of origin	Brazil
Currency	Dollar
Current receivables due from related parties	$ 24,335	27,275
SQM Vitas Peru S.A.C. [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	Foreign
Nature	Other related parties
Country of origin	Peru
Currency	Dollar
Current receivables due from related parties	$ 24,205	23,475
Coromandel SQM India [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	Foreign
Nature	Joint venture
Country of origin	India
Currency	Indian Rupee
Current receivables due from related parties	$ 0	1,792
SQM Vitas Fzco. [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	Foreign
Nature	Joint venture
Country of origin	Arab Emirates
Currency	United Arab Emirates Dirham
Current receivables due from related parties	$ 236	234
Terra Tarsa Ukraine LLC [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	Foreign
Nature	Other related parties
Country of origin	Ukraine
Currency	Ukrainian hryvnia
Current receivables due from related parties	$ 0	7
Terra Tarsa Don LLC [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	Foreign
Nature	Other related parties
Country of origin	Russian Federation
Currency	Russian Ruble
Current receivables due from related parties	$ 0	13
Plantacote N.V [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	Foreign
Nature	Other related parties
Country of origin	Belgium
Currency	Euro
Current receivables due from related parties	$ 0	657
SQM Eastmed Turkey [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	Foreign
Nature	Associate
Country of origin	Turkey
Currency	Euro
Current receivables due from related parties	$ 0	47
Pavoni And C Spa [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	Foreign
Nature	Joint venture
Country of origin	Italy
Currency	Euro
Current receivables due from related parties	$ 1,095	1,028
Arpa Speciali SRL [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	Foreign
Nature	Other related parties
Country of origin	Italy
Currency	Euro
Current receivables due from related parties	$ 0	134
Covalent Lithium Pty Ltd.[Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	Foreign
Nature	Joint venture
Country of origin	Australia
Currency	Australian dollar
Current receivables due from related parties	$ 84	0
Sichuan SQM Migao Chemical Fertilizers Co Ltd [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	Foreign
Nature	Joint venture
Country of origin	China
Currency	Dollar
Current receivables due from related parties	$ 4,464	0
Allowance [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Current receivables due from related parties	$ 0	$ (356)

Related party disclosures (De_5

Related party disclosures (Details 4) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Current payables to related parties	$ 606,000	$ 475,000
Ajay Europe S.A.R.L [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	Foreign
Nature	Associate
Country of origin	France
Currency	Euro
Current payables to related parties	$ 50	0
Covalent Lithium Pty Ltd [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	Foreign
Nature	Joint venture
Country of origin	Australia
Currency	Australian dollar
Current payables to related parties	$ 324,000	232,000
SQM Star Qingdao Corp Nutrition Co., Ltd. [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	Foreign
Nature	Joint venture
Country of origin	China
Currency	Dollar
Current payables to related parties	$ 0	243,000
Ajay North America LLC.[Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Tax ID	Foreign
Nature	Associate
Country of origin	United States of America
Currency	Dollar
Current payables to related parties	$ 232	$ 0

Related party disclosures (De_6

Related party disclosures (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Current receivables due from related parties	$ 62,601	$ 61,227
Wesment farmers limited [member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Contribution towards projects in joint operations	15,000
Sichuan SQM Migao Chemical Fertilizers Co Ltda. [Member]
Related party disclosures [Line Items]
Current receivables due from related parties	$ 6,502	$ 10,965

Financial instruments (Details)

Financial instruments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Other non-current financial assets	$ 51,925	$ 8,778
Other current financial assets	348,069	505,490
Hedging assets [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Other non-current financial assets	37,276	3,918
Other current financial assets	0	17,270
Financial assets at amortised cost, category [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Other non-current financial assets	80	75
Other current financial assets	345,459	485,689
Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss, classified as held for trading, category [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Other current financial assets	2,610	2,531
Financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income, category [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Other non-current financial assets	$ 14,569	$ 4,785

Financial instruments (Details

Financial instruments (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Other current financial assets	$ 348,069	$ 505,490
Financial assets at amortised cost [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Other current financial assets	345,459	485,689
Financial assets at amortised cost [member] | Banco de Credito e Inversiones [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Other current financial assets	185,589	185,400
Financial assets at amortised cost [member] | Banco Santander [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Other current financial assets	45,168	74,365
Financial assets at amortised cost [member] | Banco Itau - Corpbanca [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Other current financial assets	49,006	120,628
Financial assets at amortised cost [member] | Banco Security [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Other current financial assets	0	17,964
Financial assets at amortised cost [member] | Banco de Chile [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Other current financial assets	0	18,026
Financial assets at amortised cost [member] | Banco Estado [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Other current financial assets	0	15,126
Financial assets at amortised cost [member] | Scotiabank Sud Americano [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Other current financial assets	31,668	54,180
Financial assets at amortised cost [member] | JP Morgan Asset Management [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Other current financial assets	$ 34,028	$ 0

Financial instruments (Parenthe

Financial instruments (Parenthetical) (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Term deposit One [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Assets Pledged as Collateral	$ 0	$ 1,870

Financial instruments (Detail_2

Financial instruments (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Trade and other current receivables	$ 365,206	$ 399,142
Non-current trade receivables	11,165	1,710
Trade and other receivables	376,371	400,852
Trade and other receivables [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Current trade receivables	313,265	367,583
Current prepayments	19,900	20,309
Other current receivables	32,041	11,250
Trade and other current receivables	365,206	399,142
Non-current trade receivables	0	0
Non-current prepayments	0	0
Other non-current receivables	11,165	1,710
Trade and other non-current receivables	11,165	1,710
Trade receivables	313,265	367,583
Prepayments	19,900	20,309
Other Receivables	43,206	12,960
Trade and other receivables	$ 376,371	$ 400,852

Financial instruments (Detail_3

Financial instruments (Details 3) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Assets before allowances	$ 396,099	$ 422,236
Allowance for doubtful trade receivables	(19,728)	(21,384)
Assets for trade receivables, net	376,371	400,852
Receivables related to credit operations, current [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Assets before allowances	327,586	383,775
Allowance for doubtful trade receivables	(14,321)	(16,192)
Assets for trade receivables, net	313,265	367,583
Trade receivables, current [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Assets before allowances	327,586	383,775
Allowance for doubtful trade receivables	(14,321)	(16,192)
Assets for trade receivables, net	313,265	367,583
Prepayments, current [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Assets before allowances	20,684	21,092
Allowance for doubtful trade receivables	(784)	(783)
Assets for trade receivables, net	19,900	20,309
Other receivables, current [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Assets before allowances	36,664	15,659
Allowance for doubtful trade receivables	(4,623)	(4,409)
Assets for trade receivables, net	32,041	11,250
Current trade and other receivables [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Assets before allowances	57,348	36,751
Allowance for doubtful trade receivables	(5,407)	(5,192)
Assets for trade receivables, net	51,941	31,559
Other receivables, non-current [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Assets before allowances	11,165	1,710
Allowance for doubtful trade receivables	0	0
Assets for trade receivables, net	11,165	1,710
Non-current receivables [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Assets before allowances	11,165	1,710
Allowance for doubtful trade receivables	0	0
Assets for trade receivables, net	$ 11,165	$ 1,710

Financial instruments (Detail_4

Financial instruments (Details 4) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)Numbers	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)Numbers
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Total Gross Book Value	$ 365,206	$ 399,142
Uncollateralized Portfolio [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Number of customers under no renegotiated terms | Numbers	1,587	1,861
Portfolio under no renegotiated terms	$ 325,726	$ 381,049
Number of customers under renegotiated terms | Numbers	110	304
Portfolio under renegotiated terms, gross	$ 1,860	$ 2,726
Receivables due from related parties, current [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Total Gross Book Value	70,145	72,550
Credit exposure	$ 7,545	$ 11,323
Between 1 and 30 days [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Expected credit loss rate	10.00%	18.00%
Total Gross Book Value	$ 12,200	$ 20,721
Credit exposure	$ 1,207	$ 3,664
Between 1 and 30 days [Member] | Uncollateralized Portfolio [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Number of customers under no renegotiated terms | Numbers	119	166
Portfolio under no renegotiated terms	$ 12,140	$ 20,195
Number of customers under renegotiated terms | Numbers	8	72
Portfolio under renegotiated terms, gross	$ 60	$ 526
Between 31 and 60 days [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Expected credit loss rate	39.00%	34.00%
Total Gross Book Value	$ 1,226	$ 1,288
Credit exposure	$ 477	$ 440
Between 31 and 60 days [member] | Uncollateralized Portfolio [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Number of customers under no renegotiated terms | Numbers	12	26
Portfolio under no renegotiated terms	$ 1,226	$ 1,279
Number of customers under renegotiated terms | Numbers	0	4
Portfolio under renegotiated terms, gross	$ 0	$ 10
Between 61 and 90 days [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Expected credit loss rate	52.00%	44.00%
Total Gross Book Value	$ 159	$ 573
Credit exposure	$ 83	$ 251
Between 61 and 90 days [member] | Uncollateralized Portfolio [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Number of customers under no renegotiated terms | Numbers	5	12
Portfolio under no renegotiated terms	$ 159	$ 519
Number of customers under renegotiated terms | Numbers	0	3
Portfolio under renegotiated terms, gross	$ 0	$ 54
More than 91 days [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Expected credit loss rate	79.00%	78.00%
Total Gross Book Value	$ 11,883	$ 8,370
Credit exposure	$ 9,367	$ 6,552
Between 121 and 150 days [member] | Uncollateralized Portfolio [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Number of customers under no renegotiated terms | Numbers	2	5
Portfolio under no renegotiated terms	$ 2,384	$ 361
Number of customers under renegotiated terms | Numbers	2	7
Portfolio under renegotiated terms, gross	$ 2	$ 49
Between 151 and 180 days [member] | Uncollateralized Portfolio [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Number of customers under no renegotiated terms | Numbers	3	7
Portfolio under no renegotiated terms	$ 1,398	$ 190
Number of customers under renegotiated terms | Numbers	4	2
Portfolio under renegotiated terms, gross	$ 12	$ 33
Between 181 and 210 days [member] | Uncollateralized Portfolio [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Number of customers under no renegotiated terms | Numbers	1	4
Portfolio under no renegotiated terms	$ 0	$ 51
Number of customers under renegotiated terms | Numbers	2	0
Portfolio under renegotiated terms, gross	$ 5	$ 0
Between 211 and 250 days [member] | Uncollateralized Portfolio [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Number of customers under no renegotiated terms | Numbers	3	6
Portfolio under no renegotiated terms	$ 2	$ 48
Number of customers under renegotiated terms | Numbers	6	8
Portfolio under renegotiated terms, gross	$ 114	$ 11
More than 250 days [member] | Uncollateralized Portfolio [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Number of customers under no renegotiated terms | Numbers	156	144
Portfolio under no renegotiated terms	$ 5,030	$ 5,449
Number of customers under renegotiated terms | Numbers	64	137
Portfolio under renegotiated terms, gross	$ 1,447	$ 1,085
Current [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Expected credit loss rate	1.00%	1.00%
Total Gross Book Value	$ 302,118	$ 352,823
Credit exposure	$ 3,187	$ 5,285
Current [member] | Uncollateralized Portfolio [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Number of customers under no renegotiated terms | Numbers	1,281	1,486
Portfolio under no renegotiated terms	$ 301,939	$ 351,931
Number of customers under renegotiated terms | Numbers	23	69
Portfolio under renegotiated terms, gross	$ 179	$ 892
Between 91 and 120 days [member] | Uncollateralized Portfolio [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Number of customers under no renegotiated terms | Numbers	5	5
Portfolio under no renegotiated terms	$ 1,448	$ 1,026
Number of customers under renegotiated terms | Numbers	1	2
Portfolio under renegotiated terms, gross	$ 41	$ 66
Trade [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Total Gross Book Value	327,586	383,775
Credit exposure	$ 14,321	$ 16,192

Financial instruments (Detail_5

Financial instruments (Details 5) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Financial instruments [Abstract]
Provision Impairment Accounts receivable at the beginning of the Period	$ 32,707	$ 32,634
(Decrease) increase impairment of accounts receivable	(4,684)	1,057
Use of Provision Applied to Accounts Receivable	(750)	(984)
Impairment of Accounts Receivable Provision at the end of the Period	27,273	32,707
Trade and Other Receivables Provision	14,321	16,192
Current other Receivables Provision	5,407	5,192
Provision Trade payables due to related parties, current	7,545	11,323
Recovery of Insurance	347	320
Impairment of Accounts Receivable Provision	27,273	32,707
Renegotiated Provision	1,728	1,905
Non-renegotiated Provision	$ 25,545	$ 30,802

Financial instruments (Detail_6

Financial instruments (Details 6) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Effect on profit or loss for the period Derivative instruments	$ 3,257
Hedging reserve in equity before tax	(3,707)
Debt [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Hedging assets	18,081
Hedging liabilities		$ (18,853)
Effect on profit or loss for the period Derivative instruments	11,472	(29,557)
Hedging reserve in equity before tax	6,609	10,704
Debt [Member] | Cross currency swap contracts [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Hedging liabilities	(19,195)	(22,771)
Effect on profit or loss for the period Derivative instruments	(12,956)	(25,363)
Hedging reserve in equity before tax	(6,239)	2,592
Debt [Member] | Forward contract [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Hedging assets	37,276	3,918
Effect on profit or loss for the period Derivative instruments	24,428	(4,194)
Hedging reserve in equity before tax	12,848	8,112
Investment [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Hedging assets		16,381
Hedging liabilities	(21,004)
Effect on profit or loss for the period Derivative instruments	(20,626)	17,146
Hedging reserve in equity before tax	(378)	(765)
Investment [Member] | Cross currency swap contracts [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Hedging liabilities	(21,004)	(889)
Effect on profit or loss for the period Derivative instruments	(20,626)	(711)
Hedging reserve in equity before tax	(378)	(178)
Investment [Member] | Forward contract [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Hedging assets	0	17,270
Effect on profit or loss for the period Derivative instruments	0	17,857
Hedging reserve in equity before tax	$ 0	$ (587)

Financial instruments (Detail_7

Financial instruments (Details 7) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Net Variation Of Hedging	$ (450)
Gains (losses) on hedging instrument, fair value hedges	3,257
Hedging Reserve In Equity Before Tax	(3,707)
Debt Hedging [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Net Variation Of Hedging	36,935
Gains (losses) on hedging instrument, fair value hedges	41,029
Hedging Reserve In Equity Before Tax	(4,094)
Investment Hedging [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Net Variation Of Hedging	(37,385)
Gains (losses) on hedging instrument, fair value hedges	(37,772)
Hedging Reserve In Equity Before Tax	387
Assets Hedging [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Net Variation Of Hedging	16,088
Gains (losses) on hedging instrument, fair value hedges	10,765
Hedging Reserve In Equity Before Tax	5,323
Liabilities Hedging [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Net Variation Of Hedging	(16,538)
Gains (losses) on hedging instrument, fair value hedges	(7,508)
Hedging Reserve In Equity Before Tax	$ (9,030)

Financial instruments (Detail_8

Financial instruments (Details 9) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)
Series H bonds [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Contract amount	$ 134,049
Currency	UF
Derivative contracts, Maturity	Jan. 4, 2023
Series O bonds [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Contract amount	$ 58,748
Currency	UF
Derivative contracts, Maturity	Feb. 1, 2022
Series P bonds [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Contract amount	$ 134,228
Currency	UF
Derivative contracts, Maturity	Jan. 15, 2028
Series Q bonds [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Contract amount	$ 106,933
Currency	UF
Derivative contracts, Maturity	Jun. 1, 2030

Financial instruments (Detail_9

Financial instruments (Details 10) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Current	$ 68,955	$ 291,128
Non-current	1,899,513	1,488,723
Total	1,968,468	1,779,851
Bank borrowings [Member] | Financial liabilities at amortised cost, category [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Current	82	199
Non-current	69,376	69,138
Total	69,458	69,337
Obligations With The Public [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Current	36,781	280,578
Non-current	1,816,626	1,403,108
Total	1,853,407	1,683,686
For hedging [Member] | Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss, classified as held for trading, category [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Current	26,699	7,183
Non-current	13,511	16,477
Total	40,210	23,660
Non-hedging liabilities [Member] | Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss, classified as held for trading, category [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Current	5,393	3,168
Total	$ 5,393	$ 3,168

Financial instruments (Detai_10

Financial instruments (Details 11) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Total loans	$ 2,814,870	$ 2,202,050
Bank borrowings [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Current loans	82	199
Non-current loans	69,376	69,138
Total loans	$ 69,458	$ 69,337

Financial instruments (Detai_11

Financial instruments (Details 12) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Company	SQM S.A.
Notional amounts	$ 39,031	$ 282,914
Borrowing costs	(2,250)	(2,336)
Bank borrowings [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional amounts	0	0
Current amounts	82	199
Borrowing costs	0	0
Total	82	199
Bank borrowings [Member] | Not later than three months [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional amounts	0	0
Current amounts	0	12
Bank borrowings [Member] | Later than three months and not later than one year [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional amounts	0	0
Current amounts	$ 82	$ 187
Bank borrowing One [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Tax ID No.	93.007.000-9	93.007.000-9
Company	SQM S.A.
Country	Chile
Tax ID No.	O-E
Financial institution	Scotiabank Cayman	Scotiabank Cayman
Country	USA
Currency or adjustment index	USD
Payment of interest	Upon maturity
Repayment	05/30/2023
Effective rate	1.00%
Nominal rate	1.36%
Bank borrowing Three [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Company	SQM S.A.	SQM S.A.
Country		Chile
Tax ID No.		Foreign
Financial institution	Scotiabank Cayman	Scotiabank Cayman
Country		USA
Currency or adjustment index		US$
Repayment		Upon maturity
Borrowings Expiration Date		May 29, 2023
Effective rate		2.11%
Nominal rate		3.01%
Notional amounts	$ 0	$ 0
Current amounts	82	187
Borrowing costs	0	0
Total	82	187
Bank borrowing Three [Member] | Not later than three months [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional amounts	0	0
Current amounts	0	0
Bank borrowing Three [Member] | Later than three months and not later than one year [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional amounts	0	0
Current amounts	$ 82	$ 187
Foreign Bank Borrowings One [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Tax ID No.		Foreign
Company		Nitratos Naturais do Chile
Country		Brazil
Tax ID No.		Foreign
Financial institution		Banco ITAU Brasil
Country		Brazil
Currency or adjustment index		BRL
Repayment		Upon maturity
Borrowings Expiration Date		Dec. 31, 2019
Effective rate		13.57%
Nominal rate		4.25%
Notional amounts		$ 0
Current amounts		12
Borrowing costs		0
Total		12
Foreign Bank Borrowings One [Member] | Not later than three months [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional amounts		0
Current amounts		12
Foreign Bank Borrowings One [Member] | Later than three months and not later than one year [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional amounts		0
Current amounts		$ 0

Financial instruments (Detai_12

Financial instruments (Details 13) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Oct. 31, 2018
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Company	SQM S.A.
Notional amount	$ 39,031	$ 282,914
Current maturities	39,031	282,914
Borrowing costs	(2,250)	(2,336)
Total	36,781	280,578
NotLaterThanThreeMonths [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional amount	33,154	24,390
Current maturities	33,154	24,390
LaterThanThreeMonthsAndNotLaterThanOneYear [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional amount	5,877	258,524
Current maturities	$ 5,877	$ 258,524
Single series bond One [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Tax ID No.	93.007.000-9	93.007.000-9
Company	SQM S.A.	SQM S.A.
Country	Chile	Chile
Number of registration or ID of the instrument	-	-
Maturity date	01/28/2021	04/21/2020
Currency or adjustment index	US$	US$
Payment of interest	Semiannual	Semiannual
Nominal rate	4.38%	5.50%
Effective rate	1.95%	0.43%
Repayment	Upon maturity	Upon maturity
Notional amount	$ 4,648	$ 252,674
Current maturities	4,648	252,674
Borrowing costs	(433)	(386)
Total	4,215	252,288
Single series bond One [Member] | NotLaterThanThreeMonths [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional amount	4,648	0
Current maturities	4,648	0
Single series bond One [Member] | LaterThanThreeMonthsAndNotLaterThanOneYear [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional amount	0	252,674
Current maturities	$ 0	$ 252,674
Single series bond Two [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Tax ID No.	93.007.000-9	93.007.000-9
Company	SQM S.A.	SQM S.A.
Country	Chile	Chile
Number of registration or ID of the instrument	-	-
Maturity date	04/03/2021	01/28/2020
Currency or adjustment index	US$	US$
Payment of interest	Semiannual	Semiannual
Nominal rate	3.63%	4.38%
Effective rate	1.08%	2.35%
Repayment	Upon maturity	Upon maturity
Notional amount	$ 2,658	$ 4,648
Current maturities	2,658	4,648
Borrowing costs	(614)	(433)
Total	2,044	4,215
Single series bond Two [Member] | NotLaterThanThreeMonths [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional amount	0	4,648
Current maturities	0	4,648
Single series bond Two [Member] | LaterThanThreeMonthsAndNotLaterThanOneYear [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional amount	2,658	0
Current maturities	$ 2,658	$ 0
Single series bond Three [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Tax ID No.	93.007.000-9	93.007.000-9
Company	SQM S.A.	SQM S.A.
Country	Chile	Chile
Number of registration or ID of the instrument	-	-
Maturity date	05/07/2021	04/03/2020
Currency or adjustment index	US$	US$
Payment of interest	Semiannual	Semiannual
Nominal rate	4.25%	3.63%
Effective rate	3.59%	1.42%
Repayment	Upon maturity	Upon maturity
Notional amount	$ 7,508	$ 2,658
Current maturities	7,508	2,658
Borrowing costs	(679)	(614)
Total	6,829	2,044
Single series bond Three [Member] | NotLaterThanThreeMonths [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional amount	7,508	0
Current maturities	7,508	0
Single series bond Three [Member] | LaterThanThreeMonthsAndNotLaterThanOneYear [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional amount	0	2,658
Current maturities	$ 0	$ 2,658
Single Series Bond Four [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Tax ID No.	93.007.000-9	93.007.000-9
Company	SQM S.A.	SQM S.A.
Country	Chile	Chile
Number of registration or ID of the instrument	-	-
Maturity date	01/22/2021	05/07/2020
Currency or adjustment index	US$	US$
Payment of interest	Semiannual	Semiannual
Nominal rate	4.25%	4.25%
Effective rate	4.17%	4.07%
Repayment	Upon maturity	Upon maturity
Notional amount	$ 2,869	$ 2,869
Current maturities	2,869	2,869
Borrowing costs	(237)	(679)
Total	2,632	2,190
Single Series Bond Four [Member] | NotLaterThanThreeMonths [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional amount	0	0
Current maturities	0	0
Single Series Bond Four [Member] | LaterThanThreeMonthsAndNotLaterThanOneYear [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional amount	2,869	2,869
Current maturities	$ 2,869	$ 2,869
Series H bonds [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Tax ID No.	93.007.000-9	93.007.000-9
Company	SQM S.A.	SQM S.A.
Country	Chile	Chile
Number of registration or ID of the instrument	564	564
Maturity date	01/05/2021	01/05/2020
Currency or adjustment index	UF	UF
Payment of interest	Semiannual	Semiannual
Nominal rate	4.90%	4.90%
Effective rate	0.58%	1.36%
Repayment	Semiannual	Semiannual
Notional amount	$ 18,212	$ 17,166
Current maturities	18,212	17,166
Borrowing costs	(172)	(139)
Total	18,040	17,027
Series H bonds [Member] | NotLaterThanThreeMonths [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional amount	18,212	17,166
Current maturities	18,212	17,166
Series H bonds [Member] | LaterThanThreeMonthsAndNotLaterThanOneYear [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional amount	0	0
Current maturities	$ 0	$ 0
Series O bonds [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Tax ID No.	93.007.000-9	93.007.000-9
Company	SQM S.A.	SQM S.A.
Country	Chile	Chile
Number of registration or ID of the instrument	699	699
Maturity date	02/01/2021	02/01/2020
Currency or adjustment index	UF	UF
Payment of interest	Semiannual	Semiannual
Nominal rate	3.80%	3.80%
Effective rate	2.24%	2.41%
Repayment	Upon maturity	Upon maturity
Notional amount	$ 962	$ 890
Current maturities	962	890
Borrowing costs	(82)	(67)
Total	880	823
Series O bonds [Member] | NotLaterThanThreeMonths [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional amount	962	890
Current maturities	962	890
Series O bonds [Member] | LaterThanThreeMonthsAndNotLaterThanOneYear [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional amount	0	0
Current maturities	$ 0	$ 0
Series P bonds [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Tax ID No.	93.007.000-9	93.007.000-9
Company	SQM S.A.	SQM S.A.
Country	Chile	Chile
Number of registration or ID of the instrument	563	563
Maturity date	01/15/2021	01/15/2020
Currency or adjustment index	UF	UF
Payment of interest	Semiannual	Semiannual
Nominal rate	3.25%	3.25%
Effective rate	2.37%	2.71%
Repayment	Upon maturity	Upon maturity
Notional amount	$ 1,824	$ 1,686
Current maturities	1,824	1,686
Borrowing costs	(12)	(12)
Total	1,812	1,674
Series P bonds [Member] | NotLaterThanThreeMonths [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional amount	1,824	1,686
Current maturities	1,824	1,686
Series P bonds [Member] | LaterThanThreeMonthsAndNotLaterThanOneYear [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional amount	0	0
Current maturities	$ 0	$ 0
Series Q bonds [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Tax ID No.	93.007.000-9	93.007.000-9
Company	SQM S.A.	SQM S.A.
Country	Chile	Chile
Number of registration or ID of the instrument	700	700
Maturity date	06/01/2021	06/01/2020
Currency or adjustment index	UF	UF
Payment of interest	Semiannual	Semiannual
Nominal rate	3.45%	3.45%
Effective rate	2.92%	3.11%	3.45%
Repayment	Upon maturity	Upon maturity
Notional amount	$ 350	$ 323
Current maturities	350	323
Borrowing costs	(21)	(6)
Total	329	317
Series Q bonds [Member] | NotLaterThanThreeMonths [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional amount	0	0
Current maturities	0	0
Series Q bonds [Member] | LaterThanThreeMonthsAndNotLaterThanOneYear [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional amount	350	323
Current maturities	$ 350	$ 323

Financial instruments (Detai_13

Financial instruments (Details 14) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Company	SQM S.A.
Notional amount	$ 39,031	$ 282,914
Borrowing costs	$ (2,250)	$ (2,336)
Bank Borrowings Chilean Tax [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Tax ID No.	93.007.000-9	93.007.000-9
Company	SQM S.A.	SQM S.A.
Country	Chile	Chile
Tax ID No.	Foreign	Foreign
Financial institution	Scotiabank Cayman	Scotiabank Cayman
Country	USA	USA
Currency or adjustment index	USD	USD
Effective rate	1.98%	2.84%
Nominal rate	1.36%	3.01%
Non current bonds issued [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional amount	$ 70,000	$ 70,000
Non-current maturities	70,000	70,000
Borrowing costs	(624)	(862)
Total	$ 69,376	$ 69,138
Non current bonds issued [Member] | Bank Borrowings Chilean Tax [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Company	SQM S.A.	SQM S.A.
Financial institution	Scotiabank Cayman	Scotiabank Cayman
Notional amount	$ 70,000	$ 70,000
Non-current maturities	70,000	70,000
Borrowing costs	(624)	(862)
Total	69,376	69,138
Non current bonds issued [Member] | Between 1 year to 2 [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional amount	0	0
Non-current maturities	0	0
Non current bonds issued [Member] | Between 1 year to 2 [member] | Bank Borrowings Chilean Tax [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional amount	0	0
Non-current maturities	0	0
Non current bonds issued [Member] | Between 2 years to 3 [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional amount	70,000	0
Non-current maturities	70,000	0
Non current bonds issued [Member] | Between 2 years to 3 [member] | Bank Borrowings Chilean Tax [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional amount	70,000	0
Non-current maturities	70,000	0
Non current bonds issued [Member] | Between 3 Years to 4 [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional amount	0	70,000
Non-current maturities	0	70,000
Non current bonds issued [Member] | Between 3 Years to 4 [member] | Bank Borrowings Chilean Tax [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional amount	0	70,000
Non-current maturities	$ 0	$ 70,000

Financial instruments (Detai_14

Financial instruments (Details 15) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Oct. 31, 2018
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Company	SQM S.A.
Notional Amount	$ 39,031	$ 282,914
Borrowing costs	$ (2,250)	$ (2,336)
Single series bond One [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Tax ID	93.007.000-9	93.007.000-9
Company	SQM S.A.	SQM S.A.
Country	Chile	Chile
Number of registration or ID of the instrument	-	-
Maturity date	01/28/2021	04/21/2020
Currency or adjustment index	US$	US$
Payment of interest	Semiannual	Semiannual
Repayment	Upon maturity	Upon maturity
Effective rate	1.95%	0.43%
Nominal rate	4.38%	5.50%
Notional Amount	$ 4,648	$ 252,674
Borrowing costs	$ (433)	$ (386)
Single series bond Two [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Tax ID	93.007.000-9	93.007.000-9
Company	SQM S.A.	SQM S.A.
Country	Chile	Chile
Number of registration or ID of the instrument	-	-
Maturity date	04/03/2021	01/28/2020
Currency or adjustment index	US$	US$
Payment of interest	Semiannual	Semiannual
Repayment	Upon maturity	Upon maturity
Effective rate	1.08%	2.35%
Nominal rate	3.63%	4.38%
Notional Amount	$ 2,658	$ 4,648
Borrowing costs	$ (614)	$ (433)
Single series bond Three [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Tax ID	93.007.000-9	93.007.000-9
Company	SQM S.A.	SQM S.A.
Country	Chile	Chile
Number of registration or ID of the instrument	-	-
Maturity date	05/07/2021	04/03/2020
Currency or adjustment index	US$	US$
Payment of interest	Semiannual	Semiannual
Repayment	Upon maturity	Upon maturity
Effective rate	3.59%	1.42%
Nominal rate	4.25%	3.63%
Notional Amount	$ 7,508	$ 2,658
Borrowing costs	$ (679)	$ (614)
Single series bond Four [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Tax ID	93.007.000-9	93.007.000-9
Company	SQM S.A.	SQM S.A.
Country	Chile	Chile
Number of registration or ID of the instrument	-	-
Maturity date	01/22/2021	05/07/2020
Currency or adjustment index	US$	US$
Payment of interest	Semiannual	Semiannual
Repayment	Upon maturity	Upon maturity
Effective rate	4.17%	4.07%
Nominal rate	4.25%	4.25%
Notional Amount	$ 2,869	$ 2,869
Borrowing costs	$ (237)	$ (679)
Series H bonds [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Tax ID	93.007.000-9	93.007.000-9
Company	SQM S.A.	SQM S.A.
Country	Chile	Chile
Number of registration or ID of the instrument	564	564
Maturity date	01/05/2021	01/05/2020
Currency or adjustment index	UF	UF
Payment of interest	Semiannual	Semiannual
Repayment	Semiannual	Semiannual
Effective rate	0.58%	1.36%
Nominal rate	4.90%	4.90%
Notional Amount	$ 18,212	$ 17,166
Borrowing costs	$ (172)	$ (139)
Series O bonds [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Tax ID	93.007.000-9	93.007.000-9
Company	SQM S.A.	SQM S.A.
Country	Chile	Chile
Number of registration or ID of the instrument	699	699
Maturity date	02/01/2021	02/01/2020
Currency or adjustment index	UF	UF
Payment of interest	Semiannual	Semiannual
Repayment	Upon maturity	Upon maturity
Effective rate	2.24%	2.41%
Nominal rate	3.80%	3.80%
Notional Amount	$ 962	$ 890
Borrowing costs	$ (82)	$ (67)
Series Q bonds [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Tax ID	93.007.000-9	93.007.000-9
Company	SQM S.A.	SQM S.A.
Country	Chile	Chile
Number of registration or ID of the instrument	700	700
Maturity date	06/01/2021	06/01/2020
Currency or adjustment index	UF	UF
Payment of interest	Semiannual	Semiannual
Repayment	Upon maturity	Upon maturity
Effective rate	2.92%	3.11%	3.45%
Nominal rate	3.45%	3.45%
Notional Amount	$ 350	$ 323
Borrowing costs	(21)	(6)
Non current bonds issued [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional Amount	1,833,056	1,414,192
Non-current maturities	1,833,056	1,414,192
Borrowing costs	(16,430)	(11,084)
Total	1,816,626	1,403,108
Non current bonds issued [Member] | Over 1 year to 2 [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional Amount	0	13,749
Non-current maturities	0	13,749
Non current bonds issued [Member] | Over 2 years to 3 [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional Amount	300,000	13,749
Non-current maturities	300,000	13,749
Non current bonds issued [Member] | Over 3 years to 4 [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional Amount	0	313,749
Non-current maturities	0	313,749
Non current bonds issued [Member] | Over 4 Years to 5 [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional Amount	250,000	13,749
Non-current maturities	250,000	13,749
Non current bonds issued [Member] | Over 5 Years [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional Amount	1,283,056	1,059,196
Non-current maturities	$ 1,283,056	$ 1,059,196
Non current bonds issued [Member] | Single series bond One [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Tax ID	93.007.000-9	93.007.000-9
Company	SQM S.A.	SQM S.A.
Country	Chile	Chile
Number of registration or ID of the instrument	-	-
Maturity date	01/28/2025	01/28/2025
Currency or adjustment index	US$	US$
Payment of interest	Semiannual	Semiannual
Repayment	Upon maturity	Upon maturity
Effective rate	4.08%	4.08%
Nominal rate	4.38%	4.38%
Notional Amount	$ 250,000	$ 250,000
Non-current maturities	250,000	250,000
Borrowing costs	(1,336)	(1,514)
Total	248,664	248,486
Non current bonds issued [Member] | Single series bond One [Member] | Over 1 year to 2 [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional Amount	0	0
Non-current maturities	0	0
Non current bonds issued [Member] | Single series bond One [Member] | Over 2 years to 3 [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional Amount	0	0
Non-current maturities	0	0
Non current bonds issued [Member] | Single series bond One [Member] | Over 3 years to 4 [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional Amount	0	0
Non-current maturities	0	0
Non current bonds issued [Member] | Single series bond One [Member] | Over 4 Years to 5 [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional Amount	250,000	0
Non-current maturities	250,000	0
Non current bonds issued [Member] | Single series bond One [Member] | Over 5 Years [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional Amount	0	250,000
Non-current maturities	$ 0	$ 250,000
Non current bonds issued [Member] | Single series bond Two [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Tax ID		93.007.000-9
Company	SQM S.A.	SQM S.A.
Country	Chile	Chile
Number of registration or ID of the instrument	-	-
Maturity date	04/03/2023	04/03/2023
Currency or adjustment index	US$	US$
Payment of interest	Semiannual	Semiannual
Repayment	Upon maturity	Upon maturity
Effective rate	3.43%	3.43%
Nominal rate	3.63%	3.63%
Notional Amount	$ 300,000	$ 300,000
Non-current maturities	300,000	300,000
Borrowing costs	(781)	(1,393)
Total	299,219	298,607
Non current bonds issued [Member] | Single series bond Two [Member] | Over 1 year to 2 [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional Amount	0	0
Non-current maturities	0	0
Non current bonds issued [Member] | Single series bond Two [Member] | Over 2 years to 3 [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional Amount	300,000	0
Non-current maturities	300,000	0
Non current bonds issued [Member] | Single series bond Two [Member] | Over 3 years to 4 [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional Amount	0	300,000
Non-current maturities	0	300,000
Non current bonds issued [Member] | Single series bond Two [Member] | Over 4 Years to 5 [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional Amount	0	0
Non-current maturities	0	0
Non current bonds issued [Member] | Single series bond Two [Member] | Over 5 Years [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional Amount	0	0
Non-current maturities	$ 0	$ 0
Non current bonds issued [Member] | Single series bond Three [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Tax ID		93.007.000-9
Company	SQM S.A.	SQM S.A.
Country	Chile	Chile
Number of registration or ID of the instrument	-	-
Maturity date	05/07/2029	05/07/2029
Currency or adjustment index	US$	US$
Payment of interest	Semiannual	Semiannual
Repayment	Upon maturity	Upon maturity
Effective rate	4.18%	4.19%
Nominal rate	4.25%	4.25%
Notional Amount	$ 450,000	$ 450,000
Non-current maturities	450,000	450,000
Borrowing costs	(5,020)	(5,923)
Total	444,980	444,077
Non current bonds issued [Member] | Single series bond Three [Member] | Over 1 year to 2 [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional Amount	0	0
Non-current maturities	0	0
Non current bonds issued [Member] | Single series bond Three [Member] | Over 2 years to 3 [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional Amount	0	0
Non-current maturities	0	0
Non current bonds issued [Member] | Single series bond Three [Member] | Over 3 years to 4 [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional Amount	0	0
Non-current maturities	0	0
Non current bonds issued [Member] | Single series bond Three [Member] | Over 4 Years to 5 [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional Amount	0	0
Non-current maturities	0	0
Non current bonds issued [Member] | Single series bond Three [Member] | Over 5 Years [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional Amount	450,000	450,000
Non-current maturities	$ 450,000	$ 450,000
Non current bonds issued [Member] | Single series bond Four [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Tax ID	93.007.000-9
Company	SQM S.A.
Country	Chile
Number of registration or ID of the instrument	-
Maturity date	01/22/2050
Currency or adjustment index	US$
Payment of interest	Semiannual
Repayment	Upon maturity
Effective rate	4.22%
Nominal rate	4.25%
Notional Amount	$ 400,000
Non-current maturities	400,000
Borrowing costs	(6,582)
Total	393,418
Non current bonds issued [Member] | Single series bond Four [Member] | Over 1 year to 2 [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional Amount	0
Non-current maturities	0
Non current bonds issued [Member] | Single series bond Four [Member] | Over 2 years to 3 [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional Amount	0
Non-current maturities	0
Non current bonds issued [Member] | Single series bond Four [Member] | Over 3 years to 4 [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional Amount	0
Non-current maturities	0
Non current bonds issued [Member] | Single series bond Four [Member] | Over 4 Years to 5 [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional Amount	0
Non-current maturities	0
Non current bonds issued [Member] | Single series bond Four [Member] | Over 5 Years [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional Amount	400,000
Non-current maturities	$ 400,000
Non current bonds issued [Member] | Series H bonds [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Tax ID	93.007.000-9	93.007.000-9
Company	SQM S.A.	SQM S.A.
Country	Chile	Chile
Number of registration or ID of the instrument	564	564
Maturity date	01/05/2030	01/05/2030
Currency or adjustment index	UF	UF
Payment of interest	Semiannual	Semiannual
Repayment		Semiannual
Effective rate	4.76%	4.78%
Nominal rate	4.90%	4.90%
Notional Amount	$ 126,386	$ 130,617
Non-current maturities	126,386	130,617
Borrowing costs	(1,378)	(1,253)
Total	125,008	129,364
Non current bonds issued [Member] | Series H bonds [Member] | Over 1 year to 2 [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional Amount	0	13,749
Non-current maturities	0	13,749
Non current bonds issued [Member] | Series H bonds [Member] | Over 2 years to 3 [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional Amount	0	13,749
Non-current maturities	0	13,749
Non current bonds issued [Member] | Series H bonds [Member] | Over 3 years to 4 [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional Amount	0	13,749
Non-current maturities	0	13,749
Non current bonds issued [Member] | Series H bonds [Member] | Over 4 Years to 5 [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional Amount	0	13,749
Non-current maturities	0	13,749
Non current bonds issued [Member] | Series H bonds [Member] | Over 5 Years [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional Amount	126,386	75,621
Non-current maturities	$ 126,386	$ 75,621
Non current bonds issued [Member] | Series O bonds [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Tax ID	93.007.000-9	93.007.000-9
Company	SQM S.A.	SQM S.A.
Country	Chile	Chile
Number of registration or ID of the instrument	699	699
Maturity date	02/01/2033	02/01/2033
Currency or adjustment index	UF	UF
Payment of interest	Semiannual	Semiannual
Repayment	Upon maturity	Upon maturity
Effective rate	3.68%	3.70%
Nominal rate	3.80%	5.50%
Notional Amount	$ 61,334	$ 56,715
Non-current maturities	61,334	56,715
Borrowing costs	(904)	(811)
Total	60,430	55,904
Non current bonds issued [Member] | Series O bonds [Member] | Over 1 year to 2 [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional Amount	0	0
Non-current maturities	0	0
Non current bonds issued [Member] | Series O bonds [Member] | Over 2 years to 3 [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional Amount	0	0
Non-current maturities	0	0
Non current bonds issued [Member] | Series O bonds [Member] | Over 3 years to 4 [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional Amount	0	0
Non-current maturities	0	0
Non current bonds issued [Member] | Series O bonds [Member] | Over 4 Years to 5 [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional Amount	0	0
Non-current maturities	0	0
Non current bonds issued [Member] | Series O bonds [Member] | Over 5 Years [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional Amount	61,334	56,715
Non-current maturities	$ 61,334	$ 56,715
Non current bonds issued [Member] | Series P Bonds [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Tax ID	93.007.000-9	93.007.000-9
Company	SQM S.A.	SQM S.A.
Country	Chile	Chile
Number of registration or ID of the instrument	563	563
Maturity date	01/15/2028	01/15/2028
Currency or adjustment index	UF	UF
Payment of interest	Semiannual	Semiannual
Repayment	Upon maturity	Upon maturity
Effective rate	3.24%	3.24%
Nominal rate	3.25%	3.25%
Notional Amount	$ 122,668	$ 113,430
Non-current maturities	122,668	113,430
Borrowing costs	(77)	(89)
Total	122,591	113,341
Non current bonds issued [Member] | Series P Bonds [Member] | Over 1 year to 2 [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional Amount	0	0
Non-current maturities	0	0
Non current bonds issued [Member] | Series P Bonds [Member] | Over 2 years to 3 [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional Amount	0	0
Non-current maturities	0	0
Non current bonds issued [Member] | Series P Bonds [Member] | Over 3 years to 4 [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional Amount	0	0
Non-current maturities	0	0
Non current bonds issued [Member] | Series P Bonds [Member] | Over 4 Years to 5 [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional Amount	0	0
Non-current maturities	0	0
Non current bonds issued [Member] | Series P Bonds [Member] | Over 5 Years [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional Amount	122,668	113,430
Non-current maturities	$ 122,668	$ 113,430
Non current bonds issued [Member] | Series Q bonds [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Tax ID	93.007.000-9	93.007.000-9
Company	SQM S.A.	SQM S.A.
Country	Chile	Chile
Number of registration or ID of the instrument	700	700
Maturity date	06/01/2038	06/01/2038
Currency or adjustment index	UF	UF
Payment of interest	Semiannual	Semiannual
Repayment	Upon maturity	Upon maturity
Effective rate	3.43%	3.45%
Nominal rate	3.45%	3.45%
Notional Amount	$ 122,668	$ 113,430
Non-current maturities	122,668	113,430
Borrowing costs	(352)	(101)
Total	122,316	113,329
Non current bonds issued [Member] | Series Q bonds [Member] | Over 1 year to 2 [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional Amount	0	0
Non-current maturities	0	0
Non current bonds issued [Member] | Series Q bonds [Member] | Over 2 years to 3 [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional Amount	0	0
Non-current maturities	0	0
Non current bonds issued [Member] | Series Q bonds [Member] | Over 3 years to 4 [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional Amount	0	0
Non-current maturities	0	0
Non current bonds issued [Member] | Series Q bonds [Member] | Over 4 Years to 5 [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional Amount	0	0
Non-current maturities	0	0
Non current bonds issued [Member] | Series Q bonds [Member] | Over 5 Years [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Notional Amount	122,668	113,430
Non-current maturities	$ 122,668	$ 113,430

Financial instruments (Detai_15

Financial instruments (Details 17) - Series H bonds [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Principal payment [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Repayments of bonds, notes and debentures	$ 6,601	$ 7,868	$ 8,325
CCS Coverage [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Repayments of bonds, notes and debentures	$ 2,575	$ 1,952	$ 495

Financial instruments (Detai_16

Financial instruments (Details 18) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Single series bond Four [Member] | Interest payment [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Repayments of bonds, notes and debentures	$ 10,938	$ 10,938	$ 10,938

Financial instruments (Detai_17

Financial instruments (Details 19) - Series O bonds [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Interest payment [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Repayments of bonds, notes and debentures	$ 2,070	$ 2,308	$ 2,457
CCS Coverage [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Repayments of bonds, notes and debentures	$ 599	$ 354	$ 205

Financial instruments (Detai_18

Financial instruments (Details 20) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Single series bond Three [Member] | Interest payment [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Repayments of bonds, notes and debentures	$ 10,875	$ 10,875	$ 10,875

Financial instruments (Detai_19

Financial instruments (Details 21) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Single series bond Two [Member] | Interest payment [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Repayments of bonds, notes and debentures	$ 6,875	$ 13,750	$ 13,750

Financial instruments (Detai_20

Financial instruments (Details 22) - Series P bonds [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Interest payment [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Repayments of bonds, notes and debentures	$ 3,534	$ 3,960	$ 1,085
CCS Coverage [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Repayments of bonds, notes and debentures	$ 3,439	$ 2,995	$ 1,421

Financial instruments (Detai_21

Financial instruments (Details 23) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Series Q bonds [Member] | Interest payment [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Repayments of bonds, notes and debentures	$ 3,769	$ 3,791	$ 319
Series Q bonds [Member] | CCS Coverage [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Repayments of bonds, notes and debentures	1,021	0	0
Single Series Fifth Issue Bonds [Member] | Interest payment [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Repayments of bonds, notes and debentures	19,125	9,563	0
Single Series Sixth Issue Bonds [Member] | Interest payment [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Repayments of bonds, notes and debentures	$ 8,500	$ 0	$ 0

Financial instruments (Detai_22

Financial instruments (Details 24) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Financial instruments [Abstract]
Accounts payable	$ 203,346	$ 205,414
Other accounts payable	587	376
Prepayments from customers	0	0
Total	203,933	205,790
Accounts payable	0	0
Other accounts payable	0	0
Prepayments from customers	4,027	0
Total	4,027	0
Accounts payable	203,346	205,414
Other accounts payable	587	376
Prepayments from customers	4,027	0
Total	$ 207,960	$ 205,790

Financial instruments (Detai_23

Financial instruments (Details 25) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Trade And Other Current Payables To Trade Suppliers Current Period	$ 195,214	$ 194,422
Up to 30 days [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Trade And Other Current Payables To Trade Suppliers Current Period	186,835	187,103
31 - 60 days [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Trade And Other Current Payables To Trade Suppliers Current Period	3,334	4,969
61 - 90 days [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Trade And Other Current Payables To Trade Suppliers Current Period	139	128
91 - 120 days [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Trade And Other Current Payables To Trade Suppliers Current Period	788	116
121 - 365 days [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Trade And Other Current Payables To Trade Suppliers Current Period	91	2,106
366 and more days [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Trade And Other Current Payables To Trade Suppliers Current Period	4,027	0
Goods [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Trade And Other Current Payables To Trade Suppliers Current Period	117,456	133,495
Goods [Member] | Up to 30 days [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Trade And Other Current Payables To Trade Suppliers Current Period	111,323	126,577
Goods [Member] | 31 - 60 days [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Trade And Other Current Payables To Trade Suppliers Current Period	1,947	4,655
Goods [Member] | 61 - 90 days [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Trade And Other Current Payables To Trade Suppliers Current Period	123	128
Goods [Member] | 91 - 120 days [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Trade And Other Current Payables To Trade Suppliers Current Period	31	116
Goods [Member] | 121 - 365 days [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Trade And Other Current Payables To Trade Suppliers Current Period	5	2,019
Goods [Member] | 366 and more days [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Trade And Other Current Payables To Trade Suppliers Current Period	4,027	0
Services [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Trade And Other Current Payables To Trade Suppliers Current Period	48,426	52,040
Services [Member] | Up to 30 days [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Trade And Other Current Payables To Trade Suppliers Current Period	46,187	51,785
Services [Member] | 31 - 60 days [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Trade And Other Current Payables To Trade Suppliers Current Period	1,380	168
Services [Member] | 61 - 90 days [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Trade And Other Current Payables To Trade Suppliers Current Period	16	0
Services [Member] | 91 - 120 days [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Trade And Other Current Payables To Trade Suppliers Current Period	757	0
Services [Member] | 121 - 365 days [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Trade And Other Current Payables To Trade Suppliers Current Period	86	87
Services [Member] | 366 and more days [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Trade And Other Current Payables To Trade Suppliers Current Period	0	0
Others [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Trade And Other Current Payables To Trade Suppliers Current Period	29,332	8,887
Others [Member] | Up to 30 days [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Trade And Other Current Payables To Trade Suppliers Current Period	29,325	8,741
Others [Member] | 31 - 60 days [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Trade And Other Current Payables To Trade Suppliers Current Period	7	146
Others [Member] | 61 - 90 days [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Trade And Other Current Payables To Trade Suppliers Current Period	0	0
Others [Member] | 91 - 120 days [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Trade And Other Current Payables To Trade Suppliers Current Period	0	0
Others [Member] | 121 - 365 days [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Trade And Other Current Payables To Trade Suppliers Current Period	0
Others [Member] | 366 and more days [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Trade And Other Current Payables To Trade Suppliers Current Period	$ 0	$ 0

Financial instruments (Detai_24

Financial instruments (Details 26) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Trade And Other Current Payables To Trade Suppliers Past Due	$ 12,159	$ 10,992
Goods [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Trade And Other Current Payables To Trade Suppliers Past Due	1,967	3,510
Services [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Trade And Other Current Payables To Trade Suppliers Past Due	4,020	4,485
Others [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Trade And Other Current Payables To Trade Suppliers Past Due	6,172	2,997
Up to 30 days [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Trade And Other Current Payables To Trade Suppliers Past Due	6,861	7,077
Up to 30 days [member] | Goods [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Trade And Other Current Payables To Trade Suppliers Past Due	1,305	2,086
Up to 30 days [member] | Services [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Trade And Other Current Payables To Trade Suppliers Past Due	2,298	3,073
Up to 30 days [member] | Others [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Trade And Other Current Payables To Trade Suppliers Past Due	3,258	1,918
31 - 60 days [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Trade And Other Current Payables To Trade Suppliers Past Due	973	638
31 - 60 days [member] | Goods [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Trade And Other Current Payables To Trade Suppliers Past Due	59	264
31 - 60 days [member] | Services [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Trade And Other Current Payables To Trade Suppliers Past Due	764	329
31 - 60 days [member] | Others [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Trade And Other Current Payables To Trade Suppliers Past Due	150	45
61 - 90 days [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Trade And Other Current Payables To Trade Suppliers Past Due	418	462
61 - 90 days [member] | Goods [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Trade And Other Current Payables To Trade Suppliers Past Due	47	35
61 - 90 days [member] | Services [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Trade And Other Current Payables To Trade Suppliers Past Due	0	116
61 - 90 days [member] | Others [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Trade And Other Current Payables To Trade Suppliers Past Due	371	311
91 - 120 days [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Trade And Other Current Payables To Trade Suppliers Past Due	610	667
91 - 120 days [member] | Goods [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Trade And Other Current Payables To Trade Suppliers Past Due	39	65
91 - 120 days [member] | Services [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Trade And Other Current Payables To Trade Suppliers Past Due	453	387
91 - 120 days [member] | Others [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Trade And Other Current Payables To Trade Suppliers Past Due	118	215
121 - 365 days [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Trade And Other Current Payables To Trade Suppliers Past Due	3,297	2,148
121 - 365 days [member] | Goods [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Trade And Other Current Payables To Trade Suppliers Past Due	517	1,060
121 - 365 days [member] | Services [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Trade And Other Current Payables To Trade Suppliers Past Due	505	580
121 - 365 days [member] | Others [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Trade And Other Current Payables To Trade Suppliers Past Due	2,275	508
366 and more days [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Trade And Other Current Payables To Trade Suppliers Past Due	0	0
366 and more days [member] | Goods [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Trade And Other Current Payables To Trade Suppliers Past Due	0	0
366 and more days [member] | Services [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Trade And Other Current Payables To Trade Suppliers Past Due	0	0
366 and more days [member] | Others [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Trade And Other Current Payables To Trade Suppliers Past Due	$ 0	$ 0

Financial instruments (Detai_25

Financial instruments (Details 28) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Current financial assets at amortised cost	$ 1,282,368	$ 1,534,588
Current, financial assets at fair value through profit or loss	2,610	19,801
Non-current financial assets at amortised cost	11,245	1,785
Non-current, financial assets at fair value through profit or loss	51,845	8,703
Financial assets at amortised cost	1,293,613	1,536,373
Total, financial assets at fair value through profit or loss	54,455	28,504
Cash and cash equivalent [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Current financial assets at amortised cost	509,102	588,530
Non-current financial assets at amortised cost	0	0
Financial assets at amortised cost	509,102	588,530
Trade receivables due from related parties at amortized cost [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Current financial assets at amortised cost	62,601	61,227
Non-current financial assets at amortised cost	0	0
Financial assets at amortised cost	62,601	61,227
Financial assets measured at amortized cost [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Current financial assets at amortised cost	345,459	485,689
Non-current financial assets at amortised cost	80	75
Financial assets at amortised cost	345,539	485,764
Loans and receivables, category [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Current financial assets at amortised cost	365,206	399,142
Non-current financial assets at amortised cost	11,165	1,710
Financial assets at amortised cost	376,371	400,852
Hedging assets [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Current, financial assets at fair value through profit or loss	0	17,270
Non-current, financial assets at fair value through profit or loss	37,276	3,918
Total, financial assets at fair value through profit or loss	37,276	21,188
Investments in equity instruments designated at fair value through other comprehensive income [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Current, financial assets at fair value through profit or loss	0	0
Non-current, financial assets at fair value through profit or loss	14,569	4,785
Total, financial assets at fair value through profit or loss	14,569	4,785
Financial liabilities held for trading [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Current, financial assets at fair value through profit or loss	2,610	2,531
Non-current, financial assets at fair value through profit or loss	0	0
Total, financial assets at fair value through profit or loss	2,610	2,531
Total Financial Assets [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Current, total financial assets	1,284,978	1,554,389
Non-current, total financial assets	63,090	10,488
Total, total financial assets	$ 1,348,068	$ 1,564,877

Financial instruments (Detai_26

Financial instruments (Details 29) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Current financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss	$ 246,930	$ 494,736
Non-current financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss	1,915,575	1,502,449
Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss	2,162,505	1,997,185
Total, total financial liabilities	3,088,270	2,516,460
Lease Liability [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Current financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss	5,528	7,694
Non-current financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss	25,546	30,203
Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss	31,074	37,897
Trade payables due to related parties [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Current financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss	606	475
Non-current financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss	0	0
Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss	606	475
Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Current financial liabilities at amortised cost	32,092	10,351
Non-current financial liabilities at amortised cost	13,511	16,477
Financial liabilities at amortised cost	45,603	26,828
Bank borrowings [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Current financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss	82	199
Non-current financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss	69,376	69,138
Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss	69,458	69,337
Bonds issued [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Current financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss	36,781	280,578
Non-current financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss	1,816,626	1,403,108
Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss	1,853,407	1,683,686
Trade and other payables [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Current financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss	203,933	205,790
Non-current financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss	4,027	0
Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss	207,960	205,790
Hedging liabilities [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Current financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss	26,699	7,183
Non-current financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss	13,511	16,477
Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss	40,210	23,660
Financial Liabilities Held For Trading [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Current financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss	5,393	3,168
Non-current financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss	0	0
Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss	5,393	3,168
Total Financial Liabilities [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Current, total financial liabilities	279,022	505,087
Non-current, total financial liabilities	1,929,086	1,518,926
Total, total financial liabilities	$ 2,208,108	$ 2,024,013

Financial instruments (Detai_27

Financial instruments (Details 30) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial liabilities	$ 3,088,270	$ 2,516,460
Level 1 of fair value hierarchy [member] | Bank loans [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial liabilities	0	0
Level 1 of fair value hierarchy [member] | Forwards [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial liabilities	0	0
Level 1 of fair value hierarchy [member] | Options [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial assets	0
Financial liabilities		0
Level 1 of fair value hierarchy [member] | Hedging Swaps [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial liabilities	0
Level 1 of fair value hierarchy [member] | Inversions Swaps [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial liabilities	0
Level 1 of fair value hierarchy [member] | Unsecured obligations [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial liabilities	0	0
Level 1 of fair value hierarchy [member] | Unsecured obligations [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial liabilities	0	0
Level 1 of fair value hierarchy [member] | Non-current hedging liabilities [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial liabilities	0	0
Level 1 of fair value hierarchy [member] | Current Lease Liabilities [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial liabilities	0	0
Level 1 of fair value hierarchy [member] | Noncurrent Lease Liabilities [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial liabilities	0	0
Level 2 of fair value hierarchy [member] | Bank loans [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial liabilities	82	199
Level 2 of fair value hierarchy [member] | Forwards [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial liabilities	4,614	2,837
Level 2 of fair value hierarchy [member] | Options [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial assets	780
Financial liabilities		289
Level 2 of fair value hierarchy [member] | Hedging Swaps [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial liabilities	5,695
Level 2 of fair value hierarchy [member] | Inversions Swaps [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial liabilities	21,004
Level 2 of fair value hierarchy [member] | Unsecured obligations [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial liabilities	36,781	280,578
Level 2 of fair value hierarchy [member] | Bank loans [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial liabilities	71,029	71,033
Level 2 of fair value hierarchy [member] | Unsecured obligations [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial liabilities	2,355,943	1,658,506
Level 2 of fair value hierarchy [member] | Non-current hedging liabilities [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial liabilities	13,511	16,477
Level 2 of fair value hierarchy [member] | Current Lease Liabilities [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial liabilities	5,528	7,694
Level 2 of fair value hierarchy [member] | Noncurrent Lease Liabilities [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial liabilities	26,027	33,187
Level 3 of fair value hierarchy [member] | Bank loans [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial liabilities	0	0
Level 3 of fair value hierarchy [member] | Forwards [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial liabilities	0	0
Level 3 of fair value hierarchy [member] | Options [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial assets	0
Financial liabilities		0
Level 3 of fair value hierarchy [member] | Hedging Swaps [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial liabilities	0
Level 3 of fair value hierarchy [member] | Inversions Swaps [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial liabilities	0
Level 3 of fair value hierarchy [member] | Unsecured obligations [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial liabilities	0	0
Level 3 of fair value hierarchy [member] | Bank loans [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial liabilities	0	0
Level 3 of fair value hierarchy [member] | Unsecured obligations [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial liabilities	0	0
Level 3 of fair value hierarchy [member] | Non-current hedging liabilities [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial liabilities	0	0
Level 3 of fair value hierarchy [member] | Current Lease Liabilities [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial liabilities	0	0
Level 3 of fair value hierarchy [member] | Noncurrent Lease Liabilities [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial liabilities	0	0
Fair value Informative [Member] | Bank loans [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial liabilities	82	199
Fair value Informative [Member] | Forwards [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial liabilities	0	0
Fair value Informative [Member] | Options [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial assets	0
Financial liabilities		0
Fair value Informative [Member] | Hedging Swaps [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial liabilities	0
Fair value Informative [Member] | Inversions Swaps [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial liabilities	0
Fair value Informative [Member] | Unsecured obligations [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial liabilities	36,781	280,578
Fair value Informative [Member] | Bank loans [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial liabilities	71,029	71,033
Fair value Informative [Member] | Unsecured obligations [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial liabilities	2,355,943	1,658,506
Fair value Informative [Member] | Non-current hedging liabilities [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial liabilities	0	0
Fair value Informative [Member] | Current Lease Liabilities [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial liabilities	5,528	7,694
Fair value Informative [Member] | Noncurrent Lease Liabilities [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial liabilities	26,027	33,187
Fair Value [Member] | Bank loans [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial liabilities	0	0
Fair Value [Member] | Forwards [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial liabilities	4,614	2,837
Fair Value [Member] | Options [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial assets	780
Financial liabilities		289
Fair Value [Member] | Hedging Swaps [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial liabilities	5,695
Fair Value [Member] | Inversions Swaps [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial liabilities	21,004
Fair Value [Member] | Unsecured obligations [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial liabilities	0	0
Fair Value [Member] | Bank loans [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial liabilities	0	0
Fair Value [Member] | Unsecured obligations [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial liabilities	0	0
Fair Value [Member] | Non-current hedging liabilities [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial liabilities	13,511	16,477
Fair Value [Member] | Current Lease Liabilities [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial liabilities	0	0
Fair Value [Member] | Noncurrent Lease Liabilities [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial liabilities	0	0
Gross carrying amount [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial liabilities	2,222,770	2,037,820
Gross carrying amount [member] | Bank loans [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial liabilities	82	199
Gross carrying amount [member] | Forwards [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial liabilities	0	0
Gross carrying amount [member] | Options [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial assets	0
Financial liabilities		0
Gross carrying amount [member] | Hedging Swaps [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial liabilities	0
Gross carrying amount [member] | Inversions Swaps [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial liabilities	0
Gross carrying amount [member] | Unsecured obligations [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial liabilities	36,781	280,578
Gross carrying amount [member] | Bank loans [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial liabilities	69,376	69,138
Gross carrying amount [member] | Unsecured obligations [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial liabilities	1,816,626	1,403,108
Gross carrying amount [member] | Non-current hedging liabilities [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial liabilities	0	0
Gross carrying amount [member] | Current Lease Liabilities [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial liabilities	5,528	7,694
Gross carrying amount [member] | Noncurrent Lease Liabilities [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial liabilities	25,546	30,203
Cash and cash equivalents [Member] | Level 1 of fair value hierarchy [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial assets	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents [Member] | Level 2 of fair value hierarchy [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial assets	509,102	588,530
Cash and cash equivalents [Member] | Level 3 of fair value hierarchy [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial assets	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents [Member] | Fair value Informative [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial assets	509,102	588,530
Cash and cash equivalents [Member] | Fair Value [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial assets	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents [Member] | Gross carrying amount [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial assets	509,102	588,530
Time deposits [Member] | Level 1 of fair value hierarchy [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial assets	0	0
Time deposits [Member] | Level 2 of fair value hierarchy [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial assets	345,459	485,689
Time deposits [Member] | Level 3 of fair value hierarchy [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial assets	0	0
Time deposits [Member] | Fair value Informative [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial assets	345,459	485,689
Time deposits [Member] | Fair Value [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial assets	0	0
Time deposits [Member] | Gross carrying amount [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial assets	345,459	485,689
Derivative instruments [Member] | Level 1 of fair value hierarchy [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial assets	0	0
Financial liabilities		0
Derivative instruments [Member] | Level 2 of fair value hierarchy [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial assets	0	0
Financial liabilities		0
Derivative instruments [Member] | Level 3 of fair value hierarchy [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial assets	0	0
Financial liabilities		0
Derivative instruments [Member] | Fair value Informative [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial assets	0	0
Financial liabilities		0
Derivative instruments [Member] | Fair Value [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial assets	0	0
Financial liabilities		0
Derivative instruments [Member] | Gross carrying amount [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial assets	0	0
Financial liabilities		0
Forwards [Member] | Level 1 of fair value hierarchy [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial assets	0	0
Forwards [Member] | Level 2 of fair value hierarchy [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial assets	2,263	2,420
Forwards [Member] | Level 3 of fair value hierarchy [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial assets	0	0
Forwards [Member] | Fair value Informative [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial assets	0
Forwards [Member] | Fair Value [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial assets	2,263	2,420
Forwards [Member] | Gross carrying amount [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial assets	0	0
Options [Member] | Level 1 of fair value hierarchy [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial assets	0	0
Options [Member] | Level 2 of fair value hierarchy [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial assets	347	111
Options [Member] | Level 3 of fair value hierarchy [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial assets	0	0
Options [Member] | Fair value Informative [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial assets	0	0
Options [Member] | Fair Value [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial assets	347	111
Options [Member] | Gross carrying amount [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial assets	0	0
Hedging assets [Member] | Level 1 of fair value hierarchy [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial assets	0	0
Hedging assets [Member] | Level 2 of fair value hierarchy [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial assets	37,276	3,918
Hedging assets [Member] | Level 3 of fair value hierarchy [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial assets	0	0
Hedging assets [Member] | Fair value Informative [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial assets	0	0
Hedging assets [Member] | Fair Value [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial assets	37,276	3,918
Hedging assets [Member] | Gross carrying amount [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial assets	0	0
Investment Hedge Swaps [Member] | Level 1 of fair value hierarchy [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial assets		0
Investment Hedge Swaps [Member] | Level 2 of fair value hierarchy [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial assets		17,270
Investment Hedge Swaps [Member] | Level 3 of fair value hierarchy [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial assets		0
Investment Hedge Swaps [Member] | Fair value Informative [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial assets		0
Investment Hedge Swaps [Member] | Fair Value [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial assets		17,270
Investment Hedge Swaps [Member] | Gross carrying amount [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial assets		0
Non-current accounts receivable [Member] | Level 1 of fair value hierarchy [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial assets	0	0
Non-current accounts receivable [Member] | Level 2 of fair value hierarchy [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial assets	0	0
Non-current accounts receivable [Member] | Level 3 of fair value hierarchy [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial assets	0	0
Non-current accounts receivable [Member] | Fair value Informative [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial assets	11,165	1,710
Non-current accounts receivable [Member] | Fair Value [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial assets	0	0
Non-current accounts receivable [Member] | Gross carrying amount [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial assets	11,165	1,710
Others [Member] | Level 1 of fair value hierarchy [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial assets	0	0
Others [Member] | Level 2 of fair value hierarchy [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial assets	99	94
Others [Member] | Level 3 of fair value hierarchy [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial assets	0	0
Others [Member] | Fair value Informative [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial assets	99	94
Others [Member] | Fair Value [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial assets	0	0
Others [Member] | Gross carrying amount [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial assets	99	94
Actions [Member] | Level 1 of fair value hierarchy [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial assets	14,549	4,785
Actions [Member] | Level 2 of fair value hierarchy [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial assets	0	0
Actions [Member] | Level 3 of fair value hierarchy [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial assets	0	0
Actions [Member] | Fair value Informative [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial assets	0	0
Actions [Member] | Fair Value [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial assets	14,549	4,785
Actions [Member] | Gross carrying amount [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial assets	$ 0	0
Hedging Swaps [Member] | Level 1 of fair value hierarchy [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial liabilities		0
Hedging Swaps [Member] | Level 2 of fair value hierarchy [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial liabilities		7,183
Hedging Swaps [Member] | Level 3 of fair value hierarchy [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial liabilities		0
Hedging Swaps [Member] | Fair value Informative [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial liabilities		0
Hedging Swaps [Member] | Fair Value [Member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial liabilities		7,183
Hedging Swaps [Member] | Gross carrying amount [member]
Financial instruments [Line Items]
Financial liabilities		$ 0

Financial instruments (Detai_28

Financial instruments (Details Textual)

Jan. 22, 2020USD ($)

May 07, 2019USD ($)

Nov. 08, 2018USD ($)

Mar. 31, 2018CLF ( )

Apr. 03, 2013USD ($)

Apr. 04, 2012USD ($)

Jan. 13, 2009USD ($)

Oct. 23, 2014USD ($)

Apr. 21, 2010USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)

Jul. 05, 2020USD ($)

Jul. 05, 2020CLF ( )

Jan. 05, 2020USD ($)

Jan. 05, 2020CLF ( )

Jul. 05, 2019USD ($)

Jul. 05, 2019CLF ( )

Oct. 31, 2018CLF ( )

Jan. 15, 2018

Apr. 04, 2012CLF ( )

Jan. 13, 2009CLF ( )

Financial instruments [Line Items]

Notional amount

$ 39,031,000

$ 282,914,000

Outstanding purchase commitments

55,516,000

89,391,000

Single series bond One [Member]

Financial instruments [Line Items]

Notional amount

$ 4,648,000

$ 252,674,000

Borrowings, interest rate

1.95%

0.43%

Borrowings, maturity

01/28/2021

04/21/2020

Single series bond One [Member] | Bonds issued [Member]

Financial instruments [Line Items]

Notional amount

$ 250,000,000

Borrowings, interest rate

5.50%

Borrowings, maturity

10

Single series bond Three [Member]

Financial instruments [Line Items]

Notional amount

$ 7,508,000

$ 2,658,000

Borrowings, interest rate

3.59%

1.42%

Borrowings, maturity

05/07/2021

04/03/2020

Single series bond Three [Member] | Bonds issued [Member]

Financial instruments [Line Items]

Notional amount

$ 300,000,000

$ 300,000,000

Borrowings, interest rate

3.625%

Borrowings, maturity

10

Single series bond Two [Member]

Financial instruments [Line Items]

Notional amount

$ 2,658,000

$ 4,648,000

Borrowings, interest rate

1.08%

2.35%

Borrowings, maturity

04/03/2021

01/28/2020

Single series bond Two [Member] | Bonds issued [Member]

Financial instruments [Line Items]

Notional amount

$ 250,000,000

$ 250,000,000

Borrowings, interest rate

4.375%

Borrowings, maturity

2025

Series H bonds [Member]

Financial instruments [Line Items]

Notional amount

$ 18,212,000

$ 17,166,000

Borrowings, interest rate

0.58%

1.36%

Borrowings, maturity

01/05/2021

01/05/2020

Series H bonds [Member] | Bonds issued [Member]

Financial instruments [Line Items]

Notional amount

$ 139,216,000

$ 6,509,000

181,818.18

$ 6,787,000

181,818.18

$ 7,494,000

181,818.18

4,000,000

Borrowings, interest rate

4.90%

4.90%

Borrowings, maturity

21

Series Q bonds [Member]

Financial instruments [Line Items]

Notional amount

$ 350,000

$ 323,000

Borrowings, interest rate

2.92%

3.11%

3.45%

Borrowings, maturity

06/01/2021

06/01/2020

Proceeds from disposal or maturity of available-for-sale financial assets

$ 83,567,623,842

Bond Authorised to Issue |

3,000,000

Series P bonds [Member]

Financial instruments [Line Items]

Notional amount

$ 1,824,000

$ 1,686,000

Borrowings, interest rate

2.37%

2.71%

Borrowings, maturity

01/15/2021

01/15/2020

Series P bonds [Member] | Bonds issued [Member]

Financial instruments [Line Items]

Notional amount |

3,000,000

Borrowings, interest rate

3.25%

Borrowings, maturity

10

Series M Bonds [Member] | Bonds issued [Member]

Financial instruments [Line Items]

Notional amount

$ 69,901,000

1,500,000

Borrowings, interest rate

3.80%

3.80%

Borrowings, maturity

21

Unsecured Bonds [Member] | Bonds issued [Member]

Financial instruments [Line Items]

Notional amount

$ 450,000,000

Borrowings, interest rate

4.25%

Borrowings, maturity

2029

Single Series Bond Six [Member] | Bonds issued [Member]

Financial instruments [Line Items]

Notional amount

$ 400,000,000

Borrowings, interest rate

4.25%

Borrowings, maturity

2050

Cross currency swap contracts [Member] | Series H bonds [Member] | Bonds issued [Member]

Financial instruments [Line Items]

Notional amount

$ 546,000

$ 268,000

$ 439,000

Right-of-use assets and Lease_3

Right-of-use assets and Lease liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Opening Balance	$ 37,164	$ 0
Initial recognition of IFRS 16		45,115
Additions	1,903
Depreciation expenses	(8,431)	(7,951)
Other increases / decreases	(612)
Total changes	(7,140)	(7,951)
Closing balance	30,024	37,164
Previously stated [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Opening Balance		45,115
Closing balance
Land [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Opening Balance	0	0
Initial recognition of IFRS 16		0
Additions	0
Depreciation expenses	0	0
Other increases / decreases	0
Total changes	0	0
Closing balance	0	0
Land [Member] | Previously stated [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Opening Balance		0
Closing balance
Buildings [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Opening Balance	25,742	0
Initial recognition of IFRS 16		29,289
Additions	1,782
Depreciation expenses	(3,535)	(3,547)
Other increases / decreases	(612)
Total changes	(2,365)	(3,547)
Closing balance	23,377	25,742
Buildings [member] | Previously stated [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Opening Balance		29,289
Closing balance
Other property, plant and equipment [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Opening Balance	0	0
Initial recognition of IFRS 16		0
Additions	0
Depreciation expenses	0	0
Other increases / decreases	0
Total changes	0	0
Closing balance	0	0
Other property, plant and equipment [member] | Previously stated [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Opening Balance		0
Closing balance
Transport equipment [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Opening Balance	3,356	0
Initial recognition of IFRS 16		3,893
Additions	0
Depreciation expenses	(877)	(537)
Other increases / decreases	0
Total changes	(877)	(537)
Closing balance	2,479	3,356
Transport equipment [Member] | Previously stated [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Opening Balance		3,893
Closing balance
Supplies and accessories [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Opening Balance	0	0
Initial recognition of IFRS 16		0
Additions	0
Depreciation expenses	0	0
Other increases / decreases	0
Total changes	0	0
Closing balance	0	0
Supplies and accessories [Member] | Previously stated [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Opening Balance		0
Closing balance
Office Equipment [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Opening Balance	0	0
Initial recognition of IFRS 16		0
Additions	0
Depreciation expenses	0	0
Other increases / decreases	0
Total changes	0	0
Closing balance	0	0
Office Equipment [Member] | Previously stated [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Opening Balance		0
Closing balance
Network and communication equipment [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Opening Balance	0	0
Initial recognition of IFRS 16		0
Additions	0
Depreciation expenses	0	0
Other increases / decreases	0
Total changes	0	0
Closing balance	0	0
Network and communication equipment [Member] | Previously stated [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Opening Balance		0
Closing balance
Mining assets [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Opening Balance	0	0
Initial recognition of IFRS 16		0
Additions	0
Depreciation expenses	0	0
Other increases / decreases	0
Total changes	0	0
Closing balance	0	0
Mining assets [member] | Previously stated [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Opening Balance		0
Closing balance
Computer equipment [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Opening Balance	0	0
Initial recognition of IFRS 16		0
Additions	0
Depreciation expenses	0	0
Other increases / decreases	0
Total changes	0	0
Closing balance	0	0
Computer equipment [member] | Previously stated [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Opening Balance		0
Closing balance
Energy generating assets [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Opening Balance	0	0
Initial recognition of IFRS 16		0
Additions	0
Depreciation expenses	0	0
Other increases / decreases	0
Total changes	0	0
Closing balance	0	0
Energy generating assets [Member] | Previously stated [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Opening Balance		0
Closing balance
Construction in Progress [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Opening Balance	0	0
Initial recognition of IFRS 16		0
Additions	0
Depreciation expenses	0	0
Other increases / decreases	0
Total changes	0	0
Closing balance	0	0
Construction in Progress [Member] | Previously stated [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Opening Balance		0
Closing balance
Machinery, plant and equipment [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Opening Balance	8,066	0
Initial recognition of IFRS 16		11,933
Additions	121
Depreciation expenses	(4,019)	(3,867)
Other increases / decreases	0
Total changes	(3,898)	(3,867)
Closing balance	$ 4,168	8,066
Machinery, plant and equipment [Member] | Previously stated [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Opening Balance		$ 11,933
Closing balance

Right-of-use assets and Lease_4

Right-of-use assets and Lease liabilities (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Presentation of leases for lessee [abstract]
Current lease liabilities	$ 5,528	$ 7,694
Non-current lease liabilities	$ 25,546	$ 30,203

Right-of-use assets and Lease_5

Right-of-use assets and Lease liabilities (Details 2)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
SQM Salar S.A. [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Contract indexation unit	Dollar
SQM Salar S.A. [Member] | Empresa Constructora Contex Ltda [Member] | CHILE
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Contract indexation unit	UF
Type Of Amortization	Monthly
Maturity date	Mar. 31, 2021
Effective rate	0.00%
SQM Salar S.A. [Member] | Transportes Construccin y Servicios Cribach Ltda [Member] | CHILE
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Contract indexation unit	Peso
Type Of Amortization	Monthly
Maturity date	Sep. 1, 2020
Effective rate	8.93%
SQM Salar S.A. [Member] | SKM Industrial Ltda [Member] | CHILE
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Contract indexation unit	Peso
Type Of Amortization	Monthly
Maturity date	Jun. 1, 2022
Effective rate	8.93%
SQM Salar S.A. [Member] | Ameco Chile SA [Member] | CHILE
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Contract indexation unit	Peso
Type Of Amortization	Monthly
Maturity date	Apr. 24, 2021
Effective rate	4.07%
SQM Industrial S.A. [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Contract indexation unit	Dollar
SQM Industrial S.A. [Member] | El Trovador SA [Member] | CHILE
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Contract indexation unit	UF
Type Of Amortization	Monthly
Maturity date	Feb. 8, 2030
Effective rate	3.10%
SQM Industrial S.A. [Member] | Sociedad Comercial Grandleasing Chile Ltda [Member] | CHILE
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Contract indexation unit	UF
Type Of Amortization	Monthly
Maturity date	Aug. 26, 2024
Effective rate	2.72%
Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Contract indexation unit	Dollar
Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | SAAM Logistics SA [Member] | CHILE
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Contract indexation unit	UF
Type Of Amortization	Monthly
Maturity date	Aug. 1, 2022
Effective rate	0.81%
Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | Muelles de Penco SA [Member] | CHILE
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Contract indexation unit	UF
Type Of Amortization	Monthly
Maturity date	Jul. 6, 2023
Effective rate	1.30%
Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | Inmobiliaria Chincui SPA [Member] | CHILE
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Contract indexation unit	UF
Type Of Amortization	Monthly
Maturity date	May 1, 2028
Effective rate	3.38%
Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | Compaa de Leasing Tattersall SA [Member] | CHILE
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Contract indexation unit	UF
Type Of Amortization	Monthly
Maturity date	May 24, 2021
Effective rate	6.18%
SQM North America Corp. [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Contract indexation unit	Dollar
SQM North America Corp. [Member] | Paces West LL [Member] | UNITED STATES
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Contract indexation unit	Dollar
Type Of Amortization	Monthly
Maturity date	Dec. 31, 2027
Effective rate	3.36%
SQM North America Corp. [Member] | Hawkins Nunmber One LLC [Member] | UNITED STATES
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Contract indexation unit	Dollar
Type Of Amortization	Monthly
Maturity date	Aug. 31, 2024
Effective rate	3.33%
SQM Comercial De Mexico S.A. de C.V. [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Contract indexation unit	Dollar
SQM Comercial De Mexico S.A. de C.V. [Member] | Onni Ensenada SA de CV [Member] | MEXICO
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Contract indexation unit	Dollar
Type Of Amortization	Monthly
Maturity date	Dec. 3, 2026
Effective rate	3.45%
SQM Comercial De Mexico S.A. de C.V. [Member] | Madol Inmobiliaria SA de CV [Member] | MEXICO
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Contract indexation unit	Mexican Peso
Type Of Amortization	Monthly
Maturity date	Oct. 31, 2023
Effective rate	7.84%
SQM Europe N.V. [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Contract indexation unit	Dollar
SQM Europe N.V. [Member] | Straatsburgdok NV [Member] | BELGIUM
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Contract indexation unit	Euro
Type Of Amortization	Monthly
Maturity date	Mar. 31, 2027
Effective rate	1.30%
SQM Australia PTY [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Contract indexation unit	Dollar
SQM Australia PTY [Member] | The trust Company Australia Pty Ltd [Member] | AUSTRALIA
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Contract indexation unit	Australian dollar
Type Of Amortization	Monthly
Maturity date	Jan. 31, 2021
Effective rate	3.60%

Right-of-use assets and Lease_6

Right-of-use assets and Lease liabilities (Details 3) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	$ 5,528	$ 7,694
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	6,402	8,902
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Later than three months [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	2,131	2,335
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Later than three months and not later than one year [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	4,271	6,567
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | SQM Salar S.A. [Member] | Empresa Constructora Contex Ltda [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	536	2,216
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | SQM Salar S.A. [Member] | Empresa Constructora Contex Ltda [Member] | Later than three months [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	536	554
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | SQM Salar S.A. [Member] | Empresa Constructora Contex Ltda [Member] | Later than three months and not later than one year [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	0	1,662
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | SQM Salar S.A. [Member] | Transportes Construccin y Servicios Cribach Ltda [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	0	198
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | SQM Salar S.A. [Member] | Transportes Construccin y Servicios Cribach Ltda [Member] | Later than three months [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	0	74
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | SQM Salar S.A. [Member] | Transportes Construccin y Servicios Cribach Ltda [Member] | Later than three months and not later than one year [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	0	124
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | SQM Salar S.A. [Member] | SKM Industrial Ltda [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	809	809
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | SQM Salar S.A. [Member] | SKM Industrial Ltda [Member] | Later than three months [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	202	202
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | SQM Salar S.A. [Member] | SKM Industrial Ltda [Member] | Later than three months and not later than one year [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	607	607
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | SQM Salar S.A. [Member] | Ameco Chile SA [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	135	539
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | SQM Salar S.A. [Member] | Ameco Chile SA [Member] | Later than three months [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	135	135
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | SQM Salar S.A. [Member] | Ameco Chile SA [Member] | Later than three months and not later than one year [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	0	404
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | SQM Industrial S.A. [Member] | ElTrovadorSa [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	1,865	1,865
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | SQM Industrial S.A. [Member] | ElTrovadorSa [Member] | Later than three months [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	466	466
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | SQM Industrial S.A. [Member] | ElTrovadorSa [Member] | Later than three months and not later than one year [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	1,399	1,399
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | SQM Industrial S.A. [Member] | Sociedad Comercial Grandleasing Chile Ltda [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	720	720
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | SQM Industrial S.A. [Member] | Sociedad Comercial Grandleasing Chile Ltda [Member] | Later than three months [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	180	180
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | SQM Industrial S.A. [Member] | Sociedad Comercial Grandleasing Chile Ltda [Member] | Later than three months and not later than one year [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	540	540
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | SAAM Logistics SA [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	0	248
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | SAAM Logistics SA [Member] | Later than three months [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	0	106
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | SAAM Logistics SA [Member] | Later than three months and not later than one year [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	0	142
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | Muelles de Penco SA [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	165	105
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | Muelles de Penco SA [Member] | Later than three months [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	41	45
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | Muelles de Penco SA [Member] | Later than three months and not later than one year [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	124	60
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | Muelles de Penco SA One [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	177	112
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | Muelles de Penco SA One [Member] | Later than three months [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	44	48
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | Muelles de Penco SA One [Member] | Later than three months and not later than one year [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	133	64
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | Inmobiliaria Chincui SPA [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	628	628
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | Inmobiliaria Chincui SPA [Member] | Later than three months [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	157	157
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | Inmobiliaria Chincui SPA [Member] | Later than three months and not later than one year [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	471	471
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | Compaa de Leasing Tattersall SA [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	73	219
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | Compaa de Leasing Tattersall SA [Member] | Later than three months [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	55	55
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | Compaa de Leasing Tattersall SA [Member] | Later than three months and not later than one year [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	18	164
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | SQM North America Corp. [Member] | Paces West LL [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	216	205
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | SQM North America Corp. [Member] | Paces West LL [Member] | Later than three months [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	53	49
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | SQM North America Corp. [Member] | Paces West LL [Member] | Later than three months and not later than one year [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	163	156
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | SQM North America Corp. [Member] | Hawkins Nunmber One LLC [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	127	124
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | SQM North America Corp. [Member] | Hawkins Nunmber One LLC [Member] | Later than three months [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	31	31
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | SQM North America Corp. [Member] | Hawkins Nunmber One LLC [Member] | Later than three months and not later than one year [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	96	93
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | SQM Comercial De Mexico S.A. de C.V. [Member] | Onni Ensenada SA de CV [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	395	395
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | SQM Comercial De Mexico S.A. de C.V. [Member] | Onni Ensenada SA de CV [Member] | Later than three months [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	99	99
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | SQM Comercial De Mexico S.A. de C.V. [Member] | Onni Ensenada SA de CV [Member] | Later than three months and not later than one year [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	296	296
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | SQM Comercial De Mexico S.A. de C.V. [Member] | Madol Inmobiliaria SA de CV [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	79	79
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | SQM Comercial De Mexico S.A. de C.V. [Member] | Madol Inmobiliaria SA de CV [Member] | Later than three months [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	20	20
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | SQM Comercial De Mexico S.A. de C.V. [Member] | Madol Inmobiliaria SA de CV [Member] | Later than three months and not later than one year [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	59	59
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | SQM Comercial De Mexico S.A. de C.V. [Member] | Madol Inmobiliaria SA de CV One [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	28	28
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | SQM Comercial De Mexico S.A. de C.V. [Member] | Madol Inmobiliaria SA de CV One [Member] | Later than three months [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	7	7
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | SQM Comercial De Mexico S.A. de C.V. [Member] | Madol Inmobiliaria SA de CV One [Member] | Later than three months and not later than one year [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	21	21
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | SQM Europe N.V. [Member] | Straatsburgdok NV [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	393	364
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | SQM Europe N.V. [Member] | Straatsburgdok NV [Member] | Later than three months [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	91	91
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | SQM Europe N.V. [Member] | Straatsburgdok NV [Member] | Later than three months and not later than one year [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	302	273
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | SQM Australia PTY [Member] | The trust Company Australia Pty Ltd [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	56	48
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | SQM Australia PTY [Member] | The trust Company Australia Pty Ltd [Member] | Later than three months [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	14	16
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | SQM Australia PTY [Member] | The trust Company Australia Pty Ltd [Member] | Later than three months and not later than one year [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	42	32
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	5,528	7,694
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Later than three months [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	1,925	1,994
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Later than three months and not later than one year [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	3,603	5,700
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | SQM Salar S.A. [Member] | Empresa Constructora Contex Ltda [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	536	2,084
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | SQM Salar S.A. [Member] | Empresa Constructora Contex Ltda [Member] | Later than three months [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	536	506
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | SQM Salar S.A. [Member] | Empresa Constructora Contex Ltda [Member] | Later than three months and not later than one year [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	0	1,578
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | SQM Salar S.A. [Member] | Transportes Construccin y Servicios Cribach Ltda [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	0	192
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | SQM Salar S.A. [Member] | Transportes Construccin y Servicios Cribach Ltda [Member] | Later than three months [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	0	71
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | SQM Salar S.A. [Member] | Transportes Construccin y Servicios Cribach Ltda [Member] | Later than three months and not later than one year [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	0	121
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | SQM Salar S.A. [Member] | SKM Industrial Ltda [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	747	685
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | SQM Salar S.A. [Member] | SKM Industrial Ltda [Member] | Later than three months [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	181	166
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | SQM Salar S.A. [Member] | SKM Industrial Ltda [Member] | Later than three months and not later than one year [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	566	519
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | SQM Salar S.A. [Member] | Ameco Chile SA [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	134	523
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | SQM Salar S.A. [Member] | Ameco Chile SA [Member] | Later than three months [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	134	129
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | SQM Salar S.A. [Member] | Ameco Chile SA [Member] | Later than three months and not later than one year [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	0	394
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | SQM Industrial S.A. [Member] | ElTrovadorSa [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	1,429	1,387
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | SQM Industrial S.A. [Member] | ElTrovadorSa [Member] | Later than three months [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	353	343
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | SQM Industrial S.A. [Member] | ElTrovadorSa [Member] | Later than three months and not later than one year [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	1,076	1,044
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | SQM Industrial S.A. [Member] | Sociedad Comercial Grandleasing Chile Ltda [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	662	644
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | SQM Industrial S.A. [Member] | Sociedad Comercial Grandleasing Chile Ltda [Member] | Later than three months [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	164	159
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | SQM Industrial S.A. [Member] | Sociedad Comercial Grandleasing Chile Ltda [Member] | Later than three months and not later than one year [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	498	485
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | SAAM Logistics SA [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	0	243
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | SAAM Logistics SA [Member] | Later than three months [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	0	103
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | SAAM Logistics SA [Member] | Later than three months and not later than one year [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	0	140
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | Muelles de Penco SA [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	161	103
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | Muelles de Penco SA [Member] | Later than three months [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	54	44
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | Muelles de Penco SA [Member] | Later than three months and not later than one year [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	107	59
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | Muelles de Penco SA One [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	172	111
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | Muelles de Penco SA One [Member] | Later than three months [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	57	47
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | Muelles de Penco SA One [Member] | Later than three months and not later than one year [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	115	64
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | Inmobiliaria Chincui SPA [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	499	482
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | Inmobiliaria Chincui SPA [Member] | Later than three months [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	123	119
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | Inmobiliaria Chincui SPA [Member] | Later than three months and not later than one year [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	376	363
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | Compaa de Leasing Tattersall SA [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	72	208
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | Compaa de Leasing Tattersall SA [Member] | Later than three months [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	54	51
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | Compaa de Leasing Tattersall SA [Member] | Later than three months and not later than one year [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	18	157
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | SQM North America Corp. [Member] | Paces West LL [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	169	150
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | SQM North America Corp. [Member] | Paces West LL [Member] | Later than three months [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	41	34
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | SQM North America Corp. [Member] | Paces West LL [Member] | Later than three months and not later than one year [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	128	116
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | SQM North America Corp. [Member] | Hawkins Nunmber One LLC [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	113	107
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | SQM North America Corp. [Member] | Hawkins Nunmber One LLC [Member] | Later than three months [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	28	26
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | SQM North America Corp. [Member] | Hawkins Nunmber One LLC [Member] | Later than three months and not later than one year [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	85	81
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | SQM Comercial De Mexico S.A. de C.V. [Member] | Onni Ensenada SA de CV [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	327	316
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | SQM Comercial De Mexico S.A. de C.V. [Member] | Onni Ensenada SA de CV [Member] | Later than three months [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	81	78
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | SQM Comercial De Mexico S.A. de C.V. [Member] | Onni Ensenada SA de CV [Member] | Later than three months and not later than one year [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	246	238
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | SQM Comercial De Mexico S.A. de C.V. [Member] | Madol Inmobiliaria SA de CV [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	65	61
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | SQM Comercial De Mexico S.A. de C.V. [Member] | Madol Inmobiliaria SA de CV [Member] | Later than three months [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	16	15
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | SQM Comercial De Mexico S.A. de C.V. [Member] | Madol Inmobiliaria SA de CV [Member] | Later than three months and not later than one year [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	49	46
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | SQM Comercial De Mexico S.A. de C.V. [Member] | Madol Inmobiliaria SA de CV One [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	24	21
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | SQM Comercial De Mexico S.A. de C.V. [Member] | Madol Inmobiliaria SA de CV One [Member] | Later than three months [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	6	5
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | SQM Comercial De Mexico S.A. de C.V. [Member] | Madol Inmobiliaria SA de CV One [Member] | Later than three months and not later than one year [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	18	16
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | SQM Europe N.V. [Member] | Straatsburgdok NV [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	362	329
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | SQM Europe N.V. [Member] | Straatsburgdok NV [Member] | Later than three months [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	83	82
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | SQM Europe N.V. [Member] | Straatsburgdok NV [Member] | Later than three months and not later than one year [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	279	247
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | SQM Australia PTY [Member] | The trust Company Australia Pty Ltd [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	56	48
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | SQM Australia PTY [Member] | The trust Company Australia Pty Ltd [Member] | Later than three months [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	14	16
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | SQM Australia PTY [Member] | The trust Company Australia Pty Ltd [Member] | Later than three months and not later than one year [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Current lease liabilities	$ 42	$ 32

Right-of-use assets and Lease_7

Right-of-use assets and Lease liabilities (Details 4) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	$ 25,546	$ 30,203
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	28,205	33,280
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | SQM Salar S.A. [Member] | Empresa Constructora Contex Ltda [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	0	554
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | SQM Salar S.A. [Member] | Transportes Construccin y Servicios Cribach Ltda [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	0	0
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | SQM Salar S.A. [Member] | SKM Industrial Ltda [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	337	1,147
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | SQM Salar S.A. [Member] | Ameco Chile SA [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	0	135
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | SQM Industrial S.A. [Member] | El Trovador SA [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	15,229	16,697
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | SQM Industrial S.A. [Member] | Sociedad Comercial Grandleasing Chile Ltda [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	1,861	2,582
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | SAAM Logistics SA [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	0	0
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | Muelles de Penco SA [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	262	0
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | Muelles de Penco SA One [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	281	0
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | Inmobiliaria Chincui SPA [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	4,027	4,602
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | Compaa de Leasing Tattersall SA [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	0	73
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | SQM North America Corp. [Member] | Paces West LL [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	1,440	1,656
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | SQM North America Corp. [Member] | Hawkins Nunmber One LLC [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	353	481
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | SQM Comercial De Mexico S.A. de C.V. [Member] | Onni Ensenada SA de CV [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	1,940	2,335
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | SQM Comercial De Mexico S.A. de C.V. [Member] | Madol Inmobiliaria SA de CV [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	144	222
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | SQM Comercial De Mexico S.A. de C.V. [Member] | Madol Inmobiliaria SA de CV One [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	52	81
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | SQM Europe N.V. [Member] | Straatsburgdok NV [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	2,268	2,660
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | SQM Australia PTY [Member] | The trust Company Australia Pty Ltd [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	11	55
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Later than one year and not later than two years [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	9,833	10,890
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Later than one year and not later than two years [member] | SQM Salar S.A. [Member] | Empresa Constructora Contex Ltda [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	0	554
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Later than one year and not later than two years [member] | SQM Salar S.A. [Member] | Transportes Construccin y Servicios Cribach Ltda [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	0	0
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Later than one year and not later than two years [member] | SQM Salar S.A. [Member] | SKM Industrial Ltda [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	337	1,147
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Later than one year and not later than two years [member] | SQM Salar S.A. [Member] | Ameco Chile SA [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	0	135
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Later than one year and not later than two years [member] | SQM Industrial S.A. [Member] | El Trovador SA [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	3,730	3,730
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Later than one year and not later than two years [member] | SQM Industrial S.A. [Member] | Sociedad Comercial Grandleasing Chile Ltda [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	1,441	1,441
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Later than one year and not later than two years [member] | Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | SAAM Logistics SA [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	0	0
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Later than one year and not later than two years [member] | Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | Muelles de Penco SA [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	262	0
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Later than one year and not later than two years [member] | Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | Muelles de Penco SA One [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	281	0
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Later than one year and not later than two years [member] | Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | Inmobiliaria Chincui SPA [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	1,255	1,255
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Later than one year and not later than two years [member] | Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | Compaa de Leasing Tattersall SA [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	0	73
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Later than one year and not later than two years [member] | SQM North America Corp. [Member] | Paces West LL [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	452	439
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Later than one year and not later than two years [member] | SQM North America Corp. [Member] | Hawkins Nunmber One LLC [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	263	257
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Later than one year and not later than two years [member] | SQM Comercial De Mexico S.A. de C.V. [Member] | Onni Ensenada SA de CV [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	789	789
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Later than one year and not later than two years [member] | SQM Comercial De Mexico S.A. de C.V. [Member] | Madol Inmobiliaria SA de CV [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	144	157
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Later than one year and not later than two years [member] | SQM Comercial De Mexico S.A. de C.V. [Member] | Madol Inmobiliaria SA de CV One [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	52	57
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Later than one year and not later than two years [member] | SQM Europe N.V. [Member] | Straatsburgdok NV [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	816	801
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Later than one year and not later than two years [member] | SQM Australia PTY [Member] | The trust Company Australia Pty Ltd [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	11	55
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Later than two years and not later than three years [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	11,207	12,119
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Later than two years and not later than three years [member] | SQM Salar S.A. [Member] | Empresa Constructora Contex Ltda [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	0	0
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Later than two years and not later than three years [member] | SQM Salar S.A. [Member] | Transportes Construccin y Servicios Cribach Ltda [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	0	0
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Later than two years and not later than three years [member] | SQM Salar S.A. [Member] | SKM Industrial Ltda [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	0	0
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Later than two years and not later than three years [member] | SQM Salar S.A. [Member] | Ameco Chile SA [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	0	0
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Later than two years and not later than three years [member] | SQM Industrial S.A. [Member] | El Trovador SA [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	5,594	5,594
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Later than two years and not later than three years [member] | SQM Industrial S.A. [Member] | Sociedad Comercial Grandleasing Chile Ltda [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	420	1,141
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Later than two years and not later than three years [member] | Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | SAAM Logistics SA [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	0	0
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Later than two years and not later than three years [member] | Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | Muelles de Penco SA [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	0	0
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Later than two years and not later than three years [member] | Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | Muelles de Penco SA One [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	0	0
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Later than two years and not later than three years [member] | Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | Inmobiliaria Chincui SPA [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	1,883	1,883
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Later than two years and not later than three years [member] | Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | Compaa de Leasing Tattersall SA [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	0	0
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Later than two years and not later than three years [member] | SQM North America Corp. [Member] | Paces West LL [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	730	709
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Later than two years and not later than three years [member] | SQM North America Corp. [Member] | Hawkins Nunmber One LLC [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	90	224
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Later than two years and not later than three years [member] | SQM Comercial De Mexico S.A. de C.V. [Member] | Onni Ensenada SA de CV [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	1,151	1,184
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Later than two years and not later than three years [member] | SQM Comercial De Mexico S.A. de C.V. [Member] | Madol Inmobiliaria SA de CV [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	0	65
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Later than two years and not later than three years [member] | SQM Comercial De Mexico S.A. de C.V. [Member] | Madol Inmobiliaria SA de CV One [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	0	24
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Later than two years and not later than three years [member] | SQM Europe N.V. [Member] | Straatsburgdok NV [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	1,339	1,295
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Later than two years and not later than three years [member] | SQM Australia PTY [Member] | The trust Company Australia Pty Ltd [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	0	0
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Later than three years and not later than four years [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	7,165	10,271
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Later than three years and not later than four years [member] | SQM Salar S.A. [Member] | Empresa Constructora Contex Ltda [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	0	0
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Later than three years and not later than four years [member] | SQM Salar S.A. [Member] | Transportes Construccin y Servicios Cribach Ltda [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	0	0
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Later than three years and not later than four years [member] | SQM Salar S.A. [Member] | SKM Industrial Ltda [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	0	0
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Later than three years and not later than four years [member] | SQM Salar S.A. [Member] | Ameco Chile SA [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	0	0
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Later than three years and not later than four years [member] | SQM Industrial S.A. [Member] | El Trovador SA [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	5,905	7,373
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Later than three years and not later than four years [member] | SQM Industrial S.A. [Member] | Sociedad Comercial Grandleasing Chile Ltda [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	0	0
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Later than three years and not later than four years [member] | Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | SAAM Logistics SA [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	0	0
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Later than three years and not later than four years [member] | Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | Muelles de Penco SA [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	0	0
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Later than three years and not later than four years [member] | Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | Muelles de Penco SA One [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	0	0
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Later than three years and not later than four years [member] | Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | Inmobiliaria Chincui SPA [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	889	1,464
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Later than three years and not later than four years [member] | Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | Compaa de Leasing Tattersall SA [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	0	0
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Later than three years and not later than four years [member] | SQM North America Corp. [Member] | Paces West LL [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	258	508
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Later than three years and not later than four years [member] | SQM North America Corp. [Member] | Hawkins Nunmber One LLC [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	0	0
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Later than three years and not later than four years [member] | SQM Comercial De Mexico S.A. de C.V. [Member] | Onni Ensenada SA de CV [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	0	362
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Later than three years and not later than four years [member] | SQM Comercial De Mexico S.A. de C.V. [Member] | Madol Inmobiliaria SA de CV [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	0	0
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Later than three years and not later than four years [member] | SQM Comercial De Mexico S.A. de C.V. [Member] | Madol Inmobiliaria SA de CV One [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	0	0
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Later than three years and not later than four years [member] | SQM Europe N.V. [Member] | Straatsburgdok NV [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	113	564
Lease Liabilities At Nominal Amount [Member] | Later than three years and not later than four years [member] | SQM Australia PTY [Member] | The trust Company Australia Pty Ltd [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	0	0
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	25,546	30,203
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | SQM Salar S.A. [Member] | Empresa Constructora Contex Ltda [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	0	547
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | SQM Salar S.A. [Member] | Transportes Construccin y Servicios Cribach Ltda [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	0	0
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | SQM Salar S.A. [Member] | SKM Industrial Ltda [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	330	1,077
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | SQM Salar S.A. [Member] | Ameco Chile SA [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	0	134
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | SQM Industrial S.A. [Member] | El Trovador SA [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	13,462	14,891
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | SQM Industrial S.A. [Member] | Sociedad Comercial Grandleasing Chile Ltda [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	1,796	2,457
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | SAAM Logistics SA [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	0	0
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | Muelles de Penco SA [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	259	0
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | Muelles de Penco SA One [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	278	0
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | Inmobiliaria Chincui SPA [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	3,621	4,119
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | Compaa de Leasing Tattersall SA [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	0	72
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | SQM North America Corp. [Member] | Paces West LL [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	1,298	1,470
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | SQM North America Corp. [Member] | Hawkins Nunmber One LLC [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	338	451
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | SQM Comercial De Mexico S.A. de C.V. [Member] | Onni Ensenada SA de CV [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	1,783	2,109
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | SQM Comercial De Mexico S.A. de C.V. [Member] | Madol Inmobiliaria SA de CV [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	133	198
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | SQM Comercial De Mexico S.A. de C.V. [Member] | Madol Inmobiliaria SA de CV One [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	48	72
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | SQM Europe N.V. [Member] | Straatsburgdok NV [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	2,189	2,551
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | SQM Australia PTY [Member] | The trust Company Australia Pty Ltd [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	11	55
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Later than one year and not later than two years [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	8,362	9,321
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Later than one year and not later than two years [member] | SQM Salar S.A. [Member] | Empresa Constructora Contex Ltda [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	0	547
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Later than one year and not later than two years [member] | SQM Salar S.A. [Member] | Transportes Construccin y Servicios Cribach Ltda [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	0	0
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Later than one year and not later than two years [member] | SQM Salar S.A. [Member] | SKM Industrial Ltda [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	330	1,077
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Later than one year and not later than two years [member] | SQM Salar S.A. [Member] | Ameco Chile SA [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	0	134
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Later than one year and not later than two years [member] | SQM Industrial S.A. [Member] | El Trovador SA [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	2,993	2,903
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Later than one year and not later than two years [member] | SQM Industrial S.A. [Member] | Sociedad Comercial Grandleasing Chile Ltda [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	1,379	1,342
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Later than one year and not later than two years [member] | Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | SAAM Logistics SA [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	0	0
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Later than one year and not later than two years [member] | Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | Muelles de Penco SA [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	163	0
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Later than one year and not later than two years [member] | Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | Muelles de Penco SA One [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	175	0
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Later than one year and not later than two years [member] | Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | Inmobiliaria Chincui SPA [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	1,047	1,013
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Later than one year and not later than two years [member] | Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | Compaa de Leasing Tattersall SA [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	0	72
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Later than one year and not later than two years [member] | SQM North America Corp. [Member] | Paces West LL [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	377	351
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Later than one year and not later than two years [member] | SQM North America Corp. [Member] | Hawkins Nunmber One LLC [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	249	234
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Later than one year and not later than two years [member] | SQM Comercial De Mexico S.A. de C.V. [Member] | Onni Ensenada SA de CV [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	689	665
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Later than one year and not later than two years [member] | SQM Comercial De Mexico S.A. de C.V. [Member] | Madol Inmobiliaria SA de CV [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	133	135
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Later than one year and not later than two years [member] | SQM Comercial De Mexico S.A. de C.V. [Member] | Madol Inmobiliaria SA de CV One [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	48	49
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Later than one year and not later than two years [member] | SQM Europe N.V. [Member] | Straatsburgdok NV [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	768	744
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Later than one year and not later than two years [member] | SQM Australia PTY [Member] | The trust Company Australia Pty Ltd [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	11	55
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Later than two years and not later than three years [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	10,329	10,733
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Later than two years and not later than three years [member] | SQM Salar S.A. [Member] | Empresa Constructora Contex Ltda [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	0	0
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Later than two years and not later than three years [member] | SQM Salar S.A. [Member] | Transportes Construccin y Servicios Cribach Ltda [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	0	0
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Later than two years and not later than three years [member] | SQM Salar S.A. [Member] | SKM Industrial Ltda [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	0	0
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Later than two years and not later than three years [member] | SQM Salar S.A. [Member] | Ameco Chile SA [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	0	0
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Later than two years and not later than three years [member] | SQM Industrial S.A. [Member] | El Trovador SA [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	4,847	4,701
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Later than two years and not later than three years [member] | SQM Industrial S.A. [Member] | Sociedad Comercial Grandleasing Chile Ltda [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	417	1,115
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Later than two years and not later than three years [member] | Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | SAAM Logistics SA [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	0	0
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Later than two years and not later than three years [member] | Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | Muelles de Penco SA [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	96	0
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Later than two years and not later than three years [member] | Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | Muelles de Penco SA One [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	103	0
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Later than two years and not later than three years [member] | Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | Inmobiliaria Chincui SPA [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	1,707	1,651
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Later than two years and not later than three years [member] | Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | Compaa de Leasing Tattersall SA [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	0	0
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Later than two years and not later than three years [member] | SQM North America Corp. [Member] | Paces West LL [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	668	627
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Later than two years and not later than three years [member] | SQM North America Corp. [Member] | Hawkins Nunmber One LLC [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	89	217
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Later than two years and not later than three years [member] | SQM Comercial De Mexico S.A. de C.V. [Member] | Onni Ensenada SA de CV [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	1,094	1,088
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Later than two years and not later than three years [member] | SQM Comercial De Mexico S.A. de C.V. [Member] | Madol Inmobiliaria SA de CV [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	0	63
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Later than two years and not later than three years [member] | SQM Comercial De Mexico S.A. de C.V. [Member] | Madol Inmobiliaria SA de CV One [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	0	23
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Later than two years and not later than three years [member] | SQM Europe N.V. [Member] | Straatsburgdok NV [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	1,308	1,248
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Later than two years and not later than three years [member] | SQM Australia PTY [Member] | The trust Company Australia Pty Ltd [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	0	0
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Later than three years and not later than four years [member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	6,855	10,149
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Later than three years and not later than four years [member] | SQM Salar S.A. [Member] | Empresa Constructora Contex Ltda [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	0	0
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Later than three years and not later than four years [member] | SQM Salar S.A. [Member] | Transportes Construccin y Servicios Cribach Ltda [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	0	0
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Later than three years and not later than four years [member] | SQM Salar S.A. [Member] | SKM Industrial Ltda [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	0	0
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Later than three years and not later than four years [member] | SQM Salar S.A. [Member] | Ameco Chile SA [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	0	0
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Later than three years and not later than four years [member] | SQM Industrial S.A. [Member] | El Trovador SA [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	5,622	7,287
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Later than three years and not later than four years [member] | SQM Industrial S.A. [Member] | Sociedad Comercial Grandleasing Chile Ltda [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	0	0
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Later than three years and not later than four years [member] | Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | SAAM Logistics SA [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	0	0
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Later than three years and not later than four years [member] | Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | Muelles de Penco SA [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	0	0
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Later than three years and not later than four years [member] | Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | Muelles de Penco SA One [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	0	0
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Later than three years and not later than four years [member] | Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | Inmobiliaria Chincui SPA [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	867	1,455
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Later than three years and not later than four years [member] | Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | Compaa de Leasing Tattersall SA [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	0	0
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Later than three years and not later than four years [member] | SQM North America Corp. [Member] | Paces West LL [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	253	492
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Later than three years and not later than four years [member] | SQM North America Corp. [Member] | Hawkins Nunmber One LLC [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	0	0
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Later than three years and not later than four years [member] | SQM Comercial De Mexico S.A. de C.V. [Member] | Onni Ensenada SA de CV [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	0	356
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Later than three years and not later than four years [member] | SQM Comercial De Mexico S.A. de C.V. [Member] | Madol Inmobiliaria SA de CV [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	0	0
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Later than three years and not later than four years [member] | SQM Comercial De Mexico S.A. de C.V. [Member] | Madol Inmobiliaria SA de CV One [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	0	0
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Later than three years and not later than four years [member] | SQM Europe N.V. [Member] | Straatsburgdok NV [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	113	559
Lease Liabilities At Amortized Cost Member [Member] | Later than three years and not later than four years [member] | SQM Australia PTY [Member] | The trust Company Australia Pty Ltd [Member]
Disclosure of quantitative information about right-of-use assets [line items]
Non-current lease liabilities	$ 0	$ 0

Right-of-use assets and Lease_8

Right-of-use assets and Lease liabilities (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Presentation of leases for lessee [abstract]
Total lease expenses	$ 61,705	$ 56,051
Expense relating to variable lease payments not included in measurement of lease liabilities	1,133,000	1,096,000
Income from subleasing right-of-use assets	$ 176	$ 261

Intangible assets and goodwil_2

Intangible assets and goodwill (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Disclosure Of Intangible Assets And Goodwill [Line Items]
Intangible assets other than goodwill	$ 178,407	$ 188,358	$ 189,350
Goodwill	41,966	34,726	34,866
Total intangible assets and goodwill	$ 220,373	$ 223,084	224,216
Computer software [member] | Finite intangible assets [Member]
Disclosure Of Intangible Assets And Goodwill [Line Items]
Useful life	Finite	Finite
Intangible assets other than goodwill	$ 4,826	$ 6,011
Total intangible assets and goodwill	4,826	6,011	4,568
Goodwill [Member]
Disclosure Of Intangible Assets And Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 41,966	$ 34,726
Goodwill [Member] | Indeifinite Intangible assets [Member]
Disclosure Of Intangible Assets And Goodwill [Line Items]
Useful life	Indefinite	Indefinite
Mining rights [Member]
Disclosure Of Intangible Assets And Goodwill [Line Items]
Useful life	Unit-production method
Mining rights [Member] | Finite intangible assets [Member]
Disclosure Of Intangible Assets And Goodwill [Line Items]
Useful life	Finite	Finite
Intangible assets other than goodwill	$ 150,046	$ 157,570
Total intangible assets and goodwill	$ 150,046	$ 157,570	159,256
Water rights and rights of way [member] | Indeifinite Intangible assets [Member]
Disclosure Of Intangible Assets And Goodwill [Line Items]
Useful life	Indefinite	Indefinite
Intangible assets other than goodwill	$ 23,343	$ 23,342
Total intangible assets and goodwill	$ 23,343	$ 23,342	23,776
Customer-related intangible assets [member] | Finite intangible assets [Member]
Disclosure Of Intangible Assets And Goodwill [Line Items]
Useful life	Finite	Finite
Intangible assets other than goodwill	$ 0	$ 1,273
Total intangible assets and goodwill	$ 0	$ 1,273	1,573
Other Intangible Assets [Member] | Finite intangible assets [Member]
Disclosure Of Intangible Assets And Goodwill [Line Items]
Useful life	Finite	Finite
Intangible assets other than goodwill	$ 192	$ 162
Total intangible assets and goodwill	$ 192	$ 162	$ 177

Intangible assets and goodwil_3

Intangible assets and goodwill (Details 4) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Disclosure Of Intangible Assets And Goodwill [Line Items]
Opening balance	$ 223,084	$ 224,216
Additions	10,255	2,856
Other increases / decreases for foreign currency exchange rates	6	(6)
Decreases through sale	(136)	(1,314)
Impairment losses recognized in profit for the year	(1,798)	(1,053)
Other increases (decreases)	309	2,479
Amortization	(11,347)	(4,094)
Total increases (decreases)	(2,711)	(1,132)
Closing balance	220,373	223,084
Gross carrying amount [member]
Disclosure Of Intangible Assets And Goodwill [Line Items]
Opening balance	260,317	256,049
Additions	10,255	2,856
Other increases / decreases for foreign currency exchange rates	6	(9)
Decreases through sale	(136)	(1,314)
Other increases (decreases)	311	2,735
Total increases (decreases)	10,436	4,268
Closing balance	270,753	260,317
Accumulated depreciation and amortisation [member]
Disclosure Of Intangible Assets And Goodwill [Line Items]
Opening balance	(37,233)	(31,833)
Other increases / decreases for foreign currency exchange rates	0	3
Impairment losses recognized in profit for the year	(1,798)	(1,053)
Other increases (decreases)	(2)	(256)
Amortization	(11,347)	(4,094)
Total increases (decreases)	(13,147)	(5,400)
Closing balance	(50,380)	(37,233)
Indeifinite Intangible assets [Member] | Goodwill [Member]
Disclosure Of Intangible Assets And Goodwill [Line Items]
Opening balance	34,726	34,866
Additions	7,380	0
Other increases / decreases for foreign currency exchange rates	0	0
Decreases through sale	0	0
Impairment losses recognized in profit for the year	(140)	(140)
Other increases (decreases)	0	0
Amortization	0	0
Total increases (decreases)	7,240	(140)
Closing balance	41,966	34,726
Indeifinite Intangible assets [Member] | Gross carrying amount [member] | Goodwill [Member]
Disclosure Of Intangible Assets And Goodwill [Line Items]
Opening balance	38,120	38,120
Additions	7,380	0
Other increases / decreases for foreign currency exchange rates	0	0
Other increases (decreases)	0	0
Total increases (decreases)	7,380	0
Closing balance	45,500	38,120
Indeifinite Intangible assets [Member] | Accumulated depreciation and amortisation [member] | Goodwill [Member]
Disclosure Of Intangible Assets And Goodwill [Line Items]
Opening balance	(3,394)	(3,254)
Other increases / decreases for foreign currency exchange rates	0	0
Impairment losses recognized in profit for the year	(140)	(140)
Other increases (decreases)	0	0
Amortization	0	0
Total increases (decreases)	(140)	(140)
Closing balance	(3,534)	(3,394)
IT programs [member] | Finite intangible assets [Member]
Disclosure Of Intangible Assets And Goodwill [Line Items]
Opening balance	6,011	4,568
Additions	508	2,606
Other increases / decreases for foreign currency exchange rates	5	(4)
Decreases through sale	0	0
Impairment losses recognized in profit for the year	(14)	0
Other increases (decreases)	297	2,479
Amortization	(1,981)	(3,638)
Total increases (decreases)	(1,185)	1,443
Closing balance	4,826	6,011
IT programs [member] | Gross carrying amount [member] | Finite intangible assets [Member]
Disclosure Of Intangible Assets And Goodwill [Line Items]
Opening balance	34,471	29,137
Additions	508	2,606
Other increases / decreases for foreign currency exchange rates	5	(7)
Decreases through sale	0	0
Other increases (decreases)	297	2,735
Total increases (decreases)	810	5,334
Closing balance	35,281	34,471
IT programs [member] | Accumulated depreciation and amortisation [member] | Finite intangible assets [Member]
Disclosure Of Intangible Assets And Goodwill [Line Items]
Opening balance	(28,460)	(24,569)
Other increases / decreases for foreign currency exchange rates	0	3
Impairment losses recognized in profit for the year	(14)	0
Other increases (decreases)	0	(256)
Amortization	(1,981)	(3,638)
Total increases (decreases)	(1,995)	(3,891)
Closing balance	(30,455)	(28,460)
Mining rights [Member] | Finite intangible assets [Member]
Disclosure Of Intangible Assets And Goodwill [Line Items]
Opening balance	157,570	159,256
Additions	2,295	227
Other increases / decreases for foreign currency exchange rates	0	0
Decreases through sale	(136)	(1,314)
Impairment losses recognized in profit for the year	(654)	(481)
Other increases (decreases)	(2)	0
Amortization	(9,027)	(118)
Total increases (decreases)	(7,524)	(1,686)
Closing balance	150,046	157,570
Mining rights [Member] | Gross carrying amount [member] | Finite intangible assets [Member]
Disclosure Of Intangible Assets And Goodwill [Line Items]
Opening balance	158,337	159,424
Additions	2,295	227
Other increases / decreases for foreign currency exchange rates	0	0
Decreases through sale	(136)	(1,314)
Other increases (decreases)	0	0
Total increases (decreases)	2,159	(1,087)
Closing balance	160,496	158,337
Mining rights [Member] | Accumulated depreciation and amortisation [member] | Finite intangible assets [Member]
Disclosure Of Intangible Assets And Goodwill [Line Items]
Opening balance	(767)	(168)
Other increases / decreases for foreign currency exchange rates	0	0
Impairment losses recognized in profit for the year	(654)	(481)
Other increases (decreases)	(2)	0
Amortization	(9,027)	(118)
Total increases (decreases)	(9,683)	(599)
Closing balance	(10,450)	(767)
Water rights and rights of way [member] | Indeifinite Intangible assets [Member]
Disclosure Of Intangible Assets And Goodwill [Line Items]
Opening balance	23,342	23,776
Additions	0	0
Other increases / decreases for foreign currency exchange rates	1	(2)
Decreases through sale	0
Impairment losses recognized in profit for the year	0	(432)
Other increases (decreases)	0	0
Amortization	0	0
Total increases (decreases)	1	(434)
Closing balance	23,343	23,342
Water rights and rights of way [member] | Indeifinite Intangible assets [Member] | Gross carrying amount [member]
Disclosure Of Intangible Assets And Goodwill [Line Items]
Opening balance	25,423	25,425
Additions	0	0
Other increases / decreases for foreign currency exchange rates	1	(2)
Decreases through sale	0	0
Other increases (decreases)	0	0
Total increases (decreases)	1	(2)
Closing balance	25,424	25,423
Water rights and rights of way [member] | Indeifinite Intangible assets [Member] | Accumulated depreciation and amortisation [member]
Disclosure Of Intangible Assets And Goodwill [Line Items]
Opening balance	(2,081)	(1,649)
Other increases / decreases for foreign currency exchange rates	0	0
Impairment losses recognized in profit for the year	0	(432)
Other increases (decreases)	0	0
Amortization	0	0
Total increases (decreases)	0	(432)
Closing balance	(2,081)	(2,081)
Customer-related intangible assets [member] | Finite intangible assets [Member]
Disclosure Of Intangible Assets And Goodwill [Line Items]
Opening balance	1,273	1,573
Additions	0	0
Other increases / decreases for foreign currency exchange rates	0	0
Decreases through sale	0	0
Impairment losses recognized in profit for the year	(990)	0
Other increases (decreases)	0	0
Amortization	(283)	(300)
Total increases (decreases)	(1,273)	(300)
Closing balance	0	1,273
Customer-related intangible assets [member] | Gross carrying amount [member] | Finite intangible assets [Member]
Disclosure Of Intangible Assets And Goodwill [Line Items]
Opening balance	1,778	1,778
Additions	0	0
Other increases / decreases for foreign currency exchange rates	0	0
Decreases through sale	0	0
Other increases (decreases)	0	0
Total increases (decreases)	0	0
Closing balance	1,778	1,778
Customer-related intangible assets [member] | Accumulated depreciation and amortisation [member] | Finite intangible assets [Member]
Disclosure Of Intangible Assets And Goodwill [Line Items]
Opening balance	(505)	(205)
Other increases / decreases for foreign currency exchange rates	0	0
Impairment losses recognized in profit for the year	(990)	0
Other increases (decreases)	0	0
Amortization	(283)	(300)
Total increases (decreases)	(1,273)	(300)
Closing balance	(1,778)	(505)
Other Intangible Assets [Member] | Finite intangible assets [Member]
Disclosure Of Intangible Assets And Goodwill [Line Items]
Opening balance	162	177
Additions	72	23
Other increases / decreases for foreign currency exchange rates	0	0
Decreases through sale	0	0
Impairment losses recognized in profit for the year	0	0
Other increases (decreases)	14	0
Amortization	(56)	(38)
Total increases (decreases)	30	(15)
Closing balance	192	162
Other Intangible Assets [Member] | Gross carrying amount [member] | Finite intangible assets [Member]
Disclosure Of Intangible Assets And Goodwill [Line Items]
Opening balance	2,188	2,165
Additions	72	23
Other increases / decreases for foreign currency exchange rates	0	0
Decreases through sale	0	0
Other increases (decreases)	14	0
Total increases (decreases)	86	23
Closing balance	2,274	2,188
Other Intangible Assets [Member] | Accumulated depreciation and amortisation [member] | Finite intangible assets [Member]
Disclosure Of Intangible Assets And Goodwill [Line Items]
Opening balance	(2,026)	(1,988)
Other increases / decreases for foreign currency exchange rates	0	0
Impairment losses recognized in profit for the year	0	0
Other increases (decreases)	0	0
Amortization	(56)	(38)
Total increases (decreases)	(56)	(38)
Closing balance	$ (2,082)	$ (2,026)

Intangible assets and goodwil_4

Intangible assets and goodwill (Details 5) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Disclosure of reconciliation of changes in goodwill [line items]
Goodwill Begining Balance	$ 34,726	$ 34,866
Additional	7,380	0
Impairment losses	(140)	(140)
Total increase (decrease)	7,240	(140)
Goodwill Ending Balance	41,966	34,726
Gross carrying amount [member]
Disclosure of reconciliation of changes in goodwill [line items]
Goodwill Begining Balance	38,120	38,120
Additional	7,380	0
Impairment losses	0	0
Total increase (decrease)	7,380	0
Goodwill Ending Balance	45,500	38,120
Accumulated impairment [member]
Disclosure of reconciliation of changes in goodwill [line items]
Goodwill Begining Balance	(3,394)	(3,254)
Additional	0	0
Impairment losses	(140)	(140)
Total increase (decrease)	(140)	(140)
Goodwill Ending Balance	(3,534)	(3,394)
SQM Industrial S.A. [Member]
Disclosure of reconciliation of changes in goodwill [line items]
Goodwill Begining Balance	0	0
Additional	0	0
Impairment losses	0	0
Total increase (decrease)	0	0
Goodwill Ending Balance	0	0
SQM Industrial S.A. [Member] | Gross carrying amount [member]
Disclosure of reconciliation of changes in goodwill [line items]
Goodwill Begining Balance	3,214	3,214
Additional	0	0
Impairment losses	0	0
Total increase (decrease)	0	0
Goodwill Ending Balance	3,214	3,214
SQM Industrial S.A. [Member] | Accumulated impairment [member]
Disclosure of reconciliation of changes in goodwill [line items]
Goodwill Begining Balance	(3,214)	(3,214)
Additional	0	0
Impairment losses	0	0
Total increase (decrease)	0	0
Goodwill Ending Balance	(3,214)	(3,214)
SQM S.A [Member]
Disclosure of reconciliation of changes in goodwill [line items]
Goodwill Begining Balance	22,255	22,255
Additional	0	0
Impairment losses	0	0
Total increase (decrease)	0	0
Goodwill Ending Balance	22,255	22,255
SQM S.A [Member] | Gross carrying amount [member]
Disclosure of reconciliation of changes in goodwill [line items]
Goodwill Begining Balance	22,255	22,255
Additional	0	0
Impairment losses	0	0
Total increase (decrease)	0	0
Goodwill Ending Balance	22,255	22,255
SQM S.A [Member] | Accumulated impairment [member]
Disclosure of reconciliation of changes in goodwill [line items]
Goodwill Begining Balance	0	0
Additional	0	0
Impairment losses	0	0
Total increase (decrease)	0	0
Goodwill Ending Balance	0	0
SQM Iberian S.A. [Member]
Disclosure of reconciliation of changes in goodwill [line items]
Goodwill Begining Balance	148	148
Additional	0	0
Impairment losses	0	0
Total increase (decrease)	0	0
Goodwill Ending Balance	148	148
SQM Iberian S.A. [Member] | Gross carrying amount [member]
Disclosure of reconciliation of changes in goodwill [line items]
Goodwill Begining Balance	148	148
Additional	0	0
Impairment losses	0	0
Total increase (decrease)	0	0
Goodwill Ending Balance	148	148
SQM Iberian S.A. [Member] | Accumulated impairment [member]
Disclosure of reconciliation of changes in goodwill [line items]
Goodwill Begining Balance	0	0
Additional	0	0
Impairment losses	0	0
Total increase (decrease)	0	0
Goodwill Ending Balance	0	0
SQM Investment Corporation N.V. [Member]
Disclosure of reconciliation of changes in goodwill [line items]
Goodwill Begining Balance	86	86
Additional	0	0
Impairment losses	0	0
Total increase (decrease)	0	0
Goodwill Ending Balance	86	86
SQM Investment Corporation N.V. [Member] | Gross carrying amount [member]
Disclosure of reconciliation of changes in goodwill [line items]
Goodwill Begining Balance	86	86
Additional	0	0
Impairment losses	0	0
Total increase (decrease)	0	0
Goodwill Ending Balance	86	86
SQM Investment Corporation N.V. [Member] | Accumulated impairment [member]
Disclosure of reconciliation of changes in goodwill [line items]
Goodwill Begining Balance	0	0
Additional	0	0
Impairment losses	0	0
Total increase (decrease)	0	0
Goodwill Ending Balance	0	0
Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member]
Disclosure of reconciliation of changes in goodwill [line items]
Goodwill Begining Balance	140	280
Additional	0	0
Impairment losses	(140)	(140)
Total increase (decrease)	(140)	(140)
Goodwill Ending Balance	0	140
Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | Gross carrying amount [member]
Disclosure of reconciliation of changes in goodwill [line items]
Goodwill Begining Balance	320	320
Additional	0	0
Impairment losses	0	0
Total increase (decrease)	0	0
Goodwill Ending Balance	320	320
Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] | Accumulated impairment [member]
Disclosure of reconciliation of changes in goodwill [line items]
Goodwill Begining Balance	(180)	(40)
Additional	0	0
Impairment losses	(140)	(140)
Total increase (decrease)	(140)	(140)
Goodwill Ending Balance	(320)	(180)
Soquimich European Holding B.V. [Member]
Disclosure of reconciliation of changes in goodwill [line items]
Goodwill Begining Balance	11,373	11,373
Additional	10	0
Impairment losses	0	0
Total increase (decrease)	10	0
Goodwill Ending Balance	11,383	11,373
Soquimich European Holding B.V. [Member] | Gross carrying amount [member]
Disclosure of reconciliation of changes in goodwill [line items]
Goodwill Begining Balance	11,373	11,373
Additional	10	0
Impairment losses	0	0
Total increase (decrease)	10	0
Goodwill Ending Balance	11,383	11,373
Soquimich European Holding B.V. [Member] | Accumulated impairment [member]
Disclosure of reconciliation of changes in goodwill [line items]
Goodwill Begining Balance	0	0
Additional	0	0
Impairment losses	0	0
Total increase (decrease)	0	0
Goodwill Ending Balance	0	0
Sqm Holland Bv [Member]
Disclosure of reconciliation of changes in goodwill [line items]
Goodwill Begining Balance	0
Additional	7,370
Impairment losses	0
Total increase (decrease)	7,370
Goodwill Ending Balance	7,370	0
Sqm Holland Bv [Member] | Gross carrying amount [member]
Disclosure of reconciliation of changes in goodwill [line items]
Goodwill Begining Balance	0
Additional	7,370
Impairment losses	0
Total increase (decrease)	7,370
Goodwill Ending Balance	7,370	0
Sqm Holland Bv [Member] | Accumulated impairment [member]
Disclosure of reconciliation of changes in goodwill [line items]
Goodwill Begining Balance	0
Additional	0
Impairment losses	0
Total increase (decrease)	0
Goodwill Ending Balance	0	0
SQM Potasio S.A. [Member]
Disclosure of reconciliation of changes in goodwill [line items]
Goodwill Begining Balance	724	724
Additional	0	0
Impairment losses	0	0
Total increase (decrease)	0	0
Goodwill Ending Balance	724	724
SQM Potasio S.A. [Member] | Gross carrying amount [member]
Disclosure of reconciliation of changes in goodwill [line items]
Goodwill Begining Balance	724	724
Additional	0	0
Impairment losses	0	0
Total increase (decrease)	0	0
Goodwill Ending Balance	724	724
SQM Potasio S.A. [Member] | Accumulated impairment [member]
Disclosure of reconciliation of changes in goodwill [line items]
Goodwill Begining Balance	0	0
Additional	0	0
Impairment losses	0	0
Total increase (decrease)	0	0
Goodwill Ending Balance	$ 0	$ 0

Property, plant and equipment_2

Property, plant and equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Property, plant and equipments [Abstract]
Land	$ 23,579	$ 23,620
Buildings	239,666	227,173
Other property, plant and equipment	35,418	32,645
Transport equipment	2,880	2,686
Suppliers and accessories	4,183	4,579
Office equipment	459	420
Network and communication equipment	1,272	663
Mining assets	47,052	23,174
IT equipment	4,083	4,359
Energy generating assets	4,878	5,998
Construction in progress	486,345	375,316
Machinery, plant and equipment	887,504	869,273
Total	1,737,319	1,569,906	$ 1,454,823
Description of classes of property, plant and equipment [Abstract]
Pumps	28,184	32,525
Conveyor belt	20,117	21,911
Crystallizer	22,145	24,102
Plant equipment	173,335	170,263
Water tanks	15,367	14,159
Filter	35,553	27,080
Facilities or electrical equipment	93,937	92,090
Other machinery, plant and equipment	49,930	53,409
Site Closure	36,828	12,056
Piping	102,578	96,402
Pond	41,906	41,319
Well	226,347	238,670
Parts	41,277	45,287
Total	887,504	869,273
Gross carrying amount [member]
Property, plant and equipments [Abstract]
Land	23,579	23,620
Buildings	705,089	666,027
Other property, plant and equipment	234,238	257,247
Transport equipment	13,030	12,143
Suppliers and accessories	26,101	25,531
Office equipment	11,607	11,441
Network and communication equipment	8,951	8,009
Mining assets	194,562	161,619
IT equipment	29,629	28,693
Energy generating assets	38,540	38,495
Construction in progress	486,345	375,316
Machinery, plant and equipment	3,304,061	3,142,461
Total	5,075,732	4,750,602	4,450,037
Description of classes of property, plant and equipment [Abstract]
Total	3,304,061	3,142,461
Accumulated depreciation and amortisation [member]
Property, plant and equipments [Abstract]
Buildings	(465,423)	(438,854)
Other property, plant and equipment	(198,820)	(224,602)
Transport equipment	(10,150)	(9,457)
Suppliers and accessories	(21,918)	(20,952)
Office equipment	(11,148)	(11,021)
Network and communication equipment	(7,679)	(7,346)
Mining assets	(147,510)	(138,445)
IT equipment	(25,546)	(24,334)
Energy generating assets	(33,662)	(32,497)
Machinery, plant and equipment	(2,416,557)	(2,273,188)
Total	(3,338,413)	(3,180,696)	$ (2,995,214)
Description of classes of property, plant and equipment [Abstract]
Total	$ (2,416,557)	$ (2,273,188)

Property, plant and equipment_3

Property, plant and equipment (Parenthetical) (Details) - Spare Parts [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Disclosure of detailed information about property, plant and equipment [line items]
Opening balance	$ 39,265	$ 32,414
Increase in provisions	3,616	6,851
Ending balance	$ 42,881	$ 39,265

Property, plant and equipment_4

Property, plant and equipment (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Disclosure of detailed information about property, plant and equipment [line items]
Opening balance	$ 1,569,906	$ 1,454,823
Changes
Additions	322,225	321,666
Disposals	(1)	(19)
Depreciation expense	(181,884)	(188,293)
Impairment	(9,563)	(49)
Deterioration	(9,563)
Increase (decrease) in foreign currency translation difference	78	(124)
Reclassifications	0	(39)
Other increases (decreases)	36,594	(15,731)
Decreases for classification as held for sale	(36)	(2,328)
Total changes	167,413	115,083
Closing balance	1,737,319	1,569,906
Land [Member]
Disclosure of detailed information about property, plant and equipment [line items]
Opening balance	23,620	24,695
Changes
Additions	0	0
Disposals	0	0
Depreciation expense	0	0
Impairment		0
Deterioration	0
Increase (decrease) in foreign currency translation difference	22	(35)
Reclassifications	0	132
Other increases (decreases)	(27)	0
Decreases for classification as held for sale	(36)	(1,172)
Total changes	(41)	(1,075)
Closing balance	23,579	23,620
Buildings [member]
Disclosure of detailed information about property, plant and equipment [line items]
Opening balance	227,173	238,808
Changes
Additions	838	290
Disposals	0	0
Depreciation expense	(26,779)	(29,000)
Impairment		(49)
Deterioration	(23)
Increase (decrease) in foreign currency translation difference	29	(44)
Reclassifications	32,179	18,533
Other increases (decreases)	6,249	(209)
Decreases for classification as held for sale	0	(1,156)
Total changes	12,493	(11,635)
Closing balance	239,666	227,173
Other property, plant and equipment [member]
Disclosure of detailed information about property, plant and equipment [line items]
Opening balance	32,645	28,175
Changes
Additions	278	332
Disposals	0	0
Depreciation expense	(7,284)	(8,013)
Impairment		0
Deterioration	(21)
Increase (decrease) in foreign currency translation difference	0	(1)
Reclassifications	9,940	12,450
Other increases (decreases)	(140)	(298)
Decreases for classification as held for sale	0	0
Total changes	2,773	4,470
Closing balance	35,418	32,645
Transport equipment [Member]
Disclosure of detailed information about property, plant and equipment [line items]
Opening balance	2,686	2,892
Changes
Additions	0	0
Disposals	0	0
Depreciation expense	(692)	(683)
Impairment		0
Deterioration	0
Increase (decrease) in foreign currency translation difference	0	(1)
Reclassifications	886	478
Other increases (decreases)	0	0
Decreases for classification as held for sale	0	0
Total changes	194	(206)
Closing balance	2,880	2,686
Supplies and accessoies [Member]
Disclosure of detailed information about property, plant and equipment [line items]
Opening balance	4,579	4,722
Changes
Additions	82	37
Disposals	0	0
Depreciation expense	(966)	(1,144)
Impairment		0
Deterioration	0
Increase (decrease) in foreign currency translation difference	1	(2)
Reclassifications	488	751
Other increases (decreases)	(1)	215
Decreases for classification as held for sale	0	0
Total changes	(396)	(143)
Closing balance	4,183	4,579
Equipment Office [Member]
Disclosure of detailed information about property, plant and equipment [line items]
Opening balance	420	513
Changes
Additions	33	43
Disposals	0	0
Depreciation expense	(126)	(161)
Impairment		0
Deterioration	0
Increase (decrease) in foreign currency translation difference	(1)	(2)
Reclassifications	133	0
Other increases (decreases)	0	27
Decreases for classification as held for sale	0	0
Total changes	39	(93)
Closing balance	459	420
Network and communication equipment
Disclosure of detailed information about property, plant and equipment [line items]
Opening balance	663	692
Changes
Additions	386	159
Disposals	0	0
Depreciation expense	(335)	(426)
Impairment		0
Deterioration	0
Increase (decrease) in foreign currency translation difference	0	0
Reclassifications	558	90
Other increases (decreases)	0	148
Decreases for classification as held for sale	0	0
Total changes	609	(29)
Closing balance	1,272	663
Mining assets [member]
Disclosure of detailed information about property, plant and equipment [line items]
Opening balance	23,174	11,501
Changes
Additions	0	0
Disposals	0	0
Depreciation expense	(9,065)	(7,033)
Impairment		0
Deterioration	0
Increase (decrease) in foreign currency translation difference	0	0
Reclassifications	32,943	16,901
Other increases (decreases)	0	1,805
Decreases for classification as held for sale	0	0
Total changes	23,878	11,673
Closing balance	47,052	23,174
Network infrastructure [member]
Disclosure of detailed information about property, plant and equipment [line items]
Opening balance	4,359	4,980
Changes
Additions	429	492
Disposals	0	(2)
Depreciation expense	(1,242)	(1,158)
Impairment		0
Deterioration	(12)
Increase (decrease) in foreign currency translation difference	2	(1)
Reclassifications	548	1,284
Other increases (decreases)	(1)	(1,236)
Decreases for classification as held for sale	0	0
Total changes	(276)	(621)
Closing balance	4,083	4,359
Power generating assets [member]
Disclosure of detailed information about property, plant and equipment [line items]
Opening balance	5,998	6,117
Changes
Additions	0	0
Disposals	0	0
Depreciation expense	(1,165)	(1,676)
Impairment		0
Deterioration	0
Increase (decrease) in foreign currency translation difference	0	0
Reclassifications	45	1,565
Other increases (decreases)	0	(8)
Decreases for classification as held for sale	0	0
Total changes	(1,120)	(119)
Closing balance	4,878	5,998
Construction in Progress [Member]
Disclosure of detailed information about property, plant and equipment [line items]
Opening balance	375,316	207,830
Changes
Additions	319,192	314,236
Disposals	0	0
Depreciation expense	0	0
Impairment		0
Deterioration	0
Increase (decrease) in foreign currency translation difference	0	0
Reclassifications	(203,412)	(140,104)
Other increases (decreases)	(4,751)	(6,646)
Decreases for classification as held for sale	0	0
Total changes	111,029	167,486
Closing balance	486,345	375,316
Machinery, plant and equipment
Disclosure of detailed information about property, plant and equipment [line items]
Opening balance	869,273	923,898
Changes
Additions	987	6,077
Disposals	(1)	(17)
Depreciation expense	(134,230)	(138,999)
Impairment		0
Deterioration	(9,507)
Increase (decrease) in foreign currency translation difference	25	(38)
Reclassifications	125,692	87,881
Other increases (decreases)	35,265	(9,529)
Decreases for classification as held for sale	0	0
Total changes	18,231	(54,625)
Closing balance	887,504	869,273
Gross carrying amount [member]
Disclosure of detailed information about property, plant and equipment [line items]
Opening balance	4,750,602	4,450,037
Changes
Additions	322,225	321,666
Disposals	(33,198)	(878)
Increase (decrease) in foreign currency translation difference	144	(203)
Reclassifications	0	164
Other increases (decreases)	35,995	(17,576)
Decreases for classification as held for sale	(36)	(2,608)
Total changes	325,130	300,565
Closing balance	5,075,732	4,750,602
Gross carrying amount [member] | Land [Member]
Disclosure of detailed information about property, plant and equipment [line items]
Opening balance	23,620	24,695
Changes
Additions	0	0
Disposals	0	0
Increase (decrease) in foreign currency translation difference	22	(35)
Reclassifications	0	132
Other increases (decreases)	(27)	0
Decreases for classification as held for sale	(36)	(1,172)
Total changes	(41)	(1,075)
Closing balance	23,579	23,620
Gross carrying amount [member] | Buildings [member]
Disclosure of detailed information about property, plant and equipment [line items]
Opening balance	666,027	648,719
Changes
Additions	838	290
Disposals	0	0
Increase (decrease) in foreign currency translation difference	49	(72)
Reclassifications	32,179	18,526
Other increases (decreases)	5,996	0
Decreases for classification as held for sale	0	(1,436)
Total changes	39,062	17,308
Closing balance	705,089	666,027
Gross carrying amount [member] | Other property, plant and equipment [member]
Disclosure of detailed information about property, plant and equipment [line items]
Opening balance	257,247	245,731
Changes
Additions	278	332
Disposals	(33,048)	(858)
Increase (decrease) in foreign currency translation difference	2	(4)
Reclassifications	9,940	12,456
Other increases (decreases)	(181)	(410)
Decreases for classification as held for sale	0	0
Total changes	(23,009)	11,516
Closing balance	234,238	257,247
Gross carrying amount [member] | Transport equipment [Member]
Disclosure of detailed information about property, plant and equipment [line items]
Opening balance	12,143	11,668
Changes
Additions	0	0
Disposals	0	0
Increase (decrease) in foreign currency translation difference	1	(2)
Reclassifications	886	477
Other increases (decreases)	0	0
Decreases for classification as held for sale	0	0
Total changes	887	475
Closing balance	13,030	12,143
Gross carrying amount [member] | Supplies and accessoies [Member]
Disclosure of detailed information about property, plant and equipment [line items]
Opening balance	25,531	24,456
Changes
Additions	82	37
Disposals	(1)	0
Increase (decrease) in foreign currency translation difference	5	(9)
Reclassifications	488	745
Other increases (decreases)	(4)	302
Decreases for classification as held for sale	0	0
Total changes	570	1,075
Closing balance	26,101	25,531
Gross carrying amount [member] | Equipment Office [Member]
Disclosure of detailed information about property, plant and equipment [line items]
Opening balance	11,441	11,377
Changes
Additions	33	43
Disposals	0	0
Increase (decrease) in foreign currency translation difference	0	(3)
Reclassifications	133	0
Other increases (decreases)	0	24
Decreases for classification as held for sale	0	0
Total changes	166	64
Closing balance	11,607	11,441
Gross carrying amount [member] | Network and communication equipment
Disclosure of detailed information about property, plant and equipment [line items]
Opening balance	8,009	7,505
Changes
Additions	386	159
Disposals	0	0
Increase (decrease) in foreign currency translation difference	0	0
Reclassifications	558	89
Other increases (decreases)	(2)	256
Decreases for classification as held for sale	0	0
Total changes	942	504
Closing balance	8,951	8,009
Gross carrying amount [member] | Mining assets [member]
Disclosure of detailed information about property, plant and equipment [line items]
Opening balance	161,619	132,309
Changes
Additions	0	0
Disposals	0	0
Increase (decrease) in foreign currency translation difference	0	0
Reclassifications	32,943	16,901
Other increases (decreases)	0	12,409
Decreases for classification as held for sale	0	0
Total changes	32,943	29,310
Closing balance	194,562	161,619
Gross carrying amount [member] | Network infrastructure [member]
Disclosure of detailed information about property, plant and equipment [line items]
Opening balance	28,693	29,955
Changes
Additions	429	492
Disposals	0	(3)
Increase (decrease) in foreign currency translation difference	12	(6)
Reclassifications	548	1,289
Other increases (decreases)	(53)	(3,034)
Decreases for classification as held for sale	0	0
Total changes	936	(1,262)
Closing balance	29,629	28,693
Gross carrying amount [member] | Power generating assets [member]
Disclosure of detailed information about property, plant and equipment [line items]
Opening balance	38,495	36,930
Changes
Additions	0	0
Disposals	0	0
Increase (decrease) in foreign currency translation difference	0	0
Reclassifications	45	1,565
Other increases (decreases)	0	0
Decreases for classification as held for sale	0	0
Total changes	45	1,565
Closing balance	38,540	38,495
Gross carrying amount [member] | Construction in Progress [Member]
Disclosure of detailed information about property, plant and equipment [line items]
Opening balance	375,316	207,830
Changes
Additions	319,192	314,236
Disposals	0	0
Increase (decrease) in foreign currency translation difference	0	0
Reclassifications	(203,412)	(140,104)
Other increases (decreases)	(4,751)	(6,646)
Decreases for classification as held for sale	0	0
Total changes	111,029	167,486
Closing balance	486,345	375,316
Gross carrying amount [member] | Machinery, plant and equipment
Disclosure of detailed information about property, plant and equipment [line items]
Opening balance	3,142,461	3,068,862
Changes
Additions	987	6,077
Disposals	(149)	(17)
Increase (decrease) in foreign currency translation difference	53	(72)
Reclassifications	125,692	88,088
Other increases (decreases)	35,017	(20,477)
Decreases for classification as held for sale	0	0
Total changes	161,600	73,599
Closing balance	3,304,061	3,142,461
Accumulated depreciation and amortisation [member]
Disclosure of detailed information about property, plant and equipment [line items]
Opening balance	(3,180,696)	(2,995,214)
Changes
Disposals	33,197	859
Depreciation expense	(181,884)	(188,293)
Impairment	(9,563)	(49)
Increase (decrease) in foreign currency translation difference	(66)	79
Reclassifications	0	(203)
Other increases (decreases)	599	1,845
Decreases for classification as held for sale	0	280
Total changes	(157,717)	(185,482)
Closing balance	(3,338,413)	(3,180,696)
Accumulated depreciation and amortisation [member] | Land [Member]
Disclosure of detailed information about property, plant and equipment [line items]
Opening balance	0	0
Changes
Disposals	0	0
Depreciation expense	0	0
Impairment	0	0
Increase (decrease) in foreign currency translation difference	0	0
Reclassifications	0	0
Other increases (decreases)	0	0
Decreases for classification as held for sale	0	0
Total changes	0	0
Closing balance	0	0
Accumulated depreciation and amortisation [member] | Buildings [member]
Disclosure of detailed information about property, plant and equipment [line items]
Opening balance	(438,854)	(409,911)
Changes
Disposals	0	0
Depreciation expense	(26,779)	(29,000)
Impairment	(23)	(49)
Increase (decrease) in foreign currency translation difference	(20)	28
Reclassifications	0	7
Other increases (decreases)	253	(209)
Decreases for classification as held for sale	0	280
Total changes	(26,569)	(28,943)
Closing balance	(465,423)	(438,854)
Accumulated depreciation and amortisation [member] | Other property, plant and equipment [member]
Disclosure of detailed information about property, plant and equipment [line items]
Opening balance	(224,602)	(217,556)
Changes
Disposals	33,048	858
Depreciation expense	(7,284)	(8,013)
Impairment	(21)	0
Increase (decrease) in foreign currency translation difference	(2)	3
Reclassifications	0	(6)
Other increases (decreases)	41	112
Decreases for classification as held for sale	0	0
Total changes	25,782	(7,046)
Closing balance	(198,820)	(224,602)
Accumulated depreciation and amortisation [member] | Transport equipment [Member]
Disclosure of detailed information about property, plant and equipment [line items]
Opening balance	(9,457)	(8,776)
Changes
Disposals	0	0
Depreciation expense	(692)	(683)
Impairment	0	0
Increase (decrease) in foreign currency translation difference	(1)	1
Reclassifications	0	1
Other increases (decreases)	0	0
Decreases for classification as held for sale	0	0
Total changes	(693)	(681)
Closing balance	(10,150)	(9,457)
Accumulated depreciation and amortisation [member] | Supplies and accessoies [Member]
Disclosure of detailed information about property, plant and equipment [line items]
Opening balance	(20,952)	(19,734)
Changes
Disposals	1	0
Depreciation expense	(966)	(1,144)
Impairment	0	0
Increase (decrease) in foreign currency translation difference	(4)	7
Reclassifications	0	6
Other increases (decreases)	3	(87)
Decreases for classification as held for sale	0	0
Total changes	(966)	(1,218)
Closing balance	(21,918)	(20,952)
Accumulated depreciation and amortisation [member] | Equipment Office [Member]
Disclosure of detailed information about property, plant and equipment [line items]
Opening balance	(11,021)	(10,864)
Changes
Disposals	0	0
Depreciation expense	(126)	(161)
Impairment	0	0
Increase (decrease) in foreign currency translation difference	(1)	1
Reclassifications	0	0
Other increases (decreases)	0	3
Decreases for classification as held for sale	0	0
Total changes	(127)	(157)
Closing balance	(11,148)	(11,021)
Accumulated depreciation and amortisation [member] | Network and communication equipment
Disclosure of detailed information about property, plant and equipment [line items]
Opening balance	(7,346)	(6,813)
Changes
Disposals	0	0
Depreciation expense	(335)	(426)
Impairment	0	0
Increase (decrease) in foreign currency translation difference	0	0
Reclassifications	0	1
Other increases (decreases)	2	(108)
Decreases for classification as held for sale	0	0
Total changes	(333)	(533)
Closing balance	(7,679)	(7,346)
Accumulated depreciation and amortisation [member] | Mining assets [member]
Disclosure of detailed information about property, plant and equipment [line items]
Opening balance	(138,445)	(120,808)
Changes
Disposals	0	0
Depreciation expense	(9,065)	(7,033)
Impairment	0	0
Increase (decrease) in foreign currency translation difference	0	0
Reclassifications	0	0
Other increases (decreases)	0	(10,604)
Decreases for classification as held for sale	0	0
Total changes	(9,065)	(17,637)
Closing balance	(147,510)	(138,445)
Accumulated depreciation and amortisation [member] | Network infrastructure [member]
Disclosure of detailed information about property, plant and equipment [line items]
Opening balance	(24,334)	(24,975)
Changes
Disposals	0	1
Depreciation expense	(1,242)	(1,158)
Impairment	(12)	0
Increase (decrease) in foreign currency translation difference	(10)	5
Reclassifications	0	(5)
Other increases (decreases)	52	1,798
Decreases for classification as held for sale	0	0
Total changes	(1,212)	641
Closing balance	(25,546)	(24,334)
Accumulated depreciation and amortisation [member] | Power generating assets [member]
Disclosure of detailed information about property, plant and equipment [line items]
Opening balance	(32,497)	(30,813)
Changes
Disposals	0	0
Depreciation expense	(1,165)	(1,676)
Impairment	0	0
Increase (decrease) in foreign currency translation difference	0	0
Reclassifications	0	0
Other increases (decreases)	0	(8)
Decreases for classification as held for sale	0	0
Total changes	(1,165)	(1,684)
Closing balance	(33,662)	(32,497)
Accumulated depreciation and amortisation [member] | Construction in Progress [Member]
Disclosure of detailed information about property, plant and equipment [line items]
Opening balance	0	0
Changes
Disposals	0	0
Depreciation expense	0	0
Impairment	0	0
Increase (decrease) in foreign currency translation difference	0	0
Reclassifications	0	0
Other increases (decreases)	0	0
Decreases for classification as held for sale	0	0
Total changes	0	0
Closing balance	0	0
Accumulated depreciation and amortisation [member] | Machinery, plant and equipment
Disclosure of detailed information about property, plant and equipment [line items]
Opening balance	(2,273,188)	(2,144,964)
Changes
Disposals	148	0
Depreciation expense	(134,230)	(138,999)
Impairment	(9,507)	0
Increase (decrease) in foreign currency translation difference	(28)	34
Reclassifications	0	(207)
Other increases (decreases)	248	10,948
Decreases for classification as held for sale	0	0
Total changes	(143,369)	(128,224)
Closing balance	$ (2,416,557)	$ (2,273,188)

Property, plant and equipment_5

Property, plant and equipment (Details 3) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Borrowing costs [abstract]
Capitalization interest rate	4.00%	4.00%
Amount of costs for interest capitalized in ThUS$	$ 8,462	$ 7,841

Property, plant and equipment_6

Property, plant and equipment (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Property Plant And Equipment [line items]
Impairment loss recognised in profit or loss, property, plant and equipment	$ 9,563	$ 49

Other current and non-current_3

Other current and non-current non-financial assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Disclosure of other non-financial assets [Line Items]
Other current non-financial assets	$ 57,399	$ 50,552
Other non-current non-financial assets	22,042	19,729
Domestic Value Added Tax [Member]
Disclosure of other non-financial assets [Line Items]
Other current non-financial assets	18,107	17,807
Foreign Value Added Tax [Member]
Disclosure of other non-financial assets [Line Items]
Other current non-financial assets	7,785	8,566
Prepaid mining licenses [Member]
Disclosure of other non-financial assets [Line Items]
Other current non-financial assets	1,025	1,244
Prepaid insurance [Member]
Disclosure of other non-financial assets [Line Items]
Other current non-financial assets	10,307	7,135
Other prepayment [Member]
Disclosure of other non-financial assets [Line Items]
Other current non-financial assets	946	1,423
Refund of Value Added Tax to exporters [Member]
Disclosure of other non-financial assets [Line Items]
Other current non-financial assets	14,316	10,560
Other taxes [Member]
Disclosure of other non-financial assets [Line Items]
Other current non-financial assets	4,499	3,213
Other assets [Member]
Disclosure of other non-financial assets [Line Items]
Other current non-financial assets	414	604
Other non-current non-financial assets	3,428	524
Exploration and evaluation expenses [Member]
Disclosure of other non-financial assets [Line Items]
Other non-current non-financial assets	17,883	18,654
Guarantee deposits [Member]
Disclosure of other non-financial assets [Line Items]
Other non-current non-financial assets	$ 731	$ 551

Other current and non-current_4

Other current and non-current non-financial assets (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Disclosure of other non-financials asset [Abstract]
Opening balance	$ 18,654	$ 26,189	$ 17,721
Change in assets for exploration and evaluation of mineral resources
Additions	0	0	11,298
Short-term reclassifications	(526)	(1,311)	1,987
Increase (decrease) due to transfers and other charges	(245)	(6,224)	(4,817)
Total changes	(771)	(7,535)	8,468
Total	$ 17,883	$ 18,654	$ 26,189

Other current and non-current_5

Other current and non-current non-financial assets (Details Textual)) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Disclosure of other non-financial assets [Line Items]
Construction in progress	$ 486,345	$ 375,316
Metallic exploration [Member]
Disclosure of other non-financial assets [Line Items]
Useful life measured as period of time, property, plant and equipment	10 years
Expense arising from exploration for and evaluation of mineral resources	$ 0	165
Mt Holland [Member]
Disclosure of other non-financial assets [Line Items]
Assets arising from exploration for and evaluation of mineral resources	50,127	30,475
Exploration and evaluation assets [member]
Disclosure of other non-financial assets [Line Items]
Construction in progress	14,265	12,841
Non-current assets [Member]
Disclosure of other non-financial assets [Line Items]
Assets arising from exploration for and evaluation of mineral resources	6,576	6,576
Non-current assets [Member] | Other Non Current Non Financial Assets One [Member]
Disclosure of other non-financial assets [Line Items]
Assets arising from exploration for and evaluation of mineral resources	7,011	8,645
Other non current financial assets [Member]
Disclosure of other non-financial assets [Line Items]
Assets arising from exploration for and evaluation of mineral resources	4,296	3,433
Current Inventories [Member]
Disclosure of other non-financial assets [Line Items]
Assets arising from exploration for and evaluation of mineral resources	$ 1,318	$ 1,367

Employee benefits (Details)

Employee benefits (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Current
Profit sharing and bonuses	$ 7,770	$ 0
Performance bonds and operational targets	1,326	16,387
Total	9,096	16,387
Non-current
Profit sharing and bonuses	0	8,026
Severance indemnity payments	32,199	27,814
Total	$ 32,199	$ 35,840

Employee benefits (Details 2)

Employee benefits (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Employee benefits [Line Items]
Benefit obligation at the beginning of the year	$ 9,586	$ 8,657	$ 8,755
Service cost	0	0	0
Interest cost	280	336	319
Actuarial loss	506	984	63
Benefits paid	(508)	(391)	(480)
Benefit obligation at the end of the year	$ 9,864	$ 9,586	$ 8,657

Employee benefits (Details 3)

Employee benefits (Details 3) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Employee benefits [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets at the beginning of the year	$ 8,754	$ 8,404	$ 8,751
Actual return (loss) in plan assets	4,642	741	133
Benefits paid	(508)	(391)	(480)
Fair value of plan assets at the end of the year	12,888	8,754	8,404
Financing status	3,025	(832)	(253)
Net actuarial loss at the beginning of the year	(3,634)	(3,022)	(2,614)
Amortization during the year	326	242	160
Net estimated gain or loss occurred during the year	3,500	(854)	(568)
Adjustment to recognize the minimum pension obligation	$ 192	$ (3,634)	$ (3,022)

Employee benefits (Details 4)

Employee benefits (Details 4) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Employee benefits [Abstract]
Service cost or benefits received during the year	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Interest cost in benefit obligation	280	336	319
Actual return in plan assets	4,642	741	133
Amortization of prior year losses	326	242	160
Net gain during the year	3,500	(854)	(568)
Net periodic pension expense	$ (31)	$ (33)	$ (159)

Employee benefits (Details 5)

Employee benefits (Details 5) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Employee benefits [Line Items]
Current cost of Service	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Interest cost	280	336	319
Actuarial gain/loss	506	984	63
Benefits paid during the year	508	391	480
Staff severance indemnities [Member]
Employee benefits [Line Items]
Opening balance	(27,814)	(28,233)	(27,445)
Current cost of Service	(3,804)	(2,880)	(1,529)
Interest cost	(1,486)	(1,661)	(1,658)
Actuarial gain/loss	(2,826)	(2,514)	(1,617)
Exchange rate difference	(1,513)	2,475	2,710
Benefits paid during the year	5,244	4,999	1,306
Balance	$ (32,199)	$ (27,814)	$ (28,233)

Employee benefits (Details 6)

Employee benefits (Details 6)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Employee benefits [Line Items]
Actuarial assumption of discount rates	3.65%	3.68%	4.64%
Voluntary retirement rate [Abstract]
Actuarial assumption of expected rates of salary increases	3.00%	3.00%	3.00%
Retirement age [Abstract]
Mortality rate	RV - 2014	RV - 2014	RV - 2014
Men [Member]
Voluntary retirement rate [Abstract]
Actuarial assumption voluntary retirement rate	6.49%	6.49%	6.49%
Retirement age [Abstract]
Actuarial assumption of retirement age	65 years	65 years	65 years
Women [Member]
Voluntary retirement rate [Abstract]
Actuarial assumption voluntary retirement rate	6.49%	6.49%	6.49%
Retirement age [Abstract]
Actuarial assumption of retirement age	60 years	60 years	60 years

Employee benefits (Details 7)

Employee benefits (Details 7) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Actuarial assumption of discount rates [member]
Employee benefits [Line Items]
Increase (decrease) in defined benefit obligation due to reasonably possible increase in actuarial assumption	$ (1,985)	$ (1,796)
Increase (decrease) in defined benefit obligation due to reasonably possible decrease in actuarial assumption	2,234	2,021
Actuarial assumption of employee turnover rate [Member]
Employee benefits [Line Items]
Increase (decrease) in defined benefit obligation due to reasonably possible increase in actuarial assumption	(261)	(236)
Increase (decrease) in defined benefit obligation due to reasonably possible decrease in actuarial assumption	$ 291	$ 263

Employee benefits (Details Text

Employee benefits (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Employee benefits [Line Items]
Key management personnel compensation		$ 22,858	$ 22,598	$ 27,907
Number of shares effected		47,687
Weighted average share price		$ 41.93
Executive Compensation Plan [Member]
Employee benefits [Line Items]
Key management personnel compensation		$ 117	$ 875
Number of shares effected		177,905	427,652
Executive Compensation Plan [Member] | Two Thousand And Twenty Bonus [Member]
Employee benefits [Line Items]
Key management personnel compensation	$ 8,500
Men [Member]
Employee benefits [Line Items]
Actuarial assumption of retirement age		65 years	65 years	65 years
Men [Member] | Top of range [member]
Employee benefits [Line Items]
Actuarial assumption of retirement age		65 years
Women [Member]
Employee benefits [Line Items]
Actuarial assumption of retirement age		60 years	60 years	60 years
Women [Member] | Top of range [member]
Employee benefits [Line Items]
Actuarial assumption of retirement age		60 years

Provisions and other non-fina_3

Provisions and other non-financial liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Disclosure of Provisions and other non-financial liabilities [Line Items]
Current provisions	$ 104,166	$ 110,565
Non-current provisions	62,617	34,690
Provisions	166,783	145,255
Provision for legal complaints [member]
Disclosure of Provisions and other non-financial liabilities [Line Items]
Current provisions	8,905	13,472
Non-current provisions	1,260	1,452
Provisions	10,165	14,924
Provision for decommissioning, restoration and rehabilitation costs [member]
Disclosure of Provisions and other non-financial liabilities [Line Items]
Current provisions	0	0
Non-current provisions	61,265	33,238
Provisions	61,265	33,238
Other provisions [member]
Disclosure of Provisions and other non-financial liabilities [Line Items]
Current provisions	95,261	97,093
Non-current provisions	92	0
Provisions	$ 95,353	$ 97,093

Provisions and other non-fina_4

Provisions and other non-financial liabilities (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Disclosure of Provisions and other non-financial liabilities [Line Items]
Total	$ 104,166	$ 110,565
Miscellaneous other provisions [member]
Disclosure of Provisions and other non-financial liabilities [Line Items]
Rent under Lease contract	85,167	90,320
Provision for additional tax related to foreign loans	740	543
End of agreement bonus	8,159	3,641
Directors' per diem allowance	698	1,802
Miscellaneous provisions	497	787
Total	$ 95,261	$ 97,093

Provisions and other non-fina_5

Provisions and other non-financial liabilities (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Disclosure of other provisions [abstract]
Tax withholdings	$ 1,208	$ 3,345
VAT payable	1,642	3,465
Guarantees received	2,636	2,641
Accrual for dividend	8,027	68,890
Monthly tax provisional payments	8,407	16,659
Deferred income	6,435	3,033
Withholdings from employees and salaries payable	5,017	4,575
Accrued vacations	24,003	21,686
Other current liabilities	3,580	2,605
Total	$ 60,955	$ 126,899

Provisions and other non-fina_6

Provisions and other non-financial liabilities (Details 3) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Disclosure of Provisions and other non-financial liabilities [Line Items]
Total provisions, initial balance	$ 145,255	$ 138,019	$ 93,446
Changes in provisions:
Additional provisions	154,581	154,425	184,064
Provision used	(127,624)	(151,581)	(139,506)
Increase(decrease) in foreign currency exchange	(2,482)	(24)	0
Others	(2,947)	4,416	15
Total Increase (decreases)	21,528	7,236	44,573
Total provisions, final balance	166,783	145,255	138,019
Legal proceedings provision [member]
Disclosure of Provisions and other non-financial liabilities [Line Items]
Total provisions, initial balance	14,924	14,862	19,419
Changes in provisions:
Additional provisions	62,922	4,111	1,000
Provision used	(67,685)	(4,049)	(5,557)
Increase(decrease) in foreign currency exchange	4	0	0
Others	0	0	0
Total Increase (decreases)	(4,759)	62	(4,557)
Total provisions, final balance	10,165	14,924	14,862
Provision for decommissioning, restoration and rehabilitation costs [member]
Disclosure of Provisions and other non-financial liabilities [Line Items]
Total provisions, initial balance	33,238	28,822	26,954
Changes in provisions:
Additional provisions	30,974	0	1,820
Provision used	0	0	0
Increase(decrease) in foreign currency exchange	0	0	0
Others	(2,947)	4,416	48
Total Increase (decreases)	28,027	4,416	1,868
Total provisions, final balance	61,265	33,238	28,822
Miscellaneous other provisions [member]
Disclosure of Provisions and other non-financial liabilities [Line Items]
Total provisions, initial balance	97,093	94,335	47,073
Changes in provisions:
Additional provisions	60,685	150,314	181,244
Provision used	(59,939)	(147,532)	(133,949)
Increase(decrease) in foreign currency exchange	(2,486)	(24)	0
Others	0	0	(33)
Total Increase (decreases)	(1,740)	2,758	47,262
Total provisions, final balance	$ 95,353	$ 97,093	$ 94,335

Provisions and other non-fina_7

Provisions and other non-financial liabilities (Details Textual) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)
Bottom of range [member]
Disclosure of other provisions [line items]
Research and development expense	$ 10
Top of range [member]
Disclosure of other provisions [line items]
Research and development expense	$ 15
SQM member [Member]
Disclosure of other provisions [line items]
Percentage of entity's revenue	1.70%
SQM member [Member] | Bottom of range [member]
Disclosure of other provisions [line items]
Research and development expense	$ 10.8
SQM member [Member] | Top of range [member]
Disclosure of other provisions [line items]
Research and development expense	$ 18.9

Disclosures on reserves in Eq_3

Disclosures on reserves in Equity (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)
Disclosure of Disclosures on equity [Line Items]
Net Financial Debt	$ (1,105,095)	$ (719,810)
Capital Management [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on equity [Line Items]
Net Financial Debt	$ 1,074,020	$ 681,912
Liquidity	5.40	3.45
Return on equity	7.79	13.15
Adjusted EBITDA	$ 579,765	$ 644,223
EBITDA	$ 524,650	$ 668,912
ROA	9.83	12.76
Indebtedness	0.50	0.32
Description Net Financial Debt	Financial Debt – Financial Resources
Description Liquidity	Current Assets divided by Current Liabilities
Description ROE	Profit for the year divided by Total Equity
Description adjusted EBITDA	Adjusted EBITDA
Description EBITDA	EBITDA
Description ROA	Adjusted EBITDA – Depreciation divided by Total Assets net of financial resources less related parties’ investments
Description Indebtedness	Total Liabilities on Equity
Calculation Net Financial Debt	Other current Financial Liabilities + Other Non-Current Financial Liabilities– Cash and Cash Equivalents – Other Current Financial Assets – Hedging Assets, non-current
Calculation Liquidity	Total Current Assets / Total Current Liabilities
Calculation ROE	LTM(2) Profit for the year / Equity
Calculation Adjusted EBITDA	Profit for the year + Depreciation and Amortization Expenses + Finance Costs + Income Tax – Other income and Share of profit of associates and joint ventures + Other expenses – Finance income – Currency differences
Calculation EBITDA	Profit for the year + Depreciation and Amortization Expenses + Finance Costs + Income Tax
Calculation ROA	(LTM Gross Profit – Administrative Expenses)/ (Total Assets – Cash and Cash Equivalents – Other Current Financial Assets – Other Non-Current Financial Assets – Equity-accounted Investments)
Calculation Indebtedness	Total Liabilities / Total Equity

Disclosures on reserves in Eq_4

Disclosures on reserves in Equity (Details 1) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Disclosure of Disclosures on equity [Line Items]
Capital amount in shares	$ 477,386,000	$ 477,386,000
Amount of reserves	$ 7,432,000	$ (14,223,000)	$ (14,999,000)	$ (14,349,000)
Series A preferred shares [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on equity [Line Items]
Number of authorized shares	142,819,552	142,819,552
Number of fully subscribed and paid shares	142,819,552	142,819,552	142,819,552
Number of subscribed, partially paid shares	0	0
Par value of shares in ThUS$	$ 0.9435	$ 0.9435
Increase (decrease) in the number of current shares	0	0
Number of current shares	142,819,552	142,819,552
Number of shares owned by the entity or its subsidiaries or associates	0	0
Number of shares whose issuance is reserved due to the existence of options or agreements to dispose shares	0	0
Capital amount in shares	$ 134,750	$ 134,750
Amount of premium issuance	0	0
Amount of reserves	$ 0	$ 0
Total number of subscribed shares, total	142,819,552	142,819,552
Series B preferred shares [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on equity [Line Items]
Number of authorized shares	120,376,972	120,376,972
Number of fully subscribed and paid shares	120,376,972	120,376,972	120,376,972
Number of subscribed, partially paid shares	0	0
Par value of shares in ThUS$	$ 2.8464	$ 2.8464
Increase (decrease) in the number of current shares	0	0
Number of current shares	120,376,972	120,376,972
Number of shares owned by the entity or its subsidiaries or associates	0	0
Number of shares whose issuance is reserved due to the existence of options or agreements to dispose shares	0	0
Capital amount in shares	$ 342,636	$ 342,636
Amount of premium issuance	0	0
Amount of reserves	$ 0	$ 0
Total number of subscribed shares, total	120,376,972	120,376,972

Disclosures on reserves in Eq_5

Disclosures on reserves in Equity (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Disclosure of detailed information about controls capital management [Abstract]
Reserve for currency exchange conversion	$ (11,569)	$ (25,745)	$ (26,307)
Reserve for cash flow hedges	4,491	7,196	7,971
Reserve for gains and losses from financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income	6,872	(270)	(1,111)
Reserve for actuarial gains or losses in defined benefit plans	(8,680)	(9,490)	(6,884)
Other reserves	16,318	14,086	11,332
Total other reserves	$ 7,432	$ (14,223)	$ (14,999)	$ (14,349)

Disclosures on reserves in Eq_6

Disclosures on reserves in Equity (Details 3) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Disclosure of Disclosures on equity [Line Items]
Opening balance	$ (14,223)	$ (14,999)	$ (14,349)
Increase in reserves	30,846	12,008	22,092
Decrease in Reserve	(9,191)	(11,232)	(22,742)
Closing balance	7,432	(14,223)	(14,999)
Reserve of change in value of foreign currency basis spreads [member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on equity [Line Items]
Opening balance	(25,745)	(26,307)	(24,913)
Increase in reserves	15,732	1,824	6,542
Decrease in Reserve	(1,556)	(1,262)	(7,936)
Closing balance	(11,569)	(25,745)	(26,307)
Gains from cash flow hedge before tax [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on equity [Line Items]
Opening balance	9,879	7,971	2,248
Increase in reserves	0	8,628	14,794
Decrease in Reserve	(3,706)	(6,720)	(9,071)
Closing balance	6,173	9,879	7,971
Gains from cash flow hedge tax [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on equity [Line Items]
Opening balance	(2,683)	0	0
Increase in reserves	0	(2,683)	0
Decrease in Reserve	1,001	0	0
Closing balance	(1,682)	(2,683)	0
Losses from measurement of defined benefit plans before tax [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on equity [Line Items]
Opening balance	(11,482)	(8,176)	(6,847)
Increase in reserves	3,858	0	674
Decrease in Reserve	(2,903)	(3,306)	(2,003)
Closing balance	(10,527)	(11,482)	(8,176)
Losses from measurement of defined benefit plans tax [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on equity [Line Items]
Opening balance	1,992	1,292	894
Increase in reserves	430	0	(133)
Decrease in Reserve	(575)	700	531
Closing balance	1,847	1,992	1,292
Gains (losses) from financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income before tax [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on equity [Line Items]
Opening balance	392	(760)	4,787
Increase in reserves	11,885	1,570	294
Decrease in Reserve	(2,101)	(418)	(5,841)
Closing balance	10,176	392	(760)
Gains (losses) from financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income tax [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on equity [Line Items]
Opening balance	(662)	(351)	(1,850)
Increase in reserves	(3,180)	(424)	(79)
Decrease in Reserve	538	113	1,578
Closing balance	(3,304)	(662)	(351)
Miscellaneous other reserves before tax [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on equity [Line Items]
Opening balance	14,086	11,332	11,332
Increase in reserves	2,121	3,093	0
Decrease in Reserve	111	(339)	0
Closing balance	16,318	14,086	11,332
Total reserves, reserves before tax [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on equity [Line Items]
Opening balance	(12,870)	(15,940)	(13,393)
Increase in reserves	33,596	15,115	22,304
Decrease in Reserve	(10,155)	(12,045)	(24,851)
Closing balance	10,571	(12,870)	(15,940)
Total reserves, reserves defered tax [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on equity [Line Items]
Opening balance	(1,353)	941	(956)
Increase in reserves	(2,750)	(3,107)	(212)
Decrease in Reserve	964	813	2,109
Closing balance	$ (3,139)	$ (1,353)	$ 941

Disclosures on reserves in Eq_7

Disclosures on reserves in Equity (Details 4) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Disclosure of Disclosures on equity [Line Items]
Equity before adjustments	$ 15,874	$ 15,763	$ 13,009
Total Other reserves	16,318	14,086	11,332
SQM Iberian S.A. [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on equity [Line Items]
Equity before adjustments	9,464	9,464	9,464
Adjustments to equity	(1,677)	(1,677)	(1,677)
SQM Europe N.V. [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on equity [Line Items]
Equity before adjustments	1,957	1,957	1,957
Soquimich European Holding B.V. [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on equity [Line Items]
Equity before adjustments	828	828	828
Abu Dhabi Fertilizer Industries WWL [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on equity [Line Items]
Equity before adjustments	455	455	455
Doktor Tarsa Tarim Sanayi AS [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on equity [Line Items]
Equity before adjustments	0	305	305
Kore Potash PLC [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on equity [Line Items]
Equity before adjustments	3,170	2,754	0
Orcoma Estudios SPA [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on equity [Line Items]
Adjustments to equity	$ 2,121	$ 0	$ 0

Disclosures on reserves in Eq_8

Disclosures on reserves in Equity (Details 5) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Disclosure of Disclosures on equity [Line Items]
Non-controlling interests		$ 10,118	$ 6,817	$ 9,733
Interim Dividend		44,986	211,224	331,199
Potential Dividend		100,000	0	100,000
Dividends payable		4,369	66,891	108,631
Owners of the Parent		149,355	278,115	539,830
Dividends discounted from equity for the period	[1]	159,473	284,932	549,563
Ajay SQM Chile S.A. Dividends [member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on equity [Line Items]
Non-controlling interests		556	882	823
Ajay SQM Chile S.A Payable Dividend [member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on equity [Line Items]
Non-controlling interests		682	0	0
Soquimich Comercial S.A. Interim Dividend [member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on equity [Line Items]
Non-controlling interests		5,904	3,936	7,872
Soquimich Comercial S.A. Payable Dividend [member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on equity [Line Items]
Non-controlling interests		$ 2,976	$ 1,999	$ 1,038
[1]	See Note 20.6

Disclosures on reserves in Eq_9

Disclosures on reserves in Equity (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	Sep. 29, 2020	May 19, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Apr. 23, 2020	Dec. 31, 2018
Disclosure of Disclosures on equity [Line Items]
Dividend payable per share					$ 1.05668
interim dividend per share		$ 0.17092
Provisional dividend paid, Per share				$ 0.80254
Maximum Threshold Percentage Of Issued Capital For Issuance Of Series B shares				50.00%
Minimum Percentage Required TO Call Ordinary Or Extraordinary Meeting			5.00%
Number Of Consecutive Limitation Period Of Series B shares			50 years
Contractual capital commitments			$ 0
Special dividend per share	0.37994
Series A preferred shares [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on equity [Line Items]
Number of shares issued and fully paid			142,819,552	142,819,552		142,819,552
Series B preferred shares [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on equity [Line Items]
Number of shares issued and fully paid			120,376,972	120,376,972		120,376,972
Bottom of range [member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on equity [Line Items]
Cash dividend rate			30.00%

Contingencies and restriction_2

Contingencies and restrictions (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Disclosure of contingent liabilities [line items]
Grantor obligations		$ 10,114	$ 9,611
Ferosor Agricola S.A. [Member]
Disclosure of contingent liabilities [line items]
Name of grantor	Ferosor Agrícola S.A.
Relationship with grantor		Unrelated Third party
Grantor obligations		$ 5,626	5,372
Tattersall Agroinsumos S.A. [Member]
Disclosure of contingent liabilities [line items]
Name of grantor	Tattersall Agroinsumos S.A.
Relationship with grantor		Unrelated Third party
Grantor obligations		$ 2,000	2,000
Covepa SPA [Member]
Disclosure of contingent liabilities [line items]
Name of grantor	Covepa SPA
Relationship with grantor		Unrelated Third party
Grantor obligations		$ 703	671
Johannes Epple Davanzo [Member]
Disclosure of contingent liabilities [line items]
Name of grantor	Johannes Epple Davanzo
Relationship with grantor		Unrelated Third party
Grantor obligations		$ 314	300
Hortofruticola La Serena [Member]
Disclosure of contingent liabilities [line items]
Name of grantor	Hortofrutícola La Serena
Relationship with grantor		Unrelated Third party
Grantor obligations		$ 303	282
Com Serv Johannes Epple Davanz [Member]
Disclosure of contingent liabilities [line items]
Name of grantor	Com. Serv Johannes Epple Davanz
Relationship with grantor		Unrelated Third party
Grantor obligations		$ 408	269
Juan Luis Gaete Chesta [Member]
Disclosure of contingent liabilities [line items]
Name of grantor	Juan Luis Gaete Chesta
Relationship with grantor		Unrelated Third party
Grantor obligations		$ 190	182
Arena Fertilizantes y Semillas [Member]
Disclosure of contingent liabilities [line items]
Name of grantor	Arena Fertilizantes y Semillas
Relationship with grantor		Unrelated Third party
Grantor obligations		$ 211	201
Vicente Oyarce Castro [Member]
Disclosure of contingent liabilities [line items]
Name of grantor	Vicente Oyarce Castro
Relationship with grantor		Unrelated Third party
Grantor obligations		$ 229	213
Bernardo Guzman Schmidt [Member]
Disclosure of contingent liabilities [line items]
Name of grantor	Bernardo Guzmán Schmidt
Relationship with grantor		Unrelated Third party
Grantor obligations		$ 130	$ 121

Contingencies and restriction_3

Contingencies and restrictions (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Disclosure of contingent liabilities [abstract]
Leverage	0.50	0.32

Contingencies and restriction_4

Contingencies and restrictions (Details Textual) - USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 18, 2020	Nov. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020	Mar. 24, 2017	Aug. 26, 2016	Dec. 31, 2010	Aug. 31, 2004	Aug. 31, 1996
Statement [Line Items]
Lawsuits, name of defendant		SQM Salar and SQM Industrial
Lawsuits, lawsuit filing date		May 2016
Lawsuits, domicile of litigation		19th Civil Court of Santiago
Lawsuits, allegations		for the alleged extracontractual liability derived from the accident occurring in July 2014 in the town of María Elena
Lawsuits, nominal value		$ 515,000
Tax contingency, amount claimed							$ 14,400,000	$ 17,800,000
Tax contingency, amount under dispute correspond to excess charge levied		7,000,000
Expected claim for differences in specific tax on mining activities		43,000,000
Guarantee obligations		731,000
Environmental Loss Contingencies Component Amount	$ 9,000,000
Provision for taxes other than income tax [member]
Statement [Line Items]
Tax Contingency Excess Charge Amount Returned		5,800,000
Tax Contingency Amount Related To First Category Tax Rate Plus Interests And Fines		1,200,000
Provision for taxes other than income tax [member] | Mining Tax [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Receivables from taxes other than income taxes		90,300,000	$ 32,200,000
Provision for taxes other than income tax [member] | Excess Collection [Member] | Mining Tax [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Receivables from taxes other than income taxes		19,500,000	7,000,000
Provision for taxes other than income tax [member] | Recoverable Taxes [Member] | Mining Tax [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Receivables from taxes other than income taxes		5,800,000
Provision for taxes other than income tax [member] | Villella [Member] | Class Action Law Suit [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Law suits fines penalties and damages payable					$ 62,500,000
Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Lawsuits, damages owed, value		1,200,000
Collateral Security Carrying Value		$ 10,114,000	9,611,000
SQM Salar [Member] | Provision for taxes other than income tax [member] | Two Thousand And Seventeen [Member] | Liquidation Number Sixty Five [Member] | Mining Tax [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Tax other than income payable						$ 19,500,000
SQM Salar [Member] | Provision for taxes other than income tax [member] | Two Thousand And Eighteen [Member] | Liquidation Number Sixty Six [Member] | Mining Tax [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Tax other than income payable						22,100,000
SQM Salar [Member] | Provision for taxes other than income tax [member] | Two Thousand Seventeen And Eighteen [Member] | Interest Payable [Member] | Mining Tax [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Interest and penalties on tax other than income tax payable						$ 22,300,000
SQM Salar [Member] | Provision for taxes other than income tax [member] | Two Thousand Seventeen And Eighteen [Member] | Mining Taxes Including Interest Paid [Member] | Mining Tax [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Payment of taxes other than income taxes			63,900,000
SQM Salar [Member] | Provision for taxes other than income tax [member] | Two Thousand Seventeen And Eighteen [Member] | Over Payment [Member] | Mining Tax [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Excess payment of mining taxes			$ 18,000,000
Lawsuit two [Member] | North America Corp [Member] | Provision for taxes other than income tax [member] | Appeal Pending [Member] | City Of Pomona [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Law suits fines penalties and damages payable									$ 36,000,000
Lawsuit three [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Lawsuits, name of plaintiff		city of Pomona in the state of California, United States
Lawsuits, name of defendant		SQM NA
Lawsuits, lawsuit filing date		December 2010
Lawsuits, domicile of litigation		US District Court for the Central District of California
Lawsuits, allegations		payment of expenses and other values related to treatment of groundwater to make it apt for consumption, which involved the extraction of perchlorate in this water, which allegedly came from Chilean fertilizers
Lawsuits, litigation status		On May 17, 2018, district judge Gary Klausner ruled in favor of SQM NA following the jury verdict. On February 6, 2020, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit demanded a retrial before the District Court
Lawsuit four [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Lawsuits, name of plaintiff		the city of Lindsay in California, United States
Lawsuits, name of defendant		SQM NA
Lawsuits, lawsuit filing date		December 2010
Lawsuits, domicile of litigation		US District Court for the Central District of California
Lawsuits, allegations		payment of expenses and other values related to treatment of groundwater to make it apt for consumption, which involved the extraction of perchlorate in this water, which allegedly came from Chilean fertilizers
Lawsuit five [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Lawsuits, name of defendant		SQM Nitratos
Lawsuits, lawsuit filing date		May 2014
Lawsuits, domicile of litigation		18th Civil Court of Santiago
Lawsuits, allegations		for its alleged extracontractual liability derived from an explosion occurring in 2010 in the vicinity of the town of Baquedano, which caused the death of six workers.
Lawsuits, litigation status		On May 7, 2019, the 18th Civil Court of Santiago dismissed the claim. The case currently is in the Santiago Court of Appeals, which will make a determination on the motion for appeal and cassation brought about on behalf of the plaintiff.
Lawsuits, nominal value		$ 1,200,000
Lawsuit six [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Lawsuits, name of plaintiff		Tyne and Wear Pension Fund represented by the Council of the Borough of South Tyneside acting as lead plaintiff
Lawsuits, name of defendant		the Company
Lawsuits, lawsuit filing date		On October 2015
Lawsuits, domicile of litigation		US Federal Court of the Southern District of New York
Lawsuits, allegations		potential damages to ADS Holders in the Company due to alleged noncompliance with the securities regulation in the United States
Lawsuit seven [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Lawsuits, domicile of litigation		13th Civil Court of Santiago
Lawsuits, litigation status		On March 6, 2019, the 13th Civil Court of Santiago dismissed the claim. The case is currently in the Santiago Court of Appeals, which will decide on the motion for appeal brought about by the plaintiffs.
Lawsuits, nominal value		$ 7,000,000
Lawsuit eight [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Lawsuits, name of plaintiff		Transportes Buen Destino S.A.
Lawsuits, name of defendant		SQM Salar
Lawsuits, lawsuit filing date		January 2018
Lawsuits, domicile of litigation		arbitration claim under CAM (arbitration and mediation center) rules
Lawsuits, allegations		controversies resulting from the execution of transport contracts for lithium brine and transport of salts
Lawsuits, litigation status		currently in the evidence stage
Lawsuits, nominal value		$ 3,000,000
Lawsuit nine [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Lawsuits, name of plaintiff		representatives Claudia Nathalie Mix Jiménez, Gael Fernanda Yeomans Araya, Camila Ruslay Rojas Valderrama
Lawsuits, name of defendant		Corfo
Lawsuits, lawsuit filing date		September 2018
Lawsuits, allegations		Salar de Atacama Project Contract signed between Corfo and SQM Salar.
Lawsuits, litigation status		discussion stage
Lawsuit ten [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Lawsuits, name of plaintiff		The Company and FPC Ingeniería y Construcción SpA
Lawsuits, lawsuit filing date		May 2019
Lawsuits, allegations		alleged extracontractual liability derived from the traffic accident occurring
Lawsuits, litigation status		on March 5, 2018, involving the overturn of a truck owned by FPC and the subsequent death of its two occupants, both employees of FPC. The four children of one of the deceased workers are the plaintiffs in this case and are seeking compensation for moral damages.
Lawsuits, nominal value		$ 1,200,000
Lawsuit eleven [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Lawsuits, name of plaintiff		Servicios Logísticos Integrales Inversol SpA
Lawsuits, name of defendant		arbitration claim under CAM rules against SQM Salar for controversies
Lawsuits, lawsuit filing date		June 24, 2019
Lawsuits, litigation status		evidence stage
Lawsuit twelve [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Lawsuits, name of plaintiff		Fennix Industrial SpA
Lawsuits, name of defendant		SQM Salar
Lawsuits, lawsuit filing date		April 2019
Lawsuits, domicile of litigation		First Civil Court of Concepción
Lawsuits, allegations		controversies resulting from the execution of a civil works and electromechanical assembly contract.
Lawsuits, litigation status		discussion stage
Lawsuits, nominal value		$ 770,000
Lawsuit thirteen [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Lawsuits, name of plaintiff		Arrigoni Ingeniería y Construcción S.A.
Lawsuits, name of defendant		SQM Salar
Lawsuits, lawsuit filing date		November 2019
Lawsuits, domicile of litigation		arbitration court under CAM rules
Lawsuits, allegations		requesting the conclusion of the Works Contract known as “Expansion of Lithium Carbonate Plant Phase II
Lawsuits, litigation status		evidence stage
Lawsuits, nominal value		$ 14,600,000
Lawsuit fourteen [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Lawsuits, name of plaintiff		Sierra Gorda S.C.M.
Lawsuits, name of defendant		the Company
Lawsuits, lawsuit filing date		December 16, 2011
Lawsuits, litigation status		discussion stage
Lawsuit fifteen [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Lawsuits, name of plaintiff		arbitration court under CAM rules
Lawsuits, name of defendant		Rotto S.A.
Lawsuits, lawsuit filing date		September 2020
Lawsuits, nominal value		$ 713,000		$ 436,000,000
Law Suit One A [Member] | Nitratos Naturais Do Chile Ltda. [Member] | Provision for taxes other than income tax [member] | Appeal Pending [Member] | Fazoanda Do Estado De Sao Paulo [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Law suits fines penalties and damages payable											$ 492
Law Suit One B [Member] | Nitratos Naturais Do Chile Ltda. [Member] | Provision for taxes other than income tax [member] | Appeal Pending [Member] | Fazoanda Do Estado De Sao Paulo [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Law suits fines penalties and damages payable										$ 265

Lawsuits and complaints (Detail

Lawsuits and complaints (Details Textual) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 18, 2020
Disclosure of lawsuits and complaints [Line Items]
Term at which Department of Justice agreed not to prosecute those charges against Company	3 years
External monitor, term	24 months
Lawsuits, nominal value	$ 515,000
Lawsuit fifteen [Member]
Disclosure of lawsuits and complaints [Line Items]
Lawsuits, nominal value	713,000	$ 436,000,000
Department of Justice [Member]
Disclosure of lawsuits and complaints [Line Items]
Legal proceedings, amount agreed to pay	$ 15,487,500

Gains (losses) from operating_3

Gains (losses) from operating activities in the statement of income, included according to their nature (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 1,817,191	$ 1,943,655	$ 2,265,803
Specialty plant nutrition [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	701,688	723,920	781,751
Iodine and derivatives [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	334,657	371,020	324,972
Lithium and Derivatives [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	383,373	505,714	734,801
Potassium [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	209,294	212,151	267,474
Industrial chemicals [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	160,608	94,875	108,267
Others [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	27,571	35,975	48,538
Chile [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	153,745	211,857	189,349
Chile [Member] | Specialty plant nutrition [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	100,353	109,975	111,595
Chile [Member] | Iodine and derivatives [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	1,234	1,064	1,052
Chile [Member] | Lithium and Derivatives [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	399	599	700
Chile [Member] | Potassium [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	23,963	27,371	25,593
Chile [Member] | Industrial chemicals [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	4,059	39,512	4,575
Chile [Member] | Others [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	23,737	33,336	45,834
Latin America and the Caribbean [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	159,990	161,928	180,191
Latin America and the Caribbean [Member] | Specialty plant nutrition [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	69,535	78,872	77,737
Latin America and the Caribbean [Member] | Iodine and derivatives [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	10,843	7,972	6,389
Latin America and the Caribbean [Member] | Lithium and Derivatives [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	1,597	3,593	3,598
Latin America and the Caribbean [Member] | Potassium [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	72,697	64,868	80,192
Latin America and the Caribbean [Member] | Industrial chemicals [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	4,951	6,354	12,098
Latin America and the Caribbean [Member] | Others [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	367	269	177
Europe
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	380,125	393,764	479,664
Europe | Specialty plant nutrition [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	145,896	149,992	200,229
Europe | Iodine and derivatives [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	142,161	123,525	112,080
Europe | Lithium and Derivatives [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	49,719	76,250	103,430
Europe | Potassium [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	30,029	27,973	46,068
Europe | Industrial chemicals [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	11,585	15,289	17,384
Europe | Others [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	735	735	473
North America
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	427,570	451,272	471,515
North America | Specialty plant nutrition [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	246,737	243,399	240,995
North America | Iodine and derivatives [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	90,292	90,070	83,587
North America | Lithium and Derivatives [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	25,558	45,810	68,254
North America | Potassium [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	39,432	43,312	50,685
North America | Industrial chemicals [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	23,963	27,798	27,347
North America | Others [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	1,588	883	647
Asia and others [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	695,761	724,834	945,084
Asia and others [Member] | Specialty plant nutrition [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	139,167	141,682	151,195
Asia and others [Member] | Iodine and derivatives [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	90,127	148,389	121,864
Asia and others [Member] | Lithium and Derivatives [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	306,100	379,462	558,819
Asia and others [Member] | Potassium [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	43,173	48,627	64,936
Asia and others [Member] | Industrial chemicals [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	116,050	5,922	46,863
Asia and others [Member] | Others [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 1,144	$ 752	$ 1,407

Gains (losses) from operating_4

Gains (losses) from operating activities in the statement of income, included according to their nature (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 1,817,191	$ 1,943,655	$ 2,265,803
Specialty plant nutrition [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	701,688	723,920	781,751
Sodium Nitrates [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	18,291	20,679	17,688
Potassium Nitrate And Sodium Potassium Nitrate [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	424,041	457,477	527,945
Specialty Blends [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	163,033	153,739	145,511
Other Specialty Fertilizers [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	96,323	92,025	90,607
Iodine And Derivatives [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	334,657	371,020	324,972
Lithium and Derivatives [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	383,373	505,714	734,801
Potassium [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	209,294	212,151	267,474
Industrial chemicals [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	160,608	94,875	108,267
Other Products [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	27,571	35,975	48,538
Income From Services [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	3,241	3,410	4,017
Income From leasing Of Properties [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	1,457	1,438	1,474
Income from subleases on right-of-use assets [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	176	261	0
Commodities [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	11,938	16,176	18,581
Other Ordinary Income Commercial Offices [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 10,759	$ 14,690	$ 24,466

Gains (losses) from operating_5

Gains (losses) from operating activities in the statement of income, included according to their nature (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Statement [Line Items]
Depreciation of Right-of-use Assets (contracts under IFRS 16)	$ (8,431)	$ (7,951)
Expenses related to Variable Parts Leases (IFRS 16)	(1,133,000)	(1,096,000)
Total	(1,334,321)	(1,383,603)	$ (1,485,631)
Cost Of Sales [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Remuneration and benefits to employees	(287,877)	(271,912)	(260,869)
Raw material and supplies	(178,956)	(178,493)	(203,571)
Depreciation expense	(182,410)	(188,157)	(212,641)
Depreciation of Right-of-use Assets (contracts under IFRS 16)	(5,814)	(5,450)	0
Amortization expense	(12,655)	(5,102)	(6,376)
Investment plan expenses	(14,286)	(18,367)	(11,860)
Provision for site closure	(911)	(911)	(2,045)
Provision for materials, spare parts and supplies	640	(7,500)	1,721
Contractors	(142,001)	(120,793)	(120,923)
Operating leases	(57,461)	(47,708)	(37,245)
Mining concessions	(6,645)	(7,856)	(8,168)
Operations transport	(68,730)	(56,376)	(64,352)
Freight and product transport costs	(52,156)	(46,264)	(51,387)
Purchase of products from third parties	(224,115)	(210,583)	(182,695)
Insurance	(17,657)	(16,968)	(11,923)
CORFO right	(74,418)	(143,861)	(182,954)
Export costs	(71,718)	(75,908)	(107,418)
Expenses related to Variable Parts Leases (IFRS 16)	(1,133)	(1,037)	0
Variation in inventory	97,467	52,557	20,597
Variation in inventory provision	7,244	17,107	(8,997)
Other expenses, by nature	(40,729)	(50,021)	(34,525)
Total	$ (1,334,321)	$ (1,383,603)	$ (1,485,631)

Gains (losses) from operating_6

Gains (losses) from operating activities in the statement of income, included according to their nature (Details 3) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Statement [Line Items]
Amounts recovered from insurance	$ 347	$ 320
Total	26,893	18,218	$ 32,048
Other Incomes [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Discounts obtained from suppliers	665	676	705
Fines charged to suppliers	267	483	698
Taxes recovered	346	457	996
Amounts recovered from insurance	14,719	492	443
Overestimate of provisions for third-party obligations	118	983	375
Sale of assets classified as properties, plant and equipment	3,222	2,422	1,536
Options on mining claims	5,852	5,298	16,095
Easements, pipelines and roads	1,619	7,204	10,806
Mining licenses and notary costs reimbursed	85	203	394
Total	$ 26,893	$ 18,218	$ 32,048

Gains (losses) from operating_7

Gains (losses) from operating activities in the statement of income, included according to their nature (Details 4) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Statement [Line Items]
Depreciation of Right-of-use Assets (contracts under IFRS 16)	$ 8,431	$ 7,951
Total	(107,017)	(117,180)	$ (118,126)
Administrative expenses [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Remuneration and benefits to employees	(55,152)	(60,255)	(63,880)
Marketing costs	(2,377)	(3,911)	(3,078)
Amortization expense	(91)	(5)	(15)
Entertainment expenses	(4,858)	(5,783)	(4,805)
Advisory services	(13,880)	(13,862)	(12,848)
Leases	(3,111)	(3,653)	(4,556)
Insurance	(3,478)	(2,553)	(1,758)
Office expenses	(6,204)	(7,327)	(8,165)
Contractors	(5,079)	(4,874)	(5,730)
Depreciation of Right-of-use Assets (contracts under IFRS 16)	(2,617)	(2,501)	0
Other expenses, by nature	(10,170)	(12,456)	(13,291)
Total	$ (107,017)	$ (117,180)	$ (118,126)

Gains (losses) from operating_8

Gains (losses) from operating activities in the statement of income, included according to their nature (Details 5) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Depreciation and amortization expense
Sub total	$ (203,912)	$ (201,351)	$ (220,827)
Impairment losses (reversals of impairment losses) recognized in profit (loss) for the year
Properties plant and equipment	(9,563)	(49)
Intangible assets other than goodwill	1,798	1,053
Goodwill	(140)	(140)
Other expenses, by nature
Total	(99,612)	(25,995)	(36,907)
Other expenses by function [Member]
Depreciation and amortization expense
Depreciation of assets not in use	(42)	(136)	(59)
Sub total	(42)	(136)	(59)
Impairment losses (reversals of impairment losses) recognized in profit (loss) for the year
Properties plant and equipment	(9,563)	(49)	(1,390)
Intangible assets other than goodwill	(1,658)	(913)	(1,736)
Goodwill	(140)	(140)	(3,254)
Amortization of intangible assets	(283)	0	0
Sub total	(11,644)	(1,102)	(6,380)
Other expenses, by nature
Legal expenses	(69,965)	(9,277)	(15,139)
VAT and other unrecoverable taxes	(626)	(613)	(1,187)
Fines paid	(314)	(145)	(965)
Investment plan expenses	(864)	(1,693)	(7,555)
Non-metallic exploration expenses	(5,262)	(5,537)	(5,864)
Donations not accepted as tax credit	(8,793)	(5,026)	(4,502)
Reorganization of related businesses	0	0	6,000
Other operating expenses	(2,102)	(2,466)	(1,256)
Sub total	(87,926)	(24,757)	(30,468)
Total	$ (99,612)	$ (25,995)	$ (36,907)

Gains (losses) from operating_9

Gains (losses) from operating activities in the statement of income, included according to their nature (Details 6) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Statement [Line Items]
Total	$ (5,313)	$ (383)	$ 6,404
Other income expenses [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Adjustment relating to previous year application of equity method to investments	(49)	(985)	(664)
Losses in the sale of investments in associates	(11,830)	0	(759)
Impairment of interests in associates	7,235	631	(8,802)
Losses in the sale of investments in joint Ventures	(481)	0	14,507
Others	(188)	(29)	2,122
Total	$ (5,313)	$ (383)	$ 6,404

Gains (losses) from operatin_10

Gains (losses) from operating activities in the statement of income, included according to their nature (Details 7) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Statement [Line Items]
Net impairment (losses) gains on reversal of financial assets	$ 4,684	$ (1,057)	$ 2,967
Investments In Associates [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Net impairment (losses) gains on reversal of financial assets	$ 4,684	$ (1,057)	$ 2,967

Gains (losses) from operatin_11

Gains (losses) from operating activities in the statement of income, included according to their nature (Details 8) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Depreciation and amortization expense
Depreciation of Right-of-use Assets	$ 8,431	$ 7,951
Properties plant and equipment	(9,563)	(49)
Goodwill	(140)	(140)
Operation leases	1,133	1,535	$ 0
Expenses related to Variable Parts Leases (IFRS 16)	(1,133,000)	(1,096,000)
Other expenses by nature [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Raw materials and consumables	(287,877)	(271,912)	(260,869)
Classes of Employee Benefit Expenses
Personnel expenses	(234,108)	(238,748)	(267,451)
Depreciation and amortization expense
Depreciation expense	(182,452)	(188,293)	(212,700)
Depreciation of Right-of-use Assets	(8,431)	(7,951)	0
Impairment of Value	(1,658)	(913)	(1,390)
Properties plant and equipment	(9,563)	(49)	(3,254)
Goodwill	(140)	(140)	0
Amortization expense	(13,029)	(5,107)	(8,127)
Operation leases	(60,572)	(51,361)	(41,801)
Legal expenses	(69,965)	(9,277)	(15,139)
Investment plan expenses	(15,150)	(20,060)	(19,415)
Exploration expenses	(5,262)	(5,537)	(5,864)
Provision for site closure	(911)	(911)	(2,045)
Provision for materials, spare parts and supplies	640	(7,500)	1,721
Contractors	(147,080)	(125,667)	(126,653)
Mining concessions	(6,645)	(7,856)	(8,168)
Operation transport	(68,730)	(56,376)	(64,352)
Freight and product transport costs	(52,156)	(46,264)	(51,387)
Purchase of products from third parties	(224,115)	(210,583)	(182,695)
CORFO rights	(74,418)	(143,861)	(182,954)
Export costs	(71,718)	(75,908)	(107,418)
Expenses related to Variable Parts Leases (IFRS 16)	(1,133)	(1,037)	0
Insurance	(21,135)	(19,521)	(13,681)
Restructuring of joint ventures			6,000
Consultant and advisor services	(13,880)	(13,862)	(12,848)
Variation in inventory	97,467	52,557	20,597
Variation in provision on product inventory	7,244	17,107	(8,997)
Other expenses, by nature	(76,173)	(87,748)	(71,774)
Total	$ (1,540,950)	$ (1,526,778)	$ (1,640,664)

Gains (losses) from operatin_12

Gains (losses) from operating activities in the statement of income, included according to their nature (Details 9) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Statement [Line Items]
Interest expense from bank borrowings and overdrafts		$ (2,133)	$ (1,707)	$ (2,797)
Interest expense from bonds		(72,984)	(55,887)	(87,030)
Interest expense from loans		(2,682)	(3,093)	(1,598)
Capitalized interest expenses		7,841	5,021	8,462
Financial expenses related to rehabilitation provisions		(4,417)	(960)	2,947
Interest on lease agreement	$ (1,133)	(1,535)	0
Other finance costs		(1,029)	(1,181)	(1,050)
Total		$ (76,939)	$ (57,807)	$ (82,199)

Gains (losses) from operatin_13

Gains (losses) from operating activities in the statement of income, included according to their nature (Details 10) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Gains losses from operating activities in the statement of income by function of expenses, included according to their nature [Abstract]
Interest from term deposits	$ 10,260	$ 15,345	$ 13,758
Interest from marketable securities	2,147	6,765	6,253
Interest from maintenance of minimum bank balance in current account	18	0	262
Other finance income	1,031	4,130	2,195
Other finance interest	259	49	65
Total	$ 13,715	$ 26,289	$ 22,533

Reportable segments (Details)

Reportable segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 1,817,191	$ 1,943,655	$ 2,265,803
Cost of sales	(1,334,321)	(1,383,603)	(1,485,631)
Administrative expenses	(107,017)	(117,180)	(118,126)
Finance expense	(82,199)	(76,939)	(57,807)
Depreciation and amortisation expense	(203,912)	(201,351)	(220,827)
The entity's interest in the profit or loss of associates and joint ventures accounted for by the equity method	8,940	9,786	6,351
Income tax expense	(70,179)	(110,019)	(178,975)
Income (loss) before taxes	238,538	390,622	621,038
Net Income (Loss)	168,359	280,603	442,063
Assets	4,818,463	4,684,151	4,268,094
Equity-accounted investees	85,993	109,435	111,549
Incorporation of non-current assets other than financial instruments, deferred tax assets, net defined benefit assets and rights arising from insurance contracts	358,009	110,021	(15,028)
Liabilities	2,655,885	2,549,679	2,130,292
Impairment loss recognized in profit or loss	4,684	(1,057)	2,967
Reversal of impairment losses recognized in profit or loss for the period	(11,644)	(1,102)	0
Cash flows from (used in) operating activities	182,234	426,971	524,839
Cash flows from (used in) investing activities	(167,091)	(485,471)	(187,004)
Cash flows from (used in) financing activities	(94,132)	105,896	(387,313)
Operating Segments [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	1,817,191	1,943,655	2,265,803
Cost of sales	(1,334,321)	(1,383,603)	(1,485,631)
Administrative expenses	0	0	0
Finance expense	0	0	0
Depreciation and amortisation expense	(203,912)	(201,351)	(220,827)
The entity's interest in the profit or loss of associates and joint ventures accounted for by the equity method	0	0	0
Income tax expense	0	0	0
Income (loss) before taxes	482,870	560,052	780,172
Net Income (Loss)	482,870	560,052	780,172
Assets		0	0
Equity-accounted investees		0	0
Liabilities		0	0
Impairment loss recognized in profit or loss		0	0
Reversal of impairment losses recognized in profit or loss for the period	0	0	0
Cash flows from (used in) operating activities	0	0	0
Cash flows from (used in) investing activities	0	0	0
Cash flows from (used in) financing activities	0	0	0
Unallocated amounts [member]
Statement [Line Items]
Cost of sales	0	0	0
Administrative expenses	(107,017)	(117,180)	(118,126)
Finance expense	(82,199)	(76,939)	(57,807)
The entity's interest in the profit or loss of associates and joint ventures accounted for by the equity method	8,940	9,786	6,351
Income tax expense	(70,179)	(110,019)	(178,975)
Income (loss) before taxes	(244,332)	(169,430)	(159,134)
Net Income (Loss)	(314,511)	(279,449)	(338,109)
Assets	4,818,463	4,684,151	4,268,094
Equity-accounted investees	85,993	109,435	111,549
Incorporation of non-current assets other than financial instruments, deferred tax assets, net defined benefit assets and rights arising from insurance contracts	358,009	110,021	(15,028)
Liabilities	2,655,885	2,549,679	2,130,292
Impairment loss recognized in profit or loss	4,684	(1,057)	2,967
Reversal of impairment losses recognized in profit or loss for the period	(11,644)	(1,102)	0
Cash flows from (used in) operating activities	182,234	426,971	524,839
Cash flows from (used in) investing activities	(167,091)	(485,471)	(187,004)
Cash flows from (used in) financing activities	(94,132)	105,896	(387,313)
Specialty plant nutrients [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	701,688	723,920	781,751
Cost of sales	(537,801)	(573,808)	(613,267)
Administrative expenses	0	0	0
Finance expense	0	0	0
Depreciation and amortisation expense	(55,335)	(67,700)	(79,061)
The entity's interest in the profit or loss of associates and joint ventures accounted for by the equity method	0	0	0
Income tax expense	0	0	0
Income (loss) before taxes	163,887	150,112	168,484
Net Income (Loss)	163,887	150,112	168,484
Assets		0	0
Equity-accounted investees		0	0
Liabilities		0	0
Impairment loss recognized in profit or loss		0	0
Reversal of impairment losses recognized in profit or loss for the period	0	0	0
Cash flows from (used in) operating activities	0	0	0
Cash flows from (used in) investing activities	0	0	0
Cash flows from (used in) financing activities	0	0	0
Iodine and its derivatives [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	334,657	371,020	324,972
Cost of sales	(168,499)	(230,468)	(217,464)
Administrative expenses	0	0	0
Finance expense	0	0	0
Depreciation and amortisation expense	(40,687)	(43,336)	(42,438)
The entity's interest in the profit or loss of associates and joint ventures accounted for by the equity method	0	0	0
Income tax expense	0	0	0
Income (loss) before taxes	166,158	140,552	107,508
Net Income (Loss)	166,158	140,552	107,508
Assets		0	0
Equity-accounted investees		0	0
Liabilities		0	0
Impairment loss recognized in profit or loss		0	0
Reversal of impairment losses recognized in profit or loss for the period	0	0	0
Cash flows from (used in) operating activities	0	0	0
Cash flows from (used in) investing activities	0	0	0
Cash flows from (used in) financing activities	0	0	0
Lithium and its derivatives [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	383,373	505,714	734,801
Cost of sales	(297,048)	(306,250)	(316,875)
Administrative expenses	0	0	0
Finance expense	0	0	0
Depreciation and amortisation expense	(56,092)	(45,238)	(42,283)
The entity's interest in the profit or loss of associates and joint ventures accounted for by the equity method	0	0	0
Income tax expense	0	0	0
Income (loss) before taxes	86,325	199,464	417,926
Net Income (Loss)	86,325	199,464	417,926
Assets		0	0
Equity-accounted investees		0	0
Liabilities		0	0
Impairment loss recognized in profit or loss		0	0
Reversal of impairment losses recognized in profit or loss for the period	0	0	0
Cash flows from (used in) operating activities	0	0	0
Cash flows from (used in) investing activities	0	0	0
Cash flows from (used in) financing activities	0	0	0
Industrial chemicals [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	160,608	94,875	108,267
Cost of sales	(119,092)	(63,590)	(72,964)
Administrative expenses	0	0	0
Finance expense	0	0	0
Depreciation and amortisation expense	(14,136)	(6,854)	(8,454)
The entity's interest in the profit or loss of associates and joint ventures accounted for by the equity method	0	0	0
Income tax expense	0	0	0
Income (loss) before taxes	41,516	31,285	35,303
Net Income (Loss)	41,516	31,285	35,303
Assets		0	0
Equity-accounted investees		0	0
Liabilities		0	0
Impairment loss recognized in profit or loss		0	0
Reversal of impairment losses recognized in profit or loss for the period	0	0	0
Cash flows from (used in) operating activities	0	0	0
Cash flows from (used in) investing activities	0	0	0
Cash flows from (used in) financing activities	0	0	0
Potassium [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	209,294	212,151	267,474
Cost of sales	(187,019)	(176,199)	(217,386)
Administrative expenses	0	0	0
Finance expense	0	0	0
Depreciation and amortisation expense	(34,570)	(37,691)	(47,940)
The entity's interest in the profit or loss of associates and joint ventures accounted for by the equity method	0	0	0
Income tax expense	0	0	0
Income (loss) before taxes	22,275	35,952	50,088
Net Income (Loss)	22,275	35,952	50,088
Assets		0	0
Equity-accounted investees		0	0
Liabilities		0	0
Impairment loss recognized in profit or loss		0	0
Reversal of impairment losses recognized in profit or loss for the period	0	0	0
Cash flows from (used in) operating activities	0	0	0
Cash flows from (used in) investing activities	0	0	0
Cash flows from (used in) financing activities	0	0	0
Other products and services [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	27,571	35,975	48,538
Cost of sales	(24,862)	(33,288)	(47,675)
Administrative expenses	0	0	0
Finance expense	0	0	0
Depreciation and amortisation expense	(3,092)	(532)	(651)
The entity's interest in the profit or loss of associates and joint ventures accounted for by the equity method	0	0	0
Income tax expense	0	0	0
Income (loss) before taxes	2,709	2,687	863
Net Income (Loss)	2,709	2,687	863
Assets		0	0
Equity-accounted investees		0	0
Liabilities		0	0
Impairment loss recognized in profit or loss		0	0
Reversal of impairment losses recognized in profit or loss for the period	0	0	0
Cash flows from (used in) operating activities	0	0	0
Cash flows from (used in) investing activities	0	0	0
Cash flows from (used in) financing activities	0	0	0
Reportable segments [member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	1,817,191	1,943,655	2,265,803
Cost of sales	(1,334,321)	(1,383,603)	(1,485,631)
Administrative expenses	0	0	0
Finance expense	0	0	0
Depreciation and amortisation expense	(203,912)	(201,351)	(220,827)
The entity's interest in the profit or loss of associates and joint ventures accounted for by the equity method	0	0	0
Income tax expense	0	0	0
Income (loss) before taxes	482,870	560,052	780,172
Net Income (Loss)	482,870	560,052	780,172
Assets		0	0
Equity-accounted investees		0	0
Liabilities		0	0
Impairment loss recognized in profit or loss		0	0
Reversal of impairment losses recognized in profit or loss for the period	0	0	0
Cash flows from (used in) operating activities	0	0	0
Cash flows from (used in) investing activities	0	0	0
Cash flows from (used in) financing activities	0	0	0
Parent [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Assets	4,173,308	4,069,649
Liabilities	2,050,223	1,983,382
Parent [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	1,817,191	1,943,655	2,265,803
Parent [Member] | Unallocated amounts [member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	0	0	0
Parent [Member] | Specialty plant nutrients [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	701,688	723,920	781,751
Parent [Member] | Iodine and its derivatives [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	334,657	371,020	324,972
Parent [Member] | Lithium and its derivatives [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	383,373	505,714	734,801
Parent [Member] | Industrial chemicals [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	160,608	94,875	108,267
Parent [Member] | Potassium [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	209,294	212,151	267,474
Parent [Member] | Other products and services [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	27,571	35,975	48,538
Parent [Member] | Reportable segments [member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	1,817,191	1,943,655	2,265,803
Other Operating Segment [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	0	0	0
Other Operating Segment [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	0	0	0
Other Operating Segment [Member] | Unallocated amounts [member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	0	0	0
Other Operating Segment [Member] | Specialty plant nutrients [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	0	0	0
Other Operating Segment [Member] | Iodine and its derivatives [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	0	0	0
Other Operating Segment [Member] | Lithium and its derivatives [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	0	0	0
Other Operating Segment [Member] | Industrial chemicals [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	0	0	0
Other Operating Segment [Member] | Potassium [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	0	0	0
Other Operating Segment [Member] | Other products and services [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	0	0	0
Other Operating Segment [Member] | Reportable segments [member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

Reportable segments (Details 1)

Reportable segments (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 1,817,191	$ 1,943,655	$ 2,265,803
Cost of sales	(1,334,321)	(1,383,603)	(1,485,631)
Gross profit	482,870	560,052	780,172
Other incomes by function	26,893	18,218	32,048
Administrative expenses	(107,017)	(117,180)	(118,126)
Other expenses by function	(99,612)	(25,995)	(36,907)
Impairment of gains and review of impairment losses (impairment losses) determined in accordance with IFRS 9	4,684	(1,057)	2,967
Other gains (losses)	(5,313)	(383)	6,404
Financial income	13,715	26,289	22,533
Finance costs	(82,199)	(76,939)	(57,807)
interest in the profit or loss of associates and joint ventures accounted for by the equity method	8,940	9,786	6,351
Exchange differences	(4,423)	(2,169)	(16,597)
Profit (loss) before taxes	238,538	390,622	621,038
Income tax expense	(70,179)	(110,019)	(178,975)
Profit (loss) from continuing operations	168,359	280,603	442,063
Profit (loss) from discontinued operations	0	0	0
Profit (loss)	168,359	280,603	442,063
Profit (loss), attributable to [abstract]
Profit (loss) attributable to the controller´s owners	164,518	278,115	439,830
Profit (loss) attributable to the non-controllers	3,841	2,488	2,233
Profit (loss)	168,359	280,603	442,063
Specialty plant nutrients [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	701,688	723,920	781,751
Cost of sales	(537,801)	(573,808)	(613,267)
Gross profit	163,887	150,112	168,484
Other incomes by function	0	0	0
Administrative expenses	0	0	0
Other expenses by function	0	0	0
Impairment of gains and review of impairment losses (impairment losses) determined in accordance with IFRS 9	0	0	0
Other gains (losses)	0	0	0
Financial income	0	0	0
Finance costs	0	0	0
interest in the profit or loss of associates and joint ventures accounted for by the equity method	0	0	0
Exchange differences	0	0	0
Profit (loss) before taxes	163,887	150,112	168,484
Income tax expense	0	0	0
Profit (loss) from continuing operations	163,887	150,112	168,484
Profit (loss) from discontinued operations	0	0	0
Profit (loss)	163,887	150,112	168,484
Profit (loss), attributable to [abstract]
Profit (loss) attributable to the controller´s owners	0	0	0
Profit (loss) attributable to the non-controllers	0	0	0
Profit (loss)	163,887	150,112	168,484
Iodine and its derivatives [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	334,657	371,020	324,972
Cost of sales	(168,499)	(230,468)	(217,464)
Gross profit	166,158	140,552	107,508
Other incomes by function	0	0	0
Administrative expenses	0	0	0
Other expenses by function	0	0	0
Impairment of gains and review of impairment losses (impairment losses) determined in accordance with IFRS 9	0	0	0
Other gains (losses)	0	0	0
Financial income	0	0	0
Finance costs	0	0	0
interest in the profit or loss of associates and joint ventures accounted for by the equity method	0	0	0
Exchange differences	0	0	0
Profit (loss) before taxes	166,158	140,552	107,508
Income tax expense	0	0	0
Profit (loss) from continuing operations	166,158	140,552	107,508
Profit (loss) from discontinued operations	0	0	0
Profit (loss)	166,158	140,552	107,508
Profit (loss), attributable to [abstract]
Profit (loss) attributable to the controller´s owners	0	0	0
Profit (loss) attributable to the non-controllers	0	0	0
Profit (loss)	166,158	140,552	107,508
Lithium and its derivatives [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	383,373	505,714	734,801
Cost of sales	(297,048)	(306,250)	(316,875)
Gross profit	86,325	199,464	417,926
Other incomes by function	0	0	0
Administrative expenses	0	0	0
Other expenses by function	0	0	0
Impairment of gains and review of impairment losses (impairment losses) determined in accordance with IFRS 9	0	0	0
Other gains (losses)	0	0	0
Financial income	0	0	0
Finance costs	0	0	0
interest in the profit or loss of associates and joint ventures accounted for by the equity method	0	0	0
Exchange differences	0	0	0
Profit (loss) before taxes	86,325	199,464	417,926
Income tax expense	0	0	0
Profit (loss) from continuing operations	86,325	199,464	417,926
Profit (loss) from discontinued operations	0	0	0
Profit (loss)	86,325	199,464	417,926
Profit (loss), attributable to [abstract]
Profit (loss) attributable to the controller´s owners	0	0	0
Profit (loss) attributable to the non-controllers	0	0	0
Profit (loss)	86,325	199,464	417,926
Industrial chemicals [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	160,608	94,875	108,267
Cost of sales	(119,092)	(63,590)	(72,964)
Gross profit	41,516	31,285	35,303
Other incomes by function	0	0	0
Administrative expenses	0	0	0
Other expenses by function	0	0	0
Impairment of gains and review of impairment losses (impairment losses) determined in accordance with IFRS 9	0	0	0
Other gains (losses)	0	0	0
Financial income	0	0	0
Finance costs	0	0	0
interest in the profit or loss of associates and joint ventures accounted for by the equity method	0	0	0
Exchange differences	0	0	0
Profit (loss) before taxes	41,516	31,285	35,303
Income tax expense	0	0	0
Profit (loss) from continuing operations	41,516	31,285	35,303
Profit (loss) from discontinued operations	0	0	0
Profit (loss)	41,516	31,285	35,303
Profit (loss), attributable to [abstract]
Profit (loss) attributable to the controller´s owners	0	0	0
Profit (loss) attributable to the non-controllers	0	0	0
Profit (loss)	41,516	31,285	35,303
Potassium [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	209,294	212,151	267,474
Cost of sales	(187,019)	(176,199)	(217,386)
Gross profit	22,275	35,952	50,088
Other incomes by function	0	0	0
Administrative expenses	0	0	0
Other expenses by function	0	0	0
Impairment of gains and review of impairment losses (impairment losses) determined in accordance with IFRS 9	0	0	0
Other gains (losses)	0	0	0
Financial income	0	0	0
Finance costs	0	0	0
interest in the profit or loss of associates and joint ventures accounted for by the equity method	0	0	0
Exchange differences	0	0	0
Profit (loss) before taxes	22,275	35,952	50,088
Income tax expense	0	0	0
Profit (loss) from continuing operations	22,275	35,952	50,088
Profit (loss) from discontinued operations	0	0	0
Profit (loss)	22,275	35,952	50,088
Profit (loss), attributable to [abstract]
Profit (loss) attributable to the controller´s owners	0	0	0
Profit (loss) attributable to the non-controllers	0	0	0
Profit (loss)	22,275	35,952	50,088
Other products and services [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	27,571	35,975	48,538
Cost of sales	(24,862)	(33,288)	(47,675)
Gross profit	2,709	2,687	863
Other incomes by function	0	0	0
Administrative expenses	0	0	0
Other expenses by function	0	0	0
Impairment of gains and review of impairment losses (impairment losses) determined in accordance with IFRS 9	0	0	0
Other gains (losses)	0	0	0
Financial income	0	0	0
Finance costs	0	0	0
interest in the profit or loss of associates and joint ventures accounted for by the equity method	0	0	0
Exchange differences	0	0	0
Profit (loss) before taxes	2,709	2,687	863
Income tax expense	0	0	0
Profit (loss) from continuing operations	2,709	2,687	863
Profit (loss) from discontinued operations	0	0	0
Profit (loss)	2,709	2,687	863
Profit (loss), attributable to [abstract]
Profit (loss) attributable to the controller´s owners	0	0	0
Profit (loss) attributable to the non-controllers	0	0	0
Profit (loss)	2,709	2,687	863
Corporate unit [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	0	0	0
Cost of sales	0	0	0
Gross profit	0	0	0
Other incomes by function	26,893	18,218	32,048
Administrative expenses	(107,017)	(117,180)	(118,126)
Other expenses by function	(99,612)	(25,995)	(36,907)
Impairment of gains and review of impairment losses (impairment losses) determined in accordance with IFRS 9	4,684	(1,057)	2,967
Other gains (losses)	(5,313)	(383)	6,404
Financial income	13,715	26,289	22,533
Finance costs	(82,199)	(76,939)	(57,807)
interest in the profit or loss of associates and joint ventures accounted for by the equity method	8,940	9,786	6,351
Exchange differences	(4,423)	(2,169)	(16,597)
Profit (loss) before taxes	(244,332)	(169,430)	(159,134)
Income tax expense	(70,179)	(110,019)	(178,975)
Profit (loss) from continuing operations	(314,511)	(279,449)	(338,109)
Profit (loss) from discontinued operations	0	0	0
Profit (loss)	(314,511)	(279,449)	(338,109)
Profit (loss), attributable to [abstract]
Profit (loss) attributable to the controller´s owners	164,518	278,115	439,830
Profit (loss) attributable to the non-controllers	3,841	2,488	2,233
Profit (loss)	$ (314,511)	$ (279,449)	$ (338,109)

Reportable segments (Details 2)

Reportable segments (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 1,817,191	$ 1,943,655	$ 2,265,803
Investments accounted for using equity method	85,993	109,435	111,549
Intangible assets other than goodwill	178,407	188,358	189,350
Goodwill	41,966	34,726	34,866
Property, plant and equipment	1,737,319	1,569,906	1,454,823
Right-of-use assets	30,024	37,164	0
Other non-current assets	22,042	19,729	27,539
Non-current assets that are not financial instruments	2,095,751	1,959,318	1,818,127
Chile [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	153,745	211,857	189,349
Investments accounted for using equity method	0	0	6,588
Intangible assets other than goodwill	95,934	106,910	110,544
Goodwill	23,065	23,205	22,535
Property, plant and equipment	1,667,824	1,526,919	1,445,349
Right-of-use assets	23,461	29,427
Other non-current assets	19,377	20,321	17,111
Non-current assets that are not financial instruments	1,829,661	1,706,782	1,588,951
Latin America and the Caribbean [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	159,990	161,928	180,189
Investments accounted for using equity method	0	0	0
Intangible assets other than goodwill	565	420	1,215
Goodwill	0	0	86
Property, plant and equipment	642	513	347
Right-of-use assets	2,298	2,734
Other non-current assets	17	28	23
Non-current assets that are not financial instruments	3,522	(3,695)	1,671
Europe [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	380,126	393,764	479,664
Investments accounted for using equity method	41,273	42,243	61,256
Intangible assets other than goodwill	825	1,397	238
Goodwill	18,901	11,521	11,521
Property, plant and equipment	12,592	3,424	4,451
Right-of-use assets	2,428	2,817
Other non-current assets	7	4	0
Non-current assets that are not financial instruments	76,026	61,406	77,466
North America [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	427,572	451,272	471,515
Investments accounted for using equity method	14,468	14,669	16,115
Intangible assets other than goodwill	2,274	2,683	152
Goodwill	0	0	724
Property, plant and equipment	3,494	6,250	3,098
Right-of-use assets	1,776	2,083
Other non-current assets	2,641	624	892
Non-current assets that are not financial instruments	24,653	25,061	19,197
Asia and others [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue	695,758	724,834	945,086
Investments accounted for using equity method	30,252	52,523	40,766
Intangible assets other than goodwill	78,809	76,948	77,201
Goodwill	0	0	0
Property, plant and equipment	52,767	32,800	1,578
Right-of-use assets	61	103
Other non-current assets	0	0	11,297
Non-current assets that are not financial instruments	$ 161,889	$ 162,374	$ 130,842

Effect of fluctuations in for_3

Effect of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Statement [Line Items]
Conversion foreign exchange gains (losses) recognized in the result of the year.	$ (4,423)	$ (2,169)	$ (16,597)
Gains (losses) on exchange differences on translation, before tax	14,000	787	(1,220)
Equity attributable to owners of the Parent [member]
Statement [Line Items]
Gains (losses) on exchange differences on translation, before tax	14,176	562	(1,394)
Non-controlling interests [member]
Statement [Line Items]
Gains (losses) on exchange differences on translation, before tax	$ (176)	$ 225	$ 174

Effect of fluctuations in for_4

Effect of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Other reserves [abstract]
Reserve of exchange differences on translation	$ (11,569)	$ (25,745)	$ (26,307)
Comercial Hydro S.A. [Member]
Other reserves [abstract]
Reserve of exchange differences on translation	1,004	1,004	1,004
SQMC Internacional Ltda. [Member]
Other reserves [abstract]
Reserve of exchange differences on translation	(9)	(9)	(17)
Proinsa Ltda. [Member]
Other reserves [abstract]
Reserve of exchange differences on translation	(10)	(10)	(11)
Comercial Agrorama Ltda. [Member]
Other reserves [abstract]
Reserve of exchange differences on translation	(19)	33	(21)
Isapre Norte Grande Ltda. [Member]
Other reserves [abstract]
Reserve of exchange differences on translation	(14)	(44)	(1)
Almacenes y Depositos Ltda. [Member]
Other reserves [abstract]
Reserve of exchange differences on translation	211	142	113
Sacal S.A. [Member]
Other reserves [abstract]
Reserve of exchange differences on translation	(3)	(3)	(3)
Sociedad Prestadora de Servicios de Salud Cruz del Norte S.A. [Member]
Other reserves [abstract]
Reserve of exchange differences on translation	(13)	(19)	(10)
Agrorama S.A. [Member]
Other reserves [abstract]
Reserve of exchange differences on translation	92	231	132
Doktor Tarsa Tarim Sanayi AS [Member]
Other reserves [abstract]
Reserve of exchange differences on translation	0	(13,811)	(13,811)
SQM Vitas Fzco. [Member]
Other reserves [abstract]
Reserve of exchange differences on translation	(3,736)	(2,267)	(2,682)
Ajay Europe [Member]
Other reserves [abstract]
Reserve of exchange differences on translation	(693)	(1,449)	(1,270)
SQM Eastmed Turkey [Member]
Other reserves [abstract]
Reserve of exchange differences on translation	0	(155)	(113)
Doctochem Tarim Sanayi LTD [Member]
Other reserves [abstract]
Reserve of exchange differences on translation	0	7	0
Coromandel SQM India [Member]
Other reserves [abstract]
Reserve of exchange differences on translation	0	(431)	(393)
SQM Italia SRL [Member]
Other reserves [abstract]
Reserve of exchange differences on translation	0	(236)	(213)
SQM Oceania Pty Limited [Member]
Other reserves [abstract]
Reserve of exchange differences on translation	(579)	(634)	(634)
SQM Indonesia S.A. [Member]
Other reserves [abstract]
Reserve of exchange differences on translation	(124)	(124)	(124)
Abu Dhabi Fertilizers Industries WWL [Member]
Other reserves [abstract]
Reserve of exchange differences on translation	372	372	(435)
SQM Vitas BV [Member]
Other reserves [abstract]
Reserve of exchange differences on translation	99	(197)	(170)
SQM Thailand Limited [Member]
Other reserves [abstract]
Reserve of exchange differences on translation	(68)	(68)	(68)
SQM Europe N.V. [Member]
Other reserves [abstract]
Reserve of exchange differences on translation	(1,983)	(1,983)	(1,983)
SQM Australia Pty Ltd [Member]
Other reserves [abstract]
Reserve of exchange differences on translation	(4,052)	(4,035)	(4,222)
Pavoni C Spa [Member]
Other reserves [abstract]
Reserve of exchange differences on translation	164	(185)	70
Terra Tarsa B.V.. [Member]
Other reserves [abstract]
Reserve of exchange differences on translation	0	116	(82)
Plantacote N.V [Member]
Other reserves [abstract]
Reserve of exchange differences on translation	0	(16)	(34)
Doktolab Tarim Arastima San [Member]
Other reserves [abstract]
Reserve of exchange differences on translation	0	(54)	(29)
Kore Potash PLC [Member]
Other reserves [abstract]
Reserve of exchange differences on translation	(1,128)	(1,754)	(1,206)
SQM Colombia SAS [Member]
Other reserves [abstract]
Reserve of exchange differences on translation	$ (80)	$ (166)	$ (94)

Disclosures on the effects of_3

Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 4,818,463	$ 4,684,151
Current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Assets held in foreign currency	2,569,258	2,682,166
Non-current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Assets held in foreign currency	2,249,205	2,001,985
Cash and cash equivalent [Member] | Current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Assets held in foreign currency	509,102	588,530
Other current financial assets [Member] | Current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Assets held in foreign currency	348,069	505,490
Other current non-financial assets [Member] | Current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Assets held in foreign currency	57,399	50,552
Trade and other receivables [Member] | Current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Assets held in foreign currency	365,206	399,142
Receivables from related parties [Member] | Current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Assets held in foreign currency	62,601	61,227
Current Inventories [Member] | Current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Assets held in foreign currency	1,093,028	983,338
Current tax assets [Member] | Current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Assets held in foreign currency	132,224	91,433
Non-current assets or groups of assets classified as held for sale [Member] | Current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Assets held in foreign currency	1,629	2,454
Other non-current non-financial assets [Member] | Non-current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Assets held in foreign currency	22,042	19,729
Non-current right receivable [Member] | Non-current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Assets held in foreign currency	11,165	1,710
Investments classified using the equity method of accounting [Member] | Non-current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Assets held in foreign currency	85,993	109,435
Intangible assets other than goodwill [member] | Non-current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Assets held in foreign currency	178,407	188,358
Purchases goodwill, gross [Member] | Non-current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Assets held in foreign currency	41,966	34,726
Property, Plant and Equipment [Member] | Non-current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Assets held in foreign currency	1,737,319	1,569,906
Right-of-use assets [member] | Non-current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Assets held in foreign currency	30,024	37,164
Current Tax Assets Non Current [Member] | Non-current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Assets held in foreign currency	90,364	32,179
Other non current financial assets [Member] | Non-current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 51,925	8,778
USD | Cash and cash equivalent [Member] | Current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	USD
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 454,402	558,572
USD | Other current financial assets [Member] | Current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	USD
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 145,893	127,889
USD | Other current non-financial assets [Member] | Current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	USD
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 20,645	16,535
USD | Trade and other receivables [Member] | Current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	USD
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 230,214	225,554
USD | Receivables from related parties [Member] | Current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	USD
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 61,379	60,135
USD | Current Inventories [Member] | Current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	USD
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 1,093,028	983,338
USD | Current tax assets [Member] | Current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	USD
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 128,529	87,509
USD | Non-current assets or groups of assets classified as held for sale [Member] | Current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	USD
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 1,629	2,454
USD | Other non-current non-financial assets [Member] | Non-current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	USD
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 21,236	19,101
USD | Non-current right receivable [Member] | Non-current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	USD
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 10,061	522
USD | Investments classified using the equity method of accounting [Member] | Non-current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	USD
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 23,417	57,777
USD | Intangible assets other than goodwill [member] | Non-current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	USD
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 176,282	185,951
USD | Purchases goodwill, gross [Member] | Non-current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	USD
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 34,438	34,438
USD | Property, Plant and Equipment [Member] | Non-current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	USD
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 1,719,358	1,556,160
USD | Right-of-use assets [member] | Non-current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	USD
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 25,238	37,164
USD | Current Tax Assets Non Current [Member] | Non-current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	USD
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 90,364	32,179
USD | Other non current financial assets [Member] | Non-current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	USD
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 51,828	8,687
ARS | Cash and cash equivalent [Member] | Current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	ARS
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 0	3
ARS | Other current non-financial assets [Member] | Current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	AUD
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 224	285
ARS | Current tax assets [Member] | Current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	ARS
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 0	1
BRL | Other current non-financial assets [Member] | Current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	CLF
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 53	31
BRL | Trade and other receivables [Member] | Current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	BRL
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 23	19
BRL | Other non-current non-financial assets [Member] | Non-current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	BRL
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 17	22
BRL | Property, Plant and Equipment [Member] | Non-current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	BRL
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 111	0
CLF | Other current financial assets [Member] | Current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	CLF
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 0	36,896
CLF | Other current non-financial assets [Member] | Current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	CLP
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 27,837	24,374
CLF | Trade and other receivables [Member] | Current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	CLF
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 545	504
CLF | Non-current right receivable [Member] | Non-current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	CLF
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 152	165
CLP | Cash and cash equivalent [Member] | Current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	CLP
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 7,190	8,240
CLP | Other current financial assets [Member] | Current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	CLP
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 202,176	340,705
CLP | Other current non-financial assets [Member] | Current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	CNY
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 1,661	326
CLP | Trade and other receivables [Member] | Current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	CLP
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 47,133	56,023
CLP | Current tax assets [Member] | Current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	CLP
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 3,015	1,623
CLP | Other non-current non-financial assets [Member] | Non-current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	CLP
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 782	596
CLP | Non-current right receivable [Member] | Non-current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	CLP
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 850	980
CLP | Intangible assets other than goodwill [member] | Non-current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	CLP
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 182	136
CLP | Purchases goodwill, gross [Member] | Non-current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	CLP
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 0	140
CLP | Property, Plant and Equipment [Member] | Non-current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	CLP
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 3,237	3,294
CLP | Other non current financial assets [Member] | Non-current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	CLP
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 20	20
CNY | Cash and cash equivalent [Member] | Current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	CNY
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 11,597	2,484
CNY | Other current non-financial assets [Member] | Current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	EUR
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 1,531	3,055
CNY | Trade and other receivables [Member] | Current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	CNY
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 22,882	3,340
CNY | Intangible assets other than goodwill [member] | Non-current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	CNY
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 222	0
EUR | Cash and cash equivalent [Member] | Current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	EUR
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 17,144	3,131
EUR | Other current non-financial assets [Member] | Current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	COP
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 70	0
EUR | Trade and other receivables [Member] | Current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	EUR
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 22,868	24,925
EUR | Receivables from related parties [Member] | Current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	EUR
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 1,222	1,092
EUR | Current tax assets [Member] | Current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	EUR
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 218	61
EUR | Other non-current non-financial assets [Member] | Non-current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	EUR
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 7	4
EUR | Investments classified using the equity method of accounting [Member] | Non-current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	EUR
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 11,082	14,315
EUR | Intangible assets other than goodwill [member] | Non-current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	EUR
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 696	1,134
EUR | Purchases goodwill, gross [Member] | Non-current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	EUR
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 7,528	148
EUR | Property, Plant and Equipment [Member] | Non-current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	EUR
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 10,954	4,756
EUR | Right-of-use assets [member] | Non-current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	EUR
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 2,428	0
GBP | Cash and cash equivalent [Member] | Current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	GBP
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 19	3
GBP | Trade and other receivables [Member] | Current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	GBP
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 682	148
AUD | Cash and cash equivalent [Member] | Current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	AUD
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 1,411	8,492
AUD | Other current non-financial assets [Member] | Current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	BRL
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 0	2
AUD | Trade and other receivables [Member] | Current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	AUD
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 589	801
INR | Cash and cash equivalent [Member] | Current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	INR
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 6	6
INR | Investments classified using the equity method of accounting [Member] | Non-current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	INR
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 1,304	1,568
MXN | Cash and cash equivalent [Member] | Current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	MXN
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 1,378	2,103
MXN | Other current non-financial assets [Member] | Current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	MXN
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 4,488	2,629
MXN | Trade and other receivables [Member] | Current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	MXN
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 355	211
MXN | Current tax assets [Member] | Current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	MXN
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 0	1,806
MXN | Non-current right receivable [Member] | Non-current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	MXN
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 102	43
MXN | Intangible assets other than goodwill [member] | Non-current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	MXN
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 1,025	1,137
MXN | Property, Plant and Equipment [Member] | Non-current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	MXN
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 2,494	5,588
MXN | Right-of-use assets [member] | Non-current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	MXN
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 2,298	0
PEN | Cash and cash equivalent [Member] | Current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	PEN
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 3	4
PEN | Trade and other receivables [Member] | Current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	PEN
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 1	6
PEN | Current tax assets [Member] | Current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	PEN
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 4	0
YEN | Cash and cash equivalent [Member] | Current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	JPY
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 1,646	1,559
YEN | Other current non-financial assets [Member] | Current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	JPY
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 157	174
YEN | Trade and other receivables [Member] | Current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	JPY
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 23,010	66,266
YEN | Other non current financial assets [Member] | Non-current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	JPY
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 77	71
ZAR | Cash and cash equivalent [Member] | Current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	ZAR
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 14,286	3,929
ZAR | Other current non-financial assets [Member] | Current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	ZAR
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 646	3,119
ZAR | Trade and other receivables [Member] | Current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	ZAR
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 12,504	15,900
ZAR | Current tax assets [Member] | Current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	ZAR
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 26	139
Colombia, Pesos | Trade and other receivables [Member] | Current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	COP
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 2,675	2,557
Colombia, Pesos | Current tax assets [Member] | Current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	COP
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 417	294
Colombia, Pesos | Other non-current non-financial assets [Member] | Non-current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	COP
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 0	6
Colombia, Pesos | Property, Plant and Equipment [Member] | Non-current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	COP
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 120	108
Thailand, Baht | Other current non-financial assets [Member] | Current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	THB
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 70	22
Thailand, Baht | Trade and other receivables [Member] | Current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	THB
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 1,167	1,695
Thailand, Baht | Current tax assets [Member] | Current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	THB
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 15	0
Thailand, Baht | Investments classified using the equity method of accounting [Member] | Non-current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	THB
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 1,624	40
AED | Cash and cash equivalent [Member] | Current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	AED
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 0	0
AED | Trade and other receivables [Member] | Current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	AED
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 533	1,193
AED | Investments classified using the equity method of accounting [Member] | Non-current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	AED
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 47,774	9,111
AED | Property, Plant and Equipment [Member] | Non-current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	AED
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 923	0
AED | Right-of-use assets [member] | Non-current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	AED
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 60	0
TRY | Investments classified using the equity method of accounting [Member] | Non-current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	TRY
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 792	26,624
IDR | Cash and cash equivalent [Member] | Current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	IDR
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 3	3
KRW | Cash and cash equivalent [Member] | Current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	KRW
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 16	0
KRW | Property, Plant and Equipment [Member] | Non-current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	KRW
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 122	0
PLN | Cash and cash equivalent [Member] | Current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	PLN
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 1	1
SEK | Other current non-financial assets [Member] | Current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	SEK
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 17	0
SEK | Trade and other receivables [Member] | Current assets [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	SEK
Assets held in foreign currency	$ 25	$ 0

Disclosures on the effects of_4

Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 2,655,885	$ 2,549,679
Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	475,882	776,812
Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	2,180,003	1,772,867
Other current financial liabilities [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	68,955	291,128
Other current provisions [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	104,166	110,565
Deferred Tax Liabilities [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	156,101	183,411
Lease liabilities, current [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	5,528	7,694
Trade and other payables [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 203,933	205,790
Current tax liabilities [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 22,643	17,874
Other non-current provisions [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	62,617	34,690
Provisions for employee benefits, current [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies		16,387
Provisions for employee benefits, current [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	9,096
Other current non-financial liabilities [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	60,955	126,899
Other non current financial liabilities [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	1,899,513	1,488,723
Trade payables due to related parties, current [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 606	475
Non-current lease liabilities [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 25,546	30,203
Non-current Trade and other payables [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	4,027	0
Provisions for employee benefits, non-current [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	32,199	35,840
Up to 90 days [member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	434,237	478,587
Up to 90 days [member] | Other current financial liabilities [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	63,950	40,111
Up to 90 days [member] | Other current provisions [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	103,468	109,745
Up to 90 days [member] | Lease liabilities, current [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	0
Up to 90 days [member] | Trade and other payables [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	203,933	188,677
Up to 90 days [member] | Current tax liabilities [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	2,863
Up to 90 days [member] | Provisions for employee benefits, current [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	3,085	12,486
Up to 90 days [member] | Other current non-financial liabilities [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	59,477	124,230
Up to 90 days [member] | Trade payables due to related parties, current [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	324	475
Later than three months and not later than one year [member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	41,645	298,225
Later than three months and not later than one year [member] | Other current financial liabilities [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	5,005	251,017
Later than three months and not later than one year [member] | Other current provisions [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	698	820
Later than three months and not later than one year [member] | Lease liabilities, current [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	5,528	7,694
Later than three months and not later than one year [member] | Trade and other payables [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	17,113
Later than three months and not later than one year [member] | Current tax liabilities [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	22,643	15,011
Later than three months and not later than one year [member] | Provisions for employee benefits, current [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	6,011	3,901
Later than three months and not later than one year [member] | Other current non-financial liabilities [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	1,478	2,669
Later than three months and not later than one year [member] | Trade payables due to related parties, current [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	282	0
Over 1 year to 2 [member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	53,587	112,910
Over 1 year to 2 [member] | Deferred Tax Liabilities [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	0
Over 1 year to 2 [member] | Other non-current provisions [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	23,014
Over 1 year to 2 [member] | Other non current financial liabilities [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	89,896
Over 1 year to 2 [member] | Non-current lease liabilities [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	21,388	0
Over 1 year to 2 [member] | Non-current Trade and other payables [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	0
Over 1 year to 2 [member] | Provisions for employee benefits, non-current [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	32,199	0
Over 2 years to 3 [member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	354,067	42,503
Over 2 years to 3 [member] | Deferred Tax Liabilities [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	919	0
Over 2 years to 3 [member] | Other non-current provisions [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	36,391	167
Over 2 years to 3 [member] | Other non current financial liabilities [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	312,730	42,336
Over 2 years to 3 [member] | Non-current lease liabilities [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	0
Over 2 years to 3 [member] | Non-current Trade and other payables [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	4,027	0
Over 2 years to 3 [member] | Provisions for employee benefits, non-current [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	0
Over 3 years to 4 [member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	69,376	313,749
Over 3 years to 4 [member] | Deferred Tax Liabilities [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	0
Over 3 years to 4 [member] | Other non-current provisions [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	0
Over 3 years to 4 [member] | Other non current financial liabilities [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	69,376	313,749
Over 3 years to 4 [member] | Non-current lease liabilities [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	0
Over 3 years to 4 [member] | Non-current Trade and other payables [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	0
Over 3 years to 4 [member] | Provisions for employee benefits, non-current [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	0
Over 4 to 5 years [member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	248,664	15,201
Over 4 to 5 years [member] | Deferred Tax Liabilities [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	0
Over 4 to 5 years [member] | Other non-current provisions [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	1,452
Over 4 to 5 years [member] | Other non current financial liabilities [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	248,664	13,749
Over 4 to 5 years [member] | Non-current lease liabilities [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	0
Over 4 to 5 years [member] | Non-current Trade and other payables [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	0
Over 4 to 5 years [member] | Provisions for employee benefits, non-current [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	0
Over 5 years [member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	1,454,309	1,288,504
Over 5 years [member] | Deferred Tax Liabilities [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	155,182	183,411
Over 5 years [member] | Other non-current provisions [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	26,226	10,057
Over 5 years [member] | Other non current financial liabilities [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	1,268,743	1,028,993
Over 5 years [member] | Non-current lease liabilities [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	4,158	30,203
Over 5 years [member] | Non-current Trade and other payables [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	0
Over 5 years [member] | Provisions for employee benefits, non-current [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 0	35,840
Argentina, Pesos | Provisions for employee benefits, non-current [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies		20
Argentina, Pesos | Up to 90 days [member] | Provisions for employee benefits, non-current [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies		20
Argentina, Pesos | Later than three months and not later than one year [member] | Provisions for employee benefits, non-current [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies		0
United States of America, Dollars | Other current financial liabilities [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	USD
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 47,894	271,276
United States of America, Dollars | Other current provisions [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	USD
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 103,950	$ 110,470
United States of America, Dollars | Deferred Tax Liabilities [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	USD	USD
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 156,101	$ 183,411
United States of America, Dollars | Lease liabilities, current [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	USD
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 4,750	7,694
United States of America, Dollars | Trade and other payables [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	USD
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 83,425	44,146
United States of America, Dollars | Current tax liabilities [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	USD
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 20,981	$ 17,857
United States of America, Dollars | Other non-current provisions [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	USD	USD
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 62,617	$ 34,690
United States of America, Dollars | Provisions for employee benefits, current [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	USD
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 8,992	16,387
United States of America, Dollars | Other current non-financial liabilities [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	USD
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 52,392	$ 117,290
United States of America, Dollars | Other non current financial liabilities [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	USD	USD
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 1,469,169	$ 1,076,785
United States of America, Dollars | Trade payables due to related parties, current [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	USD
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 282	$ 475
United States of America, Dollars | Non-current lease liabilities [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	USD	USD
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 6,135	$ 30,203
United States of America, Dollars | Non-current Trade and other payables [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	USD	USD
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 4,027	$ 0
United States of America, Dollars | Provisions for employee benefits, non-current [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	USD	USD
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 31,585	$ 34,884
United States of America, Dollars | Up to 90 days [member] | Other current financial liabilities [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	43,218	20,582
United States of America, Dollars | Up to 90 days [member] | Other current provisions [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	103,252	109,650
United States of America, Dollars | Up to 90 days [member] | Lease liabilities, current [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	0
United States of America, Dollars | Up to 90 days [member] | Trade and other payables [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	83,425	44,146
United States of America, Dollars | Up to 90 days [member] | Current tax liabilities [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	2,863
United States of America, Dollars | Up to 90 days [member] | Provisions for employee benefits, current [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	2,981	12,486
United States of America, Dollars | Up to 90 days [member] | Other current non-financial liabilities [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	51,995	117,136
United States of America, Dollars | Up to 90 days [member] | Trade payables due to related parties, current [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	475
United States of America, Dollars | Later than three months and not later than one year [member] | Other current financial liabilities [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	4,676	250,694
United States of America, Dollars | Later than three months and not later than one year [member] | Other current provisions [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	698	820
United States of America, Dollars | Later than three months and not later than one year [member] | Lease liabilities, current [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	4,750	7,694
United States of America, Dollars | Later than three months and not later than one year [member] | Trade and other payables [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	0
United States of America, Dollars | Later than three months and not later than one year [member] | Current tax liabilities [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	20,981	14,994
United States of America, Dollars | Later than three months and not later than one year [member] | Provisions for employee benefits, current [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	6,011	3,901
United States of America, Dollars | Later than three months and not later than one year [member] | Other current non-financial liabilities [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	397	154
United States of America, Dollars | Later than three months and not later than one year [member] | Trade payables due to related parties, current [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	282	0
United States of America, Dollars | Over 1 year to 2 [member] | Deferred Tax Liabilities [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	0
United States of America, Dollars | Over 1 year to 2 [member] | Other non-current provisions [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	23,014
United States of America, Dollars | Over 1 year to 2 [member] | Other non current financial liabilities [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	89,896
United States of America, Dollars | Over 1 year to 2 [member] | Non-current lease liabilities [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	1,977	0
United States of America, Dollars | Over 1 year to 2 [member] | Non-current Trade and other payables [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	0
United States of America, Dollars | Over 1 year to 2 [member] | Provisions for employee benefits, non-current [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	31,585	0
United States of America, Dollars | Over 2 years to 3 [member] | Deferred Tax Liabilities [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	919	0
United States of America, Dollars | Over 2 years to 3 [member] | Other non-current provisions [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	36,391	167
United States of America, Dollars | Over 2 years to 3 [member] | Other non current financial liabilities [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	312,730	42,336
United States of America, Dollars | Over 2 years to 3 [member] | Non-current lease liabilities [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	0
United States of America, Dollars | Over 2 years to 3 [member] | Non-current Trade and other payables [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	4,027	0
United States of America, Dollars | Over 2 years to 3 [member] | Provisions for employee benefits, non-current [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	0
United States of America, Dollars | Over 3 years to 4 [member] | Deferred Tax Liabilities [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	0
United States of America, Dollars | Over 3 years to 4 [member] | Other non-current provisions [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	0
United States of America, Dollars | Over 3 years to 4 [member] | Other non current financial liabilities [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	69,376	313,749
United States of America, Dollars | Over 3 years to 4 [member] | Non-current lease liabilities [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	0
United States of America, Dollars | Over 3 years to 4 [member] | Non-current Trade and other payables [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	0
United States of America, Dollars | Over 3 years to 4 [member] | Provisions for employee benefits, non-current [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	0
United States of America, Dollars | Over 4 to 5 years [member] | Deferred Tax Liabilities [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	0
United States of America, Dollars | Over 4 to 5 years [member] | Other non-current provisions [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	1,452
United States of America, Dollars | Over 4 to 5 years [member] | Other non current financial liabilities [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	248,664	13,749
United States of America, Dollars | Over 4 to 5 years [member] | Non-current lease liabilities [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	0
United States of America, Dollars | Over 4 to 5 years [member] | Non-current Trade and other payables [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	0
United States of America, Dollars | Over 4 to 5 years [member] | Provisions for employee benefits, non-current [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	0
United States of America, Dollars | Over 5 years [member] | Deferred Tax Liabilities [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	155,182	183,411
United States of America, Dollars | Over 5 years [member] | Other non-current provisions [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	26,226	10,057
United States of America, Dollars | Over 5 years [member] | Other non current financial liabilities [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	838,399	617,055
United States of America, Dollars | Over 5 years [member] | Non-current lease liabilities [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	4,158	30,203
United States of America, Dollars | Over 5 years [member] | Non-current Trade and other payables [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	0
United States of America, Dollars | Over 5 years [member] | Provisions for employee benefits, non-current [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 0	34,884
Unidad de Fomento (funds code) | Other current financial liabilities [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	CLF
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 21,061	19,841
Unidad de Fomento (funds code) | Trade and other payables [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	CLF
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 123	$ 0
Unidad de Fomento (funds code) | Other non current financial liabilities [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	CLF	CLF
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 430,344	$ 411,938
Unidad de Fomento (funds code) | Non-current lease liabilities [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	UF
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 15,258
Unidad de Fomento (funds code) | Up to 90 days [member] | Other current financial liabilities [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	20,732	19,518
Unidad de Fomento (funds code) | Up to 90 days [member] | Trade and other payables [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	123	0
Unidad de Fomento (funds code) | Later than three months and not later than one year [member] | Other current financial liabilities [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	329	323
Unidad de Fomento (funds code) | Later than three months and not later than one year [member] | Trade and other payables [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	0
Unidad de Fomento (funds code) | Over 1 year to 2 [member] | Other non current financial liabilities [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	0
Unidad de Fomento (funds code) | Over 1 year to 2 [member] | Non-current lease liabilities [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	15,258
Unidad de Fomento (funds code) | Over 2 years to 3 [member] | Other non current financial liabilities [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	0
Unidad de Fomento (funds code) | Over 2 years to 3 [member] | Non-current lease liabilities [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0
Unidad de Fomento (funds code) | Over 3 years to 4 [member] | Other non current financial liabilities [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	0
Unidad de Fomento (funds code) | Over 3 years to 4 [member] | Non-current lease liabilities [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0
Unidad de Fomento (funds code) | Over 4 to 5 years [member] | Other non current financial liabilities [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	0
Unidad de Fomento (funds code) | Over 4 to 5 years [member] | Non-current lease liabilities [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0
Unidad de Fomento (funds code) | Over 5 years [member] | Other non current financial liabilities [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	430,344	411,938
Unidad de Fomento (funds code) | Over 5 years [member] | Non-current lease liabilities [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 0
Chile, Pesos | Other current provisions [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	EUR
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 0	6
Chile, Pesos | Trade and other payables [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	CLP
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 73,857	90,811
Chile, Pesos | Current tax liabilities [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	CLP
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 61	17
Chile, Pesos | Provisions for employee benefits, current [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	CLP
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 3	0
Chile, Pesos | Other current non-financial liabilities [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	CLP
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 7,056	$ 8,408
Chile, Pesos | Provisions for employee benefits, non-current [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	CLP	CLP
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 610	$ 519
Chile, Pesos | Up to 90 days [member] | Other current provisions [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	6
Chile, Pesos | Up to 90 days [member] | Trade and other payables [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	73,857	73,703
Chile, Pesos | Up to 90 days [member] | Current tax liabilities [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	0
Chile, Pesos | Up to 90 days [member] | Provisions for employee benefits, current [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	3	0
Chile, Pesos | Up to 90 days [member] | Other current non-financial liabilities [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	6,264	5,969
Chile, Pesos | Later than three months and not later than one year [member] | Other current provisions [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	0
Chile, Pesos | Later than three months and not later than one year [member] | Trade and other payables [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	17,108
Chile, Pesos | Later than three months and not later than one year [member] | Current tax liabilities [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	61	17
Chile, Pesos | Later than three months and not later than one year [member] | Provisions for employee benefits, current [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	0
Chile, Pesos | Later than three months and not later than one year [member] | Other current non-financial liabilities [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	792	2,439
Chile, Pesos | Over 1 year to 2 [member] | Provisions for employee benefits, non-current [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	610	0
Chile, Pesos | Over 2 years to 3 [member] | Provisions for employee benefits, non-current [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	0
Chile, Pesos | Over 3 years to 4 [member] | Provisions for employee benefits, non-current [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	0
Chile, Pesos | Over 4 to 5 years [member] | Provisions for employee benefits, non-current [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	0
Chile, Pesos | Over 5 years [member] | Provisions for employee benefits, non-current [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 0	519
Brazil, Brazil Real | Other current financial liabilities [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	BRL
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 0	11
Brazil, Brazil Real | Other current provisions [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	CLP
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 216	82
Brazil, Brazil Real | Trade and other payables [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	BRL
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 9	10
Brazil, Brazil Real | Other current non-financial liabilities [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	BRL
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 2	3
Brazil, Brazil Real | Up to 90 days [member] | Other current financial liabilities [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	11
Brazil, Brazil Real | Up to 90 days [member] | Other current provisions [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	216	82
Brazil, Brazil Real | Up to 90 days [member] | Trade and other payables [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	9	10
Brazil, Brazil Real | Up to 90 days [member] | Other current non-financial liabilities [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	2	3
Brazil, Brazil Real | Later than three months and not later than one year [member] | Other current financial liabilities [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	0
Brazil, Brazil Real | Later than three months and not later than one year [member] | Other current provisions [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	0
Brazil, Brazil Real | Later than three months and not later than one year [member] | Trade and other payables [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	0
Brazil, Brazil Real | Later than three months and not later than one year [member] | Other current non-financial liabilities [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 0	0
Thailand, Baht | Trade and other payables [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	THB
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 30	53
Thailand, Baht | Provisions for employee benefits, current [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	THB
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 0	0
Thailand, Baht | Other current non-financial liabilities [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	THB
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 0	30
Thailand, Baht | Up to 90 days [member] | Trade and other payables [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	30	53
Thailand, Baht | Up to 90 days [member] | Provisions for employee benefits, current [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	0
Thailand, Baht | Up to 90 days [member] | Other current non-financial liabilities [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	30
Thailand, Baht | Later than three months and not later than one year [member] | Trade and other payables [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	0
Thailand, Baht | Later than three months and not later than one year [member] | Provisions for employee benefits, current [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	0
Thailand, Baht | Later than three months and not later than one year [member] | Other current non-financial liabilities [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 0	0
Euro Member Countries, Euro | Lease liabilities, current [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	EUR
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 362	0
Euro Member Countries, Euro | Trade and other payables [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	EUR
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 40,280	58,543
Euro Member Countries, Euro | Current tax liabilities [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	EUR
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 642	0
Euro Member Countries, Euro | Other current non-financial liabilities [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	EUR
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 1,032	842
Euro Member Countries, Euro | Up to 90 days [member] | Lease liabilities, current [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	0
Euro Member Countries, Euro | Up to 90 days [member] | Trade and other payables [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	40,280	58,538
Euro Member Countries, Euro | Up to 90 days [member] | Current tax liabilities [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	0
Euro Member Countries, Euro | Up to 90 days [member] | Other current non-financial liabilities [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	913	842
Euro Member Countries, Euro | Later than three months and not later than one year [member] | Lease liabilities, current [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	362	0
Euro Member Countries, Euro | Later than three months and not later than one year [member] | Trade and other payables [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	5
Euro Member Countries, Euro | Later than three months and not later than one year [member] | Current tax liabilities [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	642	0
Euro Member Countries, Euro | Later than three months and not later than one year [member] | Other current non-financial liabilities [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 119	0
United Kingdom, Pounds | Trade and other payables [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	GBP
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 18	17
United Kingdom, Pounds | Up to 90 days [member] | Trade and other payables [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	18	17
United Kingdom, Pounds | Later than three months and not later than one year [member] | Trade and other payables [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 0	0
India, Rupees | Trade and other payables [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	INR
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 1	1
India, Rupees | Up to 90 days [member] | Trade and other payables [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	1	1
India, Rupees | Later than three months and not later than one year [member] | Trade and other payables [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 0	0
Mexico, Pesos | Lease liabilities, current [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	MXN
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 416	0
Mexico, Pesos | Trade and other payables [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	MXN
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 584	5,122
Mexico, Pesos | Current tax liabilities [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	MXN
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 959	0
Mexico, Pesos | Provisions for employee benefits, current [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	MXN
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 43	0
Mexico, Pesos | Other current non-financial liabilities [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	MXN
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 174	$ 193
Mexico, Pesos | Non-current lease liabilities [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	MXN
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 2,189
Mexico, Pesos | Provisions for employee benefits, non-current [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	MXN	MXN
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 0	$ 236
Mexico, Pesos | Up to 90 days [member] | Lease liabilities, current [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	0
Mexico, Pesos | Up to 90 days [member] | Trade and other payables [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	584	5,122
Mexico, Pesos | Up to 90 days [member] | Current tax liabilities [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	0
Mexico, Pesos | Up to 90 days [member] | Provisions for employee benefits, current [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	43	0
Mexico, Pesos | Up to 90 days [member] | Other current non-financial liabilities [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	121	129
Mexico, Pesos | Later than three months and not later than one year [member] | Lease liabilities, current [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	416	0
Mexico, Pesos | Later than three months and not later than one year [member] | Trade and other payables [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	0
Mexico, Pesos | Later than three months and not later than one year [member] | Current tax liabilities [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	959	0
Mexico, Pesos | Later than three months and not later than one year [member] | Provisions for employee benefits, current [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	0
Mexico, Pesos | Later than three months and not later than one year [member] | Other current non-financial liabilities [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	53	64
Mexico, Pesos | Over 1 year to 2 [member] | Non-current lease liabilities [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	2,189
Mexico, Pesos | Over 1 year to 2 [member] | Provisions for employee benefits, non-current [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	0
Mexico, Pesos | Over 2 years to 3 [member] | Non-current lease liabilities [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0
Mexico, Pesos | Over 2 years to 3 [member] | Provisions for employee benefits, non-current [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	0
Mexico, Pesos | Over 3 years to 4 [member] | Non-current lease liabilities [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0
Mexico, Pesos | Over 3 years to 4 [member] | Provisions for employee benefits, non-current [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	0
Mexico, Pesos | Over 4 to 5 years [member] | Non-current lease liabilities [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0
Mexico, Pesos | Over 4 to 5 years [member] | Provisions for employee benefits, non-current [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	0
Mexico, Pesos | Over 5 years [member] | Non-current lease liabilities [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0
Mexico, Pesos | Over 5 years [member] | Provisions for employee benefits, non-current [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 0	236
Peru, Nuevos Soles | Trade and other payables [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	PEN
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 5	5
Peru, Nuevos Soles | Other current non-financial liabilities [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	PEN
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 70	70
Peru, Nuevos Soles | Up to 90 days [member] | Trade and other payables [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	5	5
Peru, Nuevos Soles | Up to 90 days [member] | Other current non-financial liabilities [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	70	70
Peru, Nuevos Soles | Later than three months and not later than one year [member] | Trade and other payables [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	0
Peru, Nuevos Soles | Later than three months and not later than one year [member] | Other current non-financial liabilities [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 0	0
Argentina, Pesos | Other current provisions [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	ARS
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 0	7
Argentina, Pesos | Other current non-financial liabilities [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	ARS
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 117
Argentina, Pesos | Up to 90 days [member] | Other current provisions [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	7
Argentina, Pesos | Up to 90 days [member] | Other current non-financial liabilities [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0
Argentina, Pesos | Later than three months and not later than one year [member] | Other current provisions [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	0
Argentina, Pesos | Later than three months and not later than one year [member] | Other current non-financial liabilities [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 117
Japan, Yen | Other current non-financial liabilities [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	JPY
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 52	$ 33
Japan, Yen | Non-current lease liabilities [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	JPY
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 1,964
Japan, Yen | Provisions for employee benefits, non-current [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	JPY	JPY
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 4	$ 201
Japan, Yen | Up to 90 days [member] | Other current non-financial liabilities [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	52	21
Japan, Yen | Later than three months and not later than one year [member] | Other current non-financial liabilities [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	12
Japan, Yen | Over 1 year to 2 [member] | Non-current lease liabilities [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	1,964
Japan, Yen | Over 1 year to 2 [member] | Provisions for employee benefits, non-current [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	4	0
Japan, Yen | Over 2 years to 3 [member] | Non-current lease liabilities [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0
Japan, Yen | Over 2 years to 3 [member] | Provisions for employee benefits, non-current [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	0
Japan, Yen | Over 3 years to 4 [member] | Non-current lease liabilities [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0
Japan, Yen | Over 3 years to 4 [member] | Provisions for employee benefits, non-current [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	0
Japan, Yen | Over 4 to 5 years [member] | Non-current lease liabilities [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0
Japan, Yen | Over 4 to 5 years [member] | Provisions for employee benefits, non-current [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	0
Japan, Yen | Over 5 years [member] | Non-current lease liabilities [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0
Japan, Yen | Over 5 years [member] | Provisions for employee benefits, non-current [Member] | Non-current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 0	201
China, Yuan Renminbi | Trade and other payables [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	CNY
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 1,323	0
China, Yuan Renminbi | Other current non-financial liabilities [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	CNY
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 60	0
China, Yuan Renminbi | Up to 90 days [member] | Trade and other payables [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	1,323	0
China, Yuan Renminbi | Up to 90 days [member] | Other current non-financial liabilities [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	60	0
China, Yuan Renminbi | Later than three months and not later than one year [member] | Trade and other payables [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	0
China, Yuan Renminbi | Later than three months and not later than one year [member] | Other current non-financial liabilities [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 0	0
United Arab Emirates, Dirhams | Trade and other payables [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	AED
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 0	188
United Arab Emirates, Dirhams | Up to 90 days [member] | Trade and other payables [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	188
United Arab Emirates, Dirhams | Later than three months and not later than one year [member] | Trade and other payables [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 0	0
Colombia, Pesos | Trade and other payables [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	COP
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 175	192
Colombia, Pesos | Other current non-financial liabilities [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	COP
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 0	0
Colombia, Pesos | Up to 90 days [member] | Trade and other payables [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	175	192
Colombia, Pesos | Up to 90 days [member] | Other current non-financial liabilities [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	0
Colombia, Pesos | Later than three months and not later than one year [member] | Trade and other payables [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	0
Colombia, Pesos | Later than three months and not later than one year [member] | Other current non-financial liabilities [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 0	0
South Africa, Rand | Trade and other payables [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	ZAR
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 1,168	2,260
South Africa, Rand | Other current non-financial liabilities [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	ZAR
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 0	10
South Africa, Rand | Up to 90 days [member] | Trade and other payables [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	1,168	2,260
South Africa, Rand | Up to 90 days [member] | Other current non-financial liabilities [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	10
South Africa, Rand | Later than three months and not later than one year [member] | Trade and other payables [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	0
South Africa, Rand | Later than three months and not later than one year [member] | Other current non-financial liabilities [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 0	0
Australia, Dollars | Trade and other payables [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	AUD
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 2,935	4,442
Australia, Dollars | Provisions for employee benefits, current [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	AUD
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 58	0
Australia, Dollars | Trade payables due to related parties, current [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Description of functional currency	AUD
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 324	0
Australia, Dollars | Up to 90 days [member] | Trade and other payables [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	2,935	4,442
Australia, Dollars | Up to 90 days [member] | Provisions for employee benefits, current [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	58	0
Australia, Dollars | Up to 90 days [member] | Trade payables due to related parties, current [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	324	0
Australia, Dollars | Later than three months and not later than one year [member] | Trade and other payables [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	0
Australia, Dollars | Later than three months and not later than one year [member] | Provisions for employee benefits, current [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	0	0
Australia, Dollars | Later than three months and not later than one year [member] | Trade payables due to related parties, current [Member] | Current liabilities [Member]
Disclosure of Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates [Line Items]
Liabilities held in foreign currencies	$ 0	$ 0

Disclosures on the effects of_5

Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Effect Of Exchange Rate Changes On The Statement Of Income [Abstract]
Profit (loss) in foreign currency	$ (4,423)	$ (2,169)	$ (16,597)
Foreign Currency Translation Reserve	14,176	562	(1,394)
Total	$ 9,753	$ (1,607)	$ (17,991)

Disclosures on the effects of_6

Disclosures on the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates (Parenthetical) (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Statement [Line Items]
Reserve for currency exchange conversion	$ (11,569)	$ (25,745)	$ (26,307)
Grupo Tarsa [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Reserve for currency exchange conversion	$ 14,580,000

Income tax and deferred taxes_2

Income tax and deferred taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Statement [Line Items]
Current tax assets, current		$ 132,224	$ 91,433
Current tax assets, non-current		90,364	32,179
Monthly provisional income tax payments, Chilean companies [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Current tax assets, current		37,123	47,283
Current tax assets, non-current		6,398	6,398
Monthly provisional income tax payments, foreign companies [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Current tax assets, current		1,265	124
Corporate tax credits [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Current tax assets, current	[1]	1,566	1,262
1st category tax absorbed by tax loss [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Current tax assets, current	[2]	2,322	916
Taxes in recovery process [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Current tax assets, current		89,948	41,848
Specific tax on mining activities paid (on consignment) [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Current tax assets, non-current		$ 83,966	$ 25,781
[1]	These credits are available for Companies and are related to corporate tax payments in April of the following year, These credits include, among others, credits for training expenses (SENCE), credits for acquisition of fixed assets, donations and credits in Chile for taxes paid abroad.
[2]	This concept corresponds to the absorption of the tax losses determined by the company at the end of the year, which must be attributed to the dividends received during the year.

Income tax and deferred taxes_3

Income tax and deferred taxes (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Statement [Line Items]
Current tax liabilities, current	$ 22,643	$ 17,874
1st Category income tax [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Current tax liabilities, current	14,736	7,863
Foreign company income tax [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Current tax liabilities, current	7,838	9,944
Article 21 single tax [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Current tax liabilities, current	$ 69	$ 67

Income tax and deferred taxes_4

Income tax and deferred taxes (Details 2)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Income tax and deferred taxes [Line Items]
Applicable tax rate	27.00%	27.00%	27.00%
Spain [member]
Income tax and deferred taxes [Line Items]
Applicable tax rate	25.00%	25.00%
Belgium [member]
Income tax and deferred taxes [Line Items]
Applicable tax rate	25.00%	29.58%
Mexico [member]
Income tax and deferred taxes [Line Items]
Applicable tax rate	30.00%	30.00%
United States [member] | Top of range [member]
Income tax and deferred taxes [Line Items]
Applicable tax rate	336.00%	325.00%
United States [member] | Bottom of range [member]
Income tax and deferred taxes [Line Items]
Applicable tax rate	21.00%	21.00%
South Africa [member]
Income tax and deferred taxes [Line Items]
Applicable tax rate	28.00%	28.00%

Income tax and deferred taxes_5

Income tax and deferred taxes (Details 3) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Statement [Line Items]
Deferred tax assets	$ 161,340	$ 138,230
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net	(317,441)	(321,641)
Deferred tax liability (asset)	(156,101)	(183,411)	$ (175,361)
Unrealized loss [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Deferred tax assets	90,585	82,075
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net	0	0
Deferred tax liability (asset)	90,585	82,075	75,832
Property, plant and equipment and capitalized interest [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Deferred tax assets	0	0
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net	(187,168)	(197,167)
Deferred tax liability (asset)	(187,168)	(197,167)	(196,843)
Restoration and rehabilitation provision [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Deferred tax assets	6,598	7,313
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net	0	0
Manufacturing expenses [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Deferred tax assets	0	0
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net	(107,215)	(106,420)
Deferred tax liability (asset)	(107,215)	(106,420)	(103,760)
Staff severance indemnities, unemployment insurance [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Deferred tax assets	0	0
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net	(6,669)	(6,000)
Deferred tax liability (asset)	(6,669)	(6,000)	(5,679)
Vacation accrual [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Deferred tax assets	6,138	5,591
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net	0	0
Deferred tax liability (asset)	6,138	5,591	5,155
Inventory provision [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Deferred tax assets	22,200	23,885
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net	0	0
Deferred tax liability (asset)	22,200	23,885	28,155
Materials provision [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Deferred tax assets	8,812	7,982
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net	0	0
Deferred tax liability (asset)	8,812	7,982	6,239
Forwards [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Deferred tax assets	0
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net	0
Deferred tax liability (asset)	0	0	2,169
Employee benefits [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Deferred tax assets	0	2,689
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net	0	0
Deferred tax liability (asset)	0	2,689	3,309
Research and development expenses [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Deferred tax assets	0	0
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net	(3,580)	(3,533)
Deferred tax liability (asset)	(3,580)	(3,533)	(2,216)
bad debt provision [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Deferred tax assets	5,072	3,542
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net	0	0
Deferred tax liability (asset)	5,072	3,542	4,188
Provision for legal complaints and expenses [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Deferred tax assets	19,637	2,546
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net	0	0
Deferred tax liability (asset)	19,637	2,546	4,013
Loan approval expenses [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Deferred tax assets	0	0
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net	(5,212)	(3,856)
Deferred tax liability (asset)	(5,212)	(3,856)	(2,337)
Junior mining companies valued based on stock price [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Deferred tax assets	0	0
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net	(3,929)	(1,287)
Deferred tax liability (asset)	(3,929)	(1,287)	(976)
Royality [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Deferred tax assets	0	0
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net	(3,014)	(1,357)
Deferred tax liability (asset)	(3,014)	(1,357)	(3,278)
Tax loss benefit [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Deferred tax assets	844	2,296
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net	0	0
Deferred tax liability (asset)	844	2,296	1,124
Other deferred tax assets [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Deferred tax assets	1,454	0
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net	0	(2,021)
Deferred tax liability (asset)	1,454	(2,021)	5,005
Foreign items other [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Deferred tax assets	0	311
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net	(654)	0
Deferred tax liability (asset)	$ (654)	$ 311	$ 259

Income tax and deferred taxes_6

Income tax and deferred taxes (Details 4) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Statement [Line Items]
Deferred tax assets and liabilities, net opening balance	$ 183,411	$ 175,361
Deferred tax expense (benefit) recognized in profit (loss) for the year	(29,096)	5,758
Deferred taxes related to items credited (charged) directly to equity	1,786	2,292
Total increases (decreases) in deferred tax liabilities (assets)	(27,310)	8,050
Deferred tax liability (asset) at end of period	156,101	183,411
Unrealized loss [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Deferred tax assets and liabilities, net opening balance	(82,075)	(75,832)
Deferred tax expense (benefit) recognized in profit (loss) for the year	(8,509)	(6,243)
Deferred taxes related to items credited (charged) directly to equity	0	0
Total increases (decreases) in deferred tax liabilities (assets)	(8,509)	(6,243)
Deferred tax liability (asset) at end of period	(90,585)	(82,075)
Property, plant and equipment and capitalized interest [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Deferred tax assets and liabilities, net opening balance	197,167	196,843
Deferred tax expense (benefit) recognized in profit (loss) for the year	(9,999)	324
Deferred taxes related to items credited (charged) directly to equity	0	0
Total increases (decreases) in deferred tax liabilities (assets)	(9,999)	324
Deferred tax liability (asset) at end of period	187,168	197,167
Facility closure provision [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Deferred tax assets and liabilities, net opening balance	(7,313)	(4,280)
Deferred tax expense (benefit) recognized in profit (loss) for the year	714	(3,033)
Deferred taxes related to items credited (charged) directly to equity	0	0
Total increases (decreases) in deferred tax liabilities (assets)	714	(3,033)
Deferred tax liability (asset) at end of period	(6,598)	(7,313)
Manufacturing expenses [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Deferred tax assets and liabilities, net opening balance	106,420	103,760
Deferred tax expense (benefit) recognized in profit (loss) for the year	795	2,660
Deferred taxes related to items credited (charged) directly to equity	0	0
Total increases (decreases) in deferred tax liabilities (assets)	795	2,660
Deferred tax liability (asset) at end of period	107,215	106,420
Staff severance indemnities, unemployment insurance [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Deferred tax assets and liabilities, net opening balance	6,000	5,679
Deferred tax expense (benefit) recognized in profit (loss) for the year	514	1,007
Deferred taxes related to items credited (charged) directly to equity	155	(686)
Total increases (decreases) in deferred tax liabilities (assets)	669	321
Deferred tax liability (asset) at end of period	6,669	6,000
Vacation accrual [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Deferred tax assets and liabilities, net opening balance	(5,591)	(5,155)
Deferred tax expense (benefit) recognized in profit (loss) for the year	(547)	(436)
Deferred taxes related to items credited (charged) directly to equity	0	0
Total increases (decreases) in deferred tax liabilities (assets)	(547)	(436)
Deferred tax liability (asset) at end of period	(6,138)	(5,591)
Inventory provision [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Deferred tax assets and liabilities, net opening balance	(23,885)	(28,155)
Deferred tax expense (benefit) recognized in profit (loss) for the year	1,685	4,270
Deferred taxes related to items credited (charged) directly to equity	0	0
Total increases (decreases) in deferred tax liabilities (assets)	1,685	4,270
Deferred tax liability (asset) at end of period	(22,200)	(23,885)
Materials provision [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Deferred tax assets and liabilities, net opening balance	(7,982)	(6,239)
Deferred tax expense (benefit) recognized in profit (loss) for the year	(830)	(1,743)
Deferred taxes related to items credited (charged) directly to equity	0	0
Total increases (decreases) in deferred tax liabilities (assets)	(830)	(1,743)
Deferred tax liability (asset) at end of period	(8,812)	(7,982)
Forwards [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Deferred tax assets and liabilities, net opening balance	0	(2,169)
Deferred tax expense (benefit) recognized in profit (loss) for the year	1,001	(514)
Deferred taxes related to items credited (charged) directly to equity	(1,001)	2,683
Total increases (decreases) in deferred tax liabilities (assets)	0	2,169
Deferred tax liability (asset) at end of period	0	0
Employee benefits [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Deferred tax assets and liabilities, net opening balance	(2,689)	(3,309)
Deferred tax expense (benefit) recognized in profit (loss) for the year	2,689	620
Deferred taxes related to items credited (charged) directly to equity	0	0
Total increases (decreases) in deferred tax liabilities (assets)	2,689	620
Deferred tax liability (asset) at end of period	0	(2,689)
Research and development expenses [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Deferred tax assets and liabilities, net opening balance	3,533	2,216
Deferred tax expense (benefit) recognized in profit (loss) for the year	46	1,317
Deferred taxes related to items credited (charged) directly to equity	0	0
Total increases (decreases) in deferred tax liabilities (assets)	46	1,317
Deferred tax liability (asset) at end of period	3,580	3,533
bad debt provision [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Deferred tax assets and liabilities, net opening balance	(3,542)	(4,188)
Deferred tax expense (benefit) recognized in profit (loss) for the year	(1,530)	646
Deferred taxes related to items credited (charged) directly to equity	0	0
Total increases (decreases) in deferred tax liabilities (assets)	(1,530)	646
Deferred tax liability (asset) at end of period	(5,072)	(3,542)
Provision for legal complaints and expenses [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Deferred tax assets and liabilities, net opening balance	(2,546)	(4,013)
Deferred tax expense (benefit) recognized in profit (loss) for the year	(17,091)	1,467
Deferred taxes related to items credited (charged) directly to equity	0	0
Total increases (decreases) in deferred tax liabilities (assets)	(17,091)	1,467
Deferred tax liability (asset) at end of period	(19,637)	(2,546)
Loan approval expenses [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Deferred tax assets and liabilities, net opening balance	3,856	2,337
Deferred tax expense (benefit) recognized in profit (loss) for the year	1,356	1,519
Deferred taxes related to items credited (charged) directly to equity	0	0
Total increases (decreases) in deferred tax liabilities (assets)	1,356	1,519
Deferred tax liability (asset) at end of period	5,212	3,856
Junior mining companies valued based on stock price [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Deferred tax assets and liabilities, net opening balance	1,287	976
Deferred tax expense (benefit) recognized in profit (loss) for the year	0	0
Deferred taxes related to items credited (charged) directly to equity	2,642	311
Total increases (decreases) in deferred tax liabilities (assets)	2,642	311
Deferred tax liability (asset) at end of period	3,929	1,287
Royalties [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Deferred tax assets and liabilities, net opening balance	1,357	3,278
Deferred tax expense (benefit) recognized in profit (loss) for the year	1,668	(1,905)
Deferred taxes related to items credited (charged) directly to equity	(10)	(16)
Total increases (decreases) in deferred tax liabilities (assets)	1,658	(1,921)
Deferred tax liability (asset) at end of period	3,014	1,357
Tax loss benefit [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Deferred tax assets and liabilities, net opening balance	(2,296)	(1,124)
Deferred tax expense (benefit) recognized in profit (loss) for the year	1,452	(1,172)
Deferred taxes related to items credited (charged) directly to equity	0	0
Total increases (decreases) in deferred tax liabilities (assets)	1,452	(1,172)
Deferred tax liability (asset) at end of period	(844)	(2,296)
Other deferred tax assets [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Deferred tax assets and liabilities, net opening balance	2,021	(5,005)
Deferred tax expense (benefit) recognized in profit (loss) for the year	(3,475)	7,026
Deferred taxes related to items credited (charged) directly to equity	0	0
Total increases (decreases) in deferred tax liabilities (assets)	(3,475)	7,026
Deferred tax liability (asset) at end of period	(1,454)	2,021
Foreign items other [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Deferred tax assets and liabilities, net opening balance	(311)	(259)
Deferred tax expense (benefit) recognized in profit (loss) for the year	965	(52)
Deferred taxes related to items credited (charged) directly to equity	0	0
Total increases (decreases) in deferred tax liabilities (assets)	965	(52)
Deferred tax liability (asset) at end of period	$ 654	$ (311)

Income tax and deferred taxes_7

Income tax and deferred taxes (Details 5) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Disclosure of Income tax and deferred taxes [Line Items]
Net operating loss carryforwards	$ 844	$ 2,296
Chile [Member]
Disclosure of Income tax and deferred taxes [Line Items]
Net operating loss carryforwards	818	2,296
Foreign [Member]
Disclosure of Income tax and deferred taxes [Line Items]
Net operating loss carryforwards	$ 26	$ 0

Income tax and deferred taxes_8

Income tax and deferred taxes (Details 6) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Income tax and deferred taxes [Abstract]
Deferred tax assets and liabilities, net opening balance	$ (183,411)	$ (175,361)
Increase (decrease) in deferred taxes in profit or loss	29,096	(5,758)
Increase (decrease) in deferred taxes in equity	(1,786)	(2,292)
Deferred tax liability (asset) at end of period	$ (156,101)	$ (183,411)

Income tax and deferred taxes_9

Income tax and deferred taxes (Details 7) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Current income tax expense
Current income tax expense	$ (97,374)	$ (116,483)	$ (207,959)
Adjustments to prior year current income tax	(1,901)	12,222	1,577
Current income tax expense, net, total	(99,275)	(104,261)	(206,382)
Deferred tax expense
Deferred tax expense (income) relating to the creation and reversal of temporary differences	26,219	2,551	26,434
Tax adjustments related to the creation and reversal of temporary differences from the previous year	2,877	8,309	973
Deferred tax expense, net, total	29,096	(5,758)	27,407
Tax expense (benefit)	$ (70,179)	$ (110,019)	$ (178,975)

Income tax and deferred taxe_10

Income tax and deferred taxes (Details 8) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Current income tax expense by foreign and domestic parties, net
Current income tax expense	$ (99,275)	$ (104,261)	$ (206,382)
Deferred tax expense by foreign and domestic parties, net
Deferred tax expense	29,096	(5,758)	27,407
Tax expense using the effective rate	(70,179)	(110,019)	(178,975)
Foreign countries [member]
Current income tax expense by foreign and domestic parties, net
Current income tax expense	(9,782)	(7,394)	(7,516)
Deferred tax expense by foreign and domestic parties, net
Deferred tax expense	10,284	2,370	(1,885)
Country of domicile [member]
Current income tax expense by foreign and domestic parties, net
Current income tax expense	(89,493)	(96,867)	(198,866)
Deferred tax expense by foreign and domestic parties, net
Deferred tax expense	$ 18,812	$ (8,128)	$ 29,292

Income tax and deferred taxe_11

Income tax and deferred taxes (Details 9) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Income tax related to other income and expense components with a charge or credit to net equity
Gain (loss) from defined benefit plans	$ 145	$ (702)	$ (1,488)
Cash flow hedge	(1,001)	2,683	0
Amount before taxes (expense) gain [Member]
Income tax related to other income and expense components with a charge or credit to net equity
Gain (loss) from defined benefit plans	974	(3,310)	(1,327)
Cash flow hedge	(3,706)	1,908	5,723
Reserve for gains (losses) from financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income	9,785	1,152	(5,546)
Total	7,053	(250)	(1,150)
(Expense) income for income taxes [Member]
Income tax related to other income and expense components with a charge or credit to net equity
Gain (loss) from defined benefit plans		702	396
Cash flow hedge		(2,683)	0
Reserve for gains (losses) from financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income		(311)	1,498
Total		(2,292)	1,894
Gains Losses For Income Taxes [Member]
Income tax related to other income and expense components with a charge or credit to net equity
Gain (loss) from defined benefit plans	(145)
Cash flow hedge	1,001
Reserve for gains (losses) from financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income	(2,642)
Total	(1,786)
Amount After Taxes Expense Gain [Member]
Income tax related to other income and expense components with a charge or credit to net equity
Gain (loss) from defined benefit plans	829	(2,608)	(931)
Cash flow hedge	(2,705)	(775)	5,723
Reserve for gains (losses) from financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income	7,143	841	(4,048)
Total	$ 5,267	$ (2,542)	$ 744

Income tax and deferred taxe_12

Income tax and deferred taxes (Details 10) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Reconciliation of accounting profit multiplied by applicable tax rates [abstract]
Consolidated income before taxes	$ 238,538	$ 390,622	$ 621,038
Income tax rate in force in Chile	27.00%	27.00%	27.00%
Tax expense using the statutory tax rate	$ (64,405)	$ (105,468)	$ (167,680)
Net effect of royalty tax payments	(4,659)	(4,314)	(4,919)
Effect of fines affected by article 21 and passive income	(1,804)	(724)	(2,957)
Tax effect of revenue from regular activities exempt from taxation	1,786	2,376	1,446
Tax rate effect of non-tax-deductible expenses for determining taxable profit (loss)	(2,987)	(2,128)	(2,327)
Tax effect of tax rates supported abroad	(2,077)	(252)	(8,714)
Surplus provision Internal revenue service	0	0	3,517
Effects of changes resulting from classifying a permanent item as a temporary one	4,826	0	0
Other tax effects from the reconciliation between the accounting income and tax expense	(859)	491	2,659
Tax expense using the effective rate	$ (70,179)	$ (110,019)	$ (178,975)

Income tax and deferred taxe_13

Income tax and deferred taxes (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Disclosure of Income tax and deferred taxes [Line Items]
Applicable tax rate	27.00%	27.00%	27.00%
Prescriptive period for review legal deadline	3
Prescriptive period extended for review legal deadline	6
Current tax expenses recognised	$ 1,901	$ (12,222)	$ (1,577)
Mining Royalties Operation [Member]
Disclosure of Income tax and deferred taxes [Line Items]
Applicable tax rate	5.00%
Caliche Extraction Operation [Member]
Disclosure of Income tax and deferred taxes [Line Items]
Applicable tax rate	5.38%
United States
Disclosure of Income tax and deferred taxes [Line Items]
Prescriptive period for review legal deadline	3
Prescriptive period extended for review legal deadline	6
Mexico
Disclosure of Income tax and deferred taxes [Line Items]
Applicable tax rate	30.00%	30.00%
Prescriptive period for review legal deadline	5
Spain
Disclosure of Income tax and deferred taxes [Line Items]
Prescriptive period for review legal deadline	4
Belgium
Disclosure of Income tax and deferred taxes [Line Items]
Prescriptive period for review legal deadline	3
Prescriptive period extended for review legal deadline	5
South Africa
Disclosure of Income tax and deferred taxes [Line Items]
Applicable tax rate	28.00%	28.00%
Prescriptive period for review legal deadline	3
Prescriptive period extended for review legal deadline	5
Belgium | SQM Europe N.V. [Member] | Year 2017 [Member] | Difference due to transfer pricing [Member]
Disclosure of Income tax and deferred taxes [Line Items]
Current tax expenses recognised		$ 1,068

Assets held for sale (Details)

Assets held for sale (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Non-current assets or disposal groups classified as held for sale or as held for distribution to owners [abstract]
Land	$ 1,493	$ 2,454
Mining rights	136	0
Total assets held for sale	$ 1,629	$ 2,454

Events occurred after the rep_2

Events occurred after the reporting date (Details Textual)	Feb. 23, 2021USD ($)shares	Feb. 23, 2021HUF (Ft)shares	Feb. 09, 2021USD ($)	Feb. 17, 2021USD ($)	Jan. 22, 2021USD ($)shares	Jan. 07, 2021USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)	Jan. 25, 2020USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)
Disclosure of Events occurred after the reporting date [Line Items]
Arbitration claims payable							$ 166,783,000		$ 145,255,000	$ 138,019,000	$ 93,446,000
Increase in the authorized capital [Member]
Disclosure of Events occurred after the reporting date [Line Items]
Increase in the authorized Capital					$ 1,100,000,000
Increase in the authorized capital [Member] | Series B preferred shares [Member]
Disclosure of Events occurred after the reporting date [Line Items]
Shares subscribed but not yet issued | shares					22,442,580
Number of shares withdrawn | shares	648	648
Percentage of shares withdrawn	0.0004%	0.0004%
Increase in the authorized capital [Member] | Series A Preferred Shares [Member]
Disclosure of Events occurred after the reporting date [Line Items]
Percentage of shares withdrawn	0.50%	0.50%
Arbitration claim [Member] | Oceana vega [Member]
Disclosure of Events occurred after the reporting date [Line Items]
Arbitration claims payable						$ 377,000
Claim due for work related accident [Member]
Disclosure of Events occurred after the reporting date [Line Items]
Compensation payable to subcontractors employee for accident								$ 718,000
Dispute settlement with related party [Member] | Sichuan SQM Migao Chemical Fertilizers Co Ltda. [Member]
Disclosure of Events occurred after the reporting date [Line Items]
Proceeds from settlement of dispute			$ 11,500,000
Project study [Member] | 2021 to 2025 [Member] | Mount Holland Lithium [Member]
Disclosure of Events occurred after the reporting date [Line Items]
Investment in a project joint operations				$ 700,000,000
Threshold limit on related party transactions [Member] | Empressa National De Telecommunication SA And Pcs Telcommunications SA [Member]
Disclosure of Events occurred after the reporting date [Line Items]
Transactions with related party	$ 5,000,000
Board resolution for related party transactions subject to prescribed limits [Member]
Disclosure of Events occurred after the reporting date [Line Items]
Minimum ownership percentage to be maintained with counterparties	95.00%	95.00%
Materiality in determning the related party transactions | Ft		Ft 3,000