Our Products
Metals Exploration

In addition to our leadership in nitrates and iodine, we are actively promoting the exploration of metallic minerals in Chile.

This strategy focuses on the scientific prospecting of copper, gold, silver, and other base metals, with more than 70 areas identified for initial exploration activities.

To achieve this, we collaborate with third parties through option agreements and joint ventures, which allows us to accelerate the discovery of new deposits.

Active exploration projects in Chile

To achieve our discovery goals, we have a number of prospects and exploration areas in early prospecting stages.

Learn about some of our exploration areas:

Option agreements and joint ventures in mining

At SQM, we have several active exploration option agreements, as well as strategic joint ventures, covering highly prospective areas, both in undeveloped fields and in early-stage projects with little or no prior modern exploration.

These alliances allow us access to extensive mining land packages, optimizing our exploration approach by strategically narrowing our focus to areas with the greatest potential.

Thanks to our experience in nitrate resource drilling and geological prospecting, we have consolidated and enriched limited historical data, generating unique databases that strengthen exploration decision-making.

Management of mining royalties

As a result of the success of our option agreements and mining joint ventures, SQM retains royalty rights on projects in advanced stages of exploration and development.

These royalties stem from option concessions that, while they may not currently generate immediate economic returns as they are partially allocated to mining infrastructure, solidify our future participation in potential productive deposits, aligning with a long-term value strategy in metal mining.

Frequently Asked Questions

Metallic exploration is the scientific process of prospecting and evaluating mineral deposits such as copper, gold, and silver. Its objective is to identify areas with economic potential through geological studies, analysis of historical data, and exploratory drilling to confirm the existence of mineral resources.

SQM promotes the exploration of copper, gold, silver, and other base metals in different regions of Chile. It currently has more than 70 areas identified for initial exploration activities, focusing on zones with high geological potential.

Option agreements allow third parties to explore and develop mining projects under previously established conditions, while joint ventures are strategic partnerships between companies to share risks, investment, and technical expertise. These models accelerate the discovery of new deposits and optimize the use of exploration resources.

Thanks to decades of experience in geological prospecting and nitrate resource drilling, SQM has developed unique databases and advanced technical methodologies. This helps reduce exploration risk, prioritize high-potential areas, and improve decision-making in metallic mining projects.

Mining royalties are economic rights retained over projects developed by third parties, derived from option agreements or strategic partnerships. Although they may not generate immediate revenue, they represent future participation in productive deposits, aligning with a long-term value creation strategy.