In the Salar de Atacama, the brine is extracted, which is concentrated in evaporation ponds, taking advantage of the climatic conditions of the Salar de Atacama and the high levels of solar radiation. This allows SQM Lithium's production process to involve 97,4% solar energy, allowing us to produce high-quality and pure lithium.
The history of SQM and lithium begins in 1996 when the company began to produce potassium nitrate, made from sodium nitrate and potassium chloride.
Sodium nitrate was obtained in large quantities from the caliche that abounds in the Atacama Desert. However, potassium chloride was not produced in Chile and was purchased abroad, with Canada being the largest supplier.
The urgent need to have their own potassium chloride supply source led SQM's top executives to begin exploring the local market, where the solution finally lay in the Salar de Atacama, in northern Chile.
We have 16,7% female staff, and we have an Inclusion and Diversity Policy.
Learn about our extraction of mining resources and environmental management of the Salar de Atacama.
The energy system does not need to be connected to the electricity grid, and operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
of direct CO2 emissions are generated by transport according to the International Energy Agency.
jobs generated by SQM in Chile and its commercial offices around the world.
They are the Atacameño communities of the Salar de Atacama with which we co-create and develop various projects.
reduction in fresh water consumption will be completed by 2040.
It is the year that we will become a carbon neutral company.
Learn about our projects, and the Corfo contract that establishes preferential rental rates and prices for local producers, contribution in R&D and development of communities surrounding the operation.
