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Background of companies included in consolidation (Details Textual) | 12 Months Ended |
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Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016
Background of companies included in consolidation [Line Items] |  |
Description of parent entity | As provided in the Companys by-laws, no shareholder can concentrate more than 32% of the Companys voting right shares and therefore there is no controlling entity. |
Descrition of compliance with restriction on ownership | Consequently, neither the Pampa Group nor the Kowa Group individually owns more than 32% of the voting right capital of SQM S.A. |
Kowa Group [Member] |  |
Background of companies included in consolidation [Line Items] |  |
Percentage of interest held by other entities | 2.12% |
Pampa Group [Member] |  |
Background of companies included in consolidation [Line Items] |  |
Percentage of interest held by other entities | 29.97% | 29.97%

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