XML 191 R168.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.8.0.1

Contingencies and restrictions (Details Textual) | 1 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended |  |
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Aug. 31, 2015 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) | Mar. 24, 2017 USD ($) | Aug. 26, 2016 USD ($)
Taxes, interests and other charges |  |  |  | $ 8,100,000 |  |
Payments for taxes, interests and other charges | $ 1,400,000 |  | $ 50,000 |  |  |
Tax contingency, amount under dispute |  | $ 32,200,000 |  |  |  |
Tax contingency, amount under dispute correspond to potential specific tax on mining activities |  | 252,000,000 |  |  |  |
Tax contingency, amount under dispute correspond to excess charge levied |  | 7,000,000 |  |  |  |
Expected claim for differences in specific tax on mining activities |  | 30,000,000 | $ 30,000,000 |  |  |
Guarantee obligations |  | $ 771,000 |  |  |  |
Volume of extraction from wells per second of water |  | 124 |  |  |  |
Equivalent percentage of extraction of water |  | 15.00% |  |  |  |
Description of lawsuits received |  | The Company and its subsidiaries have received no legal notice on lawsuits other than those indicated above, which exceed US$0,2 million. |  |  |  |
Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, damages owed, value |  | $ 1,200,000 |  |  |  |
SQM Group [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Level of consolidated financial indicators required by the Company to comply with |  | To maintain a Total Indebtedness Ratio not higher than 1.2 times at its strictest level. The total Indebtedness level is defined as the Total Liabilities divided by Total Equity. |  |  |  |
SQM Salar [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Tax contingency, amount claimed |  |  |  |  | $ 14,400,000 | $ 17,809,000
SQM Salar and SQM Industrial [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Penalties payable as percentage of taxes paid |  | 50% and 300% |  |  |  |
Lawsuit one [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, name of plaintiff |  | Nancy Erika Urra Murioz. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, name of defendant |  | Fresia Flores Zamorano, Duratec-Vinilit S.A. and the Company and their Insurers. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, lawsuit filing date |  | December 2008. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, domicile of litigation |  | 1st Civil Court of Santiago. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, allegations |  | Labor Accident. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, litigation status |  | Judgment favorable for the Company. Appeal filed by the plaintiff. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, nominal value |  | ThUS$550. |  |  |  |
Lawsuit two [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, name of plaintiff |  | City of Pomona, California USA. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, name of defendant |  | SQM North America Corporation. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, lawsuit filing date |  | December 2010. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, domicile of litigation |  | United States District Court Central District of California. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, allegations |  | Payment of expenses and other amounts related to the treatment of groundwater to allow for its consumption by removing the existing perchlorate in such groundwater that allegedly comes from Chilean fertilizers. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, litigation status |  | On August 7, 2017, the Unites States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ordered the beginning of a new trial. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, nominal value |  | ThUS$32,000. |  |  |  |
Lawsuit three [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, name of plaintiff |  | City of Lindsay, California USA. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, name of defendant |  | SQM North America Corporation and the Company (still not noticed) |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, lawsuit filing date |  | December 2010. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, domicile of litigation |  | United States District Court Eastern District of California. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, allegations |  | Payment of expenses and other amounts related to the treatment of groundwater to allow for its consumption by removing the existing perchlorate in such groundwater that allegedly comes from Chilean fertilizers. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, litigation status |  | Filing of the case. Processing suspended. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, nominal value |  | Not possible to determine. |  |  |  |
Lawsuit four [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, name of plaintiff |  | H&V Van Mele N.V. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, name of defendant |  | SQM Europe N.V. and its insurance companies. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, lawsuit filing date |  | July 2013. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, domicile of litigation |  | Commercial Court of Dendermonde. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, allegations |  | Alleged indirect responsibility for the absence of adequate specifications for the SOP–WS by the Belgian distributor. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, litigation status |  | Judgment stage. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, nominal value |  | ThUS$430. |  |  |  |
Lawsuit five [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, name of plaintiff |  | Carlos Aravena Carrizo et al. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, name of defendant |  | SQM Nitratos S.A. and its insurers. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, lawsuit filing date |  | May 2014. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, domicile of litigation |  | 18th Civil Court of Santiago. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, allegations |  | Lawsuit seeking compensation for damages for alleged civil liability under tort as a result of an explosion that occurred during 2010 near Baquedano, causing the death of 6 employees. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, litigation status |  | Evidence. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, nominal value |  | ThUS$1,235. |  |  |  |
Lawsuit six [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, name of plaintiff |  | Corporación de Fomento de la Producción (“Corfo”). |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, name of defendant |  | SQM Salar S.A. (“SQM Salar”); SQM Potasio S.A. and the Company |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, lawsuit filing date |  | May 2014. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, domicile of litigation |  | Arbitration court. Arbitrator Mr. Héctor Humeres |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, allegations |  | (a) Lease Contract (“the“Lease”) early termination action filed on November 12, 1993 by Corfo for (i) alleged failure to fully pay the quarterly lease payments associated with certain products during 2009-2013; and (ii) alleged absence of boundary demarcation of mining properties seeking compensation for damages for other related contracts among other matters involving compensation for damages. (b) Request filed by Corfo for early Project Contract termination associated with the contract entered into on November 12, 1993 and other related contracts, among other matters involving compensation for damages; and (c) Request filed by SQM Salar and the Company to state whether lease payments made by SQM Salar under the Lease comply with the agreement entered into by the parties and whether the rent formula applied has been useful for Corfo. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, litigation status |  | Evidence stage. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, nominal value |  | Not determined. |  |  |  |
Lawsuit seven [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, name of plaintiff |  | Evt Consulting SpA. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, name of defendant |  | SQM Nitratos S.A. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, lawsuit filing date |  | October 2014. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, domicile of litigation |  | 23th Civil Court of Santiago. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, allegations |  | Lawsuit seeking compensation for damages related to the termination of the purchase and sale agreement for metallic structures. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, litigation status |  | On November 13, 2017, the Santiago Appeals Court sentenced SQM Nitratos S.A. to pay US$304,620. The filing of appeals is pending. |  |  |  |
Lawsuit eight [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, name of plaintiff |  | SQM Salar and the Company. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, name of defendant |  | Seguros Generales Suramericana S.A. (formerly - RSA Seguros Chile S.A.) |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, lawsuit filing date |  | 29-Aug-16 |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, domicile of litigation |  | Arbitration Court– Arbitrator Mr. Gonzalo Fernández. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, allegations |  | Complaint for forced compliance and collection of indemnification for insurance claim of February 7 and 8, 2013. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, litigation status |  | Evidence stage |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, nominal value |  | MUS$20,658. |  |  |  |
Lawsuit nine [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, name of plaintiff |  | Tyne and Wear Pension Fund as represented by the Council of the Borough of South Tyneside acting as Lead Plaintiff. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, name of defendant |  | The Company |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, lawsuit filing date |  | January 2016. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, domicile of litigation |  | United States District Court– Southern District of New York. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, allegations |  | Alleged damage to ADS holders of the Company resulting from alleged noncompliance with the securities regulations in the United States by the Company. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, litigation status |  | Initial stage of disclosure of background information. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, nominal value |  | Not determined. |  |  |  |
Lawsuit ten [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, name of plaintiff |  | Ernesto Saldaña González et al. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, name of defendant |  | SQM Salar S.A., SQM Industrial S.A. (“SQM Industrial”) and their insurance companies |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, lawsuit filing date |  | May 2016. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, domicile of litigation |  | 13th Civil Court of Santiago. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, allegations |  | Lawsuit seeking compensation for damages for alleged civil liability under tort law arising from the accident that occurred in July 2014 in the María Elena location. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, litigation status |  | Evidence stage |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, nominal value |  | ThUS$515. |  |  |  |
Lawsuit eleven [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, name of plaintiff |  | María Yolanda Achiardi Tapia et al. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, name of defendant |  | SQM Salar and its insurance companies and other 5 defendants |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, lawsuit filing date |  | February 2015. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, domicile of litigation |  | 1st Civil Court of Antofagasta. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, allegations |  | Lawsuit seeking compensation for damages for alleged civil liability under tort law arising from a traffic accident that occurred in April 2011 in the city of Antofagasta. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, litigation status |  | Lawsuit pending notice to one of the defendants. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, nominal value |  | ThUS$1,265. |  |  |  |
Lawsuit twelve [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, name of plaintiff |  | The Company |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, name of defendant |  | AES Gener S.A. and Empresa Eléctrica Cochrane SpA. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, lawsuit filing date |  | 11-May-17 |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, domicile of litigation |  | Arbitration award in accordance with the arbitration rules established by the Center for Arbitration and Mediation of the Santiago Chamber of Commerce. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, allegations |  | Request for the interpretation of an electricity supply agreement alleging the right by the plaintiff to receive a collection in conformity with such agreement. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, litigation status |  | Conciliation stage |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, nominal value |  | Not determined |  |  |  |
Lawsuit thirteen [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, name of plaintiff |  | AES Gener S.A. and Empresa Eléctrica Cochrane SpA. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, name of defendant |  | The Company |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, lawsuit filing date |  | May-17 |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, domicile of litigation |  | Arbitration award in accordance with the Arbitration Rules established by the Center for Arbitration and Mediation of the Santiago Chamber of Commerce |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, allegations |  | Discrepancy with respect to the amount of an alleged right by the plaintiff to receive a collection in conformity with the agreement entered into by the parties. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, litigation status |  | Deliberation stage |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, nominal value |  | Not determined |  |  |  |
Lawsuit fourteen [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, name of plaintiff |  | Araya Oses, Antonio et al. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, name of defendant |  | Transportes Buen Destino S.A. and SQM Salar. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, lawsuit filing date |  | 17-Feb-17 |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, domicile of litigation |  | 1st Civil Court of Santiago |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, allegations |  | Lawsuit for several or subsidiary liability for unfair dismissal, seeking the voidance of the dismissal and collection of labor benefits. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, litigation status |  | An appeal seeking voidance of the first instance judgment is pending. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, nominal value |  | ThUS$235. |  |  |  |
Lawsuit fifteen [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, name of plaintiff |  | Employee Union No. 2 of SQN Nitratos Nueva Victoria. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, name of defendant |  | SQM Nitratos S.A. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, lawsuit filing date |  | November 23, 2016. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, domicile of litigation |  | Labor Court of Iquique. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, allegations |  | Lawsuit alleging differences in the calculation of the bonus payable under the Collective Bargaining Agreement. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, litigation status |  | At the evidence stage |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, nominal value |  | ThUS$385 |  |  |  |
Lawsuit sixteen [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, name of plaintiff |  | TBD |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, domicile of litigation |  | Civil Court of Colina |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, allegations |  | Voluntary Winding up Statement (Law No. 20.720) |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, litigation status |  | On January 4, 2017 the voluntary winding up process began. On March 8, 2017, SQM Industrial verified credits in ordinary period associated with the sale of fuel of Ch$217,193,666 with express reserve as to the legal compensation applicable. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, nominal value |  | Ch$217,193,666 |  |  |  |
Lawsuit seventeen [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, name of plaintiff |  | TBD |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, name of defendant |  | SQM Salar. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, lawsuit filing date |  | None |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, domicile of litigation |  | Arbitration Court Arbitrator Mr. Jaime Martínez Tejeda. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, allegations |  | Discrepancies generated in the performance of the (i) lithium brine transportation agreement; and (ii) salt transportation agreement entered into between TBD and SQM Salar. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, litigation status |  | The case has not been presented yet. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, nominal value |  | Not determined |  |  |  |
Lawsuit eighteen [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, name of plaintiff |  | Castillo, Hernán et al. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, name of defendant |  | Servicios Integrales de Tránsitos y Transferencias S.A. and SQM Industrial S.A. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, lawsuit filing date |  | September 15, 2017. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, domicile of litigation |  | 1st Labor Court of Santiago. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, allegations |  | Lawsuit to assert labor rights, seeking collection of wages owed and other amounts. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, litigation status |  | Preparatory hearing pending. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, nominal value |  | ThUS$1,940 |  |  |  |
Lawsuit nineteen [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, name of defendant |  | SQM Nitratos S.A. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, lawsuit filing date |  | January 17, 2018. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, domicile of litigation |  | 1st Labor Court of Santiago. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, allegations |  | Lawsuit for damages related to pain and suffering and lost earnings resulting from occupational illness. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, litigation status |  | Preparatory hearing pending. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, nominal value |  | ThUS$256. |  |  |  |
Lawsuit twenty [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, name of plaintiff |  | Acosta Tapia, Eloisa del Tránsito and others as successors and assigns of Araya Castillo, Raimundo del Rosario. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, name of defendant |  | SQM Salar S.A. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, lawsuit filing date |  | January 19, 2018. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, domicile of litigation |  | 2nd Labor Court of Santiago. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, allegations |  | Lawsuit for damages for pain and suffering as a result of occupational illness. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, litigation status |  | Preparatory hearing pending. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, nominal value |  | ThUS$472 |  |  |  |
Lawsuit twenty one [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, name of plaintiff |  | Roa Maluenda, Rosa del Carmen as successor and assign of Sánchez Gamboa, Gerónimo Iván. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, name of defendant |  | SQM S.A., SQM Nitratos S.A. and SQM Industrial S.A. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, lawsuit filing date |  | January 23, 2018. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, domicile of litigation |  | 1st Labor Court of Santiago. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, allegations |  | Lawsuit for damages for pain and suffering as a result of occupational illness. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, litigation status |  | Preparatory hearing pending. |  |  |  |
Lawsuits, nominal value |  | ThUS$472 |  |  |  |

X
- Definition The description of lawsuits received by the company and its subsidiary during the year. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sqm_DescriptionOfLawsuitsReceived
Namespace Prefix: | sqm_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The equivalent percentage of extraction in the water used in that region. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sqm_EquivalentPercentageOfExtractionOfWater
Namespace Prefix: | sqm_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Expected claim for differences in specific tax on mining activities. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sqm_ExpectedClaimForDifferencesInSpecificTaxOnMiningActivities
Namespace Prefix: | sqm_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The amount of guarantee obligations. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sqm_GuaranteeObligations
Namespace Prefix: | sqm_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Presents an assertion of a fact by a plaintiff in a pleading or complaint, which the plaintiff claims it will prove upon presentation of evidence at the proceeding. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sqm_LawsuitsAllegations
Namespace Prefix: | sqm_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The value (monetary amount) of the award the plaintiff seeks in the legal matter. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sqm_LawsuitsDamagesOwedValue
Namespace Prefix: | sqm_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Identifies the domicile or jurisdiction of the court of law, arbitration or mediation proceeding. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sqm_LawsuitsDomicileOfLitigation
Namespace Prefix: | sqm_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition States the date the complaint was formally filed in a court of law, in arbitration or mediation. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sqm_LawsuitsLawsuitFilingDate
Namespace Prefix: | sqm_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Describes the current status of the lawsuit. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sqm_LawsuitsLitigationStatus
Namespace Prefix: | sqm_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Identifies the named defendant in a lawsuit. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sqm_LawsuitsNameOfDefendant
Namespace Prefix: | sqm_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Identifies the plaintiff in the lawsuit. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sqm_LawsuitsNameOfPlaintiff
Namespace Prefix: | sqm_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Describes the nominal value of damages awarded to the plaintiff in the legal matter. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sqm_LawsuitsNominalValue
Namespace Prefix: | sqm_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Level of consolidated financial indicators required by the Company to comply with. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sqm_LevelOfConsolidatedFinancialIndicatorsRequiredByCompanyToComplyWith
Namespace Prefix: | sqm_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount of payments for taxes, interests and other charges. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sqm_PaymentsForTaxesInterestsAndOtherCharges
Namespace Prefix: | sqm_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Penalties payable as percentage of taxes paid. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sqm_PenaltiesPayableAsPercentageOfTaxesPaid
Namespace Prefix: | sqm_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount claimed under tax contingency. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sqm_TaxContingencyAmountClaimed
Namespace Prefix: | sqm_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The amount under dispute related tax contingency. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sqm_TaxContingencyAmountUnderDispute
Namespace Prefix: | sqm_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The amount under dispute related tax contingency correspond to excess charge levied. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sqm_TaxContingencyAmountUnderDisputeCorrespondToExcessChargeLevied
Namespace Prefix: | sqm_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The amount under dispute related tax contingency correspond to the potential specific tax on mining activities. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sqm_TaxContingencyAmountUnderDisputeCorrespondToPotentialSpecificTaxOnMiningActivities
Namespace Prefix: | sqm_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The amount of taxes, interests and other charges. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sqm_TaxesInterestsAndOtherCharges
Namespace Prefix: | sqm_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The volume of extraction from wells per second of water. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sqm_VolumeOfExtractionFromWellsPerSecondOfWater
Namespace Prefix: | sqm_
Data Type: | xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | ifrs-full_CategoriesOfRelatedPartiesAxis=sqm_SoquimichComercialSaMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | ifrs-full_CategoriesOfRelatedPartiesAxis=sqm_SqmGroupMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | ifrs-full_CategoriesOfRelatedPartiesAxis=sqm_SqmSalarMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | ifrs-full_CategoriesOfRelatedPartiesAxis=sqm_SqmSalarAndSqmIndustrialMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | sqm_LawsuitsAxis=sqm_LawsuitOneMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | sqm_LawsuitsAxis=sqm_LawsuitTwoMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | sqm_LawsuitsAxis=sqm_LawsuitThreeMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | sqm_LawsuitsAxis=sqm_LawsuitFourMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | sqm_LawsuitsAxis=sqm_LawsuitFiveMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | sqm_LawsuitsAxis=sqm_LawsuitSixMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | sqm_LawsuitsAxis=sqm_LawsuitSevenMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | sqm_LawsuitsAxis=sqm_LawsuitEightMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | sqm_LawsuitsAxis=sqm_LawsuitNineMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | sqm_LawsuitsAxis=sqm_LawsuitTenMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | sqm_LawsuitsAxis=sqm_LawsuitElevenMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | sqm_LawsuitsAxis=sqm_LawsuitTwelveMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | sqm_LawsuitsAxis=sqm_LawsuitThirteenMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | sqm_LawsuitsAxis=sqm_LawsuitFourteenMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | sqm_LawsuitsAxis=sqm_LawsuitFifteenMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | sqm_LawsuitsAxis=sqm_LawsuitSixteenMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | sqm_LawsuitsAxis=sqm_LawsuitSeventeenMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | sqm_LawsuitsAxis=sqm_LawsuitEighteenMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | sqm_LawsuitsAxis=sqm_LawsuitNineteenMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | sqm_LawsuitsAxis=sqm_LawsuitTwentyMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | sqm_LawsuitsAxis=sqm_LawsuitTwentyOneMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |