XML 179 R156.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.19.1

Employee benefits (Details 4) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016
Employee benefits [Abstract] |  |  |
Service cost or benefits received during the year | $ 0 | $ 2 | $ 2
Interest cost in benefit obligation | 319 | 359 | 387
Actual return in plan assets | 133 | 1,694 | 293
Amortization of prior year losses | 160 | 219 | 184
Net gain during the year | (568) | 599 | 610
Net periodic pension expense | $ (159) | $ 41 | $ 29

X
- Definition The amount of amortisation expense of prior year losses. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sqm_AmortisationExpenseOfPriorYearLosses
Namespace Prefix: | sqm_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount of service cost relating to periodic pension expense. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sqm_CurrentServiceCostPeriodicPensionExpense
Namespace Prefix: | sqm_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sqm_EmployeeBenefitsAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | sqm_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount of interest cost relating to periodic pension expense. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sqm_InterestCostPeriodicPensionExpense
Namespace Prefix: | sqm_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount of net gain recognized during the period relating to period pension. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sqm_NetGainRecognizedDuringPeriodRelatingToPeriodPension
Namespace Prefix: | sqm_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount of net periodic pension expense. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sqm_NetPeriodicPensionExpense
Namespace Prefix: | sqm_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount of return (loss) on plan assets. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sqm_ReturnLossOnPlanAssets
Namespace Prefix: | sqm_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration