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v3.20.1

Significant accounting policies (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended |
--- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2019 | Dec. 31, 2018
Significant accounting policies [Line Items] |  |
Discount Rate For Pension Obligations | 3.68% | 4.642%
Amortization Period | 10 years |
Bottom of range [member] |  |
Significant accounting policies [Line Items] |  |
Cash dividend rate | 30.00% |
Top of range [member] |  |
Significant accounting policies [Line Items] |  |
Exemption From Lease As Low Value Asset | $ 5,000 |
SQM North America [Member] |  |
Significant accounting policies [Line Items] |  |
Discount Rate For Pension Obligations | 4.00% | 3.75%

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- Definition Amortization Period. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sqm_AmortizationPeriod
Namespace Prefix: | sqm_
Data Type: | xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition The percentage of cash dividend the company expected to pay. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sqm_CashDividendRate
Namespace Prefix: | sqm_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition Represents the discount rate for pension obligation. + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | sqm_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

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- Definition Exemption From Lease As Low Value Asset. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sqm_ExemptionFromLeaseAsLowValueAsset
Namespace Prefix: | sqm_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

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

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- Details
Name: | ifrs-full_RangeAxis=ifrs-full_TopOfRangeMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

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- Details
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Namespace Prefix: |
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Balance Type: |
Period Type: |