XML 169 R143.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.20.4

Property, plant and equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | Dec. 31, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 | Dec. 31, 2018
--- | --- | --- | ---
Property, plant and equipments [Abstract] |  |  |
Land | $ 23,579 | $ 23,620 |
Buildings | 239,666 | 227,173 |
Other property, plant and equipment | 35,418 | 32,645 |
Transport equipment | 2,880 | 2,686 |
Suppliers and accessories | 4,183 | 4,579 |
Office equipment | 459 | 420 |
Network and communication equipment | 1,272 | 663 |
Mining assets | 47,052 | 23,174 |
IT equipment | 4,083 | 4,359 |
Energy generating assets | 4,878 | 5,998 |
Construction in progress | 486,345 | 375,316 |
Machinery, plant and equipment | 887,504 | 869,273 |
Total | 1,737,319 | 1,569,906 | $ 1,454,823
Description of classes of property, plant and equipment [Abstract] |  |  |
Pumps | 28,184 | 32,525 |
Conveyor belt | 20,117 | 21,911 |
Crystallizer | 22,145 | 24,102 |
Plant equipment | 173,335 | 170,263 |
Water tanks | 15,367 | 14,159 |
Filter | 35,553 | 27,080 |
Facilities or electrical equipment | 93,937 | 92,090 |
Other machinery, plant and equipment | 49,930 | 53,409 |
Site Closure | 36,828 | 12,056 |
Piping | 102,578 | 96,402 |
Pond | 41,906 | 41,319 |
Well | 226,347 | 238,670 |
Parts | 41,277 | 45,287 |
Total | 887,504 | 869,273 |
Gross carrying amount [member] |  |  |
Property, plant and equipments [Abstract] |  |  |
Land | 23,579 | 23,620 |
Buildings | 705,089 | 666,027 |
Other property, plant and equipment | 234,238 | 257,247 |
Transport equipment | 13,030 | 12,143 |
Suppliers and accessories | 26,101 | 25,531 |
Office equipment | 11,607 | 11,441 |
Network and communication equipment | 8,951 | 8,009 |
Mining assets | 194,562 | 161,619 |
IT equipment | 29,629 | 28,693 |
Energy generating assets | 38,540 | 38,495 |
Construction in progress | 486,345 | 375,316 |
Machinery, plant and equipment | 3,304,061 | 3,142,461 |
Total | 5,075,732 | 4,750,602 | 4,450,037
Description of classes of property, plant and equipment [Abstract] |  |  |
Total | 3,304,061 | 3,142,461 |
Accumulated depreciation and amortisation [member] |  |  |
Property, plant and equipments [Abstract] |  |  |
Buildings | (465,423) | (438,854) |
Other property, plant and equipment | (198,820) | (224,602) |
Transport equipment | (10,150) | (9,457) |
Suppliers and accessories | (21,918) | (20,952) |
Office equipment | (11,148) | (11,021) |
Network and communication equipment | (7,679) | (7,346) |
Mining assets | (147,510) | (138,445) |
IT equipment | (25,546) | (24,334) |
Energy generating assets | (33,662) | (32,497) |
Machinery, plant and equipment | (2,416,557) | (2,273,188) |
Total | (3,338,413) | (3,180,696) | $ (2,995,214)
Description of classes of property, plant and equipment [Abstract] |  |  |
Total | $ (2,416,557) | $ (2,273,188) |

X
- Definition The amount of property, plant and equipment representing depreciable buildings and similar structures for use in operations. [Refer: Property, plant and equipment] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Name IAS -Number 16 -IssueDate 2020-01-01 -Paragraph 37 -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=16&code=ifrs-tx-2020-en-r&anchor=para_37&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2020-01-01 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_Buildings
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The amount of expenditure capitalised during the construction of non-current assets that are not yet available for use. [Refer: Non-current assets] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Name IAS -Number 16 -IssueDate 2020-01-01 -Paragraph 37 -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=16&code=ifrs-tx-2020-en-r&anchor=para_37&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2020-01-01 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_ConstructionInProgress
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The amount of property, plant and equipment representing land held by the entity for use in operations. [Refer: Property, plant and equipment] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef -Name IAS -Number 16 -IssueDate 2020-01-01 -Paragraph 37 -Subparagraph a -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=16&code=ifrs-tx-2020-en-r&anchor=para_37_a&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2020-01-01 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_Land
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The amount of property, plant and equipment representing long-lived, depreciable machinery used in operations. [Refer: Property, plant and equipment] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef -Name IAS -Number 16 -IssueDate 2020-01-01 -Paragraph 37 -Subparagraph c -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=16&code=ifrs-tx-2020-en-r&anchor=para_37_c&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2020-01-01 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_Machinery
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The amount of assets related to mining activities of the entity. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Name IAS -Number 16 -IssueDate 2020-01-01 -Paragraph 37 -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=16&code=ifrs-tx-2020-en-r&anchor=para_37&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2020-01-01 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_MiningAssets
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The amount of property, plant and equipment representing equipment used to support office functions, not specifically used in the production process. [Refer: Property, plant and equipment] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef -Name IAS -Number 16 -IssueDate 2020-01-01 -Paragraph 37 -Subparagraph h -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=16&code=ifrs-tx-2020-en-r&anchor=para_37_h&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2020-01-01 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_OfficeEquipment
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The amount of property, plant and equipment that the entity does not separately disclose in the same statement or note. [Refer: Property, plant and equipment] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Name IAS -Number 16 -IssueDate 2020-01-01 -Paragraph 37 -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=16&code=ifrs-tx-2020-en-r&anchor=para_37&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2020-01-01 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_OtherPropertyPlantAndEquipment
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The amount of tangible assets that: (a) are held for use in the production or supply of goods or services, for rental to others, or for administrative purposes; and (b) are expected to be used during more than one period. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Name IAS -Number 16 -IssueDate 2020-01-01 -Paragraph 73 -Subparagraph e -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=16&code=ifrs-tx-2020-en-r&anchor=para_73_e&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2020-01-01 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Name IAS -Number 1 -IssueDate 2020-01-01 -Paragraph 54 -Subparagraph a -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=1&code=ifrs-tx-2020-en-r&anchor=para_54_a&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2020-01-01 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_PropertyPlantAndEquipment
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The amount of property, plant and equipment representing vehicles used in the entity's operations, specifically to include aircraft, motor vehicles and ships. [Refer: Property, plant and equipment] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Name IAS -Number 16 -IssueDate 2020-01-01 -Paragraph 37 -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=16&code=ifrs-tx-2020-en-r&anchor=para_37&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2020-01-01 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_Vehicles
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The value of conveyor belt as of balance sheet date. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sqm_ConveyorBelt
Namespace Prefix: | sqm_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The value of crystallizer as of balance sheet date. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sqm_Crystallizer
Namespace Prefix: | sqm_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

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

X
- Definition The value of Energy generating assets as of balance sheet date. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sqm_EnergyGeneratingAssets
Namespace Prefix: | sqm_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The value of facilities or electrical equipment as of balance sheet date. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sqm_FacilitiesOrElectricalEquipment
Namespace Prefix: | sqm_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The value of filter as of balance sheet date. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sqm_Filter
Namespace Prefix: | sqm_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The value of It equipment as of balance sheet date. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sqm_ItEquipment
Namespace Prefix: | sqm_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The value of network and communication equipment as of balance sheet date. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sqm_NetworkAndCommunicationEquipment
Namespace Prefix: | sqm_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The value of other machinery, plant and equipment as of balance sheet date. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sqm_OtherMachineryPlantAndEquipment
Namespace Prefix: | sqm_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The value of parts as of balance sheet date. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sqm_Parts
Namespace Prefix: | sqm_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The value of Piping as of balance sheet date. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sqm_Piping
Namespace Prefix: | sqm_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The value of plant equipment as of balance sheet date. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sqm_PlantEquipment
Namespace Prefix: | sqm_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The value of pond as of balance sheet date. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sqm_Pond
Namespace Prefix: | sqm_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

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

X
- Definition The value of pumps as of balance sheet date. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sqm_Pumps
Namespace Prefix: | sqm_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The amount ofsite closure expenses that an entity incurs in connection with the borrowing of funds that are directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of a qualifying asset and which form part of the cost of that asset. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sqm_SiteClosureExpensesCapitalised
Namespace Prefix: | sqm_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The value of supplies and accessories as of balance sheet date. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sqm_SuppliersAndAccessories
Namespace Prefix: | sqm_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The value of water tanks as of balance sheet date. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sqm_WaterTanks
Namespace Prefix: | sqm_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The value of well as of balance sheet date. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sqm_Well
Namespace Prefix: | sqm_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Details
Name: | ifrs-full_CarryingAmountAccumulatedDepreciationAmortisationAndImpairmentAndGrossCarryingAmountAxis=ifrs-full_GrossCarryingAmountMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | ifrs-full_CarryingAmountAccumulatedDepreciationAmortisationAndImpairmentAndGrossCarryingAmountAxis=ifrs-full_AccumulatedDepreciationAndAmortisationMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |