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SQM

SQM (Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile) is a Chilean chemical company and one of the world's largest producers of lithium, iodine and specialty plant nutrients. The company is headquartered in Santiago, Chile, and operates primarily in the Atacama Desert region, where it extracts lithium from brine deposits in the Salar de Atacama. SQM is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the Santiago Stock Exchange, with significant ownership stakes held by Chinese company Tianqi Lithium and Canadian fertiliser producer Nutrien. The company's core business segments include lithium and derivatives, specialty plant nutrition, iodine and derivatives, industrial chemicals and potassium. SQM holds a dominant position in the global lithium market, supplying lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide to battery manufacturers for electric vehicles and energy storage systems. The company's operations in the Atacama Desert benefit from some of the world's highest-grade lithium brine resources and favourable evaporation conditions. SQM employs several thousand workers across its Chilean operations and international offices. The company was founded in 1968 through the merger of several Chilean nitrate and iodine producers and has since diversified into lithium production, becoming a key player in the global energy transition.

SQM News


Andrada Mining CEO Anthony Viljoen
Andrada Mining confirms high-grade mineralisation at Lithium Ridge
9th June 2026 By: Lumkile Nkomfe

Aim-listed Andrada Mining has confirmed further high-grade lithium mineralisation at Lithium Ridge, in Namibia, following the release of a third batch of diamond drilling results from the project.... 


LITHIUM EXTRACTION: Chilean mining companies Codelco and SQM are budgeting $3-billion to deploy new extraction technologies at their lithium joint venture in the Atacama Desert. Bloomberg reports that the companies’ Novandino Litio partnership set its latest projection after wrapping up design work on a project to introduce more direct ways to recover lithium from brine under the Atacama salt flat in northern Chile. The venture plans to submit an environmental impact study to regulators in June. Photograph: Bloomberg
LITHIUM EXTRACTION:
5th June 2026

Chilean mining companies Codelco and SQM are budgeting $3-billion to deploy new extraction technologies at their lithium joint venture in the Atacama Desert. Bloomberg reports that the companies’... 


Codelco and SQM's lithium joint venture project in Chile
Codelco, SQM budget $3bn for lithium project in Chile
27th May 2026 By: Bloomberg

Chilean mining companies Codelco and SQM are budgeting $3-billion to deploy new extraction technologies at their lithium joint venture in the Atacama Desert. The companies' Novandino Litio... 


An SQM mine
SQM boosts lithium guidance as earnings top estimates
27th May 2026 By: Bloomberg

Chilean copper miner SQM reported a sharp increase in first-quarter profit and raised its lithium sales forecast, betting that robust demand from battery storage systems will keep the market... 


An image of the Uis project
Andrada secures $11m to accelerate growth
20th April 2026 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

Namibia-focused Andrada Mining has successfully completed a private placement with strategic investors, raising $11-million (£8.1-million) before expenses through the placing of 226.34-million... 


Lithium producer SQM sees global demand growing 25% this year
Lithium producer SQM sees global demand growing 25% this year
2nd March 2026 By: Bloomberg

Top lithium producer SQM said it sees world demand for the battery metal growing about 25% this year, after reporting record quarterly sales volume as the industry emerges from a global glut. The... 


Codelco expects to lift copper output by 10 000 t this year
Codelco expects to lift copper output by 10 000 t this year
13th January 2026 By: Reuters

Chilean State-run miner Codelco is expected to produce 1.344-million metric tons of copper in 2026, up about 10 000 tons from last year, Chairman Maximo Pacheco said on Monday. Speaking to Reuters... 


Chilean regulator to launch 'unprecedented' audit of Codelco-SQM lithium deal
Chilean regulator to launch 'unprecedented' audit of Codelco-SQM lithium deal
19th December 2025 By: Reuters

Chilean Comptroller's Office said on Friday that it will launch an "unprecedented" audit of the lithium agreement between state copper giant Codelco and local producer SQM. In a statement, the... 


Andrada CEO Anthony Viljoen
Andrada reports solid quarter amid favourable price environment
17th December 2025 By: Sabrina Jardim

Aim-listed Andrada Mining has reported that its Uis mine, in Namibia, continued to deliver operational improvements during the third quarter ended November 30, benefitting from higher throughput,... 


PLS bolsters leadership team with new CFO and board appointment
2nd December 2025 By: Creamer Media Reporter

Lithium materials producer PLS has moved to bolster its executive and board capabilities, announcing the appointment of a new CFO and a new nonexecutive director. PLS appointed Alex Willcocks as... 


SQM quarterly profit rises as lithium prices rebound
SQM quarterly profit rises as lithium prices rebound
19th November 2025 By: Reuters

Chilean lithium producer SQM on Tuesday reported a rise in third-quarter net profit, helped by an improved pricing environment that lifted average lithium prices for the first time in two years.... 


China grants conditional approval for Codelco-SQM lithium joint venture
China grants conditional approval for Codelco-SQM lithium joint venture
10th November 2025 By: Reuters

China's market regulator said on Monday that it granted conditional approval for a lithium-related joint venture between Chile's state-run copper giant-Codelco and local lithium producer SQM. The... 


Talga, SQM end Swedish Aero project JV
17th October 2025 By: Creamer Media Reporter

Battery materials company Talga Group and Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile (SQM) have mutually agreed to terminate their joint venture (JV) agreement over the Aero project in Sweden. The... 


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pqt: 0.068s - ct: 0.119s - 219pq - 2rq
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