Financial instruments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Disclosure Of Financials instruments [Abstract]

Disclosure of detailed information about other financial assets [Text Block]

10.1

Types of other financial assets

Description of other financial assets	12/31/2017 ThUS$		12/31/2016 ThUS$
Other current financial assets (1)		360,941		284,160
Derivatives (2)		6,038		4,095
Hedging assets		-		934
Total other current financial assets		366,979		289,189
Other non-current financial assets (3)		42,879		14,099
Total other non-current financial assets		42,879		14,099

(1) Relates to term deposits with maturities exceeding 90 days and less than 360 days from the investment date.

(2) Relates to forwards and options that were not classified as hedging instruments (see detail in Note 10.3).

(3) The detail of other financial assets, non-current is as follows:

	12/31/2017 ThUS$		12/31/2016 ThUS$
Non-current investments not accounted for using the equity accounting method, classified as available for sale		9,179		6,899
Hedging assets		8,910		7,156
Contribution for constitution of Joint Venture (1)		24,745		-
Other financial assets, non-current		45		44
Total other financial assets, non-current		42,879		14,099

(1) SQM Potasio S.A. contributed ThUS$24,745 to set up Western Australia Lithium (WAL). This has still not been legally constituted as a company, so the funds remain in trust waiting to be transferred to WAL.

Disclosure of detailed information about other non current financial assets [Text Block]

The detail of other financial assets, non-current is as follows:

	12/31/2017 ThUS$		12/31/2016 ThUS$
Non-current investments not accounted for using the equity accounting method, classified as available for sale		9,179		6,899
Hedging assets		8,910		7,156
Contribution for constitution of Joint Venture (1)		24,745		-
Other financial assets, non-current		45		44
Total other financial assets, non-current		42,879		14,099

(1) SQM Potasio S.A. contributed ThUS$ 24,745 to set up Western Australia Lithium (WAL). This has still not been legally constituted as a company, so the funds remain in trust waiting to be transferred to WAL.

Disclosure of detailed information about other current financial assets [Text Block]

Detail of other current financial assets

Institution	12/31/2017 ThUS$		12/31/2016 ThUS$
Banco Santander		163,269		54,364
Banco de Crédito e Inversiones		71,748		40,627
Banco Itaú - Corpbanca		77,527		63,969
Banco Security		28,592		15,007
Morgan Stanley		-		3,150
Scotiabank Sud Americano		13,764		107,043
Banco Chile		4,834		-
Banco BBVA Chile		1,207		-
Total		360,941		284,160

Disclosure of trade and other receivables [text block]

10.2 Trade and other receivables

	12/31/2017						12/31/2016
	Current		Non-current		Total		Current		Non-current		Total
	ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$$		ThUS$
Trade receivables		412,321		-		412,321		344,839		-		344,839
Prepayments		16,177		-		16,177		6,621		-		6,621
Other receivables		18,377		1,912		20,289		17,301		1,840		19,141
Total trade and other receivables		446,875		1,912		448,787		368,761		1,840		370,601

	12/31/2017						12/31/2016
	Assets before allowances		Allowance for doubtful trade receivables		Assets for trade receivables, net		Assets before allowances		Allowance for doubtful trade receivables		Assets for trade receivables, net
	ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$
Receivables related to credit operations, current		427,400		(15,079)		412,321		361,656		(16,817)		344,839
Trade receivables, current		427,400		(15,079)		412,321		361,656		(16,817)		344,839
Prepayments, current		16,877		(700)		16,177		9,421		(2,800)		6,621
Other receivables, current		23,409		(5,032)		18,377		19,300		(1,999)		17,301
Current trade and other receivables		40,286		(5,732)		34,554		28,721		(4,799)		23,922
Other receivables, non-current		1,912		-		1,912		1,840		-		1,840
Non-current receivables		1,912		-		1,912		1,840		-		1,840
Total trade and other receivables		469,598		(20,811)		448,787		392,217		(21,616)		370,601

Disclosure of detailed information about trade and other receivables [Text Block]

	12/31/2017						12/31/2016
	Assets before allowances		Allowance for doubtful trade receivables		Assets for trade receivables, net		Assets before allowances		Allowance for doubtful trade receivables		Assets for trade receivables, net
	ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$
Receivables related to credit operations, current		427,400		(15,079)		412,321		361,656		(16,817)		344,839
Trade receivables, current		427,400		(15,079)		412,321		361,656		(16,817)		344,839
Prepayments, current		16,877		(700)		16,177		9,421		(2,800)		6,621
Other receivables, current		23,409		(5,032)		18,377		19,300		(1,999)		17,301
Current trade and other receivables		40,286		(5,732)		34,554		28,721		(4,799)		23,922
Other receivables, non-current		1,912		-		1,912		1,840		-		1,840
Non-current receivables		1,912		-		1,912		1,840		-		1,840
Total trade and other receivables		469,598		(20,811)		448,787		392,217		(21,616)		370,601

Disclosure of financial assets that are either past due or impaired [text block]

As of December 31, 2017 the detail of the uncollateralized portfolio is as follows:

	Current			Between 1 and 30 days		Between 31 and 60 days			Between 61 and 90 days		More than 91 days		Total
	THUS$		THUS$		THUS$	THUS$		THUS$		THUS$
Number of customers, portfolio under no renegotiated terms		2,282			194		68			21		21		2,586
Portfolio under no renegotiated terms		388,516			20,022		9,909			851		8,102		427,400
Number of customers under renegotiated terms portfolio		-			-		-			-		-		-
Portfolio under renegotiated terms, gross		-			-		-			-		-		-
Total gross portfolio		388,516			20,022		9,909			851		8,102		427,400

As of December 31, 2016 the detail of the uncollateralized portfolio is as follows:

	Current		Between 1 and 30 days		Between 31 and 60 days		Between 61 and 90 days		More than 91 days		Total
Number of customers, portfolio under no renegotiated terms		503		173		59		19		40		794
Number of customers under renegotiated terms portfolio		-		-		-		-		-		-
Total gross portfolio		304,072		42,732		7,218		1,182		6,452		361,656

Disclosure of allowance for credit losses [text block]

Hedging assets with underlying debt	Derivative instruments (Fwds)		Effect on profit or  loss for the period Derivative instruments		Hedging reserve in gross equity		Deferred tax hedging reserve in equity		Hedging reserve in equity
	ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$
December 31, 2017		8,910		5,641		2,170		-		2,170

Hedging liabilities with underlying debt	Derivative instruments (CCS)		Effect on profit or  loss for the period Derivative instruments		Hedging reserve in gross equity		Deferred tax hedging reserve in equity		Hedging reserve in equity
	ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$
December 31, 2017		17,128		33,696		41		-		41

Hedging liabilities with underlying investments	Derivative instruments (CCS)		Effect on profit or  loss for the period Derivative instruments		Hedging reserve in gross equity		Deferred tax hedging reserve in equity		Hedging reserve in equity
	ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$
December 31, 2017		(20,159)		(20,256)		97		-		97

Hedging assets with underlying debt	Derivative instruments (Fwds)		Effect on profit or  loss for the period Derivative instruments		Hedging reserve in gross equity		Deferred tax hedging reserve in equity		Hedging reserve in equity
	ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$
December 31, 2016		830		789		41		(9)		32

Hedging liabilities with underlying debt	Derivative instruments (CCS)		Effect on profit or  loss for the period Derivative instruments		Hedging reserve in gross equity		Deferred tax hedging reserve in equity		Hedging reserve in equity
	ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$
December 31, 2016		43,235		28,108		(29)		5		(24)

Hedging liabilities with underlying investments	Derivative instruments (CCS)		Effect on profit or loss for the period Derivative instruments		Hedging reserve in gross equity		Deferred tax hedging reserve in equity		Hedging reserve in equity
	ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$			ThUS$
December 31, 2016		218		(294)		76		(19)		57

Hedging liabilities with underlying investments	Derivative instruments (CCS)		Effect on profit or loss for the period Derivative instruments		Hedging reserve in gross equity		Deferred tax hedging reserve in equity		Hedging reserve in equity
	ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$			ThUS$
December 31, 2015		74.786		(29.245)		86		96		182

Disclosure of maturity analysis for derivative financial liabilities [text block]

Derivative contract maturities are detailed as follows:

Series	Contract amount		Currency	Maturity date
	ThUS$
H		191,638	UF	01/05/2018
O		58,748	UF	02/01/2022

Disclosure of financial liabilities [text block]

As of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the detail is as follows:

	12/31/2017						12/31/2016
	Current		Non-current		Total		Current		Non-current		Total
	ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$
Bank borrowings		163,568		-		163,568		101,270		-		101,270
Obligations with the public (bonds)		13,494		1,031,507		1,045,001		58,973		1,059,706		1,118,679
Derivatives		5,979		-		5,979		1,920		-		1,920
Hedging liabilities		37,287		-		37,287		16,981		33,732		50,713
Total		220,328		1,031,507		1,251,835		179,144		1,093,438		1,272,582

Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [text block]

As of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the detail is as follows:

	12/31/2017		12/31/2016
	ThUS$		ThUS$
Long-term bank borrowings		-		-
Short-term bank borrowings		163,568		101.270
Short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term borrowings		163,568		101.270
Total bank borrowings		163,568		101.270

Disclosure of detailed information about short term borrowings [Text Block]

As of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the detail of this caption is as follows:

Debtor			Creditor			Currency or
Tax ID No	Company	Country	Tax ID No.	Financial institution	Country	adjustment index	Repayment	Effective rate		Nominal rate
93,007,000-9	SQM.S.A.	Chile	97,018,000-1	Scotiabank Sud Americano	Chile	US$	Upon maturity	1.63	%	1.63	%
93,007,000-9	SQM.S.A.	Chile	97,018,000-1	Scotiabank Sud Americano	Chile	US$	Upon maturity	1.73	%	1.73	%
93,007,000-9	SQM.S.A.	Chile	97,018,000-1	Scotiabank Sud Americano	Chile	US$	Upon maturity	1.73	%	1.73	%
93,007,000-9	SQM S.A.	Chile	97,018,000-1	Banco Estado	Chile	US$	Upon maturity	1.64	%	1.64	%
93,007,000-9	SQM S.A.	Chile	97,018,000-1	Banco Estado	Chile	US$	Upon maturity	1.67	%	1.67	%
93,007,000-9	SQM S.A.	Chile	97,018,000-1	Banco Estado	Chile	US$	Upon maturity	1.67	%	1.67	%
79,626,800-K	SQM Salar S.A.	Chile	97,018,000-1	Banco Estado	Chile	US$	Upon maturity	1.91	%	1.91	%
79,626,800-K	SQM Salar S.A.	Chile	97,018,000-1	Scotiabank Sud Americano	Chile	US$	Upon maturity	1.94	%	1.94	%
79,947,100-0	SQM Industrial S.A.	Chile	97,030,000-7	Banco Estado	Chile	US$	Upon maturity	1.74	%	1.74	%
79,947,100-0	SQM Industrial S.A.	Chile	97,030,000-7	Banco Estado	Chile	US$	Upon maturity	1.65	%	1.65	%

		12/31/2017						12/31/2017
Debtor	Creditor	Nominal amounts						Current amounts
Company	Financial institution	Up to 90 days ThUS$		90 days to 1 year ThUS$		Total ThUS$		Up to 90 days ThUS$		90 days to 1 year ThUS$		Subtotal ThUS$		Borrowing costs ThUS$		Total ThUS$
SQM,S,A,	Scotiabank Sud Americano		-		20,000		20,000		-		20,137		20,137		-		20,137
SQM,S,A,	Scotiabank Sud Americano		-		17,000		17,000		-		17,140		17,140		-		17,140
SQM,S,A,	Scotiabank Sud Americano		-		3,000		3,000		-		3,025		3,025		-		3,025
SQM,S,A,	Banco Estado		15,000		-		15,000		15,011		-		15,011		-		15,011
SQM,S,A,	Banco Estado		15,000		-		15,000		15,011		-		15,011		-		15,011
SQM,S,A,	Banco Estado		15,000		-		15,000		15,011		-		15,011		-		15,011
SQM Salar S,A,	Banco Estado		-		20,000		20,000		-		20,071		20,071		-		20,071
SQM Salar S,A,	Scotiabank Sud Americano		-		20,000		20,000		-		20,072		20,072		-		20,072
SQM Industrial S,A,	Banco Estado		-		20,000		20,000		-		20,064		20,064		-		20,064
SQM Industrial S,A,	Banco Estado		18,000		-		18,000		18,026		-		18,026		-		18,026
Total			63,000		100,000		163,000		63,059		100,509		163,568		-		163,568

Debtor			Creditor			Currency or
Tax ID No	Company	Country	Tax ID No.	Financial institution	Country	adjustment index	Repayment	Effective rate		Nominal  rate
93,007,000-9	SQM.S.A.	Chile	97,018,000-1	Scotiabank Sud Americano	Chile	US$	Upon maturity	1.00	%	1.00	%
93,007,000-9	SQM.S.A.	Chile	97,030,000-7	Banco Estado	Chile	US$	Upon maturity	4.3	%	4.3	%
93,007,000-9	SQM.S.A.	Chile	97,018,000-1	Scotiabank Sud Americano	Chile	US$	Upon maturity	0.74	%	0.85	%
93,007,000-9	SQM.S.A.	Chile	97,018,000-1	Scotiabank Sud Americano	Chile	US$	Upon maturity	0.74	%	0.84	%
79,626,800-K	SQM Salar S.A.	Chile	97,018,000-1	Scotiabank Sud Americano	Chile	US$	Upon maturity	1.34	%	0.84	%
79,947,100-0	SQM Industrial S.A.	Chile	97,030,000-7	Banco Estado	Chile	US$	Upon maturity	1.20	%	1.20	%

		12/31/2016						1231/2016
Debtor	Creditor	Nominal amounts						Current amounts
Company	Financial institution	Up to 90 days ThUS$		90 days to 1 year ThUS$		Total ThUS$		Up to 90 days ThUS$		90 days to 1 year ThUS$		Subtotal ThUS$		Borrowing costs ThUS$		Total ThUS$
SQM.S.A.	Scotiabank Sud Americano		-		20,000		20,000		30		20,000		20,030		-		20,030
SQM.S.A.	Banco Estado		-		20,412		20,412		-		20,919		20,919		-		20,919
SQM.S.A.	Scotiabank Sud Americano		-		17,000		17,000		-		17,057		17,057		-		17,057
SQM.S.A.	Scotiabank Sud Americano		-		3,000		3,000		-		3,010		3,010		-		3,010
SQM Salar S.A.	Scotiabank Sud Americano		-		20,000		20,000		-		20,042		20,042		-		20,042
SQM Industrial S.A.	Banco Estado		20,000		-		20,000		20,212		-		20,212		-		20,212
Total			20,000		80,412		100,412		20,242		81,028		101,270		-		101,270

Disclosure of detailed information about current maturities of unsecured obligations [Text Block]

As of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the detail of current unsecured interest-bearing obligations is composed of promissory notes and bonds, as follows:

Bonds

Debtor

Periodicity

Tax ID No.

Company

País

Number of registration or ID of the instrument

Series

Maturity date

Currency or adjustment index

Payment of interest

Repayment

Effective rate

Nominal rate

93,007,000-9

SQM S.A.

Chile

-

ThUS$250,000

04/21/2018

US$

Semiannual

Upon maturity

1.47

%

5.50

%

93,007,000-9

SQM S.A.

Chile

-

ThUS$250,000

01/28/2018

US$

Semiannual

Upon maturity

3.17

%

4.38

%

93,007,000-9

SQM S.A.

Chile

-

ThUS$300,000

0403//2018

US$

Semiannual

Upon maturity

2.12

%

3.63

%

93,007,000-9

SQM S.A.

Chile

564

H

01/05/2018

UF

Semiannual

Semiannual

2.18

%

4.90

%

93,007,000-9

SQM S.A.

Chile

699

O

02/01/2018

UF

Semiannual

Upon maturity

2.80

%

3.80

%

			12/31/2017						12/31/2017
			Nominal maturities						Current maturities
Company	Country	Series	Up to 90 days		91 days to 1 year		Total		Up to 90 days		91 days to 1 year		Subtotal		Bond issuance costs		Total
			ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$
SQM S,A,	Chile	ThUS$250,000		-		-		-		-		2,674		2,674		(385)		2,289
SQM S,A,	Chile	ThUS$250,000		-		-		-		4,648		-		4,648		(433)		4,215
SQM S,A,	Chile	ThUS$300,000		-		-		-		-		2,658		2,658		(615)		2,043
SQM S,A,	Chile	H		-		-		-		4,127		-		4,127		(139)		3,988
SQM S,A,	Chile	O		-		-		-		1,026		-		1,026		(67)		959
Total				-		-		-		9,801		5,332		15,133		(1,639)		13,494

Debtor							Periodicity
Tax ID No.	Company	País	Number of registration or ID of the instrument	Series	Maturity date	Currency or adjustment index	Payment of interest	Repayment	Effective rate		Nominal rate
93,007,000-9	SQM S.A.	Chile	-	ThUS$250,000	10/21/2016	US$	Semiannual	Upon maturity	1.97	%		5.50	%
93,007,000-9	SQM S.A.	Chile	-	ThUS$250,000	01/28/2017	US$	Semiannual	Upon maturity	3.61	%		4.38	%
93,007,000-9	SQM S.A.	Chile	-	ThUS$300,000	10/03/2016	US$	Semiannual	Upon maturity	2.48	%		3.63	%
93,007,000-9	SQM S.A.	Chile	446	C	12/01/2016	UF	Semiannual	Semiannual	1.34	%		4.00	%
93,007,000-9	SQM S.A.	Chile	564	H	01/05/2017	UF	Semiannual	Semiannual	2.47	%		4.90	%
93,007,000-9	SQM S.A.	Chile	700	M	02/01/2017	UF	Semiannual	Upon maturity	0.69	%		3.30	%
93,007,000-9	SQM S.A.	Chile	699	O	02/01/2017	UF	Semiannual	Upon maturity	3.00	%		3.80	%

			12/31/2016						12/31/2016
			Nominal maturities						Current maturities
Company	Country	Series	Up to 90 days		91 days to 1 year		Total		Up to 90 days		91 days to 1 year		Subtotal		Bond issuance costs		Total
			ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$
SQM S,A,	Chile	ThUS$250,000		-		-		-		-		2,674		2,674		(386)		2,288
SQM S,A,	Chile	ThUS$250,000		-		-		-		4,649		-		4,649		(433)		4,216
SQM S,A,	Chile	ThUS$300,000		-		-		-		-		2,658		2,658		(615)		2,043
SQM S,A,	Chile	C		-		5,903		5,903		-		6,098		6,098		-		6,098
SQM S,A,	Chile	H		-		-		-		3,726		-		3,726		(139)		3,587
SQM S,A,	Chile	M		39,356		-		39,356		39,893		-		39,893		(11)		39,882
SQM S,A,	Chile	O		-		-		-		926		-		926		(67)		859
Total				39,356		5,903		45,259		49,194		11,430		60,624		(1,651)		58,973

Disclosure of detailed information about non current maturities of unsecured obligations [Text Block]

The breakdown of non-current unsecured interest-bearing bonds as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 is detailed as follows:

Periodicity

Tax ID No.

Company

Country

Number of registration or ID of the instrument

Series

Maturity date

Currency or adjustment index

Payment of interest

Repayment

Effective rate

Nominal rate

93,007,000-9

SQM S.A.

Chile

-

ThUS$250,000

04/21/2020

US$

Semiannual

Upon maturity

5.50

%

5.50

%

93,007,000-9

SQM S.A.

Chile

-

ThUS$250,000

01/28/2025

US$

Semiannual

Upon maturity

4.38

%

4.38

%

93,007,000-9

SQM S.A.

Chile

-

ThUS$300,000

04/03/2023

US$

Semiannual

Upon maturity

3.63

%

3.63

%

93,007,000-9

SQM S.A.

Chile

564

H

01/05/2030

UF

Semiannual

Semiannual

4.90

%

6.01

%

93,007,000-9

SQM S.A.

Chile

699

O

02/01/2033

UF

Semiannual

Upon maturity

3.80

%

3.80

%

Nominal non-current maturities 12/31/2017													Non-current maturities 12/31/2017
Series	Over 1 year to 2		Over 2 years to 3		Over 3 Years to 4		Over 4 Years to 5		Over 5 years		Total		Over 1 year to 2		Over 2 years to 3		Over 3 Years to 4		Over 4 Years to 5		Over 5 years		Subtotal		Bond issuance costs		Total
	ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$
MUS$250		250,000		-		-		-		-		250,000		250,000		-		-		-		-		250,000		(517)		249,483
MUS$250		-		-		-		-		250,000		250,000		-		-		-		-		250,000		250,000		(2,636)		247,364
MUS$300		-		-		-		-		300,000		300,000		-		-		-		-		300,000		300,000		(2,618)		297,382
H		-		-		-		-		174,367		174,367		-		-		-		-		174,367		174,367		(1,532)		172,835
O		-		-		-		-		65,388		65,388		-		-		-		-		65,388		65,388		(945)		64,443
Total		250,000		-		-		-		789,755		1,039,755		250,000		-		-		-		789,755		1,039,755		(8,248)		1,031,507

Tax ID No.

	Company		Country		Number of registration or ID of the instrument		Series		Maturity date		Currency or adjustment index		Payment of interest		Repayment		Effective rate		Nominal rate
93,007,000-9		SQM S.A.		Chile		-		ThUS$250,000		04/21/2020		US$		Semiannual		Upon maturity		5.94	%	5.50	%
93,007,000-9		SQM S.A.		Chile		-		ThUS$250,000		01/28/2025		US$		Semiannual		Upon maturity		4.62	%	4.38	%
93,007,000-9		SQM S.A.		Chile		-		ThUS$300,000		04/03/2023		US$		Semiannual		Upon maturity		3.95	%	3.63	%
93,007,000-9		SQM S.A.		Chile		446		C		12/01/2026		UF		Semiannual		Semiannual		5.57	%	4.00	%
93,007,000-9		SQM S.A.		Chile		564		H		01/05/2030		UF		Semiannual		Semiannual		5.22	%	4.90	%
93,007,000-9		SQM S.A.		Chile		699		O		02/01/2033		UF		Semiannual		Upon maturity		3.97	%	3.80	%

Nominal non-current maturities 12/31/2016														Non-current maturities 12/31/2016
Series	Over 1 year to 2		Over 2 years to 3		Over 3 Years to 4		Over 4 Years to 5		Over 5 years		Total		Over 1 year to 2		Over 2 years to 3		Over 3 Years to 4		Over 4 Years to 5		Over 5 years		Subtotal		Bond issuance costs		Total
	ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$
MUS$250		-		250,000		-		-		-		250,000		-		250,000		-		-		-		250,000		(904)		249,096
MUS$250		-		-		-		-		250,000		250,000		-		-		-		-		250,000		250,000		(3,069)		246,931
MUS$300		-		-		-		-		300,000		300,000		-		-		-		-		300,000		300,000		(3,230)		296,770
C		5,903		5,903		5,903		5,903		29,519		53,131		5,903		5,903		5,903		5,903		29,519		53,131		-		53,131
H		-		-		-		-		157,426		157,426		-		-		-		-		157,426		157,426		(1,671)		155,755
O		-		-		-		-		59,035		59,035		-		-		-		-		59,035		59,035		(1,012)		58,023
Total		5,903		255,903		5,903		5,903		795,980		1,069,592		5,903		255,903		5,903		5,903		795,980		1,069,592		(9,886)		1,059,706

Disclosure of information about Series C bonds [Text Block]

As of December 31, 2017, December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company has made the following payments with a charge to the Series C bonds:

Payments made	12/31/2017		12/31/2016		12/31/2015
	ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$
Principal payment		57,290		5,729		5,729
Interest payment		1,515		3,275		3,570

Disclosure of information about First issue single series bonds [Text Block]

As of December 31, 2017, December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company has made the following payments with a charge to the Single series bonds:

Payments made	12/31/2017 ThUS$		12/31/2016 ThUS$		12/31/2015 ThUS$
Payments of principal owed		-		200,000		-
Payments of interest		-		6,125		12,250

Disclosure of information about issue of series H bonds [Text Block]

As of December 31, 2017, December 31, 2016 and December 2015, the Company has made the following payments with a charge to the Series H bonds:

Payments made	12/31/2017 ThUS$		12/31/2016 ThUS$		12/31/2015 ThUS$
Payments of interest, Series H bonds		7,691		7,289		7,696

Disclosure of information about second issue of single series bonds [Text Block]

As of December 31, 2017, December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the detail of payments charged to the line of single series bonds, second issue is as follows:

Payments made	12/31/2017 ThUS$		12/31/2016 ThUS$		12/31/2015 ThUS$
Interest payment		13,750		13,750		13,750

Disclosure of information about issue of series M and O bonds [Text Block]

As of December 31, 2017, December 31, 2016 and December 2015 the Company has made the following payments with a charge to the Series M and O bonds:

Payments made	12/31/2017 ThUS$		12/31/2016 ThUS$		12/31/2015 ThUS$
Principal paymen, Series M bondst		40,726		-		-
Payment of interest, Series M bonds		667		1,242		1,248
Payment of interest, Series O bonds		2,301		2,142		2,153

Disclosure of information about third issue of single series bonds [Text Block]

As of December 31, 2017, December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the following payments have been made with a debit to the line of single-series bonds, third issue:

Payments made	12/31/2017 ThUS$		12/31/2016 ThUS$		12/31/2015 ThUS$
Payment of interest		10,875		10,875		10,875

Disclosure of information about fourth issue of single series bonds [Text Block]

As of December 31, 2017, December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the following payments have been made.

Payments made	12/31/2017 ThUS$		12/31/2016 ThUS$		12/31/2015 ThUS$
Payment of interest		10,938		10,938		8,203

Disclosure of trade and other payables [text block]

Trade and other payables

	12/31/2017						12/31/2016
	Current		Non- current		Total		Current		Non- current		Total
	ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$
Accounts payable		195,858		-		195,858		200,215		-		200,215
Other accounts payable		422		-		422		281		-		281
Total		196,280		-		196,280		200,496		-		200,496

Disclosure of information about derivative instruments measured at fair value through profit or loss [Text Block]

This balance relates to derivative instruments measured at their fair value, which has generated balances against the Company. The detail of this type of instrument is as follows:

Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss			Effect on profit or loss as of 12/31/2017				Effect on profit or loss as of 12/31/2016				Effect on profit or loss as of 12/31/2015
	12/31/2017 ThUS$		ThUS$		12/31/2016 ThUS$		ThUS$		12/31/2015 ThUS$		ThUS$
Current
Derivate instruments (options)		-		-		-		-		215		1,304
Derivative instruments (IRS)		-		-		-		(229)		283		(242)
		-		-		-		(229)		498		1,062

Disclosure of detailed information about categories of financial assets [Text Block]

  Financial Assets

		12/31/2017						12/31/2016
	Financial	Current		Non-current		Total		Current		Non-current		Total
Description of financial assets	instruments	Amount ThUS$		Amount ThUS$		Amount ThUS$		Amount ThUS$		Amount ThUS$		Amount ThUS$
Cash and cash equivalent			630,438		-		630,438		514,669		-		514,669
Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss	Derivative instruments		6,038		8,910		14,948		5,029		7,156		12,185
Total financial assets at fair value			6,038		42,834		48,872		5,029		14,055		19,084

Disclosure of detailed information about categories of financial liabilities [Text Block]

Financial liabilities

		12/31/2017						12/31/2016
	Financial	Current		Non-current		Total		Current		Non-current		Total
Description of financial liabilities	instruments	Amount ThUS$		Amount ThUS$		Amount ThUS$		Amount ThUS$		Amount ThUS$		Amount ThUS$
Trade payables due to related parties			1,365		-		1,365		7		-		7
Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss	Derivative instruments		43,266		-		43,266		18,901		33,732		52,633
Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss			44,631		-		44,631		18,908		33,732		52,640
Financial liabilities measured at amortized cost	Bank borrowings		163,568		-		163,568		101,270		-		101,270
Financial liabilities measured at amortized cost	Obligations with the public		13,494		1,031,507		1,045,001		58,973		1,059,706		1,118,679
Financial liabilities measured at amortized cost	Trade and other payables		196,280		-		196,280		200,496		-		200,496
Total financial liabilities measured at amortized cost			373,342		1,031,507		1,404,849		360,739		1,059,706		1,420,445
Total financial liabilities			417,973		1,031,507		1,449,480		379,647		1,093,438		1,473,085

Disclosure of fair value measurement [text block]

The valuation technique used for determining fair value of our hedging instruments is that indicated in Level 2.

		Fair value	Measurement methodology
	12/31/2017		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$
Financial assets
Investment
Investment SQM Australia		24,746		24,746		-		-
Shares		9,159		9,159		-		-
Non-hedging derivatives
Forwards		2,744		-		2,744		-
Options		110		-		110		-
Swaps		3,184		-		3,184		-
Hedging derivatives
Swaps		8,726		-		8,726		-
Deposits, more than 90 days		360,941				360,941		-
Other		249		-		249		-
Financial liabilities
Non-hedging derivatives
Forwards		5,534		-		5,534		-
Options		445		-		445		-
Hedging derivatives
Swaps		37,287		-		37,287		-
Bank loans		163,568		-		163,568		-
Non-guaranteed bonds		1,039,956		-		1,039,956		-
Other		5,945		-		5,945		-

	Fair value		Measurement methodology
	12/31/2016		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$
Financial assets
Investment
Shares		6,879		6,879		-		-
Non-hedging derivatives
Forwards		924		-		924		-
Options		426		-		426		-
Swaps		2,745		-		2,745		-
Hedging derivatives
Swaps		8,090		-		8,090		-
Deposits, more than 90 days		284,159				284,159		-
Other		2,809		-		2,809		-
Financial liabilities
Non-hedging derivatives
Forwards		871		-		871		-
Options		363		-		363		-
Hedging derivatives
Swaps		50,713		-		50,713		-
Bank loans		101,270		-		101,270		-
Non-guaranteed bonds		1,103,324		-		1,103,324		-
Other		16,041		-		16,041		-

Disclosure of information about financial assets pledged as guarantee [Text Block]

As of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, assets pledged as guarantees are as follows:

Restricted cash	12/31/2017 ThUS$		12/31/2016 ThUS$
Isapre Norte Grande Ltda.		771		685
Total		771		685

Disclosure of detailed information about financial instruments [text block]

The detail of the Company’s instruments at carrying value and estimated fair value is as follows:

	12/31/2017				12/31/2016
	Carrying value		Fair value		Carrying value		Fair value
	ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$		ThUS$
Cash and cash equivalents		630,438		630,438		514,669		514,669
Current trade and other receivables		446,875		446,875		368,761		368,761
Receivables due from related parties, current		59,132		59,132		82,259		82,259
Other financial assets, current:
- Time deposits		360,941		360,941		284,160		284,160
- Derivative instruments		6,038		6,038		4,095		4,095
- Hedging assets		-		-		934		934
Total other current financial assets		366,979		366,979		289,189		289,189
Non-Current Trade Receivables		1,912		1,912		1,840		1,840
Other non-current financial assets:		42,879		42,879		14,099		14,099
Total other non-current financial assets:		42,879		42,879		14,099		14,099
Other financial liabilities, current:
- Bank loans		163,568		163,568		101,270		101,270
- Derivative instruments		5,979		5,979		1,920		1,920
- Hedging liabilities		37,287		37,287		16,981		16,981
- Unsecured obligations		13,494		13,494		58,973		58,973
Other financial liabilities, current		220,328		220,328		179,144		179,144
Current and non-current accounts payable		196,280		196,280		200,496		200,496
Payables due to related parties, non-current		1,365		1,365		7		7
Other non-current financial liabilities:
- Bank loans		-		-		-		-
- Unsecured obligations		1,031,507		1,131,639		1,059,706		1,195,512
- Non-current hedging liabilities		-		-		33,732		33,732
Other non-current financial liabilities:		1,031,507		1,131,639		1,093,438		1,229,244