Sustainable Production from Natural
Resources: The SQM Experience
Patricio Contesse G.
Chief Executive Officer
SQM
 World major producer potassium nitrate, iodine and
lithium
 Earnings 2013:
US$ 467.1 millions
 4,700 employees and 5,400 contractors
 Production: + 2.5 million ton/year; delivered to 115
Nuestros
productos
countries
Business Lines
35%
Iodine and derivatives
21%
Specialty Plant Nutrition
24%
Potassium
11%
Lithium and derivatives
8%
Industrial Chemicals
Natural Resources
Caliche
Brines
Nitrate
Potassium
Iodine
Lithium
Sustainable Development Policy

Safety, Health, Environment, Quality
and Community Management
Systems
Objectives





Safe workplace for workers
Care for the environment
Efficient use of resources
Costumer satisfaction
Good neighbor to the community
Certification on
Responsible Care,
international protocol
for the Chemical
Industry
Care for the Environment
We operate near sensitive sites …

Salar de Atacama
In its borders there are
• Lagoons, meadows and wetlands
with reach wildlife
• Some areas are National Reserve
•
Indegenous communities

Pampa del Tamarugal and Salar de
Llamara
• Tamarugo forest (protected
specie)
• Wildlife
• Lagoons with stromatolites
• Some areas are National Reserve
• Local small farmers
Care for the Environment

We apply high standards …



Minimize potential impact implementing control and mitigation measures
Develop extensive scientific studies ; basis for environmental assessment and
operation
All operations are audited regularly by authorities; decades without fines
Care for the Environment

We apply high standards …

Develop environmental education programs for the community; jointly
with public organizations

Contribute with scientific studies to increase knowledge of valuable
ecological systems
Environmental Education Center
at Pampa del Tamarugal
Care for the Environment
Biodiversity
 Specialized
Studies on
biota and
hydrogeology
 Robust
Monitoring
Plans at Salar
de Atacama and
Pampa del
Tamarugal
 Thousands of
variables
monitored
Water
 Recirculation
to processes
 Monitoring of
environmental
impact
 846 l/s average
consumption,
equivalent to
irrigation water
for aprox. 300
hectares
Energy
 82.7 Million
GJ total
energy
consumption
 92% of
energy used
is solar
energy
Emissions to
Air
 Air quality
monitoring
 Reduction of
PM10 at
Maria Elena
and Tocopilla
Port
 Estimation of
GHG
emissions
Waste
Handling
 Authorized
management
systems
 Over 50% of
dangerous
waste is
disposed for
recycling
Care for the Environment
Our products contribute to NonConventional Renewable Energy
Projects …

Solar salts are used for thermal
accumulation of solar energy; allows for
continuous energy supply (day/night)

Mixture of 60% sodium nitrate and 40%
potassium nitrate, both produced by SQM

For every 50 MW project -> 30 Th MT of
solar salts.

There are a total of 1,600 MW of Solar
Plants operating with thermal storage
systems

A new plant will be installed in northern
Chile (110 MW)
Relationship with the Community
Strategic Guidelines
 Open dialogue with representatives of
the communities near our operations
and authorities.
 Local development programs aligned
with the needs of the community,
emphasizing
 Education
 Culture and historical heritage
 Social development
“We mantain a close and long term
relationship with our neighbors,
based on respect, trust and mutual
development”.
Relationship with the Community
Open Dialogue
 Annual communication program with
members of the community
• Delivery of regular information on
environmental issues
• Involvement in environmental
monitoring and auditing fieldwork
• Presentation of results of annual
independent audit
 Open visits to our operation facilities
 Participation of local community in external
auditing program
 SQM participates in significant local events
Relationship with the Community
Cultural heritage
•
•
•
Research an publications on local cultural
heritage
Participation in several Saltpeter Heritage
Corporations
Improvements in Historical Area at Maria Elena
Education
•
•
•
Literary contest about the Saltpeter heritage
School support on Math and extracurricular
activities
Support cultural and artistic expressions,
traditional festivals and carnivals
Support Micro-entrepreneurship
•
•
•
Micro-entrepreneurship Fund
Tourism Development Program
Atacama Tierra Fertil Program
Relationship with the Community
Social Development Programs
 Valued by the local community; developed
jointly with the community and based on
their interests
 Supported by authorities
 Agricultural Program “Atacama Tierra Fertil”
has proven to be a success for local farmers
 Hydroponics: lettuce, strawberries, tomatos
 Alfalfa crops with modern irrigation systems
 Includes educational program at local
technical school: Liceo Likan Antai
Final Remarks
We develop our business with a long term
perspective …
… a profitable business, committed with our
employees, care for the environment and the
development of the community.