Metals Exploration
In addition to advancing in the exploration for nitrate and iodine resources, SQM seeks to maximize the value of its land holdings by undertaking prospecting and implementing initial exploration activities seeking to discover deposits of base or precious metals.
Through a systematic and scientifically based exploration strategy SQM identifies areas of high prospectivity for metallic mineral deposits. SQM may continue forward through exploration stages towards discovery, or seek discovery through a third party Exploration Alliance by entering into an option and joint venture agreement.
Through an exploration strategy we identify areas of high prospectivity for metallic minerals. In order to meet our discovery goals, we have surveyed a number of prospects and exploration areas in early prospective stages for copper, gold, silver and other base metals for exploration through option agreements andjoint ventures.
Learn more about some of our exploration zones:
- El Tigre
- Pampa Negra
- Sierra de la Cruz
- Distrito El Inca
- Claudia
- Mancha 6
- Cerro Carpa
- Distrito Colupito
- Cerro El Bote
- Opache (Pulucktur)
- Antupampa
- Conico
- Distrito Balkan
- Cerro Solitario
- Distrito La Deseada
- Paloma
- Palomita
- Paloma 2
- Distrito Lenka
- Cerro Valenzuela
- Distrito Pampa
- Pampa Oeste
- Llano
- Distrito Morado
- Marcela
- Celia
- Cerro Barco
- Montones
- Distrito Culebron
- Navidad - Paisaje
- Pampa Paloma
- Overo
- Tropico
- Cristobal
- Kilometro 60
- Capricornio
- Sierra El Tigre
- Veta Renato
- Distrito El Cobre
- Paradero Desierto
- Distrito Bufalo
- Los Morros
- Salar de Navidad
- Palestina
- Distrito Savona
- Pampa Cerro Negro
- Jardin
- San Roman
- Cerro Manchado Este
- Distrito Trapecio
- Pampa Augusta Victoria
- Distrito Paisaje
- Pan de Azucar
- Rutilo
- Distrito Pampa El Peñon
- Angie
- Cerro Tostado
- Distrito Guirnalda
- Pampa Buenos Aires
- Cerro Buenos Aires
- Perversa
- Argomedo
- Distrito Taltal
- Cerro Geoda
- Los Dorados
- Sierra Amarilla
- Distrito Sudamericana
- Cerro Grupo
- Distrito Agua Verde
- Plato de Sopa
- Blanco Muralla
- Altamira - Cachina
- Toril
- Fiel Rosita
We maintain several exploration option agreements as well as joint ventures covering prospective greenfield areas and early-stage prospects that have had little to none modern exploration. Exploration alliances have typically optioned large land packages to reduce specific project areas by integrating the limited historical data into a single and unique data that we at SQM Iodine Plant Nutrition have been able to generate from drilling nitrate resources and geological prospecting methods.
Due to a successful completion of the joint venture and the option agreements, we maintain a number of royalties on projects that are in their late stages of exploration or development. Optional concession areas do not necessarily translate at this time into an economic return due to locations used for infrastructure.