UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 20-F

¨    REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

OR

x    ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 20122013

OR

¨    TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

OR

¨    SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 23 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of event requiring this shell company report_______________________________

For the transition period from   _____________to__________

Commission file number33-65728

SOCIEDAD QUIMICA Y MINERA DE CHILE S.A.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

CHEMICAL AND MINING COMPANY OF CHILE INC.

(Translation of registrant's name into English)

CHILE

(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

El Trovador 4285, 6^th Floor, Santiago, Chile +56 2 425-20002425-2000

(Address of principal executive offices)

Mark FonesGerardo Illanes +56 2 2425-2485mark.fones@sqm.comgerardo.illanes@sqm.comEl Trovador 4285, 6^th Floor, Santiago, Chile
(Name, Telephone, E-mail and/or Facsimile Number and Address of Company Contact Person)

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act.

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act.

NONE

Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act.

NONE

Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer's classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report.

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in rule 405 of the Securities Act:

xYES       ¨ NO

If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange act of 1934:

¨YES       x NO

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

xYES       ¨ NO

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

¨YES       ¨ NO

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

x  Large accelerated filer     ¨  Accelerated filer     ¨  Non- accelerated filer

Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:

¨U.S. GAAPxInternational Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board¨ Other

If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.

Indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.

¨  Item 17  ¨x  Item 18

If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act):

¨YES       x NO

TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXHIBIT 1.1

EXHIBIT 8.1

EXHIBIT 12.1

EXHIBIT 12.2

EXHIBIT 13.1

EXHIBIT 13.2

PRESENTATION OF INFORMATION

In this Annual Report on Form 20-F, except as otherwise provided or unless the context requires otherwise, all references to "we", "us", "Company" or "SQM" are to Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A., an open stock corporation (sociedad anónima abierta) organized under the laws of the Republic of Chile, and its consolidated subsidiaries.

All references to "$," "US$," "U.S. dollars," “USD” and "dollars" are to United States dollars, references to "pesos," “CLP” and "Ch$" are to Chilean pesos, references to ThUS$ are to thousands of United States dollars, references to ThCh$ are to thousands of Chilean pesos and references to "UF" are toUnidades de Fomento. The UF is an inflation-indexed, peso-denominated unit that is linked to, and adjusted daily to reflect changes in, the previous month's Chilean consumer price index. As of December 28, 2012,31, 2013, UF 1.00 was equivalent to US$47.7544.43 and Ch$22,851.84.23,309.56.

The Republic of Chile is governed by a democratic government, organized in fourteen regions plus the Metropolitan Region (surrounding and including Santiago, the capital of Chile). Our production operations are concentrated in northern Chile, specifically in the Tarapacá Region and in the Antofagasta Region.

Our fiscal year ends on December 31. As December 31 is a public holiday in Chile; certain financial information is reflected as of December 28, 2012.30, 2013.

We use the metric system of weights and measures in calculating our operating and other data. The United States equivalent units of the most common metric units used by us are as shown below:

1 kilometer equals approximately 0.6214 miles

1 meter equals approximately 3.2808 feet

1 centimeter equals approximately 0.3937 inches

1 hectare equals approximately 2.4710 acres

1 metric ton (“MT”) equals 1,000 kilograms or approximately 2,205 pounds.

We are not aware of any independent, authoritative source of information regarding sizes, growth rates or market shares for most of our markets. Accordingly, the market size, market growth rate and market share estimates contained herein have been developed by us using internal and external sources and reflect our best current estimates. These estimates have not been confirmed by independent sources.

Percentages and certain amounts contained herein have been rounded for ease of presentation. Any discrepancies in any figure between totals and the sums of the amounts presented are due to rounding.

GLOSSARY

“assay values” Chemical result or mineral component amount that contains the sample.

“average global metallurgical recoveries” Percentage that measures the metallurgical treatment effectiveness based on the quantitative relationship between the initial product contained in the mine-extracted material and the final product produced in the plant.

“average mining exploitation factor” Index or ratio that measures the mineral exploitation effectiveness, based on the quantitative relationship between (in-situ mineral minus exploitation losses) / in-situ mineral.

“CAGR”Compound annual growth rate, the year over year growth rate of an investment over a specified period of time

“cash and cash equivalents”The International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) defines cash and cash equivalents as short-term, highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash and which are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value.

“Controller Group”** A person or company or group of persons or companies that according to Chilean law, have executed a joint performance agreement, that have a direct or indirect share in a company’s ownership and have the power to influence the decisions of the company’s management.

“Corfo” Production Development Corporation (Corporación de Fomento de la Producción), formed in 1939, a national organization in charge of promoting Chile's manufacturing productivity and commercial development.

“cut-off grade” The minimal assay value or chemical amount of some mineral component above which exploitation is economical.

“dilution” Loss of mineral grade because of contamination with barren material (or waste) incorporated in some exploited ore mineral.

“exploitation losses” Amounts of ore mineral that have not been extracted in accordance with exploitation designs.

“fertigation” The process by which plant nutrients are applied to the ground using an irrigation system.

“geostatistical analysis” Statistical tools applied to mining planning, geology and geochemical data that allow estimation of averages, grades and quantities of mineral resources and reserves.

“heap leaching” A process whereby minerals are leached from a heap, or pad, of crushedROM (run of mine) ore by leaching solutions percolating down through the heap and collected from a sloping, impermeable liner below the pad.

“horizontal layering” Rock mass (stratiform seam) with generally uniform thickness that conform to the sedimentary fields (mineralized and horizontal rock in these cases).

“hypothetical resources” Mineral resources that have limited geochemical reconnaissance, based mainly on geological data and samples assay values spaced between 500–1000 meters.

“Indicated Mineral Resource” See "Resources—Indicated Mineral Resource."

“Inferred Mineral Resource” See "Resources—Inferred Mineral Resource."

“industrial crops” Refers to crops that require processing after harvest in order to be ready for consumption or sale. Tobacco, tea and seed crops are examples of industrial crops.

“Kriging Method”A technique used to estimate ore reserves, in which the spatial distribution of continuous geophysical variables is estimated using control points where values are known.

“LIBOR”London Inter Bank Offered Rate.

“limited reconnaissance” Low or limited level of geological knowledge.

“Measured Mineral Resource” See "Resources—Measured Mineral Resource."

“metallurgical treatment” A set of chemical and physical processes applied to the caliche ore and to the salar brines to extract their useful minerals (or metals).

“ore depth” Depth of the mineral that may be economically exploited.

“ore type” Main mineral having economic value contained in the caliche ore (sodium nitrate or iodine).

“ore” A mineral or rock from which a substance having economic value may be extracted.

“Probable Mineral Reserve” See "Reserves—Probable Mineral Reserve."

“Proved Mineral Reserve” See “Reserves—Proved Mineral Reserve.”

“Reserves—Probable Mineral Reserve”** The economically mineable part of an Indicated Mineral Resource and, in some circumstances, Measured Mineral Resource. The calculation of the reserves includes diluting of materials and allowances for losses which may occur when the material is mined. Appropriate assessments, which may include feasibility studies, have been carried out and include consideration of and modification by realistically assumed mining, metallurgical, economic, marketing, legal, environmental, social and governmental factors. These assessments demonstrate at the time of reporting that extraction is reasonably justified. A Probable Mineral Reserve has a lower level of confidence than a Proved Mineral Reserve.

“Reserves—Proved Mineral Reserve”* ** The economically mineable part of a Measured Mineral Resource. The calculation of the reserves includes diluting materials and allowances for losses which may occur when the material is mined. Appropriate assessments, which may include feasibility studies, have been carried out and include consideration of and modification by realistically assumed mining, metallurgical, economic, marketing, legal, environmental, social and governmental factors. These assessments demonstrate at the time of reporting that extraction is reasonably justified.

“Resources—Indicated Mineral Resource”* ** That part of a Mineral Resource for which tonnage, densities, shape, physical characteristics, grade and mineral content can be estimated with a reasonable level of confidence. The calculation is based on exploration, sampling and testing information gathered through appropriate techniques from locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits, workings, and drill holes. The locations are too widely or inappropriately spaced to confirm geological continuity and/or grade continuity but are spaced closely enough for continuity to be assumed. An Indicated Mineral Resource has a lower level of confidence than that applying to a Measured Mineral Resource, but has a higher level of confidence than that applying to an Inferred Mineral Resource.

A deposit may be classified as an Indicated Mineral Resource when the nature, quality, amount and distribution of data are such as to allow the Competent Person, as that term is defined under Chilean Law Number 20,235, determining the Mineral Resource to confidently interpret the geological framework and to assume continuity of mineralization. Confidence in the estimate is sufficient to allow the appropriate application of technical and economic parameters and to enable an evaluation of economic viability.

“Resources—Inferred Mineral Resource”* ** That part of a Mineral Resource for which tonnage, grade and mineral content can be estimated with a low level of confidence, by inferring them on the basis of geological evidence and assumed but not verified geological and/or grade continuity. The estimate is based on information gathered through appropriate techniques from locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits, workings and drill holes, and this information is of limited or uncertain quality and/or reliability. An Inferred Mineral Resource has a lower level of confidence than that applying to an Indicated Mineral Resource.

“Resources—Measured Mineral Resource”* ** The part of a Mineral Resource for which tonnage, densities, shape, physical characteristics, grade and mineral content can be estimated with a high level of confidence. The estimate is based on detailed and reliable exploration, sampling and testing information gathered through appropriate techniques from locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits, workings, and drill holes. The locations are spaced closely enough to confirm geological and/or grade continuity.

A deposit may be classified as a Measured Mineral Resource when the nature, quality, amount and distribution of data are such as to leave no reasonable doubt, in the opinion of the Competent Person, as that term is defined under Chilean Law Number 20,235, determining the Mineral Resource, that the tonnage and grade of the deposit can be estimated within close limits and that any variation from the estimate would not significantly affect potential economic viability. This category requires a high level of confidence in, and understanding of, the geology and controls of the mineral deposit. Confidence in the estimate is sufficient to allow the appropriate application of technical and economic parameters and to enable an evaluation of economic viability.

“solar salts”A mixture of 60% sodium nitrate and 40% potassium nitrate used in the storage of thermo- energy.

“vat leaching” A process whereby minerals are extracted from crushed ore by placing the ore in large vats containing leaching solutions.

“waste” Rock or mineral which is not economical for metallurgical treatment.

“Weighted Average Ageaverage age” The sum of the product of the age of each fixed asset at a given facility and its current gross book value as of December 31, 20122013 divided by the total gross book value of the Company's fixed assets at such facility as of December 31, 2012.2013.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Form 20-F contains statements that are or may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are not based on historical facts and reflect our expectations for future events and results. Words such as "believe," "expect," "predict," "anticipate," "intend," "estimate," "should," "may," "likely", "could" or similar expressions may identify forward-looking information. These statements appear throughout this Form 20-F and include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of the Company and its management, including but not limited to any statements concerning:

Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those described in such forward-looking statements included in this Form 20-F, including, without limitation, the information under Item 4. Information on the Company,Item Number 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects and Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to:

PART I

ITEM 1.IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS

Not Applicable.

ITEM 2.OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE

Not Applicable.

ITEM 3.KEY INFORMATION

3.A. Selected Financial Data

The following table presents selected financial data as of December 31, 20122013 and the previous fourthree years. The selected financial data should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto, “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” and other financial information included herein.

Since January 1, 2010, the Company’s consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standards as published by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).

The Company’s consolidated financial information as of and for the year ended, December 31, 2009 was restated in accordance with IFRS.

(1) Except shares outstanding, dividend and net earnings per share and net earnings per ADS.

(2) There are no authoritative pronouncements related to the calculation of earnings per share in accordance with IFRS. The Company has not conducted any type of operation which would give rise to a potential dilutive effect on its earnings per share. The total number of outstanding shares is the same as the weighted average shares outstanding.

(3) The Series A ADSs were delisted from the New York Stock Exchange on March 27, 2008. The ratio of ordinary shares to Series B ADSs changed from 10:1 to 1:1 on March 28, 2008. The calculation of earnings per ADSs and dividends per ADS is based on the ratio of 1:1.

(4) Dividends per share are calculated based on 263,196,524 shares for the periods ended December 31, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, and 2009.2010.

(5) Dividends may only be paid from net income as determined in accordance with IFRS; see Item 8.A.8. Dividend Policy. For dividends in Ch$ see Item 8.A.8. Dividend Policy — Dividends.

(6) Dividend amount paid per calendar year to shareholders of the Company.

EXCHANGE RATES

Chile has two currency markets, the Formal Exchange Market (Mercado Cambiario Formal) in which we conduct our transactions, and the Informal Exchange Market (Mercado Cambiario Informal). The Formal Exchange Market comprises banks and other entities authorized by the Chilean Central Bank(Banco Central de Chile). The Informal Exchange Market comprises entities that are not expressly authorized to operate in the Formal Exchange Market, such as certain foreign exchange houses and travel agencies, among others. The Chilean Central Bank is empowered to determine that certain purchases and sales of foreign currencies be carried out on the Formal Exchange Market.

Both the Formal Exchange Market and the Informal Exchange Market are driven by free market forces. Current regulations require that the Chilean Central Bank be informed of certain transactions and that these transactions be effected through the Formal Exchange Market.

The Observed Exchange Rate (dólar observado), which is reported by the Chilean Central Bank and published daily in the Chilean newspapers, is computed by taking the weighted average of the previous business day’s transactions on the Formal Exchange Market. The Chilean Central Bank has the power to intervene by buying or selling foreign currency on the Formal Exchange Market to attempt to maintain the Observed Exchange Rate within a desired range. During the past few years the Chilean Central Bank has intervened to attempt to maintain the Observed Exchange Rate within a certain range only under special circumstances. Although the Chilean Central Bank is not required to purchase or sell U.S. dollars at any specific exchange rate, it generally uses spot rates for its transactions. Other banks generally carry out authorized transactions at spot rates as well.

The Informal Exchange Market reflects transactions carried out at an informal exchange rate (the “Informal Exchange Rate”). There are no limits imposed on the extent to which the Informal Exchange Rate can fluctuate above or below the Observed Exchange Rate. In recent years, the variations between the Observed Exchange Rate and the Informal Exchange Rate have not been significant.

The Federal Reserve Bank of New York does not report a noon buying rate for Chilean pesos. As of April 21, 2014 the rate of exchange for Chilean pesos was US$1.00 per CH$ 557.63.

Source: Central Bank of Chile

3.B.   Capitalization and Indebtedness

Not applicable.

3.C.   Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds

Not applicable.

3.D.   Risk Factors

Our operations are subject to certain risk factors that may affect SQM's business financial condition or results of operations. In addition to other information contained in this Annual Report on Form 20-F, you should carefully consider the risks described below. These risks are not the only ones we face. Additional risks not currently known to us or that are known but we currently believe are not significant may also affect our business operations. Our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially affected by any of these risks.

Risks Relating to our Business

Volatility of world fertilizer and chemical prices and changes in production capacities could affect our business, financial condition and results of operations

The prices of our products, specifically potassium chloride, are determined principally by world prices, which, in some cases, have been subject to substantial volatility in recent years. World fertilizer and chemical prices vary depending upon the relationship between supply and demand at any given time. Supply and demand dynamics for our products are tied to a certain extent to global economic cycles, and have been impacted by current global economic conditions. Furthermore, the supply of certain fertilizers or chemical products, including certain products that we provide, varies principally depending on the production of the major producers, including SQM, and theirits respective business strategies.

DuringSince 2008, world prices of potassium-based fertilizers (including some of our specialty plant nutrients and potassium chloride) increased significantly during the first nine months of the year. Towards the end of 2008, fertilizer prices generally fellhave fluctuated as a result of the broader global economic and financial slowdown. In 2009, volatility in prices continued to affect commodity markets around the world. Since 2010,conditions. Although prices of potassium-based fertilizers have stabilized in 2009 after the conclusion of important contract negotiations between major producers and buyers, at the end of 2009. However, during the last quartersecond half of 2012,2013, potassium prices declined as a result of an unexpected announcement made by the Russian company OAO Uralkali (“Uralkali”) that it was terminating its participation in Belarus Potash Corporation (“BPC”). As a result of the termination of Uralkali’s participation in BPC, there was increased price competition in the market. In addition, during the second half of 2013, we observed lower pricing of contracts between Chinese purchasers and major potash producers, which has created increased volatility in the price of fertilizers. We cannot assure you that potassium-based fertilizer prices and sales volumes will not decline in the future.

Iodine prices have followed an upward trend since late 2003 through 2012, reaching an average price of approximately US$53 per kilogram in 2012, over 40% higher than average prices in 2011. During 2012,2013, even though iodine demand reached record highs, surpassing demand growth softened, and supply increased, causing a decline in previous years.iodine prices. The average price of iodine seen by SQM was approximately US$50 per kilogram in 2013, approximately 6% less than average prices seen by the Company in 2012. We cannot assure you that iodine prices or sales volumes will not continue to decline in the future.

We started production of lithium carbonate from the brines extracted from the Salar de Atacama in October 1996 and started selling lithium carbonate commercially in January 1997. Our entry into the market created an oversupply of lithium carbonate, resulting in a drop in prices from over US$3,000 per ton before our entry to less than US$2,000 per ton in 1997. At the end of 2008, prices were approximately US$6,000 per ton and remained at this level until the fourth quarter of 2009 when prices declined to approximately US$5,000 per ton. As a result of events in global markets during 2009, demand for lithium carbonate declined, causing a drop in lithium prices and sales volumes. In September 2009, we announced a 20% price cut for lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide as a measure to stimulate demand. As a result, in 2010, we observed demand recovery in the lithium market, which continued in 2011.2011 and 2012. In 2012,2013, we continued to see strong market growth, driven mostly by an increase in demand related to battery use. Nevertheless, demand growth was accompanied by an increase in supply from existing competitors. The average price of lithium carbonate in 2013 was US$5,400 per ton. We cannot assure you that this positive demand trend will continue in the future. We cannot assure you that lithium prices and sales volumes will not decline in the future.

We expect that prices for the products we manufacture will continue to be influenced, among other things, by worldwide supply and demand and the business strategies of major producers. Some of the major producers, including SQM, have increased or have the ability to increase production. As a result, the prices of our products may be subject to substantial volatility. High volatility or a substantial decline in the prices, or in volume demand, of one or more of our products could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our sales to emerging markets and expansion strategy expose us to risks related to economic conditions and trends in those countries

We sell our products in more than 110115 countries around the world. In 2012,2013, approximately 46%49% of our sales were made in emerging market countries: 17% in Central and South America (excluding Chile); 6%8% to Africa and the Middle East; 11%12% in Chile; and 12% in Asia and Oceania (excluding Japan). We expect to expand our sales in these and other emerging markets in the future. In addition, we may carry out acquisitions or joint ventures in jurisdictions in which we currently do not operate, relating to any of our businesses or to new businesses in which we believe we may have sustainable competitive advantages. The results of our operations and our prospects in other countries in which we establish operations will depend, in part, on the general level of political stability and economic activity and policies in those countries. Future developments in the political systems or economies of these countries or the implementation of future governmental policies in those countries, including the imposition of withholding and other taxes, restrictions on the payment of dividends or repatriation of capital, the imposition of import duties or other restrictions, the imposition of new environmental regulations or price controls or changes in relevant laws or regulations, could have a material adverse effect on our sales orbusiness, financial condition and results of operations in those countries.countries.

Our inventory levels may increase because of the global economic slowdown

In general, the global economic slowdown experienced during 2008 and 2009 had an impact on our inventories. Demand decreased during 2009 and, as a result, inventories increased significantly and continuecontinued to be high in 2013. Higher inventories carry a financial risk due to increased need for cash to fund working capital. Higher inventory levels could also imply increased risk of loss of product. We cannot assure you that inventory levels will not continue to remain high in 2013,2014, or increase further, in the future. These factors could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our level of and exposure to unrecoverable accounts receivable may significantly increase

Potentially negative effects of the global economic slowdown on the financial condition of our customers may include the extension of the payment terms of our accounts receivable and may increase our exposure to bad debt. While we have implemented certain safe guards, such as using credit insurance, letters of credits and prepayment for a portion of sales, to minimize this risk, the increase in our accounts receivable coupled with the financial condition of customers may result in losses that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

New production of iodine or lithium carbonate from current or new competitors

During 2013, supply of iodine and lithium carbonate increased due to new supply from existing competitors entering the market and increases in production from some of our current competitors, which affected prices for both products. Potential new production of iodine and lithium carbonate from current or new competitors in the markets in which we operate could adversely affect prices. There is limited information on the status of new iodine or lithium carbonate production capacity expansion projects being developed by current and potential competitors and, as such, we cannot make accurate projections regarding the capacities of possible new entrants into the market and the dates on which they could become operational. If these potential projects are completed in the short term, they could adversely affect market prices and our market share, which, in turn, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We have an ambitiousa capital expenditure program that is subject to significant risks and uncertainties

Our business is capital intensive. Specifically, the exploration and exploitation of reserves, mining and processing costs, the maintenance of machinery and equipment and compliance with applicable laws and regulations require substantial capital expenditures. We must continue to invest capital to maintain or to increase our exploitation levels and the amount of finished products we produce. We require environmental permits for our new projects. Obtaining permits in certain cases may cause significant delays in the execution and implementation of new projects and, consequently, may require us to reassess the related risks and economic incentives. We cannot assure you that we will be able to maintain our production levels or generate sufficient cash flow, or that we will have access to sufficient investments, loans or other financing alternatives, to continue our activities at or above present levels, or that we will be able to implement our projects or receive the necessary permits required for them in time. Any or all of these factors may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

High raw materials and energy prices could increase our production costs and cost of sales, and energy may become unavailable at any price

We rely on certain raw materials and various sources of energy (diesel, electricity, natural gas, including LNG, fuel oil and others) to manufacture our products. Purchases of raw materials that we do not produce and energy constitute an important part of our cost of sales, approximately 20%16% in 2012.2013. In addition, we may not be able to obtain energy at any price if supplies of our sources of energy are curtailed or otherwise become unavailable. To the extent we are unable to pass on increases in raw materials and energy prices to our customers or we are unable to obtain energy, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

Currency fluctuations may have a negative effect on our financial performance

We transact a significant portion of our business in U.S. dollars, and the U.S. dollar is the currency of the primary economic environment in which we operate. In addition, the U.S. dollar is our functional currency for financial statement reporting purposes. A significant portion of our costs, however, is related to the Chilean peso. Therefore, an increase or decrease in the exchange rate between the Chilean peso and the U.S. dollar would affect our costs of production. The Chilean peso has been subject to large devaluations and revaluations in the past and may be subject to significant fluctuations in the future. As of December 31, 2013, the Chilean peso exchange rate was Ch$524.61 per U.S. dollar, while as of December 31, 2012, the Chilean peso exchange rate was Ch$479.96 per U.S. dollar, while as of December 31, 2011, thedollar. The Chilean peso exchange rate was Ch$519.20 pertherefore depreciated against the U.S. dollar.dollar by 9% in 2013. As of March 15, 2013,17, 2014, the Observed Exchange Rate was Ch$471.10570.35 per U.S. dollar.

As an international company operating in several other countries, we also transact business and have assets and liabilities in other non-U.S. dollar currencies, such as, among others, the euro, the South African rand, the Mexican peso, the Chinese yuan, the Thai baht and the Brazilian real. As a result, fluctuations in the exchange rates of such foreign currencies to the U.S. dollar may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Interest rate fluctuations may have a material impact on our financial performance

We have outstanding short and long-term debt that bears interest based on the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), plus a spread. Since we are currently hedging only a portion of these liabilities into fixed rates, we are exposed to interest rate risk relating to LIBOR fluctuations. As of December 31, 2012,2013, approximately 21%16% our financial debt had LIBOR-based pricing that was not hedged into fixed rates. A relative increase in the rate could materially impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our reserves estimates could be subject to significant changes

Our caliche ore mining reserves estimates are prepared by our own geologists, and were validated in February 2013,January 2014, by Mrs. Marta Aguilera, a geologist with over 20 years of experience in the field. She is currently employed by SQM as Manager of Non-metallic Geology.  Mrs. Aguilera is a Competent Person (Persona Competente), as that term is defined under Chilean Law No. 20,235 that Regulates the Position of Competent Person and Creates the Qualifying Committee for Competencies in Mining Resources and Reserves (Ley que Regula la Figura de las Personas Competentes y Crea la Comisión Calificadora de Competencias de Recursos y Reservas Minerasor“Competent Person Law”). Our Salar de Atacama brine mining reserve estimates are prepared by our own geologists, and were validated by Álvaro Henríquez, a geologist with over 10 years of experience in hydrogeology, who is currently employed in SQM as Superintendent of Geology, and is a Competent Person (Persona Competente),as the term is defined under Chilean Law No. 20,235.. Estimation methods involve numerous uncertainties as to the quantity and quality of the reserves, and reserve estimates could change upwards or downwards. In addition, our reserve estimates are not subject to review by external geologists or an external auditing firm. A downward change in the quantity and/or quality of our reserves could affect future volumes and costs of production and therefore have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Quality standards in markets in which we sell our products could become stricter over time

In the markets in which we do business, customers may impose quality standards on our products and/or governments may enact or are enacting stricter regulations for the distribution and/or use of our products. As a result, if we cannot meet such new standards or regulations, we may not be able to sell our products. In addition, our cost of production may increase in order to meet any such newly imposed or enacted standards. Failure to sell our products in one or more markets or to important customers could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Chemical and physical properties of our products could adversely affect their commercialization

Since our products are derived from natural resources, they contain inorganic impurities that may not meet certain customer or government standards. As a result, we may not be able to sell our products if we cannot meet such requirements. In addition, our cost of production may increase in order to meet such standards. Failure to meet such standards could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our business is subject to many operating and other risks for which we may not be fully covered under our insurance policies

Our facilities and business operations in Chile and abroad are insured against losses, damages or other risks by insurance policies that are standard for the industry and that would reasonably be expected to be sufficient by prudent and experienced persons engaged in businesses similar to ours.

We may be subject to certain events that may not be covered under our insurance policies, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Additionally, as a result of therecent major earthquakeearthquakes in Chile in February 2010 and other natural disasters worldwide, in 2011 and 2012, conditions in the insurance market have changed and may continue to change in the future, and as a result, we may face higher premiums and reduced coverage.

Changes in technology or other developments could result in preferences for substitute products

Our products, particularly iodine, lithium and their derivatives, are preferred raw materials for certain industrial applications, such as rechargeable batteries and LCDliquid crystal display (“LCD”) screens. Changes in technology, the development of substitute raw materials or other developments could adversely affect demand for these and other products which we produce.

We are exposed to labor strikes and labor liabilities that could impact our production levels and costs

Over 96%95% of our employees are employed in Chile, of which approximately 67%71% were represented by 2425 labor unions as of December 31, 2012.2013. As in previous years, during 2012,2013 we renegotiated collective labor contracts with individual unions one year before the expiration of such contracts. As of December 31, 2012,2013, we had concluded advanced negotiations with 22four labor unions, which represent 96%8.5% of our total unionized workers, signing new agreements with each for durations ofthe next three years. We are in the process of negotiating collective labor contracts with the two21 remaining unions. We are exposed to labor strikes that could impact our production levels. If a strike occurs and continues for a sustained period of time, we could be faced with increased costs and even disruption in our product flow that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Chilean Law No. 16,744, known as the Law on Work Related Accidents and Professional Diseases(Ley de Accidentes de Trabajo y Enfermedades Profesionales or the “Labor Accidents Law”), provides that when a serious accident in the workplace occurs, a company must halt work at the site where the accident took place until authorities from either the National Geology and Mining Service (Servicio Nacional de Geología y Minería or “SERNAGEOMIN”) or the Labor Board (Dirección del Trabajo or “Labor Board”) or the National Health Service (Servicio Nacional de Salud or “SNA”), inspect the site and prescribe the measures such company must take to prevent future risks. Work may not be resumed until such company has taken the prescribed measures, and the period of time before work may be resumed may last for a number of hours, days, or longer. The effects of this law could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Lawsuits and arbitrations could adversely impact us

We are party to a range of lawsuits and arbitrations involving different matters as described in Note 16.119.1 of our Consolidated Financial Statements. Although we intend to defend our positions vigorously, our defense of these actions may not be successful. Judgments or settlements in these lawsuits may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, our strategy of being a world leader includes entering into commercial and production alliances, joint ventures and acquisitions to improve our global competitive position. As these operations increase in complexity and are carried out in different jurisdictions, we might be subject to legal proceedings that, if settled against us, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The Chilean labor code (Código del Trabajo or “Labor Code”) has recently established new procedures for labor matters which include oral trials conducted by specialized judges. The majority of these oral trials have found in favor of the employee. These new procedures could increase the probability of adverse judgments in labor lawsuits which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We have operations in multiple jurisdictions with differing regulatory, tax and other regimes

We operate in multiple jurisdictions with complex regulatory environments subject to different interpretations by companies and respective governmental authorities. These jurisdictions may each have their own tax codes, environmental regulations, labor codes and legal framework, which could complicate efforts to comply with these regulations, which could have, in turn, a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

SQM employs its best efforts to ensure such compliance. For example, the second deadline for the registration of chemical substances under the European REACH regulations (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals) expired in May 2013 and, prior to that, SQM managed to enroll 10 new substances that it can export to the European market with a tonnage limit equivalent to 100-1000 MT/year. The European Commission's Directorate General for Health and Consumers (DG Sanco) also issued, in July 2013, a statement on the presence of perchlorate in foods and, based on that, established provisional limits for their presence in the latter, including fruits and vegetables and indicating, at the same time, that the soil, water, and fertilizers are considered potential sources of perchlorate contamination in food. SQM fertilizers, currently marketed in the European market, contain less than 100 ppm of perchlorate. The industry is currently conducting studies of absorption in some target crops to demonstrate that the use of fertilizers, including those of SQM, allows compliance with the values ​​set by DG Sanco. In turn, those provisional values ​​could be ratified or modified by DG Sanco after issuing a risk assessment report which is currently being prepared by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA ) and is expected to be available in September of this year.

In 2012, the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (“OSHA”) aligned its Hazard Communication Standard to comply with the Globally Harmonized System (“GHS”), which requires companies to review hazard information for all chemicals imported into the US, classify chemicals according to the new classification criteria, and update labels and safety data sheets by June 2015. We are already working on a program which aims to comply with the requirements of this new regulation in line with the stages and deadlines established by OSHA. The updating of the Safety Data Sheets (“SDS”) for all products sold in the US has been finished, and the update of labels is in progress and will be completed the first quarter of 2015.

We could be adversely affected by the negative outcome of pending proceedings against our Chairman of the Board and certain other named defendants

On September 10, 2013, the SVS issued a press release disclosing it had instituted certain administrative proceedings against Mr. Julio Ponce (in his capacity as chairman and “controller” of entities with direct or indirect share ownership interests in the Company (the “Cascading Companies”)) and other named defendants, including the son of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, alleging violations of Chilean corporate and securities laws (the “Cascading Companies Proceedings”). SQM has been informed that Mr. Ponce, who is Chairman of the Board of the Company, and related persons, beneficially own 29.92% of SQM’s total shares. See Item 6.E. Share Ownership. On January 31, 2014, the SVS added a number of financial institutions and asset managers, and certain of their controlling persons, executives or other principals, as named defendants to the Cascading Companies Proceedings.

The SVS alleges the existence of a scheme, involving the named defendants, whereby, through a number of transactions occurring between 2009 and 2011, the Cascading Companies sold securities of various companies, including securities of the Company, at below-market prices to companies related to Mr. Ponce and to other named defendants, which companies, after a lapse of time, sold such securities, in most instances back to the Cascading Companies, at prices higher than those at which they were purchased. The SVS alleges violation by the defendants of a number of corporate and securities laws in furtherance of the alleged scheme.

In response to the Cascading Companies Proceedings, Mr. Ponce has filed a criminal complaint against the superintendent of the SVS alleging, among others things, malfeasance in public office and abuse of power against private citizens. The High Complexity Crimes Unit (Unidad de Delitos de Alta Complejidad) of the Metropolitan District Attorney’s Office (Fiscalía Metropolitana Centro Norte) is also investigating various criminal complaints filed by and against various parties to the Cascading Companies Proceedings.

In addition, the Chilean IRS(Servicio de Impuestos Internos) announced it is currently investigating the nature and characteristics of the transactions alleged to have occurred in the Cascading Companies Proceedings in order to determine whether the individuals or companies involved violated Chilean tax laws or filed false returns with the purpose of evading taxes.

The allegations made in connection with the Cascading Companies Proceedings do not relate to any acts or omissions of the Company or of any of its directors, officers or employees in their capacities as such. If any such claim were made by the SVS or by any other claimant, including the Chilean IRS, it could have a material adverse effect on the Company. In addition, a final disposition of claims in connection with the current Cascading Companies Proceedings that is adverse to Mr. Ponce or other named defendants could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s market reputation and commercial dealings, even if no claim is asserted against the Company or any of its directors, officers or employees in their capacities as such.

Our water supply could be affected by geological changes

Our access to water may be impacted by changes in geology or other natural factors, such as wells drying up, that we cannot control, and which may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Risks Relating to Chile

As we are a company based in Chile, we are exposed to Chilean political risks

Our business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects could be affected by changes in policies of the Chilean government, other political developments in or affecting Chile, and regulatory and legal changes or administrative practices of Chilean authorities, over which we have no control.

Changes in regulations regarding, or any revocation or suspension of our concessions could negatively affect our business

Any changes to regulations to which we are subject or adverse changes to our concession rights, or a revocation or suspension of our concessions, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Changes in mining or port concessions could affect our operating costs

We conduct our mining (including brine extraction) operations under exploitation and exploration concessions granted in accordance with provisions of the Chilean constitution and related laws and statutes. Our exploitation concessions essentially grant a perpetual right to conduct mining operations in the areas covered by the concessions, provided that we pay annual concession fees. Our exploration concessions permit us to explore for mineral resources on the land covered thereby for a specified period of time and to subsequently request a corresponding exploitation concession. SQM Salar S.A. holds exclusive rights to exploit the mineral resources in an area covering approximately 140,000 hectares of land in the Salar de Atacama in northern Chile, of which SQM Salar S.A. is entitled to exploit the mineral resources of 81,920 hectares. These rights are owned by Corfo and leased to SQM Salar S.A. pursuant to a lease agreement between Corfo and SQM Salar S.A. (the “Lease Agreement”). Corfo may not unilaterally amend the Lease Agreement, and the rights to exploit the resources cannot be transferred. The Lease Agreement establishes that SQM Salar S.A. is responsible for the maintenance of Corfo’s exploitation rights and for annual payments to the Chilean government, and it expires on December 31, 2030. Furthermore, under the regulations of theChilean Nuclear and Energy Commission (Comisión Chilena de Energía y Nuclear or “CCHEN”), we are limited to 180,100 tons of total lithium extraction in the aggregate for all periods. More than halfway through the term of the lease agreement, we have extracted less than half of the total accumulated extraction limit of lithium. However, there can be no assurance that we will not reach the lithium extraction limit prior to the term of the lease agreement.

We also operate port facilities at Tocopilla, Chile for the shipment of our products and the delivery of certain raw materials, pursuant to concessions granted by Chilean regulatory authorities. These concessions are renewable provided that we use such facilities as authorized and pay annual concession fees.

Any significant changes to any of these concessions could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Changes in water rights laws could affect our operating costs

We hold water rights that are key to our operations. These rights were obtained from the Chilean Water Authority (Dirección General de Aguas) for supply of water from rivers and wells near our production facilities, which we believe are sufficient to meet current operating requirements. However, the Chilean water rights code (Código de Aguas or the “Water Code”) is subject to changes, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations. For example, an amendment published on June 16, 2005 modified the Water Code, allowing, under certain conditions, the granting of permanent water rights of up to two liters per second for each well built prior to June 30, 2004, in the locations where we conduct our mining operations, without considering the availability of water, or how the new rights may affect holders of existing rights. Therefore, the amount of water we can effectively extract based on our existing rights could be reduced if these additional rights are exercised. In addition, we must pay annual concession fees to maintain water rights we are not exercising. These and potential future changes to the Water Code could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The Chilean government could levy additional taxes on corporations operating in Chile

In 2005, the Chilean Congress approved Law No. 20,026 that Establishes“Establishes a Specific Tax on Mining ActivityActivity” (Ley que Establece un Impuesto Específico a la Actividad Minera or the “Royalty Law”), establishing a royalty tax to be applied to mining activities developed in Chile.

As a result of the earthquake and tsunami in February 2010, the Chilean government raised the corporate income tax rate in order to pay for reconstruction following the earthquake and tsunami. Such legislation increased the general corporate tax rate from its historic rate of 17.0% to 20.0% for the income accrued in 2011, which was declared and paid in 2012. On September 27, 2012, Law No. 20,630 introduced new amendments to existing tax legislation. Among the amendments introduced, the corporate income tax was permanently maintained at 20% effective for the 20122013 calendar year.

On April 1, 2014, a new tax bill was sent to the Congress. The proposed bill aims to increase the general corporate tax to 21% in 2014, 22.5% in 2015, 24% in 2016 and 25% in 2017. The tax bill also aims to change the manner in which the general corporate tax is applied: currently, such tax is applied on an imputated basis, whereby companies must pay a 20% tax on accrued profits and no further tax until those profits are distributed by the company. The bill proposes the gradual modification of this system, resulting in profits being taxed on an accrual basis as of 2017.

We cannot assure you that the manner in which the Royalty Law or the corporate tax rate are interpreted and applied will not change in the future. In addition, the Chilean government may decide to levy additional taxes on mining companies or other corporations in Chile. Such changes could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Environmental laws and regulations could expose us to higher costs, liabilities, claims and failure to meet current and future production targets

Our operations in Chile are subject to national and local regulations relating to environmental protection. We are required to conduct environmental impact studies or statements of any future projects or activities (or significant modifications thereto) that may affect the environment and we are required to obtain an environmental license for certain projects and activities. Theenvironmental assessment service (Servicio de Evaluación Ambiental or “Environmental Assessment Service”)currently evaluates environmental impact studies submitted for its approval, and private citizens, public agencies or local authorities may challenge projects that may adversely affect the environment, either before these projects are executed or once they are already operating, if they fail to comply with applicable regulations. Enforcement remedies available include fines up to approximately US$10 million and temporary or permanent closure of facilities and revocation of the environmental license.

Chilean environmental regulations have become increasingly stringent in recent years, both with respect to the approval of new projects and in connection with the implementation and development of projects already approved, and we believe that this trend is likely to continue. Given public interest in environmental enforcement matters, these regulations or their application may also be subject to political considerations that are beyond our control.

We continuously monitor the impact of our operations on the environment and have, from time to time, made modifications to our facilities to minimize any adverse environmental impacts. We believe we are currently in compliance in all material respects with applicable environmental regulations in Chile. Future developments in the creation or implementation of environmental requirements, or in their interpretation, could result in substantially increased capital, operation or compliance costs or otherwise adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.Inoperations. In connection with our current investments at the Salar de Atacama and Nueva Victoria, the success of these investments is dependent on the behavior of the ecosystem variables being monitored over time. If the behavior of these variables in future years does not meet environmental requirements, our operation may be subject to important restrictions by the authorities on the maximum allowable amounts of brine and water extraction.

Our future development depends on our ability to sustain future production levels, which requires additional investments and the submission of the corresponding environmental impact studies or statements. If we fail to obtain approval or required environmental licenses, our ability to maintain production at specified levels will be seriously impaired, thus having a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

In addition, our worldwide operations are subject to international and other local environmental regulations. Since environmental laws and regulations in the different jurisdictions in which we operate may change, we cannot guarantee that future environmental laws, or changes to existing environmental laws, will not materially adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Ratification of the International Labor Organization’s Convention 169 concerning indigenous and tribal peoples might affect our development plans

Chile, a member of the International Labor Organization (“ILO”), has ratified the ILO’s Convention 169 (the “Indigenous Rights Convention”) concerning indigenous and tribal peoples. The Indigenous Rights Convention established several rights for indigenous individuals and communities. Among other rights, the Indigenous Rights Convention outlines that (i) indigenous groups be notified of and consulted prior to the development of any project on land deemed indigenous (without any veto or approval right) and of any legislative or administrative measure that may affect them directly; and (ii) indigenous groups have, to the extent possible, a stake in benefits resulting from the exploitation of natural resources in alleged indigenous land. The extent of these benefits has not been defined by the Chilean government. The new rights outlined in the Indigenous Rights Convention could affect the development of our investment projects in alleged indigenous lands which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Chile is located in a seismically active region

Chile is prone to earthquakes because it is located along major fault lines.  The most recent major earthquake in Chile occurred in April 2014, offshore, and had a magnitude of 8.2. This earthquake followed one in February 2010, andwhich caused substantial damage to major areas of the country. Chile also has experienced volcanic activity. A major earthquake or a volcano eruption could have significant negative consequences for our operations and for the general infrastructure, such as roads, rail, and access to goods, in Chile. Although we maintain insurance policies standard for this industry with earthquake coverage, we cannot assure you that a future seismic event will not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Risks related to our shares and to our ADRs

The price of our ADRsADSs and the U.S. dollar value of any dividends will be affected by fluctuations in the U.S. dollar/Chilean peso exchange rate

Chilean trading in the shares underlying our ADRsADSs is conducted in Chilean pesos. The depositary will receive cash distributions that we make with respect to the shares in Chilean pesos. The depositary will convert such Chilean pesos to U.S. dollars at the then prevailing exchange rate to make dividend and other distribution payments in respect of ADSs. If the value of the Chilean peso falls relative to the U.S. dollar, the value of the ADRsADSs and any distributions to be received from the depositary will decrease.

Developments in other emerging markets could materially affect the value of our ADRsADSs

The Chilean financial and securities markets are, to varying degrees, influenced by economic and market conditions in other emerging market countries or regions of the world. Although economic conditions are different in each country or region, investor reaction to developments in one country or region can have significant effects on the securities of issuers in other countries and regions, including Chile and Latin America. Events in other parts of the world may have a material effect on Chilean financial and securities markets and on the value of our ADRs.

ADSs.

The volatility and low liquidity of the Chilean securities markets could affect the ability of our shareholders to sell our ADRsADSs

The Chilean securities markets are substantially smaller, less liquid and more volatile than the major securities markets in the United States. The volatility and low liquidity of the Chilean markets could increase the price volatility of our ADRsADSs and may impair the ability of a holder to sell our ADRsADSs into the Chilean market in the amount and at the price and time he wishes to do so.

Our share price may react negatively to future acquisitions and investments

As world leaders in our core businesses, part of our strategy is to look for opportunities that will allow us to consolidate and strengthen our competitive position in jurisdictions in which we currently do not operate. Pursuant to this strategy, we may carry out acquisitions or joint ventures relating to any of our businesses or to new businesses in which we believe we may have sustainable competitive advantages. Depending on our capital structure at the time of such acquisitions, we may need to raise significant debt and/or equity which will affect our financial condition and future cash flows. Any change in our financial condition could affect our results of operations, negatively impacting our share price.

You may be unable to enforce rights under U.S. Securities Laws

Because we are a Chilean company subject to Chilean law, the rights of our shareholders may differ from the rights of shareholders in companies incorporated in the United States, and you may not be able to enforce or may have difficulty enforcing rights currently in effect under U.S. Federal or State securities laws.

Our Company is a "sociedad anónima abierta" (open stock corporation) incorporated under the laws of the Republic of Chile. Most of our directors and officers reside outside the United States, principally in Chile. All or a substantial portion of the assets of these persons are located outside the United States. As a result, if any of our shareholders, including holders of our ADRs,ADSs, were to bring a lawsuit against our officers or directors in the United States, it may be difficult for them to effect service of legal process within the United States upon these persons. Likewise, it may be difficult for them to enforce judgments obtained in United States courts based upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of the United States against them in United States courts.

In addition, there is no treaty between the United States and Chile providing for the reciprocal enforcement of foreign judgments. However, Chilean courts have enforced judgments rendered in the United States, provided that the Chilean court finds that the United States court respected basic principles of due process and public policy. Nevertheless, there is doubt as to whether an action could be brought successfully in Chile in the first instance on the basis of liability based solely upon the civil liability provisions of the United States federal securities laws.

As preemptive rights may be unavailable for our ADRADS holders, they have the risk of their holdings being diluted if we issue new stock

Chilean laws require companies to offer their shareholders preemptive rights whenever selling new shares of capital stock. Preemptive rights permit holders to maintain their existing ownership percentage in a company by subscribing for additional shares. If we increase our capital by issuing new shares, a holder may subscribe for up to the number of shares that would prevent dilution of the holder's ownership interest.

If we issue preemptive rights, United States holders of ADRsADSs would not be able to exercise their rights unless a registration statement under the Securities Act were effective with respect to such rights and the shares issuable upon exercise of such rights or an exemption from registration were available. We cannot assure holders of ADRsADSs that we will file a registration statement or that an exemption from registration will be available. We may, in our absolute discretion, decide not to prepare and file such a registration statement. If our holders were unable to exercise their preemptive rights because we did not file a registration statement, the depositary bank would attempt to sell their rights and distribute the net proceeds from the sale to them, after deducting the depositary's fees and expenses. If the depositary could not sell the rights, they would expire and holders of ADRsADSs would not realize any value from them. In either case, ADRADS holders' equity interest in us would be diluted in proportion to the increase in our capital stock.

If we were classified as a Passive Foreign Investment Company there could be adverse consequences for U.S. investors

We believe that we were not classified as a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for 2012.2013. Characterization as a PFIC could result in adverse U.S. tax consequences to you if you are a U.S. investor in our shares or ADRs.ADSs. For example, if we (or any of our subsidiaries) are a PFIC, our U.S. investors may become subject to increased tax liabilities under U.S. tax laws and regulations and will become subject to burdensome reporting requirements. The determination of whether or not we (or any of our subsidiaries or portfolio companies) are a PFIC is made on an annual basis and will depend on the composition of our (or their) income and assets from time to time. See Item 10.E. Taxation – United States Tax Considerations.

Changes in Chilean tax regulations could have adverse consequences for U.S. investors

Currently cash dividends paid by us to foreign shareholders are subject to a 35% Chilean withholding tax. If we have paid corporate income tax (the "First Category Tax") on the income from which the dividend is paid, a credit for the First Category Tax effectively reduces the rate of Withholding Tax. Changes in Chilean tax regulations could have adverse consequences for U.S. investors.

ITEM 4.   INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY

4.A.   History and Development of the Company

Historical Background

Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A. "SQM" is an open stock corporation (sociedad anónima abierta) organized under the laws of the Republic of Chile. We were constituted by public deed issued on June 17, 1968 by the Notary Public of Santiago, Mr. Sergio Rodríguez Garcés. Our existence was approved by Decree No. 1,164 of June 22, 1968 of the Ministry of Finance, and we were registered on June 29, 1968 in the Registry of Commerce of Santiago, on page 4,537 No. 1,992. Our headquarters is located at El Trovador 4285, Fl. 6, Las Condes, Santiago, Chile. Our telephone number is +56 2 2425-2000.

Our US representative is SQM NA located at 2727 Paces Ferry Road, Building Two, Suite 1425, Atlanta GA 30339. The phone number is +1 (770) 916-9407.

Commercial exploitation of the caliche ore deposits in northern Chile began in the 1830s, when sodium nitrate was extracted from the ore for use in the manufacturing of explosives and fertilizers. By the end of the nineteenth century, nitrate production had become the leading industry in Chile and the country was the world's leading supplier of nitrates. The accelerated commercial development of synthetic nitrates in the 1920s and the global economic depression in the 1930s caused a serious contraction of the Chilean nitrate business, which did not recover significantly until shortly before the Second World War. After the war, the widespread commercial production of synthetic nitrates resulted in a further contraction of the natural nitrate industry in Chile, which continued to operate at depressed levels into the 1960s.

We were formed in 1968 through a joint venture between Compañía Salitrera Anglo Lautaro S.A. (“Anglo Lautaro”) andCorporación de Fomento de la Producción (“Production Development Corporation” or “Corfo”), a Chilean government entity. Three years after our formation, in 1971, Anglo Lautaro sold all of its shares to Corfo, and we were wholly owned by the Chilean Government until 1983. In 1983, Corfo began a process of privatization by selling our shares to the public and subsequently listing such shares on the Santiago Stock Exchange. By 1988, all of our shares were publicly owned. Our Series B ADRsADRS have traded on the NYSE under the ticker symbol “SQM” since 1993.

Since our inception, in addition to producing nitrates, we have produced iodine, which is also found in the caliche ore deposits in northern Chile.

Between the years 1994 and 1999, we invested approximately US$300 million in the development of the Salar de Atacama project in northern Chile. The project involved the construction of a potassium chloride plant, a lithium carbonate plant, a potassium sulfate plant, and a boric acid plant.

To help finance the above projects, we accessed the international capital markets by issuing additional Series B ADRsADSs on the New York Stock Exchange in 1995. In 1999 we issued additional Series A shares, which were also listed on the New York Stock Exchange as ADRs.ADSs. Effective March 27, 2008, the Company voluntarily delisted its Series A ADRADS (“SQM-A”) from the New York Stock Exchange. In addition, on April 5, 2013.2013, we filed a Form F-6 in order to issue 100 million additional Series B ADRsADSs on the New York Stock Exchange, to be effective as of April 15, 2013.

During the period from 2000 through 2004, we principally consolidated the investments carried out in the preceding five years. We focused on reducing costs and improving efficiencies throughout the organization.

Since 2005, we have strengthened our leadership in our main businesses by increasing our capital expenditure program and making advantageous acquisitions and divestitures. During this period we acquiredKemira Emirates Fertiliser Company (Kefco) in Dubai and the iodine business of Royal DSM N.V. (DSM). We also sold (i) Fertilizantes Olmeca, our Mexican subsidiary, (ii) our butyllithium plant located in Houston, Texas and (iii) our stake in Impronta S.R.L., our Italian subsidiary. These sales allowed us to concentrate our efforts on our core products. In 2007, we completed the construction of a new prilling and granulating plant. In, and in 2008, we completed our lithium carbonate capacity expansion and began work on the engineering stage of a new potassium nitrate plant.

In addition, in 2008 we entered into a joint venture with Migao Corporation (“Migao”) for the construction of a potassium nitrate plant with a production capacity of 40,000 metric tons per year, and we completed construction and began operations of our potassium nitrate plant as part of our joint venture with Migau in January 2011.

From 2010 to 2012, we continued to expand our production capacity of potassium products in our operations in the Salar de Atacama. In 2011, we completed the construction of a new potassium nitrate facility in Coya Sur, increasing our overall production capacity of potassium nitrate by 300,000 metric tons. In addition, in 2008 we entered into a joint venture with Migao Corporation (“Migao”) for the construction of a potassium nitrate plant with a production capacity of 40,000 metric tons per year. This facility was completed and began operating in January 2011.

In the second half of 2011, we effected a corporate reorganization whereby our subsidiary Soquimich European Holding B.V. acquired a 66.6% ownership in Fertilizantes Naturales S.A. (later renamed SQM Iberian S.A.) from Nutrisi Holding N.V. Soquimich European Holding B.V. owned a non-controlling 50% stake in Nutrisi Holding N.V. which was divested following this acquisition in December 2011. The effect of these transactions has been that we indirectly control SQM Iberian S.A. through Soquimich European Holding B.V. SQM Iberian S.A. sells and distributes fertilizers, primarily in Spain.

In 2012, SQM Vitas FZ Company, our joint venture with the French Roullier Group, started the construction of new plants in Brazil (Candeias), Peru and South Africa (Durban) for the production of water soluble fertilizers containing different relative amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, and, occasionally, smaller amounts of other chemicals. The Brazilian plant (Candeias Industrial Complex) began operating in March 2012. It has a production capacity of 25,000 metric tons per year, and represented a total investment of US$10 million.

In 2013, we sold our royalty rights over the Antucoya mining project to Antofogasta Minerals for a sum of US$ 84 million. We also opened a trading office in Thailand.

Capital Expenditure Program

We regularly review different opportunities to improve our production methods, reduce costs, increase production capacity of existing products and develop new products and markets. Additionally, significant capital expenditures are required every year in order to sustain our production capacity. We are focused on developing new products in response to identified customer demand, as well as new products that can be derived as part of our existing production or other products that could fit our long-term development strategy. Our capital expenditures during the past five years were mainly related to the acquisition of new assets, construction of new facilities and renewal of plant and equipment.equipment, and performed with internal financing through our capital expenditure program for investments in Chile.

Our capital expenditures include investments aimed at sustaining, improving or increasing production levels, including acquisitions and investments in related companies.

Our capital expenditures for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 2011 and 20102011 were as follows:

During 2010, we had total capital expenditures of US$336.0 million, primarily relating to:

During 2011, we had total capital expenditures of US$501.1 million, primarily relating to:

During 2012, we had total capital expenditures of US$446.0 million, primarily relating to:

We have developed aDuring 2013, we had total capital expenditure program for 2013 calling for investments totaling approximatelyexpenditures of US$500.0371.7 million, excluding possible mergers, acquisitions or similar arrangements. Among other things, the program will focus on:primarily related to:

We expect substantially all

The Board of the approximatelyDirectors has approved a capital expenditures plan for 2014 of US$500.0135 million under our current capital expenditure programin connection with investments to be made in Chile. NoThe 2014 capital investment program is primarily focused on the maintenance of our production facilities. Our 2014 capital investment program will not require any external financing is required to finance the capital expenditure program for the 2013 period;financing; however, we reserve the right to access capital markets in order to optimize itsour financial position.

4.B.   Business Overview

The Company

We believe that we are the world’s largest producer of potassium nitrate, iodine and lithium chemicals. We produce specialty plant nutrients, iodine and iodine derivatives, lithium and lithium derivatives, potassium chloride, potassium sulfate and certain industrial chemicals (including industrial nitrates and solar salt). Our products are sold in more than 110115 countries through our worldwide distribution network, with 89%88% of our sales in 20122013 derived from countries outside Chile.

Our products are mainly derived from mineral deposits found in northern Chile. We mine and process caliche ore and brine deposits. The caliche ore in northern Chile contains the only known nitrate and iodine deposits in the world and is the world’s largest commercially exploited source of natural nitrates. The brine deposits of the Salar de Atacama, a salt-encrusted depression in the Atacama desert in northern Chile, contain high concentrations of lithium and potassium as well as significant concentrations of sulfate and boron.

From our caliche ore deposits, we produce a wide range of nitrate-based products used for specialty plant nutrients and industrial applications, as well as iodine and iodine derivatives. At the Salar de Atacama, we extract brines rich in potassium, lithium, sulfate and boron in order to produce potassium chloride, potassium sulfate, lithium solutions, boric acid and bischofite (magnesium chloride). We produce lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide at our plant near the city of Antofagasta, Chile, from the solutions brought from the Salar de Atacama. We market all of these products through an established worldwide distribution network.

Our products are divided into six categories: specialty plant nutrients; iodine and its derivatives; lithium and its derivatives; potassium chloride and potassium sulfate; industrial chemicals; and other commodity fertilizers. Specialty plant nutrients are premium fertilizers that enable farmers to improve yields and the quality of certain crops. Iodine lithium and their derivatives are used in human nutrition, pharmaceuticals and other industrial applications. Iodine and its derivatives are mainly used in the X-ray contrast media and biocides industries and in the production of polarizing film, which is an important component in liquid crystal display (“LCD”)LCD screens. Lithium and its derivatives are mainly used in batteries, greases and frits for production of ceramics. Potassium chloride is a commodity fertilizer that is produced and sold by us worldwide. In addition, we complement our portfolio of plant nutrients through the buying and selling of other commodity fertilizers for use mainly in Chile. Industrial chemicals have a wide range of applications in certain chemical processes such as the manufacturing of glass, explosives and ceramics, and, more recently, industrial nitrates are being used in solar thermal energy plants as a means for energy storage.

For the year ended December 31, 2012,2013, we had revenues of US$2,429.22,203.1 million, gross profit of US$1,028.6721.5 million and profit attributable to controlling interests of US$649.2467.1 million. Our world wide market capitalization as of December 31, 20122013 was approximately US$15.06.8 billion.

Our Series A and Series B common shares are listed on the Santiago Stock Exchange. Our Series B American Depositary Shares (“ADSs”) have been listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) since 1993. Our ticker symbols on the Santiago Stock Exchange for our Series A and Series B common shares are “SQM-A” and “SQM-B,” respectively, and our ticker symbol on the NYSE for the Series B ADSs is “SQM.”

Specialty Plant Nutrition: We produce four principal types of specialty plant nutrients:nutrition products: potassium nitrate, sodium nitrate, sodium potassium nitrate, and specialty blends. Furthermore, we sell other specialty fertilizers including trading of third party products. All of these specialty plant nutrition products are used in either solid or liquid form mainly on high value crops such as vegetables, fruits and flowers. They are widely used in crops that employ modern agricultural techniques such as hydroponics, greenhousing, fertigation (where fertilizer is dissolved in water prior to irrigation) and foliar application. According to the type of use or application our products are marketed under the brands: Ultrasol™ (fertigation), Qrop™ (open field application), Speedfol™ (foliar application), and Allganic™ (organic farming). Specialty plant nutrition has certain advantages over commodity fertilizers, such as rapid and effective absorption (without requiring nitrification), superior water solubility, increased soil pH (which reduces soil acidity) and low chlorinechloride content. One of the most important products in this business line is potassium nitrate, which is available in crystalline and prill form, allowing for multiple application methods. Crystalline potassium nitrate products are ideal for application by fertigation and foliar sprays, and potassium nitrate prills are suitable for soil applications.

The needs of more sophisticated customers are leading the industry to provide solutions rather than individual products. The advantages of our products, plus customized specialty blends that meet specific needs along with agronomic service provided, allow us to create plant nutrition solutions that add value to crops through higher yields and better quality production. Because our products are derived from natural nitrate compounds or natural potassium brines, they have certain advantages over synthetically produced fertilizers, including the presence of certain beneficial trace elements, which makes them more attractive to customers who prefer products of natural origin. As a result, specialty plant nutrition products are sold at a premium price compared to other commodity fertilizers.

Iodine and its derivatives: We believe that we are the world's leading producer of iodine and iodine derivatives, which are used in a wide range of medical, pharmaceutical, agricultural and industrial applications, including x-ray contrast media, polarizing films for liquid crystal displays (“LCDs”),LCD, antiseptics, biocides and disinfectants, in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, herbicides, electronics, pigments, and dye components.

Lithium and its derivatives: We are thea leading producer of lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide, products which isare used in a variety of applications, including electrochemical materials for batteries, frits for the ceramic and enamel industries, heat-resistant glass (ceramic glass), primary aluminum smelting process, air conditioning chemicals, lubricating greases, continuous casting powder for steel extrusion, primary aluminum smelting process,and pharmaceuticals among others. Lithium carbonate and lithium derivatives. Wehydroxide are also basic lithium chemicals used to produce a leading supplierwide range of lithium hydroxide, which is used primarily as a raw material in the lubricating grease industry and certain cathodes for batteries.derivatives.

Potassium:We produce potassium chloride and potassium sulfate from brines extracted from the Salar de Atacama. Potassium chloride is a commodity fertilizer used to fertilize a variety of crops including corn, rice, sugar, soybean, and wheat. Potassium sulfate is a specialty fertilizer used mainly in crops such as vegetables, fruits and industrial crops.

Industrial Chemicals: We produce and market four industrial chemicals: sodium nitrate, potassium nitrate, potassium chloride and boric acid. Sodium nitrate is used primarily in the production of glass, explosives, charcoal briquettes and metal treatment. Potassium nitrate is used in the manufacturing of specialty glass, and it is also an important raw material for the production of frits for the ceramics and enamel industries. Solar salts, a combination of potassium nitrate and sodium nitrate are used as a thermal storage medium in solar-based electricity generating plants. Boric acid is used in the manufacture of frits for the ceramics and enamel industries, LCDs, glass and fiberglass. Potassium chloride is a basic chemical used to produce potassium hydroxide, and is also used as an additive in oil drilling as well as in the production of carragenine.food processing, among others.

Other Products and Services: We also sell other fertilizers and blends, some of which we do not produce.

We are the only company that produces and distributes the three main potassium sources: potassium nitrate, potassium sulphate and potassium chloride.

The following table sets forthshows the percentage breakdown of our revenues for 2013, 2012 2011 and 20102011 according to our product lines:

Business Strategy

Our general business strategy is to:

We have identified market demand in each of our major product lines, both within our existing customer base and in new markets, for existing products and for additional products that can be produced from our natural resources. In order to take advantage of these opportunities, we have developed specific strategies for each of our product lines.

Specialty Plant Nutrition

Our strategy in our specialty plant nutrients business is to: (i) continue expanding our sales of natural nitrates by continuing to leverage the advantages of our specialty products over commodity-type fertilizers; (ii) selectively expand by increasing our sales of higher margin specialty plant nutrients based on potassium and natural nitrates, particularly soluble potassium nitrate and NPK blends; (iii) pursue investment opportunities in complementary businesses to enhance our product portfolio, increase production, reduce costs, and add value to, and improve the marketing of, our products; (iv) develop new specialty nutrient blends produced in our mixing plants that are strategically located in or near our principal markets, in order to meet specific customer needs; (v) focus primarily on the markets for plant nutrients in soluble and foliar applications in order to establish a leadership position; (vi) further develop our global distribution and marketing system directly and through strategic alliances with other producers and global or local distributors; and (vii) reduce our production costs through improved processes and higher labor productivity so as to compete more effectively.

Iodine and its derivatives

Our strategy in our iodine business is to (i) maintain our leadership in the iodine market by expandingadjusting our production capacity in line with demand growth;market needs; (ii) encourage demand growth and develop new iodine derivatives, (iii) participate in iodine recycling projects; and (iv) reduce our production costs through improved processes and higher productivity in order to compete more effectively.effectively, and (v) supply a product with consistent quality according to the requirements of our customers.

Lithium and its derivatives

Our strategy in our lithium business is to (i) maintain our leadershipleading position in the lithium industry as a principal producer and distributor of lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide; (ii) encourage demand growth, (iii) selectively pursue opportunities in the lithium derivatives business by creating new lithium compounds; and (iv) reduce our production costs through improved processes and higher productivity in order to compete more effectively.effectively, and (v) supply a product with consistent quality according to the requirements of our customers.

Potassium

Our strategy in our potassium business is to significantly increase our production capacity of potassium chloride and potassium sulfate. Our distribution strategy is to (i) offer a portfolio of potassium products, including potassium sulfate, potassium chloride and other fertilizers to our traditional markets; (ii) create flexibility to offer crystalized (standard) or granular (compacted) form products according to market requirements; and (iii) focus on markets where we have logistical advantages.

Industrial Chemicals

Our strategy in our industrial chemical business is to (i) maintain our leadership position in the industrial nitrates market as well as increase our supply of potassium chloride in markets where we have natural advantages; (ii) encourage demand growth in different applications, (iii) become a long-term, reliable supplier for the thermal storage industry; and (iv) reduce our production costs through improved processes and higher productivity in order to compete more effectively.effectively, and (v) supply a product with consistent quality according to the requirements of our customers.

New Business Ventures

From time to time we evaluate opportunities to expand in our current core businesses or within new businesses in which we believe we may have sustainable competitive advantages, both within and outside Chile, and we expect to continue to do so in the future. We are currently exploring concessions for certain metallic minerals. If such minerals are found, we may decide to exploit, sell or enter into a joint venture to extract these resources. We may decide to acquire part or all of the equity of, or undertake joint ventures or other transactions with, other companies involved in our businesses or in other businesses. We are also exploring the possibility of acquiring controlling interests in companies that have mining properties in our core business areas, and that are in early stages of development.  Consistent with our business strategy, we will continue to evaluate acquisitions, joint ventures and alliances in our core businesses and, depending on all facts and circumstances, may seek to acquire controlling stakes or other interests in companies with mining properties outside of Chile and Latin America, including in other emerging markets.

In addition we are actively conducting exploration operations in various properties we own for copper, gold and other metals deposits and we have already identified several areas in which we are conducting more targeted exploration. Fiel Rosita, a copper-gold deposit located close to the city of Vallenar, is our most advanced prospect. It is located in the same district as other deposits currently being exploited by other companies. We are completingupdating the geological model using new 2013 drill data that will be used in updating the resource estimate prior to advancing a preliminary economic assessment expected in 2013, based on which weto completion. Additional exploration will decide whetherbe undertaken to conduct a pre-feasibility study orconfirm the updated geological model and test extensions to sell part or all of the deposit.known mineralized areas. We may decide not to move forward with any potential metallic prospects discovered from our exploration operations.

In parallel to our exploration operations, we have entered into memoranda of understanding, option agreements and similar arrangements with third-party mining companies relating to metallic minerals.  In all these agreements, we retain the rights onto non-metallic minerals such as nitrate, iodine, potassium, lithium and their respective derivatives

Main Business Lines

Specialty Plant Nutrition

We believe we are the world’s largest producer of potassium nitrate. We estimate that our sales accounted for approximately 46%48% of global potassium nitrate sales by volume in 2012.2013. This estimate does not include potassium nitrate we produced and sold locally in China, only net imports. During 2012,2013, the potassium nitrate market wasremained stable, compared to 2011, despite increases in price. Globalwith global sales totaled approximately 0.9at 1 million metric tons in 2012.MT. We also produce the following specialty plant nutrients:nutrition products: sodium nitrate, sodium potassium nitrate and specialty blends (containing various combinations of nitrogen, phosphate and potassium and generally known as “NPK blends”).

These specialty plant nutrients have specific characteristics that increase productivity and enhance quality when used on certain crops and soils. Our specialty plant nutrients have significant advantages for certain applications over commodity fertilizers based on nitrogen and potassium, such as urea and potassium chloride.

In particular, our specialty plant nutrients:

In 2012,2013, our specialty plant nutrients sales were US$675.3687.5 million, representing 28%31% of our total sales for that year and a 6.4% decrease1.8% increase from US$721.7675.3 million specialty plant nutrients sales in 2011.2012. This increase was a result of higher demand for premium vegetables and fruits, caused by improved economic conditions, which has reinforced the consumption of specialty fertilizers.

Specialty Plant Nutrition: Our Market

The target market for our specialty plant nutrients includes producers of high-value crops such as vegetables, fruits, industrial crops, flowers, cotton and others. Furthermore, we sell specialty plant nutrients to producers of chloride-sensitive crops. Since 1990, the international market for specialty plant nutrients has grown at a faster rate than the international market for commodity-type fertilizers. This is mostly due to: (i) the application of new agricultural technologies such as fertigation and hydroponics, and the increasing use of greenhouses; (ii) the increase in the cost of land and the scarcity of water, which has forced farmers to improve their yields and reduce water use; and (iii) the increase in demand for higher quality crops, such as fruits and vegetables.

Over the last 10 years, the compound annual growth rate for vegetable production per capita was 3.0% while the compound annual growth rate for the world population was only 1.5%.

Worldwide scarcity of water and arable land drives the development of new agricultural techniques to maximize the use of these resources. Irrigation has grown at an average annual rate of 1.5% during the last 20 years (a pace equal with population growth). However, micro-irrigation has grown at 10% per year over the same period. Microirrigation systems, which include drip-irrigation and micro-sprinklers, are the most efficient forms of technical irrigation. Global microirrigation acreage is estimated at 10 million hectares, which represents approximately 3% of total worldwide irrigated area. These applications require fully water-soluble plant nutrients. Our nitrate-based specialty plant nutrients provide nitrogen in nitric form, which helps crops absorb these nutrients faster than they absorb urea- or ammonium-based fertilizers, facilitating a more efficient application of nutrients to the plant and thereby increasing the crop’s yield and improving its quality.

Specialty Plant Nutrition: Our Products

Potassium nitrate, sodium potassium nitrate and specialty blends are higher margin products derived from, or consisting of, sodium nitrate, and they are all produced in crystallized or prilled form. Specialty blends are produced using our own specialty plant nutrients and other components at blending plants operated by us or our affiliates and related companies in Chile, the United States, Mexico, United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Turkey, China, India, Thailand, Brazil and Peru.

The following table shows our sales volumes of and revenues from specialty plant nutrients for 2013, 2012 2011 and 2010.2011.

Specialty Plant Nutrition: Marketing and Customers

In 2012,2013, we sold our specialty plant nutrients in close to 90 countries. During the same year, sales of our specialty plant nutrients were exported toas per the following regions: 18% to customers in Central and South America (not including Chile), 19% to customers in Chile, 27% to customers in North America, 18% to customers in Europe and 18% to customers in other regions.table below. No single customer represented more than 10% of our specialty plant nutrient sales during 2012,2013, and we estimate that our 10 largest customers accounted in the aggregate for approximately 29%23% of sales during that period.

We sell our specialty plant nutrientsnutrition products outside Chile mainly through our own worldwide network of representative offices and through our distribution affiliates.

We maintain stocks of our specialty plant nutrients in the main markets of the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa in order to facilitate prompt deliveries to customers. In addition, we sell specialty plant nutrientsnutrition products directly to some of our large customers. Sales are made pursuant to spot purchase orders and short-term contracts.

In connection with our marketing efforts, we provide technical and agronomical assistance and support to some of our customers. By working closely with our customers, we are able to identify new, higher-value-added products and markets. Our specialty plant nutrients products are used on a wide variety of crops, particularly value-added crops, where the use of our products enables our customers to increase yield and command a premium price. In 2013, we launched the global Speedfol™ Crop SP project in order to promote a range of crop-specific, predominantly potassium nitrate-based, locally-produced, water-soluble NPK formulations for foliar spray applications. The Speedfol™ Crop SP project has a duration of five years and targets a variety of crops such as cereals grains, citrus, mango, cotton, soybean and coffee, in countries such as Brazil, China, India, Mexico, South Africa and the Unites States of America. Scientifically proven benefits of Speedfol™ Crop SP applications include increased yields, better quality (e.g. larger-sized fruits) and reduced crop losses (e.g. less premature fruit drop, less lodging incidence in cereals).

Our customers are located in both the northern and southern hemispheres. Consequently, we do not believe there are no materialany seasonal or cyclical factors that can materially affect the sales of our specialty plant nutrient products.

From time to time we evaluate opportunities to expand in our current core businesses, including our specialty plant nutrients business, or within new businesses in which we believe we may have sustainable competitive advantages, both within and outside Chile. Consistent with our business strategy, we evaluate potential acquisitions, joint ventures and alliances in our core businesses with companies outside of Chile and Latin America, including in emerging markets.

In November 2001, we signed an agreement with Yara. This agreement allows us to make use of Yara’s distribution network in countries where its presence and commercial infrastructure are larger than ours. Similarly, in those markets where our presence is larger, both our specialty plant nutrients and Yara’s are marketed through our offices. Both parties, however, maintain an active control over the marketing of their own products.

In 2005, SQM acquired 100% of the shares of Kefco, which has a urea phosphate plant located in Dubai. Urea phosphate is a specialty plant nutrient that is used primarily in drip irrigation systems. The plant has an annual production capacity of 30,000 metric tons.

In 2005, SQM and Yara formed a joint venture called MISR Specialty Fertilizers, for the production of tailor-made liquid NPK (nitrogen-phosphate-potassium) fertilizers. The plant is located in Egypt and has a production capacity of 80,000 metric tons per year. We sold our stake in this joint venture in 2012.

In May 2008, we signed a commitment letter for a joint venture with Migao for the production and distribution of specialty plant nutrients in China. In 2009, we signed a shareholders agreement in connection with this joint venture. Through the joint venture, we constructed a potassium nitrate plant with a production capacity of 40,000 metric tons per year. The plant began operating in January 2011. This joint venture will enable2011, and offers us to increasean increased our presence in China, which represents one of the most important and fastest-growing markets for the fertilizer industry.

In May 2009, our subsidiary Soquimich European Holdings entered into an agreement with Coromandel Fertilizers Ltd. to create a joint venture for the production and distribution of water soluble fertilizers in India. The agreement established a 50⁄50 contribution to the joint venture. As part of the agreement, a new 15,000 metric ton facility was constructed in the city of Kakinada to produce water soluble fertilizers (NPK grades). This new facility required a total investment of approximately US$2.6 million and began operating in January 2012.

In October 2009, SQM S.A. signed an agreement with Qingdao Star Plant Protection Technology Co., Ltd., resulting in the creation of the joint venture SQM Star, for the production, distribution and sale of soluble NPK specialty plant nutrients in China. The agreement, a 50⁄50 joint venture, entailed a total investment of US$2 million for the construction of a new production plant. The plant, located in the city of Jimo, province of Shangdong, is currently operational and has an annual production capacity of 15,000 metric tons.

In December 2009, we signed an agreement with the French Roullier Group to form the joint venture SQM Vitas. This agreement joins two of the largest companies in the businesses of specialty plant nutrients, specialty animal nutrition and professional hygiene. Peru, Brazil and DubaiSouth Africa are the main focus markets of this joint venture.venture and Dubai is the main productive unit. As part of the agreement, our phosphate plant located in Dubai became part of this joint venture. In September 2010, SQM Vitas implemented a new phosphate line that will allow the production of two of the main water soluble phosphorus products in the world: mono ammonium phosphate and urea phosphate.

In the second half of 2011, we effected a corporate reorganization whereby our subsidiary Soquimich European Holding B.V. acquired a 66.6% ownership in Fertilizantes Naturales S.A. (later renamed SQM Iberian S.A.) from Nutrisi Holding N.V. Soquimich European Holding B.V. owned a non-controlling 50% stake in Nutrisi Holding N.V. which was sold following this acquisition. The effect of these transactions has been that we indirectly control SQM Iberian S.A. through Soquimich European Holding B.V. SQM Iberian S.A. sells and distributes fertilizers, primarily in Spain.

In 2012, SQM Vitas started the construction of new plants in Brazil (Candeias), Peru and South Africa (Durban) for the production of water soluble fertilizers containing different relative amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, and at times, smaller amounts of other chemicals. The Brazilian plant (Candeias Industrial Complex) began operating in March 2012. It has a production capacity of 25,000 million tons per year, and represented a total investment of US$10 million.

Between 2010 and 2012, we continued to expand our production capacity of potassium products in our operations in the Salar de Atacama. In 2011, we completed the construction of a new potassium nitrate facility in Coya Sur, increasing our overall production capacity of potassium nitrate by 300,000 metric tons. In addition, as mentioned above, we entered into a joint venture with Migao in 2008 for the construction of a potassium nitrate plant with a production capacity of 40,000 metric tons per year that began operating in January 2011.

The market for potassium nitrate in China is 350,000-400,000 MT, of which approximately 150,000 is related to the tobacco industry and 40,000-50,000 is related to the horticulture business. Our market share in agricultural potassium nitrate products in China is approximately 80% for water-soluble fertilizers and we expect to increase our market share for water-soluble NPK blends.

During 2013 we changed our development strategy for the Chinese water-soluble fertilizer segment. In particular, we revised our marketing and distribution strategy through our subsidiary SQM (Beijing) and in connection with the SQM-Migao joint venture, located in Qingdao of Shandong Province. Pursuant to this new strategy, our water-soluble fertilizer products produced by the SQM-Migao joint venture will be sold through SQM (Beijing), and the marketing team of the SQM-Migao joint venture will be integrated into SQM (Beijing). This change aims to enhance the efficiency of distribution channels for fertilizer products by consolidating marketing into a unified brand and management team, thus reducing costs. In addition, our strategy in this segment is to increase production of water-soluble fertilizers and extend our technologies for applications in order to increase popularity and expand the use of these products.

On March 8, 2013, SQM VITAS acquired the Controlled Release Fertilizer (CRF) Technology and Plantacote® business and brand name from AGLUKON. Plantacote® is highly efficient in nutrient utilization and is environmentally friendly due to prevention of leaching, volatilization and fixation of nutrients in the soils as well as the degradation of the coating by microorganisms after complete nutrient release. The unique coating technology and quality standards make Plantacote® very reliable for growing high-quality plants. This new global facility will produce both premium and standard CRFs under the Plantacote® brand name in order to supply worldwide customers that are active in horticulture, agriculture, turf, growing media and consumer markets. Due to this acquisition, SQM VITAS will be able to further expand its current product portfolio of specialty plant nutrition solutions for the benefit of its customers.

In 2009, SQM VITAS and Quimigra S.A, part of the Roullier Group, a French multinational group involved in plant, animal and human nutrition, entered into a joint venture for the construction and development of a new production facility in Port Cádiz, Spain, of nutritional solutions with high-added value to be destined for local demand. On June 12, 2013, the facilities were completed and began operating. The new facility has a production capacity of 15,000 MT per year. The production is focused on nutritional solutions with high added value destined to meet local demand for both, the Roullier Group and SQM, and to market to the agricultural sector in nearby countries.

Specialty Plant Nutrition: Fertilizer Sales in Chile

We market specialty plant nutrientsnutrition products in Chile through Soquimich Comercial S.A., either as a standalone product or in blends with other imported products, in particular triple super phosphate (TSP) and diammonium phosphate (DAP).

Soquimich Comercial S.A. sells imported fertilizers to farmers in Chile principally for use in the production of sugar beets, cereals, industrial crops, potatoes, grapes and other fruits. Most of the fertilizers that Soquimich Comercial S.A. imports are purchased on a spot basis from different countries in the world, including China, Mexico and Venezuela.

All contracts and agreements between Soquimich Comercial S.A. and its suppliers of imported fertilizers generally contain standard and customary commercial terms and conditions. During the preceding 10 years, Soquimich Comercial S.A. has experienced no material difficulties in obtaining adequate supplies of such fertilizers at satisfactory prices.

Soquimich Comercial S.A.’s sales of fertilizers represented approximately 30% of total fertilizer sales in Chile during 2012. No single customer represented more than 8% of Soquimich Comercial S.A.’s total fertilizer sales revenues, and its 10 largest customers in total represented less than 43% of its revenues. Revenues generated by Soquimich Comercial S.A. represented 10.6% of our 2012 consolidated revenues.2013. Soquimich Comercial S.A.’s consolidated revenues were approximately US$256230 million and US$227256 million in 20122013 and 2011,2012, respectively.

Specialty Plant Nutrition: Competition

We believe we are the world’s largest producer of sodium and potassium nitrate for agricultural use. Our sodium nitrate products compete indirectly with specialty and commodity-type substitutes, which may be used by some customers instead of sodium nitrate depending on the type of soil and crop to which the product will be applied. Such substitute products include calcium nitrate, ammonium nitrate and calcium ammonium nitrate.

In the potassium nitrate market our largest competitor is Haifa Chemicals Ltd. (“Haifa”), in Israel, which is a subsidiary of Trans Resources International Inc. We estimate that sales of potassium nitrate by Haifa accounted for approximately 34%33% of total world sales during 20122013 (excluding sales by Chinese producers to the domestic Chinese market), compared to our share of the market which accounted for approximately 46%48% of global potassium nitrate sales by volume for the period.

ACF, another Chilean producer, mainly oriented to iodine production, has produced potassium nitrate from caliche ore and potassium chloride since 2005. Kemapco, a Jordanian producer owned by Arab Potash, produces potassium nitrate in a plant located close to the Port of Aqaba, Jordan. In addition, there are several potassium nitrate producers in China, the largest of which are Wentong and Migao. Most of the Chinese production is consumed by the Chinese domestic market.

The principal means of competition in the sale of potassium nitrate are product quality, customer service, location, logistics, agronomic expertise and price.

In Chile, our products mainly compete with imported fertilizer blends that use calcium ammonium nitrate or potassium magnesium sulfate. Our specialty plant nutrients also compete indirectly with lower-priced synthetic commodity-type fertilizers such as ammonia and urea, which are produced by many producers in a highly price-competitive market. Our products compete on the basis of advantages that make them more suitable for certain applications as described above.

Iodine and its derivatives

We believe we are the world’s largest producer of iodine. In 2012,2013, our revenues from iodine and iodine derivatives amounted to US$578.1461.0 million, representing 24%21% of our total revenues in that year. We estimate that our sales accounted for approximately 34%28% of world iodine sales by volume in 2012.2013.

Market

Iodine and iodine derivatives are used in a wide range of medical, agricultural and industrial applications as well as in human and animal nutrition products. Iodine and iodine derivatives are used as raw materials or catalysts in the formulation of products such as X-ray contrast media, biocides, antiseptics and disinfectants, pharmaceutical intermediates, polarizing films for LCDs, chemicals, herbicides, organic compounds and pigments. Iodine is also added in the form of potassium iodate or potassium iodide to edible salt to prevent iodine deficiency disorders. Iodine is also added in the form of potassium iodate or potassium iodide to edible salt to prevent iodine deficiency disorders. We have seen consistent growth in the iodine market in recentover the last ten years, with the exception of 2009 which that was affected by the global financial crisis, with demand being led by uses related to X-ray contrast media and pharmaceuticals. During 2013, iodine demand only saw a moderate increase compared to 2012 as a consequence of high prices and stock optimization. We estimate that the global market size in 20122013 was between 30,500 and 31,00031 thousand metric tons, with almostclose to 60% of supply coming from Chilean producers, including us. Increased supply entered the market in 2012 and we expect to see additional new supply in 2013.

Iodine: Our ProductsProducts:

We produce iodine, and through a joint venture with Ajay North America L.L.C.Chemicals Inc., (“Ajay”), a U.S.-based Company, we produce organic and inorganic iodine derivatives. Ajay-SQM Group (“ASG”), established in the mid-1990s, has production plants in the United States, Chile and France. ASG is the world’s leading inorganic and organic iodine derivatives producer.

Consistent with our business strategy, we are constantly working on the development of new applications for our iodine-based products, pursuing a continuing expansion of our businesses and maintaining our market leadership.

We manufacture our iodine and iodine derivatives in accordance with international quality standards and have qualified our iodine facilities and production processes under the ISO-9001:2008 program, providing third party certification of the quality management system and international quality control standards that we have implemented.

The following table sets forthshows our total sales and revenues from iodine and iodine derivatives for 2013, 2012 2011 and 2010:2011:

Our sales revenues increaseddecreased from US$454.5 million in 2011 to US$578.1 million in 2012.2012 to US$461.0 million in 2013. This increasedecrease was primarily attributable to increases in price as a consequence of strongslower demand growth among most uses.than seen in previous years, and supply outpacing demand.

Iodine: Marketing and Customers

In 2012,2013, we sold our iodine products to approximately 300 customers in 60over 70 countries and most of our sales were exports: 31%37% was sold to customers in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, 36% to customers in North America, 3%11% to customers in Central and South America and 30%16% to customers in Asia and other regions. No single customer accounted for more than 8%13% of our iodine sales in 2012,2013, and we estimate that our 10 largest customers accounted in the aggregate for approximately 47%50% of sales.

The following table sets forthshows the geographical breakdown of our sales for 2013, 2012, 2011, and 2010.2011.

We sell iodine through our own worldwide network of representative offices and through our sales, support and distribution affiliates. We maintain inventories of iodine at our facilities throughout the world to facilitate prompt delivery to customers. Iodine sales are made pursuant to spot purchase orders or within the framework of supply agreements. Supply agreements generally specify annual minimum and maximum purchase commitments, and prices are adjusted periodically, according to prevailing market prices.

Iodine: Competition

The world’s main iodine producers are based in Chile, Japan and the United States. Iodine is also produced in Russia, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Indonesia, Russia and China.

Iodine production in Chile starts from a unique mineral ore known as caliche ore, whereas in Japan, the United States, Russia, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Indonesia, and Indonesia,Russia producers extract iodine from underground brines that are mainly obtained together with the extraction of natural gas and petroleum. In China, iodine is extracted from seaweed.

Six Chilean companies (SQM; Sirocco Mining Inc., a Canadian company previously known as Atacama Minerals; Atacama Chemical S.A. (Cosayach), controlled by the Chilean holding Inverraz S.A.; ACF Minera S.A. also owned by athe Chilean family;family De Urruticoechea; Algorta Norte S.A., a joint venture between ACF Minera S.A. and Toyota Tsusho; SCM Bullmine; and SCM Bullmine)Sirocco Mining Inc., a Canadian company previously known as Atacama Minerals) accounted for approximately 58%56% of global iodine sales in 2012 (34%2013 (28% by SQM and 24%28% by the other five Chilean producers).

We estimate that eight Japanese iodine producers accounted for approximately 31% of global iodine sales in 2012,2013, including recycled iodine.

We estimate that iodine producers in the United States (one of which is owned by Ise Chemicals Ltd., a Japanese company) accounted for 4%5% of world iodine sales in 2012.2013.

Iodine recycling is an increasing trend worldwide. Several Japanese producers have recycling facilities where they recover iodine and iodine derivatives from iodine waste streams. Iodine recycling, mainly related to LCD consumption, has increased over the past few years and currently represents approximately 17% of world iodine sales. It is estimated that approximately 70% to 75% of the world recycling was done by Japanese iodine producers.

We, through ASG or alone, are also actively participating in the iodine recycling business using iodinated side-streams from a variety of chemical processes in Europe, the United States and Asia.

We estimate that worldwide sales of iodine were between 30,500 and 31,000 metric tons in 2012.

The prices of iodine and iodine derivative products are determined by market conditions. World iodine prices vary depending upon, among other things, the relationship between supply and demand at any given time. The supply of iodine varies principally depending upon the production of the few major iodine producers, including us, and their respective business strategies. As a result of steadily growing demand, and despite new supply from other Chilean producers, our annual average iodine sales prices increaseddecreased to more than US$50 per kilogram in 2012.2013.

Demand for iodine varies depending upon overall levels of economic activity and the level of demand in the medical, pharmaceutical, industrial and other sectors that are the main users of iodine and iodine-derivative products. Certain substitutes for iodine ore available for certain applications, such as antiseptics and disinfectants, which could represent a cost-effective alternative to iodine depending on prevailing prices. We believe that some substitution has taken place during 2012 and 2013.

The main factors of competition in the sale of iodine and iodine derivative products are reliability, price, quality, customer service and the price and availability of substitutes. We believe we have competitive advantages compared to other producers due to the size and quality of our mining reserves and the available production capacity. We believe our iodine is competitive with that produced by other manufacturers in certain advanced industrial processes. We also believe we benefit competitively from the long-term relationships we have established with our largest customers. While there are substitutes for iodine available for certain applications, such as antiseptics and disinfectants, there are limited cost-effective substitutes currently available for the main nutritional, pharmaceutical, animal feed, and main chemical uses of iodine, which together account for most iodine sales.

Lithium and its derivatives

We believe we are the leading producer of lithium carbonate and one of the world’s largest producers of lithium hydroxide. In 2012,2013, our revenues from lithium sales amounted to US$222.2196.5 million, representing 9% of our total revenues. We estimate that our sales accounted for approximately 35%27% of the sale of global lithium chemicals sales in volume.

Lithium: Market

Lithium carbonate is used in a variety of applications, including electrochemical materials for batteries, ceramic and enamel frits, heat resistant glass (ceramic glass), primary aluminum smelting process, air conditioning chemicals, continuous casting powder for steel extrusion, synthesis of pharmaceuticals and lithium derivatives.

Lithium hydroxide is primarily used as a raw material in the lubricating grease industry, as well as in the dyes and the battery industries.

During 2013, lithium chemicals demand increased 4% reaching 130 thousand metric tons, with close to 50% supplied by Chilean producers.

Lithium: Our Products

We produce lithium carbonate at the Salar del Carmen facilities, near Antofagasta, Chile, from solutions with high concentrations of lithium, in the form of lithium chloride, coming from the potassium chloride production at the Salar de Atacama. The annual production capacity of our lithium carbonate plant is 48,000 metric tons per year. We believe that the technologies we use, together with the high concentrations of lithium and unique characteristics of the Salar de Atacama, such as high evaporation rate and concentration of other minerals, allow us to be one of the lowest cost producers worldwide.

We also produce lithium hydroxide at our facilities at the Salar del Carmen, next to the lithium carbonate operation. The lithium hydroxide facility has a production capacity of 6,000 metric tons per year and is one of the largest plants in the world.

The following table sets forthshows our total sales and revenues from lithium carbonate and its derivatives for 2013, 2012 2011 and 2010:2011:

Our revenues in 20122013 were US$196.5 million, a 13% decrease from US$222.2 million a 21% increase from US$183.4 million in 2011,2012, due to higherlower sales volumes resulting from an increase in demandsupply in 2012, mainly driven by an increase in demand for rechargeable batteries and by uses related to construction, such as grease and glass. Other producers experienced some supply constraints during part of the year, allowing us to strengthen our position as a leader in lithium carbonate supply.2013.

Lithium: Marketing and Customers

In 2012,2013, we sold our lithium products to over 300 customers in approximately 50 countries. Virtually all of our lithium products were sold overseas: 24% to customers in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, 10% to customers in North America, 64% to customers in Asia and Oceania and 2% to customers in other regions. No single customer accounted for more than 13%10% of our lithium sales in 2012,2013, and we estimate that our 10 largest customers accounted in aggregate for approximately 50% of sales.

The following table sets forthshows the geographical breakdown of our sales for 2013, 2012 2011 and 2010.2011.

We sell lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide through our own worldwide network of representative offices and through our sales, support and distribution affiliates. We maintain inventories of these products at our facilities throughout the world to facilitate prompt delivery to customers. Sales of lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide are made pursuant to spot purchase orders or within the framework of supply agreements. Supply agreements generally specify annual minimum and maximum purchase commitments, and prices are adjusted periodically, according to prevailing market prices.

Lithium: Competition

Our main competitors in the lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide businesses are Rockwood Lithium (“Rockwood”), a subsidiary of Rockwood Specialties Group Inc., and FMC Corporation (“FMC”). In addition, a number of Chinese producers together accounted for approximately 29%40% of the world market in 20122013, in volume. Rockwood produces lithium carbonate at its operations in Chile, through Sociedad Chilena del Litio Limitada, and in Nevada, United States. Its production of downstream lithium products is mostly performed in the United States, Germany and Taiwan. FMC has production facilities in Argentina through Minera del Altiplano S.A., where it produces lithium chloride and lithium carbonate. Production of its downstream lithium products is mostly performed in the United States and the United Kingdom.

We believe that lithium production will increase in the near future. A number of new projects to develop lithium deposits have been announced recently, some of whichthem are already under advanced development and others could materialize in the short- to medium-term.

We estimate that worldwide sales of lithium chemicals, expressed as lithium carbonate equivalent (excluding direct use for lithium minerals), amounted to approximately 125,000 metric tons in 2012.

Potassium

We produce potassium chloride and potassium sulfate by extracting brines from the Salar de Atacama that are rich in potassium chloride and other salts.

Since 2009, our end product capacity has increased to over 2 million metric tons per year, granting us improved flexibility and market coverage.

In 2012,2013, our potassium chloride and potassium sulfate revenues amounted to US$605.1606.3 million, representing 25%28% of our total revenues and a 8.9%0.2% increase compared to 2011.2012. We are currently making investments within our potassium products thatcompleting projects in the Salar de Atacama, which will enable us to increase our production and sales of thesepotassium-based products.

Potassium is one of the three macronutrients that a plant needs to develop. Although potassium does not form part of a plant’s structure, it is essential to the development of its basic functions. Potassium chloride is the most commonly used potassium-based fertilizer, and itfertilizer. It is used to fertilize crops that can resisttolerate relatively high levels of chloride, such as wheat, corn and soybeans, among others.

to fertilize crops that are grown under conditions with sufficient rainfall or irrigation practices that prevent chloride to accumulate to excess levels in the rooting systems of the plant.

Some benefits that may be obtained through the use of potassium are:

Potassium chloride is also an important component for our specialty plant nutrientsnutrition product line, where it is used as a raw material to produce potassium nitrate.

Potassium: Market

During the last decade, the potassium chloride market has experienced rapid growth due to several key factors such as a growing world population, higher demand for protein-based diets and less arable land. All of these factors have contributed to growing demand for fertilizers and, in particular, potassium chloride, as efforts are being made to maximize crop yields and use resources more efficiently. For the last 10 years, the compound annual growth for the global potassium chloride market was approximately 2%1.6%.

According to most recent studies prepared by the International Fertilizer Industry Association in 2010-2010/11, cereals received 10.3 MT K2O, (i.e., 37.4% of world K consumption, with a low contribution of wheat (6.2%) compared to rice (12.6%) and maize (14.9%)). In contrast, oilseeds represented 19.8% of the total (5.4 MT K2O), with more than four fifths being applied to soybean (9.0%) and oil palm (7.2%) together. K fertilizer use on fibre crops and roots and tubers was modest (2.8 and 3.8%, respectively) compared to sugar crops (7.7%) and fruits and vegetables (16.6%). The remaining 11.8% were applied to other crops.

Demand in the potassium chloride market decreasedincreased in 2012.2013. We estimate that demand reached the level of 5054 million metric tonsMT for potassium chloride during 2012, a reduction2013, an increase of approximately 10%6% as compared to 2011. Despite favorable economic2012. After unfavorable farming conditions for relevant crops, thein several countries during 2012, production had to increase in order to meet demand was mainly affected by economic uncertainty.(in a year with historical low inventory levels). We expect the potassium chloride market maintain its growth trend to returnup to levels closer to 5557 million MT during 2013.2014.

Average prices in the potassium market remained relatively stable compareddecreased significantly during 2013 due to 2011. Theunusual events. Uralkali, a leading company in the potash market, has seenabandoned the business arrangement that it held with BPC and generated market uncertainty which affected the commodity’s price levels. In the last quarter of 2013 the market saw major industry contracts close at significantly lower prices in the early months of 2012.than previous years. We believe these price pressures will have an impact on our potassium revenues in the near term.

Potassium: Our Products

Potassium chloride differs from our specialty plant nutrientnutrition products because it is a commodity fertilizer and contains chloride. We offer potassium chloride in two grades: standard and compacted. Potassium sulfate is considered a specialty fertilizer and we offer three grades: standard, compacted and soluble.

The following table shows our sales volumes of and revenues from potassium chloride and potassium sulfate for 2013, 2012 2011 and 2010.2011.

Potassium: Marketing and Customers

In 2012,2013, we sold potassium chloride and potassium sulfate in approximately 80 countries, with 5% of our sales to customers in Chile, 42% to customers in other countries in Central and South America, 11% to customers in Africa, 15% to customers in North America and 27% to customers in other regions.70 countries. No single customer accounted for more than 23%20% of our sales of potassium chloride and potassium sulfate in 2012,2013, and we estimate that our 10 largest customers accounted in the aggregate for approximately 61%53% of such sales.

The following table sets forthshows the geographical breakdown of our sales for 2013, 2012, 2011, and 2010.2011.

Potassium: Competition

The prices in the potassium chloride market declined during the second half of 2013 as a result of the unexpected announcement made by the Russian company, Uralkali, on July 30, 2013, that it was terminating its participation in BPC. As a result of the termination of Uralkali’s participation in BPC, there was increased price competition in the market. We believe that world market demand is the most important indicator when assessing pricing and the overall future of the potash market. We remain confident that total potash demand levels in 2014 will surpass levels recorded during 2013, which could lead to a positive change in the prices.

We estimate that we accounted for less than 3% of global sales of potassium chloride in 2012.2013. Our main competitors are Uralkali, Group, PCS, Belaruskali and Mosaic. We believe that in 20122013 the principal producersleading producer in the market werewas Uralkali Group, which accounted for approximately 18% of global sales,sales. PCS and Mosaic, accounted each 15% and 14% respectively, and Belaruskali, which eachwho accounted for approximately 16% of global sales, and Mosaic, which accounted for approximately 15%13% of global sales.

In the potassium sulfate market, we have several competitors, of which the most important are K+S KALI GmbH (Germany), Tessenderlo Chemie (Belgium) and Great Salt Lake Minerals Corp. (United States). We believe that thosethese three producers account for approximately 40% of the world production of potassium sulfate.

Industrial Chemicals

In addition to producing sodium and potassium nitrate for agricultural applications, we produce three grades of sodium and potassium nitrate for industrial applications: industrial, technical and refined grades. The three grades differ mainly in their chemical purity. We enjoy certain operational flexibility when producing industrial sodium and potassium nitrate because they are produced from the same process as their equivalent agricultural grades, needing only an additional step of purification. We may, with certain constraints, shift production from one grade to the other depending on market conditions. This flexibility allows us to maximize yields and to reduce commercial risk.

In addition to producing industrial nitrates, we produce and commercializemarket other industrial chemicals such as boric acid, a by-product of the production of potassium sulfate, and industrial-grade potassium chloride, both of which are sold into industrial markets in crystalline form.

In 2012,2013, our revenues from industrial chemicals were US$245.2 million, representing approximately 10%7% of our total revenues for that year.

Industrial Chemicals: Market

In addition to producing sodium and potassium nitrate for agricultural applications, we produce three grades of sodium and potassium nitrate for industrial applications: industrial, technical and refined grades. The three grades differ mainly in their chemical purity. We enjoy certain operational flexibility when producing industrial sodium and potassium nitrate because they are produced from the same process as their equivalent agricultural grades, needing only an additional step of purification. We may, with certain constraints, shift production from one grade to the other depending on market conditions. This flexibility allows us to maximize yields and to reduce commercial risk.

Industrial sodium and potassium nitrates are used in a wide range of industrial applications, including the production of glass, ceramics, explosives, charcoal briquettes, metal treatments and various chemical processes. In addition, this product line enjoys long-term growth potential from industrial nitrates for thermal storage in solar energy projects. Solar salts for this specific application contain a blend of 60% sodium nitrate and 40% potassium nitrate by weight ratio.

Boric acid is primarily used as raw material in the manufacturing of glass, fiberglass, ceramic and enamel frits, and LCD flat panel displays.

Industrial potassiumPotassium chloride is mainlya basic chemical used to produce potassium hydroxide, and is used as an additive in oil and gas drilling fluids as well as in the production of carragenine.food processing, among others.

Industrial Chemicals: Our Products

The following table sets forthshows our sales volumes of industrial chemicals and total revenues for 2013, 2012 2011 and 2010:2011:

Sales of industrial chemicals increaseddecreased from US$139.5 million in 2011 to US$245.2 million in 2012 to US$154.0 million in 2013 primarily as a result of an increasea decrease in sales volumes of solar salts products due to new alternative energy projects that utilize industrial grade sodium and potassium nitrate solar thermal energy.

Industrial Chemicals: Marketing and Customers

We sold our industrial nitrate products in over 50 countries in 2012,2013, with 49%47% percent of our sales of industrial chemicals to customers in North America, 37%35% to customers in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, 7%12% to customers in Central and South America and 7%6% to customers in other regions. No single customer accounted for more than 33%22% of our sales of industrial chemicals in 2012, and we estimate that our 10 largest customers accounted in the aggregate for approximately 70%59% of such sales.

The following table sets forthshows the geographical breakdown of our sales for 2013, 2012, 2011, and 2010.2011.

We sell our industrial chemical products mainly through our own worldwide network of representative offices and through our sales and distribution affiliates. We maintain inventories of our different grades of sodium nitrate and potassium nitrate products at our facilities in Europe, North America, South Africa and South America to achieve prompt deliveries to customers. Our Research and Development department, together with our foreign affiliates, provides technical support to our customers and continuously works with them to develop new products or applications for our products.

Industrial Chemicals: Competition

We believe we are the world’s largest producer of industrial sodium and potassium nitrate. In the case of industrial sodium nitrate, we estimate that our sales represented 60%close to 50% of world demand in 20122013 (excluding China and India internal demand, for which we believe reliable estimates are not available). Our competitors are mainly based in Europe and Asia, producing sodium nitrate as a by-product of other production processes. In refined grade sodium nitrate, BASF AG, a German corporation and several producers in China and Eastern Europe are highly competitive in the European and Asian markets. Our industrial sodium nitrate products also compete indirectly with substitute chemicals, including sodium carbonate, sodium hydroxide, sodium sulfate, calcium nitrate and ammonium nitrate, which may be used in certain applications instead of sodium nitrate and are available from a large number of producers worldwide.

Our main competitor in the industrial potassium nitrates business is Haifa; which we estimate had a 25%23% of the market share. We estimate that our market share was approximately 40%28% for 2012.2013.

Producers compete in the market for industrial sodium and potassium nitrate based on reliability, product quality, price and customer service. We believe that we are a low cost producer of both products and are able to produce high quality products.

In the potassium chloride and boric acid market,markets, we are a relatively small producer mainly supplying regional needs.

Other Products

A large part of our other revenue is related to fertilizer trading, usually commodities. These fertilizers are traded in large volumes worldwide. We have developed a trade, supply, and inventory management business that allows us to respond quickly and effectively to the changing fertilizer market in which we operate and profit on these trades.

Production Process

Our integrated production process can be classified according to our natural resources:

Caliche Ore Deposits

Caliche ore deposits are located in northern Chile. During 2012,2013, we operated three mines in this region: Pedro de Valdivia, El Toco (mining site of Maria Elena production facilities) and Nueva Victoria. In March 2010,December 2013, mining operations at El Toco and Pampa Blanca, two of our mines, were temporarily suspended in an effort to optimize inventory of these products due to decreased global demand for nitrates and iodine during the preceding 15 months. In November 2010, mining activities resumed in El Toco.our production facilties with lower production costs.

Caliche ore is found under a layer of barren overburden in seams with variable thickness from twenty centimetersone meter to five meters, and with the overburden varying in thickness from half a meter to onebetween zero and a halftwo meters.

Before proper mining begins, a full exploration stage is carried out, including full geological reconnaissance, sampling and drilling caliche ore to determine the features of each deposit and its quality. Drill-hole samples are properly identified and tested at our chemical laboratories. With the exploration information on a closed grid pattern of drill holes, the ore evaluation stage provides information for mine planning purposes. Mine planning is done on a long-term basis (10 years), medium-term basis (three years) and short-term basis (one year). A mine production plan is a dynamic tool that details daily, weekly and monthly production plans. After drill holes are made, information is updated to offer the most accurate ore supply schedule to the processing plants.

The mining process generally begins with bulldozers first ripping and removing the overburden in the mining area. This process is followed by production drilling and blasting to break the caliche seams. Front-end loaders load the ore on off-road trucks. In the Pedro de Valdivia mine, trucks deliver the ore to stockpiles next to rail loading stations. The stockpiled ore is later loaded onto railcars that take the mineral to the processing facilities.

At the Pedro de Valdivia facility, the ore is crushed and leached to produce concentrated solutions carryingcontaining the nitrate and iodine. The crushing of the ore produces a coarse fraction that is leached in a vat system and a fine fraction that is leached by agitation. These are followed by liquid-solid separation, where solids precipitate as sediment and liquids containing nitrate and iodine are sent to be processed. Operations at the El Toco mining site of Maria Elena use a heap leaching production process. In Nueva Victoria and El Toco, the run of mine ore is loaded in heaps and leached with water to produce concentrated solutions.

Caliche Ore-Derived Products

Caliche ore-derived products are: sodium nitrate, potassium nitrate, sodium potassium nitrate, iodine and iodine derivatives.

Sodium Nitrate

During 2012,2013, sodium nitrate for both agricultural and industrial applications was produced at the Pedro de Valdivia facility using the Guggenheim method, which was originally patented in 1921, and is based on a closed circuitclosed-circuit method of leaching vats. This process uses heated brines to leach the crushed caliche in vats and selectively dissolve the contents. The concentrated solution is then cooled, producing sodium nitrate crystals, which can then be separated from the brine using basket centrifuges. After the crystallization process, the brine is pumped to the iodine facilities, where the iodide is separated in a solvent extraction plant. The brine is returned to the vat leaching process. The fine fraction of caliche’s crushing process is leached at ambient temperature with water, producing a weak solution that is pumped to the iodine facilities. After a solvent extraction process, the brine is pumped to solar evaporation ponds in Coya Sur, 15 km south of María Elena.

Our total current crystallized sodium nitrate production capacity at the Pedro de Valdivia facility is approximately 500,000 metric tons per year. Crystallized sodium nitrate is processed further at the Coya Sur and María Elena production plants to produce potassium nitrate in different qualities, sodium potassium nitrate and/or crystallized or prilled nitrates (potassium or sodium), which are transported to our port facilities in Tocopilla by railway for shipping to customer and distributors worldwide.

Potassium nitrate

Potassium nitrate is produced at our Coya Sur facility using a production process developed by us. The brine leached with the fine fraction process at Pedro de Valdivia and the brines produced by heap leaching process in Maria Elena are pumped to Coya Sur’s solar evaporation ponds for a nitrate concentration process. After the nitrate concentration process, the brine is pumped to a conversion plant where potassium salts are added and where a chemical reaction begins and produces brine with dissolved potassium nitrate. This brine is pumped to a crystallization plant, which crystallizes the potassium nitrate by cooling it and separating it from the liquid by centrifuge.

Concentrated nitrate salts were produced at Pampa Blanca until March 2010, and are currently produced at Nueva Victoria by leaching caliche ore in heaps in order to extract solutions that are rich in iodine and nitrates. These solutions are then sent to plants where iodine is extracted through both solvent-extraction and blow out processes. The remaining solutions are subsequently sent to solar evaporation ponds where the solutions are evaporated and rich nitrate salts are produced. These concentrated nitrate salts are then sent to Coya Sur where they are used to produce potassium nitrate.

Our current potassium nitrate production capacity at Coya Sur is approximately 950,000 metric tons per year, including 500,000 metric tons per year of technical grade potassium nitrate.year. A new potassium nitrate plant began operations in 2011. During 2012,2013, we produced approximately 246,000247,000 tons of potassium nitrate at this plant. This new plant was designed to use raw material salts harvested in Nueva Victoria and potassium salts from the Salar de Atacama.

The nitrates produced in crystallized or prilled form at Coya Sur have been certified by TÜV-Rheiland under the quality standard ISO 9001:2008. Potassium nitrate produced at Coya Sur and María Elena is transported to Tocopilla for shipping to customers and distributors.

Sodium potassium nitrate

Sodium potassium nitrate is a mixture of approximately two parts sodium nitrate per one part potassium nitrate. We produce sodium potassium nitrate at our Coya Sur and María Elena prilling facilities using standard, non-patented production methods we have developed. Crystallized sodium nitrate is mixed with the crystallized potassium nitrate to make sodium potassium nitrate, which is then prilled. The prilled sodium potassium nitrate is transported to Tocopilla for bulk shipment to customers.

The production process for sodium potassium nitrate is basically the same as that for sodium nitrate and potassium nitrate. With certain production restraints and following market conditions we may supply sodium nitrate, potassium nitrate or sodium potassium nitrate either in prilled or crystallized form.

Iodine and iodine derivatives

We produce iodine at our Pedro de Valdivia, Maria Elena and Nueva Victoria facilities.During 2012,2013, iodine was produced by extracting it from the solutions resulting from the heap leaching of caliche ore at María Elena and Nueva Victoria, including the Iris facility as part of the Nueva Victoria facility, and from the vat leaching of caliche ore at the Pedro de Valdivia facilities.Productionfacilities. Production of iodine at the Iris plant began in December 2011.was stopped during October 2013.

As in the case of nitrates, the process of extracting iodine from the caliche ore is well established, but variations in the iodine and other chemical contents of the treated ore and other operational parameters require a high level of know-how to manage the process effectively and efficiently.

The solutions resulting from the leaching of caliche carry iodine in iodate form. Part of the iodate solution is reduced to iodide using sulfur dioxide, which is produced by burning sulfur. The resulting iodide is combined with the rest of the untreated iodate solution to release elemental iodine in low concentrations. The iodine is then extracted from the aqueous solutions and concentrated as iodide form using a solvent extraction and stripping plant in the Pedro de Valdivia and Nueva Victoria facilities and using a blow out plant in Iris. The concentrated iodide is oxidized to solid iodine, which is then refined through a smelting process and prilled. We have obtained patents in the United States and recently in Chile under the Chilean patent number 47,080, for our iodine prilling process.

Prilled iodine is tested for quality control purposes, using international standard procedures that we have implemented, then packed in 20 to 50 kilogram drums or 350 to 700 kilogram maxibags and transported by truck to Antofagasta or Iquique for export. Our iodine and iodine derivatives production facilities have qualified under the new ISO-9001:2008 program, providing third-party certification—by TÜV-Rheiland—of the quality management system. The last recertification process was approved in February 2011. Iodine from the Iris plant was certified under ISO-9001:2008 in April 2012.

Our total iodine production in 20122013 was approximately 10,90010,757 metric tons: approximately 6,0006,119 metric tons from Nueva Victoria and Iris, 3,2003,165 metric tons from Pedro de Valdivia, and 1,7001,474 metric tons from María Elena. The Nueva Victoria facility is also used for recycling iodine from the potassium iodide contained in the LCD waste solutions imported mainly from Korea. Nueva Victoria is also equipped to toll iodine from iodide delivered from other SQM facilities. We have the flexibility to adjust our production according to market conditions. Our total current production capacity at our iodine production plants is approximately 12,500 metric tons per year.

We use a portion of the produced iodine to manufacture inorganic iodine derivatives, which are intermediate products used for manufacturing agricultural and nutritional applications, at facilities located near Santiago, Chile. We also produce inorganic and organic iodine derivative products together with Ajay, which purchases iodine from us. In the past, we have primarily marketed our iodine derivative products in South America, Africa and Asia, while Ajay and its affiliates have primarily sold their iodine derivative products in North America and Europe.

In September 2010, the National Environmental Commission of Chile (Comisión Nacional del Medioambiente or “CONAMA”) approved the environmental study of our Pampa Hermosa project in the Region of Tarapacá in Chile. This approval allowed us to increase the production capacity of our Nueva Victoria operations from 4,500 to 11,000 metric tons of iodine per year and to produce up to 1.2 million metric tons of nitrates, mine up to 33 million metric tons of caliche per year and use new water rights of up to 570.8 liters per second. During 2012, we made investments in order to increase the water capacity in the Nueva Victoria operations from two water sources approved by the environmental study of Pampa Hermosa, expand the capacity of solar evaporation ponds and to implement new areas of mining and collection of solutions. Additional expansions may be done from time to time in the future, depending on market conditions.

During 2012, we submitted a request to the CONAMA requesting approval to expand our caliche ore extraction in the region of Antofagasta, which, if approved, is expected to increase production capacity by 10,000 tons of iodine and 1.3 million tons of nitrates per year. The project also requested permission to build a pipeline from the Pacific Ocean to the mining site. Currently, the request is being evaluated by the commission and other governmental agencies.

Salar de Atacama Brine Deposits

The Salar de Atacama, located approximately 250 kilometers east of Antofagasta, is a salt-encrusted depression in the Atacama desert, within which lies an underground deposit of brines contained in porous sodium chloride rock fed by an underground inflow from the Andes mountains. The brines are estimated to cover a surface of approximately 2,800 square kilometers and contain commercially exploitable deposits of potassium, lithium, sulfates and boron. Concentrations vary at different locations throughout the Salar de Atacama. Our production rights to the Salar de Atacama are pursuant to a lease agreement with Corfo, which expires in 2030. The lease agreement permits the CCHEN to establish a total accumulated extraction limit of 180,100 tons of lithium.lithium extraction in the aggregate for all periods.

Brines are pumped from depths of 1.5 to 60 meters below surface, through a field of wells that are located in areas of the Salar de Atacama that contain relatively high concentrations of potassium, lithium, sulfate, boron and other minerals.

We process these brines to produce potassium chloride, potassium sulfate, lithium carbonate, lithium hydroxide, lithium chloride, boric acid and bischofite (magnesium chloride).

Potassium chloride

We use potassium chloride in the production of potassium nitrate. Production of our own supplies of potassium chloride provides us with substantial raw material cost savings.

In order to produce potassium chloride, brines from the Salar de Atacama are pumped to solar evaporation ponds. Evaporation of the brines results in a complex crystallized mixture of salts of potassium, sodium and magnesium. Waste sodium chloride salts are removed by precipitation.  After further evaporation, the sodium and potassium salts are harvested and sent for treatment at one of the potassium chloride plants where potassium chloride is separated by a grinding, flotation, and filtering process. Potassium salts also containing magnesium are harvested and sent for treatment at one of the cold leach plants where magnesium is removed. Potassium chloride is transferred for approximately 300 kilometers to our Coya Sur facilities via a dedicated truck transport system, where it is used in the production of potassium nitrate. We sell potassium chloride produced at the Salar de Atacama in excess of our needs to third parties. All of our potassium-related plants in the Salar de Atacama currently have a production capacity in excess of up to 2.6 million metric tons per year. Actual production capacity will depend on volume, metallurgical recovery rates and quality of the mining resources pumped from the Salar de Atacama.

During 2012, we achieved a production We expect to finish expansion capacity of compacted potassium chloride in excess of 1.2to 1.4 million metric tons per year and we plan to carry out further expansions of production capacity of the compaction plant during 2013.2014. 

The by-products of the potassium chloride production process are (i) brines remaining after removal of the potassium chloride, which are used to produce lithium carbonate as described below, with the excess amount being reinjected into the Salar de Atacama; (ii) sodium chloride, which is similar to the surface material of the Salar de Atacama and is deposited at sites near the production facility; and (iii) other salts containing magnesium chloride.

The by-products of the potassium chloride production process are (i) brines remaining after removal of the potassium chloride, which are used to produce lithium carbonate as described below, with the excess amount being reinjected into the Salar de Atacama; (ii) sodium chloride, which is similar to the surface material of the Salar de Atacama and is deposited at sites near the production facility; and (iii) other salts containing magnesium chloride.

Lithium carbonate and lithium chloride

A portion of the brines remaining after the production of potassium chloride is sent to additional solar concentration ponds adjacent to the potassium chloride production facility. Following additional evaporation, the remaining concentrated solution of lithium chloride is transported by truck to a production facility located near Antofagasta, approximately 230 kilometers from the Salar de Atacama. At the production facility, the solution is purified and treated with sodium carbonate to produce lithium carbonate, which is dried and then, if necessary, compacted and finally packaged for shipment. A portion of this purified lithium chloride solution is packaged and shipped to customers. The production capacity of our lithium carbonate facility is approximately 48,000 metric tons per year. Future production will depend on the actual volumes and quality of the lithium solutions sent by the Salar de Atacama operations, as well as prevailing market conditions.

Lithium carbonate production quality assurance program has been certified by TÜV-Rheiland under ISO 9001:2000 since 2005 and under ISO 9001:2008 since October 2009.

Lithium hydroxide

Lithium carbonate is sold to customers, and we also use it as a raw material for our lithium hydroxide monohydrate facility, which started operations at the end of 2005. This facility has a production capacity of 6,000 metric tons per year and is located in the Salar del Carmen, adjacent to our lithium carbonate operations. In the production process, lithium carbonate is reacted with a lime solution to produce lithium hydroxide brine and calcium carbonate salt, which is filtered and piled in reservoirs. The brine is evaporated in a multiple effect evaporator and crystallized to produce the lithium hydroxide monohydrate, which is dried and packaged for shipment to customers.

Lithium hydroxide production quality assurance program has been certified by TÜV-Rheiland under ISO 9001:2000 since 2007 and under ISO 9001:2008 since October 2009.

Potassium sulfate and boric acid

Approximately 12 kilometers northeast of the potassium chloride facilities at the Salar de Atacama, we use the brines from the Salar de Atacama to produce potassium sulfate, potassium chloride (as a by-product of potassium sulfate process) and boric acid. The plant is located in an area of the Salar de Atacama where high sulfate and potassium concentrations are found in the brines. Brines are pumped to pre-concentration solar evaporation ponds where waste sodium chloride salts are removed by precipitation. After further evaporation, the sulfate and potassium salts are harvested and sent for treatment at the potassium sulfate plant. Potassium sulfate is produced using flotation, concentration and reaction processes, after which it is crystallized, dried and packaged for shipment. Production capacity for the potassium sulfate plant is approximately 340,000 metric tons per year.year from which aprox. 95,000 metric tons correspond to potassium chloride production as by product of the potassium sulphate process. This capacity is part of the total plant capacity of 2.6 million metric tons per year, inyear. In our dual plant complex where we may switch, to some extent, between potassium chloride and potassium sulfate production. Part of the pond system in this area is also used to process potassium chloride brines extracted from the low sulfate sulfate concentration areas found in the salar.

The principal by-products of the production of potassium sulfate are: (i) non-commercial sodium chloride, which is deposited at sites near the production facility, and (ii) remaining solutions, which are re-injected into the Salar de Atacama or returned to the evaporation ponds. The principal by-products of the boric acid production process are remaining solutions that are treated with sodium carbonate to neutralize acidity and then are reinjected into the Salar de Atacama.

Raw materials

The main raw material that we require in the production of nitrate and iodine is caliche ore, which is obtained from our surface mines. The main raw material in the production of potassium chloride, lithium carbonate and potassium sulfate is the brine extracted from our operations at the Salar de Atacama.

Other important raw materials are sodium carbonate (used for lithium carbonate production and for the neutralization of iodine solutions), sulfur, sulfuric acid, kerosene, anti-caking and anti-dust agents, ammonium nitrate (used for the preparation of explosives in the mining operations), woven bags for packaging our final products, electricity acquired from electric utilities, and liquefied natural gas and fuel oil in heat generation. Our raw material costs (excluding caliche ore and salar brines and including energy) represented approximately 20% of our cost of sales in 2012.

We have several electricity supply agreements signed with major producers in Chile which are expected to cover our electricity needs until 2030. We have beenare connected to the northern power grid in Chile, which currently supplies electricity to most cities and Industrial facilities in northern Chile, since April 2000.

In May 2001, we entered into a 10-year gas supply contract with Distrinor S.A. (a subsidiary of E-CL) for a maximum of 3,850,000 million Btu5,160,000 MMBtu per year, considering an average of consumption of 3,120,000 MMBtu per year. This gas supply was considered sufficient at the time to satisfy the requirements for the facilities that are connected to a natural gas supply. However, beginning in 2004, the Argentinean government imposed restrictions on the supply of natural gas to Chile and, in 2011,2011; the supply came to a complete stop. In 2010, Chile began to import liquefied natural gas. In 2012, we receivedWe signed a new contract in 2013 for liquefied natural gas through this supply stream.with Solgas, which is in effect from 2013 to 2014.

We obtain ammonium nitrate, sulfur, sulfuric acid, kerosene and soda ash from several large suppliers, mainly in Chile and the United States, under long-term contracts or general agreements, some of which contain provisions for annual revisions of prices, quantities and deliveries. Diesel fuel is obtained under contracts that provide fuel at international market prices.

We believe that all of our contracts and agreements with third-party suppliers with respect to our main raw materials contain standard and customary commercial terms and conditions.

Water Supply

The main sources of water for our nitrate and iodine facilities at Pedro de Valdivia, María Elena and Coya Sur are the Loa and San Salvador rivers, which run near our production facilities. Water for our Nueva Victoria and Salar de Atacama facilities is obtained from wells near the production facilities. We additionally buy water from third parties for our production processes at the Salar del Carmen lithium carbonate plant. In addition, we purchase potable water from local utility companies. We have not experienced significant difficulties obtaining the necessary water to conduct our operations.

Government Regulations

Regulations in Chile Generally

We are subject to the full range of government regulations and supervision generally applicable to companies engaged in business in Chile, including labor laws, social security laws, public health laws, consumer protection laws, environmental laws, tax laws, securities laws and anti-trust laws. These include regulations to ensure sanitary and safety conditions in manufacturing plants.

We conduct our mining operations pursuant to exploration concessions and exploitation concessions granted pursuant to applicable Chilean law. Exploitation concessions essentially grant a perpetual right to conduct mining operations in the areas covered by the concessions, provided that annual concession fees are paid (with the exception of the Salar de Atacama rights, which have been leased to us until 2030). Exploration concessions permit us to explore for mineral resources on the land covered thereby for a specified period of time, and to subsequently request a corresponding exploitation concession.

Under Law No. 16,319 that created the CCHEN (Ley 16.319 que crea la Comisión Chilena de EnergíaChilean Nuclear Energy Commission), we have an agreement with the CCHEN regarding the exploitation and sale of lithium from the Salar de Atacama. The agreement sets quotas for the tonnage of lithium authorized to be sold.

We also hold water rights obtained from the Chilean water regulatory authority for the supply of water from rivers or wells near our production facilities sufficient to meet our current and anticipated operating requirements. See “Risk factors—Risks relating to Chile.” The Water Code is subject to changes, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Law No. 20,017, published on June 16, 2005, modified the Chilean laws relating to water rights. Under certain conditions, these modifications allow the constitution of permanent water rights of up to two liters per second for each well built prior to June 30, 2004, in the locations where we conduct our mining operations. In constituting these new water rights, the law does not consider the availability of water, or how the new rights may affect holders of existing rights. Therefore, the amount of water we can effectively extract based on our existing rights could be reduced if these additional rights are exercised. These and other potential future changes to Chilean laws relating to water rights could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We operate port facilities at Tocopilla for shipment of products and delivery of certain raw materials pursuant to maritime concessions, under applicable Chilean laws, which are normally renewable on application, provided that such facilities are used as authorized and annual concession fees are paid.

In 2005, the Chilean Congress approved the Royalty Law, which established a royalty tax to be applied to mining activities developed in Chile. In 2010, modifications were made to the law and taxes were increased. In 2012, new modifications to the tax laws were enacted to permanently set the corporate tax rate at 20%. The Chilean government may again decide to levy additional taxes on mining companies or other corporations in Chile, and such taxes could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

In 2006, the Chilean Congress amended the Labor Code, and effective January 15, 2007, certain changes were made affecting companies that hire subcontractors to provide certain services. This new law, known as the Subcontracting Law (Ley de Subcontratación), further amends the Labor Accidents Law No. 16,744 to provide that, that when a serious accident in the workplace occurs, a company must halt work at the site where the accident took place until authorities from the SERNAGEOMIN, the Labor Board or the SNA, inspect the site and prescribe the measures such company must take to prevent future risks. Work may not be resumed until suchsaid company has taken the prescribed measures, and the period of time before work may be resumed may last for a number of hours, days, or longer. The effects of this law could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

On December 2, 2009, Law No. 20,393 went into effect, establishing a system of criminal liability for legal entities. The objective of the new regulation is to allow legal entities to be prosecuted for the crimes of (a) asset laundering, (b) financing terrorism and (c) bribery, where such crimes are committed by people who hold relevant positions within a legal entity in order to benefit that legal entity. The law establishes a prevention model that includes, among others, the designation of a person in charge of prevention and the establishment of special programs and policies. The implementation of this model can exempt a company from liability.

On January 1, 2010, Law No. 20,382 went into effect, introducing modifications to the Securities Law and Law No. 18,046 on Corporations (Ley de Sociedades Anónimas or the “Chilean Corporations Act”). The new law relates to corporate governance and, in general, seeks to improve such matters as the professionalization of senior management at corporations, the transparency of information, and the detection and resolution of possible conflicts of interest. The law establishes the concept of an independent director for certain corporations, including SQM. Such director has a preferential right to be a member of the Directors’ Committee, a position which, position, in turn, grants the director further powers. The new independent director may be proposed by any shareholder with an ownership interest of 1% or more in a company, but he or she must satisfy a series of independence requirements with respect to the company and the company’s competition, providers, customers and majority shareholders. The new law also refines the regulations regarding the information that companies must provide to the general public and to the SVS, as well as regulations relating to the use of inside information, the independence of external auditors, and procedures for the analysis of transactions with related parties.

On January 26, 2010, the Chilean Congress amended the Environmental Law to create the Ministry of Environment, the Environmental Assessment Service and the environmental enforcement superintendenceEnvironmental Enforcement Superintendence (Superintendencia del Medioambiente or “Environmental Enforcement Superintendence”). These changes introduced important amendments to environmental regulations by setting up new agencies and introducing new provisions and procedures applicable to projects whose operations bear an impact on the environment. The new Ministry designs and implements environmental policies relating to environmental conservation, sustainable growth and the protection of Chile’s renewable energy resources. In addition, the Ministry is responsible for enacting emission and quality standard regulations, as well as recovery and decontamination plans. The Environmental Assessment Service pursues procedures of the Environmental Impact Assessment System, pursuant to which projects are environmentally approved or rejected. In procedures for obtaining an environmental license, any person, including legal entities and companies, will be allowed to file oppositions and comments. Summary procedures, such as Environmental Impact Statements, allow comments in support or opposition under certain circumstances. Technical reports from governmental agencies are considered to be final. The Environmental Enforcement Superintendence is an independent agency which oversees and coordinates with other governmental agencies in charge of supervision of suspended projects and projects requiring environmental approval. Likewise, it will receive, investigate and deciderule on complaints concerning the infringement of environmental regulations and will sanction violators, deliver injunction orders and levy relevant fines. The Environmental Enforcement Superintendence had its powers suspended until the First Environmental Court was installed in Santiago on December 28, 2012.

There are currently no material legal or administrative proceedings pending against us except as discussed in Note 16.1 to ourConsolidated Financial Statements and below under “—Safety, health and environmental regulations in Chile,” and we believe that we are in compliance in all material respects with all applicable statutory and administrative regulations with respect to our business.

Safety, Health and Environmental Regulations in Chile

Our operations in Chile are subject to both national and local regulations related to safety, health, and environmental protection. In Chile, the main regulations on these matters that are applicable to SQM are the Mine Health and Safety Act of 1989 (Reglamento de Seguridad Minera or the “Mine Health and Safety Act”), the Health Code (Código Sanitario), the Health and Safety Act 1999 (Reglamento sobre Condiciones Sanitarias y Ambientales Básicas en los Lugares de Trabajoor the “Health and Basic Conditions Act”), the Subcontracting Law, and the environmental framework law of 1994, amended in 2010 (Ley sobre Bases Generales del Medio Ambiente or the “Environmental Law”).

Health and safety at work are fundamental aspects in the management of mining operations, which is why SQM has made constant efforts to maintain good health and safety conditions for the people working at its mining sites. In addition to the role played by us in this important matter, the Chilean government has a regulatory role, enacting and enforcing regulations in order to protect and ensure the health and safety of workers. The Chilean government, acting through the Ministry of Health and the SERNAGEOMIN, performs health and safety inspections and oversees mining projects, among other tasks, and it has exclusive powers to enforce standards related to environmental conditions and the health and safety of the people performing activities related to mining.

The Mine Health and Safety Act protects workers and nearby communities against health and safety hazards, and it provides for enforcement of the law where compliance has not been achieved. SQM’s Internal Mining Standards (Reglamentos Internos Mineros) establish our obligation to maintain a workplace that is safe and free of health risks, in as much as this is reasonably practicable. We must comply with the general provisions of the Health and Basic Conditions Act, our own internal standards, and the provisions of the Mine Health and Safety Act. In the event of non-compliance, the Ministry of Health and particularly the SERNAGEOMIN are entitled to use their enforcement powers to ensure compliance with the law.

In November 2011, the Ministry of Mining enacted Law No. 20,551 that Regulates Mine Closure and its Facilities (Ley que Regula el Cierre de Faenas e Instalaciones Mineras). This new statute entered in force in November 2012. Its main requirements are related to disclosures to the SERNAGEOMIN regarding decommissioning plans for each mining site and its facilities, along with the estimated cost to implement such plans. There is a requirement to provide a form of financial assurance to the SERNAGEOMIN to secure compliance with the decommissioning plans. There are various types of financial assurance that satisfy the requirement.  By November 2014, we have to inform the SERNAGEOMIN of the estimated costs for each of our decommissioning plans and the corresponding financial assurances we propose to provide, which are subject to approval by the SVS.

The Environmental Law was subjected to several important modifications that entered into effect in January 2010, including the creation of the Ministry of the Environment, the Environmental Assessment Service, and the Environmental Enforcement Superintendence. The Environmental Enforcement Superintendence began operations on December 28, 2012. The new and modified Environmental Law replaced the CONAMA with both the Ministry of the Environment, which is currently the governmental agency responsible for coordinating and supervising environmental issues and the Environmental Assessment Service. Under the new Environmental Law, we will continue to be required to conduct environmental impact studies or statements of any future projects or activities (or their significant modifications) that may affect the environment. With the above mentioned modifications to the Environmental Law, the Environmental Assessment Service, together with other public institutions with mandates related to the environment, evaluates environmental impact studies or statements submitted for its approval. The Environmental Enforcement Superintendence is responsible for auditing environmental performance during the construction, operation, and closure of the projects. The Environmental Law also promotes citizen participation in project evaluation and implementation, providing more opportunities during the environmental evaluation process.

Annually, the Environmental Enforcement Superintendence audits a sample of approved projects to verify compliance with the environmental permits, and it may pursue fines or sanctions if applicable, which can be challenged in the Environmental Court.

In August 10, 1993, the Ministry of Health published in the Official Gazette a resolution establishing that atmospheric particulate levels at our production facilities in María Elena and Pedro de Valdivia exceeded air quality standards, affecting the nearby towns. The high particulate matter levels came principally from dust produced during the processing of caliche ore, particularly the crushing of the ore before leaching. Residents of the town of Pedro de Valdivia were relocated to the town of María Elena, practically removing Pedro de Valdivia from the scope of the determination of the Ministry of Health. In 1998, authorities approved a plan to reduce the atmospheric particulate levels later modified by Decree No. 37/2004 in March 2004, which called for an 80% reduction of the emissions of atmospheric particulate material. This was achieved by 2008 through the implementation of a project that modified the milling and screening systems used in the processing of the caliche ore at the María Elena facilities. Due to international market conditions, this project ceased its operation in March 2010, and today the milling and screening systems used in the processing of the caliche ore at the María Elena facilities remain closed. Air quality in the area has improved significantly and compliance of air quality standards required by law is being assessed. When the average of three consecutive years meets the Chilean air quality standard, the resolution of 1993 of the Ministry of Health may be reviewed.

On March 16, 2007, the Ministry of Health published in the Official Gazette a resolution establishing that atmospheric particulate levels exceeded air quality standards in the coast-town of Tocopilla, where we have our port operations. The high particulate matter levels are caused mainly by two thermoelectric power plants that use coal and fuel oil and are located next to our port operations. Our participation in particulate matter emissions is very small (less than 0.20% of the total). However, a decontamination plan was developed by the environmental authority, and its implementation began in October 2010. During 2008 and 2009, earlier than required, SQM implemented control measures for mitigating particulate matter emissions in its port operations according to the requirements of this plan. We do not expect any additional measures to be required of SQM following the implementation of the plan.

We continuously monitor the impact of our operations on the environment and have made, from time to time, modifications to our facilities in an effort to eliminate any adverse impacts. Also, over time, new environmental standards and regulations have been enacted, which have required minor adjustments or modifications of our operations for full compliance. We anticipate that additional laws and regulations will be enacted over time with respect to environmental matters. While we believe that we will continue to be in compliance with all applicable environmental regulations of which we are now aware, there can be no assurance that future legislative or regulatory developments will not impose new restrictions on our operations. We are committed to both complying with all applicable environmental regulations and applying an Environmental Management System to continuously improve our environmental performance.

We have submitted and will continue to submit several environmental impact assessment studies related to our projects to the governmental authorities. We require the authorization of these submissions in order to maintain and to increase our production capacity.

International Regulations

In 2007, a newMay 2013, the second deadline for registration of chemicals under European Community Regulation on chemicals and their safe use went into effect.  This regulation called  REACH (Regulation, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemical Substances), requires all manufacturers and importers of chemicals – including us – to identify and manage risks linked expired. SQM registered 10 substances imported to the substances they manufactureEuropean market in the tonnage threshold of 100-1000 MT/year.

In July 2013, the Health and market.  Non-compliance with this regulation would preclude us from commercializing our productsConsumers Directorate-General of the European Commission (“DG Sanco”) released a statement about the presence of perchlorate in food, setting provisional maximum levels  in all foods, including fruits and vegetables, and indicating  that fertilizers, in addition to soil and water,  are considered to be potential sources of perchlorate contamination in food.  The provisional values could be kept or changed by DG Sanco after the release of a risk assessment report  which is currently being developed by the European Food Safety Authority (“EFSA”), and which is expected to be ready on September 2014.  SQM fertilizers marketed in the European market. In 2010, we completed, on schedule,market contain less than 0,01% of perchlorate, and uptake studies in targeted crops are being performed by the registration of all products exportedindustry to demonstrate compliance with the European Community in quantities larger than 1,000 MT, and since 2011 we have been working on the registration of products exported in amounts under 1,000 MT, which will be completed by 2013; thus, ensuring delivery to European customers.above referred provisional values.

In 2012, the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) required importers of chemicals into the US to comply with the Chemical Data Reporting Rule. For the 2012 submission period, we have provided the required information for the year 2011 for all reportable chemical substances. In addition, the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (“OSHA”) aligned the standard for chemicals hazard communicationits Hazard Communication Standard to comply with the Globally Harmonized System (“GHS”), which requires companies to review hazard information for all chemicals imported into the US, classify chemicals according to the new classification criteria, and update labels and safety data sheets by June 2015. We are already working on a program which aims to comply with the requirements of this new regulation in line with the stages and deadlines established by OSHA, and we have updatedOSHA. The updating of the Material Safety Data Sheets (“MSDS”SDS”) for all products  imported intosold in the US.US has been finished, and the update of labels is in progress and will be completed the first quarter of 2015.

Research and development, patents and licenses

See Item 5.C. Research and Development, Patents and Licenses, etc.

4.C. Organizational Structure

All of our principal operating subsidiaries are essentially wholly-owned, except for Soquimich Comercial S.A., which is approximately 61% owned by us and whose shares are listed and traded on the Santiago Stock Exchange, and Ajay SQM Chile S.A., which is 51% owned by us. The following is a summary of our main subsidiaries as of December 31, 2012.2013. For a list of all our consolidated subsidiaries, see Note 2.5 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

4.D. Property, Plant and Equipment

Discussion of our mining rights is organized below according to the geographic location of our mining operations. SQM's mining interests located throughout the valley of the Tarapacá and Antofagasta regions of northern Chile (in a part of the country known as “el Norte Grande”), referred to collectively as the “Caliche Ore Mines”, are discussed first. The Company's mining interests within the Atacama Desert in the eastern region of el Norte Grande (the “Salar de Atacama Brines”) are discussed second.

Description of the Caliche Ore Mines

As of December 31, 2012,2013, we held constituted exploitation rights to mineral resources representing approximately 543,882551,418 hectares. In addition, as of December 31, 2012,2013, we held exploration rights to mineral resources representing approximately 2,70021,600 hectares, and we have applied for additional exploration rights for approximately 19,900500 hectares. Currently, Pedro de Valdivia, María Elena and Nueva Victoria are being exploited.

Pedro de Valdivia

The mine and facilities that we operate in Pedro de Valdivia are located 170 kilometers northeast of Antofagasta and are accessible by highway. These facilities have been in operation for approximately 79 yearssince 1931 and were previously owned and operated by Anglo Lautaro. The areas currently being mined are located approximately 17 kilometers southeast and approximately 20 kilometers west of the Pedro de Valdivia production facilities. Our mining facilities at Pedro de Valdivia have a Weighted Average Ageaverage age of approximately 11.4110.1 years. Electricity, diesel,natural gas and fuel oil are the primary sources of power for this operation.

María Elena

We operatedThe mining facilities at María Elena until March 2010, and mining activitiesoperations using heap leaching resumedwere temporarily suspended in November 2010.October 2013. The María Elena mine and facilities, named El Toco, are located 220 kilometers northeast of Antofagasta and are accessible by highway. These facilities were operated for approximately 83 years before operations were suspended and were previously owned and operated by Anglo Lautaro. The area mined until operations were suspended is located approximately 14 kilometers north of the María Elena production facilities. Electricity, diesel,natural gas, and fuel oil are the primary sources of power. The Weighted Average Ageaverage age of the Company's mining facilities at María Elena is approximately 12.58 years.

13.5 years.

Pampa Blanca

We operated mining facilities in Pampa Blanca, which is located 100 kilometers northeast of Antofagasta, until operations were suspended in March 2010. Ore from the Pampa Blanca mine was transported by truck to nearby heap leaching pads where it is used to produce iodine and nitrate salts. The Weighted Average Ageaverage age of the ore recovery facilities at Pampa Blanca is approximately 13.7814.8 years. Electricity, produced by mobile diesel generators was the primary source of power.

Nueva Victoria

We currently conduct caliche ore operations in Nueva Victoria, which is located 180 kilometers north of María Elena and is accessible by highway. Since 2007, the Nueva Victoria mine includes the mining properties Soronal, Mapocho and Iris. Ore from Nueva Victoria is transported by truck to heap leaching pads where it is then used to produce iodine is produced in Nueva Victoria and the Iris plants. Electricity is the primary source of power. The Weighted Average Ageaverage age of the ore recovery facilities at Nueva Victoria is approximately 3.327.2 years. Electricity is the primary source of power.

Description of the Salar de Atacama Brines

Salar de Atacama Brines

As of December 31, 2012,2013, SQM Salar S.A. held exclusive rights to exploit the mineral resources in an area covering approximately 140,000 hectares of land in the Salar de Atacama in northern Chile, of which SQM Salar S.A. is entitled to exploit the mineral resources existing inof 81,920 hectares. These rights are owned by Corfo and leased to SQM Salar S.A. pursuant to a lease agreement between Corfo and SQM Salar S.A. (the “Lease Agreement”). Corfo may not unilaterally amend the Lease Agreement, and the rights to exploit the resources cannot be transferred. The Lease Agreement providesestablishes that SQM Salar S.A. is responsible for the maintenance of Corfo’s exploitation rights and for annual payments to the Chilean government, and it expires on December 31, 2030. Furthermore, the same lease Agreement permits the CCHEN to establish a total accumulated extraction limit set at,180,100at 180,100 tons of lithium per year.extraction in the aggregate for all periods. SQM Salar S.A. is required to make lease-royalty payments to Corfo according to specified percentages of the value of production of minerals extracted from the Salar de Atacama brines. SQM Salar S.A. holds an additional 119,023297,688 hectares of constituted exploitation rights in the Salar de Atacama.

In addition, as of December 31, 2012,2013, we held constituted exploration rights covering approximately 52,40070,100 hectares, and we had applied for additional exploration rights covering approximately 54,60055,800 hectares. Exploration rights are valid for a period of two years, after which we can (i) request an exploitation concession for the land, (ii) request an extension of the exploration rights for an additional two years (the extension only applies to a reduced surface area equal to 50% of the initial area), or (iii) cease exploration of the zone covered by the rights. The weighted average age of the assets of our mining facilities at the Salar de Atacama is approximately 6.796.8 years. Solar energy is the primary source of power used by the Salar de Atacama operation.

Under the terms of the Salar de Atacama project agreement between Corfo and SQM Salar S.A., (the “Project Agreement”), Corfo has agreed that it will not permit any other person to explore, exploit or mine any mineral resources in approximately 147,000 hectares of the Salar de Atacama (which include the 140,000 hectares) mentioned above. The Project Agreement expires on December 31, 2030.

Concessions, Extraction Yields and Reserves for the Caliche Ore Mines and Salar Brines

Concessions Generally

Caliche ore. We hold our mineral rights pursuant to one of two types of exclusive concessions granted pursuant to applicable law in Chile:

(1) “Exploitation Concessions” These are concessions whereby we are legally entitled to use the land in order to exploit the mineral resources contained therein on a perpetual basis subject to annual payments to the Chilean government; or

(2) “Exploration

(1)

“Exploitation Concessions” These are concessions whereby we are legally entitled to use the land in order to exploit the mineral resources contained therein on a perpetual basis subject to annual payments to the Chilean government; or

(2)

“Exploration Concessions” These are concessions whereby we are legally entitled to use the land in order to explore for mineral resources for a period of two years, at the expiration of which the concession may be extended one time only for two additional years if the area covered by the concession is reduced by half.

An Exploration Concession is generally obtained for purposes of evaluating the mineral resources in an area. Generally, after the holder of the Exploration Concession has determined that the area contains exploitable mineral resources, such holder will apply for an Exploitation Concession for the area. Such application will give the holder absolute priority with respect to such Exploitation Concession against third parties. If the holder of the Exploration Concession determines that the area does not contain commercially exploitable mineral resources, the concession is usually allowed to lapse. An application also can be made for an Exploitation Concession without first having obtained an Exploration Concession for the area involved.

Concessions for the Caliche Ore Mines and Salar Brines

As of December 31, 2012,2013, approximately 93% of our total mining concessions were held pursuant to exploitation concessions and 7% pursuant to exploration concessions. Of the exploitation concessions, approximately 80%88% already have been granted pursuant to applicable Chilean law, and approximately 20%12% are in the process of being granted. Of the exploration concessions, approximately 54%70% already have been granted pursuant to applicable Chilean law, and approximately 46%30% are in the process of being granted.

We made payments to the Chilean government for our exploration and exploitation concessions of approximately US$9.69.7 million in 2012.2013.

The following table sets forthshows our constituted exploitation and exploration concessions as of December 31, 2012:2013: