About SQM
Natural Resources
Metals Exploration
In addition to advancing in the exploration for nitrate and iodine resources, SQM seeks to maximize the value of its land holdings by undertaking prospecting and implementing initial exploration activities seeking to discover deposits of base or precious metals.
Through a systematic and scientifically based exploration strategy SQM identifies areas of high prospectivity for metallic mineral deposits. SQM may continue forward through exploration stages towards discovery, or seek discovery through a third party Exploration Alliance by entering into an option and joint venture agreement.
Through a systematic and scientifically-based exploration strategy, SQM identifies areas of high prospectivity for metallic mineral. SQM, in order to meet its goal of discovery, has released a number of prospects and early stage exploration areas prospective for copper, gold, silver and other base metals for exploration through option and joint venture agreements.
SQM holds several active exploration option and joint venture agreements covering prospective green fields areas and early stage prospects that have had little or no modern exploration. Exploration Alliances have typically optioned large land packages to reduce to specific project areas integrating the limited historical, but unique data sets SQM can generate from its nitrate resource drilling and geological prospecting.
Due to successful completion of joint venture and option agreements, SQM holds a number of royalties on projects that are in the late stages of exploration or in development. The areas of the concessions optioned does not necessarily translate at this time to an economic return due to the areas being in use for infrastructure.