Our History

History of Caliche, Chile's Nitrate

Caliche is a mineral rich in nitrate, iodine and, to a lesser extent, potassium, found in layers up to 5 meters thick in the Chilean desert. Known by the native peoples and used as a fertilizer since the Spanish conquest in the 17th century, its industrial exploitation began in the 19th century. Initially extracted by hand in settlements called "paradas", caliche was key to the Chilean saltpeter industry, which reached its peak after the first shipment to Europe in 1830. The María Elena Office, inaugurated in 1926, is the only saltpeter plant still in operation, using the Guggenheim brothers' extraction system.

In the context of today's global economy, we have a new approach to the exploitation of caliche. This resource, together with the brines from the Salar de Atacama, are vital for national and global development. For SQM, which is today the heir to this great industry, these natural resources are essential in the production of the best products and services for its customers. Therefore, at SQM we continuously develop and implement new processes, employing the most advanced technologies, and generating innovative solutions to maximize available resources through sustainable and efficient operations.