Santiago, Chile – September 22, 2025. SQM Lithium presented its Sustainability Report 2024 with important milestones that consolidate its role as a key player in the global energy transition and a strategic role in Chile's leadership in lithium production and export. The document highlights the commitment to reduce continental water extraction in the Salar de Atacama by 50% by 2030, as well as the consolidation of a 17% share of the global market for lithium carbonate and hydroxide, essential inputs for electromobility, clean energy, and the pharmaceutical industry.
Salar Futuro: A New Standard for Lithium Mining
One of the most relevant milestones of 2024 was the signing of the agreement with Codelco for the joint development of the project Future Salar (2031–2060)This redefines how lithium is produced in Chile and around the world. public-private partnership This unprecedented approach in the mining industry will ensure that the country maintains strategic control over one of its most valuable resources, while strengthening Chile's position in the global electromobility chain. The project thus incorporates a unique governance model, combining SQM Lithium's production experience with the Codelco's state leadership.
"With Salar Futuro, we are building a mining model that will be a global benchmark: more efficient, with less impact on ecosystems, and with first-class public-private governance that ensures that Chilean lithium continues to be the driving force behind Chile's development and the global energy transition," he said. Carlos Díaz, general manager of SQM Litio.
The project Future Salar has been structured on seven main commitments:
- Reduction of brine extraction by at least 50% by 2028.
- Sustained decline in the use of continental water, maintaining a historic low compared to 2021.
- Progress towards carbon neutrality, with a more efficient operation supported by renewable energy.
- Development of new production technologies, which raise the industry's environmental standards.
- Waste management under a circular economy model, with the goal of zero disposal by 2030.
- Active participation of indigenous and local communities, through joint environmental consultation and monitoring processes.
- Unprecedented public-private governance in global mining, guaranteeing shared and strategic benefits for Chile.
Concrete environmental advances
- Water: extraction of 107 l/s in 2024, representing a 55% reduction.
- Brine: cumulative reduction of 32% since 2020, with a goal of 50% by 2028.
- Carbon: Carbon and hydroxide footprint among the lowest in the industry.
- Waste: 15,8% recovery in 2024, with a goal of full circularity by 2030.
Commitment to Chile and the communities
Between 2018 and 2024, SQM Litio allocated more than USD 349 million in social contributions to communities, municipalities, and the Antofagasta Regional Government, in addition to USD 10 million in research and development projects. In 2024 alone, more than 70 community programs were implemented in health, education, sports, entrepreneurship, and culture, with an emphasis on participatory dialogue and joint environmental monitoring with Atacama communities.
Javier Silva, Sustainability Manager at SQM Litio, mentioned that, “The development of lithium in Chile represents a unique opportunity to move forward together with the communities in the territories where this activity takes place. Ongoing dialogue, transparency, and active participation allow mining to translate into concrete benefits in health, education, employment, and local entrepreneurship. At the same time, these collaborative spaces strengthen the protection of ecosystems and respect for the cultural identity of communities, ensuring that lithium contributes both to the global energy transition and to the well-being and sustainable future of those who live in the region.”
Commitment to the workers of SQM Lithium
SQM Lithium has a total workforce of 3.954 employees, 87% of whom are based in Chile. The company has made progress in diversity, achieving 22% female participation in its workforce, a figure that rises to 32% in STEM fields. Furthermore, it reports an 82% job satisfaction rate and a 77,9% unionization rate, with 94,8% of employees covered by collective bargaining agreements.
These advances are complemented by certification under Chilean Standard NCh 3262, which promotes gender equality and the reconciliation of work, family and personal life.
International recognitions
In 2024, SQM Lithium received important recognitions that consolidate its commitment to sustainability and industry best practices:
- EcoVadis Gold Certification, which positions it within the 5% best overall performance.
- Grade B in CDP, for its responsible climate management.
- Inclusion in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index, which highlights the world's leading companies in sustainability.
- Obtaining the IRMA 75 standard, becoming the first lithium mining company in achieving this level of assessment in responsible mining.
About SQM Lithium
SQM Lithium is a global company listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the Santiago Stock Exchange (NYSE: SQM; Santiago Stock Exchange: SQM-B, SQM-A). Through its production management, SQM develops and produces diverse products for various industries essential to human progress, such as health, nutrition, renewable energy, and technology, thanks to innovation and technological advancement. In this way, its objective is to maintain its leading global position in the lithium, potassium nitrate, iodine, and salt markets.