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SQM's Salar de Atacama lithium operation. Credit: SQMSQM's Salar de Atacama lithium operation. Credit: SQMAudits

Onsite Surveillance Audit at SQM Salar SpA this July

From IRMA approved independent auditor ERM CVS:

ERM CVS to Conduct On-site IRMA Assessment of Salar de Atacama (SQM Salar SpA)

ERM CVS Seeks Input from Local Community and Other Stakeholders

Today, 5 May 2025, ERM CVS announces that on 7 – 11 July 2025 it will visit the SQM Salar SpA’s Salar de Atacama lithium mining operations in San Pedro de Atacama, Antofagasta Region, Chile to conduct an independent, third-party Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA) surveillance assessment of the operation.

The initial audit report of SQM Salar SpA Salar de Atacama operations was released on 6 September 2023 with an achievement level of IRMA 75. The report is available on the operation’s audit page on the IRMA website.

The onsite surveillance audit will verify that the site operations continue to align with the previously recognized performance. The audit team will verify that the mine’s systems and controls are still in place and are functioning effectively, that no major changes have occurred that negatively affect the mine’s performance, and that the site is progressing on its corrective action plan. The audit will also include confidential interviews with workers and engagement with Indigenous rightsholders and community stakeholders. Following the completion of the surveillance audit, a report will be published on the operation’s audit page on the IRMA website.

The abbreviated surveillance audit summary report will provide SQM and stakeholders insight into continuity of operations, material changes, and evidence of continued improvement.

7 July – 11 July 2025

Your comments will help ERM CVS assess the impact of SQM Salar de Atacama on local communities and measure its performance against best mining practices. ERM CVS invites you to sign-up for an interview with auditors during  the surveillance audit, and/or submit written comments about SQM Salar de Atacama using the contact details below. You must contact us before 30 June 2025 to be interviewed. Written comments submitted before 11 July 2025 will be incorporated into the results of this audit. Contact info:

On the web:

erm.com/ermcvs/services/sector-specific-certification-schemes/irma-stakeholder-feedback-form/

Email: post@ermcvs.com 

Telephone: +51 1708 0164

QR code to access online form:

ERM CVS contact QR code

Interviews with members of the community occur without mine personnel present. Interviews with non-management workers occur without management present and can be scheduled to occur offsite on request. ERM CVS protects the identity of individual commenters although the general nature of comments will be summarized in the report.

ERM CVS is an independent IRMA-approved and trained audit firm. For more about ERM CVS visit ermcvs.com.

IRMA’s mission is to protect the environment and people directly affected by mining. For more about IRMA including the assessment process, the IRMA Standard, and to see audit reports of other mines visit www.responsiblemining.net

For more information about the IRMA audit cycle, please visit the Independent Assessment Timeline page. If you have concerns or complaints about the IRMA mine site assessment process or the IRMA Standard visit the IRMA Feedback and Complaints page.