Operating Company
SQM Salar SpA
Materials Mined
LithiumPotash
Assessment Status
Surveillance Assessment Completed
Audit Information
Initial Audit: Results
SQM Salar de Atacama audit report packet (español | english)
The pdf packet includes:
- IRMA press release (español | english);
- Executive summary (español | english);
- Q&A about the IRMA audit report of the SQM Salar de Atacama lithium operation (español | english);
- Background on the IRMA independent mine assessment process (español| english); and
- Audit report (español | english)
Lanzamiento del seminario web en español
Release webinar in English
Initial Audit: Details
Assessment scope
Included in the audit scope are the mining operations at Salar de Atacama including extraction, pumping, and condensation, as well as two production processes associated with potassium sulfate and potassium chloride and truck loading process.
Secondary activities within the scope of the assessment include maintenance activities, laboratories, storage facilities, worker camp and administrative offices.
The audit firm determined the following chapters of the IRMA Standard for Responsible Mining are not relevant:
- 2.4 – Resettlement
- 3.4 – Mining in Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas
- 3.6 – Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining
- 4.7 – Cyanide Management
- 4.8 – Mercury Management
Audit firm
Stakeholder input
To provide input or participate in audits, contact:
ERM Certification and Verification Services Limited
Exchequer Court, 33 St Mary Axe, London, EC3A 8AA
Amanda Russell, Email: post@ermcvs.com
Audit-related feedback
- To file a complaint about the audit results (e.g., achievement level, scores, content of audit reports) contact ERM-CVS at post@ermcvs.com
- To file a complaint about auditors or Certification Bodies (e.g., performance, competencies, potential conflicts of interest, etc.): file a complaint with IRMA.
Initial Audit: Timeline
| Completion Date | Status | Audit phase |
|---|---|---|
| Self-Assessment | ||
| 2022-01-12 | Third-Party Audit Announced | |
| 2022-03-04 | Third-Party Audit: Stage One (Desk Audit) | |
| 2022-06-07 | Third-Party Audit: Stage Two (On-Site Audit) | |
| 2023-01-25 | Draft Audit Report | |
| 2023-02-16 | Mine Site and IRMA Review Draft Audit Report | |
| Optional Corrective Action Period | ||
| 2023-08-15 | Updated Draft Audit Report | |
| Mine Site and IRMA Review Updated Draft Audit Report | ||
| 2023-09-06 | Audit Report Released |
- Complete
- Started
- Has not started
Surveillance Audit 2025: Results
Surveillance Audit 2025: Details
Assessment scope
The 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.
Audit firm
ERM CVS
Stakeholder input
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 ERM CVS before 30 June 2025 to be interviewed. Written comments submitted before 11 July 2025 will be incorporated into the results of this audit.
Web form
Email: post@ermcvs.com
Telephone: +51 1708 0164
Audit-related feedback
- To file a complaint about the audit results (e.g., achievement level, scores, content of audit reports) contact ERM-CVS at post@ermcvs.com
- To file a complaint about auditors or Certification Bodies (e.g., performance, competencies, potential conflicts of interest, etc.): file a complaint with IRMA.
Surveillance Audit 2025: Timeline
| Completion Date | Status | Audit phase |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-05-05 | Announcement | |
| Desktop review | ||
| Stakeholder engagement plan | ||
| 2025-07-11 | Onsite audit | |
| 2026-03-08 | Report | |
| 2026-03-17 | Public release |
- Complete
- Started
- Has not started
Read a comprehensive description of the audit process and what each step entails.