SQM Reports No Damage to its Facilities

SANTIAGO, Chile, March 1, 2010 - Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile S.A. (SQM) (NYSE: SQM; Santiago Stock
Exchange: SQM-B, SQM-A) reported that all of its production centers,
including port operations at Tocopilla, have not suffered any damages as a
result of the earthquake that hit central and south Chile the morning of
February 27.

The epicenter was approximately 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometers) south of
SQM's facilities, and consequently had no effect in the first and second
regions of Chile.

SQM and its employees profoundly regret the severe effects of the
earthquake. Our thoughts are with those who have suffered personal and
material losses in this catastrophe.

SQM is an integrated producer and distributor of specialty plant
nutrients, iodine and lithium. Its products are based on the development of
high quality natural resources that allow the Company to be leader in costs,
supported by a specialized international network with sales in over 100
countries. SQM's development strategy aims to maintain and strengthen the
Company's world leadership in its three core businesses: Specialty Plant
Nutrition, Iodine and Lithium.

    For further information, contact:
    Patricio Vargas, +56-2-4252485 / patricio.vargas@sqm.com
    Mary Laverty, +56-2-4252074 / mary.laverty@sqm.com

    For media inquiries, contact:
    Fernanda Guerra, +56-2-4252027 / fernanda.guerra@sqm.com

Statements in this press release concerning the Company's business
outlook, future economic performances, anticipated profitability, revenues,
expenses, or other financial items, anticipated cost synergies and product or
service line growth, together with other statements that are not historical
facts, are "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined under Federal
Securities Laws.

Any forward-looking statements are estimates, reflecting the best
judgment of SQM based on currently available information and involve a number
of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to
differ materially from those stated in such statements. Risks, uncertainties,
and factors that could affect the accuracy of such forward-looking statements
are identified in the public filing made with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, and forward-looking statements should be considered in light of
those factors.

Patricio Vargas, +56-2-425-2485, patricio.vargas at sqm.com; Mary Laverty, +56-2-425-2074, mary.laverty at sqm.com; Fernanda Guerra, +562-425-2027, fernanda.guerra at sqm.com, all of SQM