SQM to Distribute Interim Dividend

SANTIAGO, Chile, November 17 - Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile S.A. (SQM) (NYSE: SQM; Santiago Stock
Exchange: SQM-B, SQM-A) announced the payment of an interim dividend in the
amount of US$0.37994 per share (approximately US$100 million or 40% of net
income for the first nine months of 2009). At its meeting today the Company's
Board of Directors agreed to distribute an interim dividend, as outlined in
the 2009 Dividend Policy approved at its Shareholders' Meeting on April 29,
2009.

The interim dividend, which will be charged to 2009 net income, will be
paid on December 16, 2009, in favor of those shareholders registered in the
Company's Book of Shareholders during the fifth working day prior to the day
of such payment. The pertinent amount will be paid in its equivalent in
Chilean pesos, based on the "Observed Dollar" rate that should be published
by the Official Gazette on December 10, 2009.

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
    Carolina Rojas, +56-2-4252250 / carolina.rojas@sqm.com

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

Patricio Vargas, +56-2-4252485, patricio.vargas at sqm.com, Mary Laverty, +56-2-4252074, mary.laverty at sqm.com, Carolina Rojas, +56-2-4252250, carolina.rojas at sqm.com; or for media inquiries, Fernanda Guerra, +56-2-4252027, fernanda.guerra at sqm.com, all of SQM