Company: SQM
Filing Date: 2025-04-24
Form Type: 20-F
Source: 0000909037-25-000020
Chunk: 84

Company: CHEMICAL & MINING CO OF CHILE INC
Filing Date: 2025-04-24
Form: 20-F
Item: Item 4
Chunk 84
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 exploration and mining activities. The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) (the "EPBC Act") is the Australian Government's central piece of environmental legislation. It provides a legal framework to protect and manage nationally and internationally important flora, fauna, ecological communities, and heritage places. Under the EPBC Act new projects may require federal government approval if it has, will have or is likely to have a significant impact on ‘matters of national environmental significance’. The Australian Government’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water manages the referral and environmental impact assessment process under the EPBC Act.
On a state level, SQM mine developments are subject to the Environmental Protection Act 1986 (WA) ("EP Act"). Under the EP Act, SQM is obliged to prevent, control and abate pollution and environmental harm and ensure the conservation and protection (as applicable) of the land subject to SQM’s tenure. If a proposal is likely to have a significant impact on the environment it should be referred to the Western Australia Environmental Protection Authority to determine whether an environmental impact assessment is required under Part IV of the EP Act. The Western Australian Department of Water and Environmental Regulation administers Part V of the EP Act. All polluting facilities classified as prescribed facilities (e.g., process plant and tailings storage facility, landfill, wastewater treatment plant) are required to obtain works approvals to construct and perating icenses to operate the respective facility under Part V of the EP Act.
The Western Australia Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DEMIRS) ensures the responsible development of Western Australia’s mineral, petroleum, and geothermal resources. DEMIRS regulates the mining industry to ensure environmental compliance and implementation of best practices in environmental management in accordance with the Mining Act of WA. All new mining projects require approval of a Mining Development and Closure Proposal by DEMIRS prior to ground disturbance. According to the Mining Act, a standalone Mine Closure Plan (MCP) must be submitted to DEMIRS to demonstrate that the mining operation is planning and progressing towards successful closure and achievement of the closure outcomes for the operation. Updated revisions of the MCP are then submitted and approved by DEMIRS, as required.
Under the Mining Rehabilitation Fund Act 2012 and associated Regulations 2013, DEMIRS administers the Mining Rehabilitation Fund (MRF), which is a pooled fund to facilitate the rehabilitation of historical abandoned mines inherited by the government. All tenement holders operating under the Mining Act of WA tenure are required to report disturbance data and