UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13A-16 OR 15D-16
OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Includes the free translation of the essential issue filed by Sociedad
Quimica y Minera de Chile S.A. to the Superintendencia de Valores y
Seguros de Chile on August 18, 2004.
SOCIEDAD QUIMICA Y MINERA DE CHILE S.A.
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
CHEMICAL AND MINING COMPANY OF CHILE INC.
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(Translation of registrant's name into English)
EL TROVADOR 4285, SANTIAGO, CHILE (562) 425-2000
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(Address and phone number of principal
executive offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports
under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F x Form 40-F
--- ---
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information
contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes No x
--- ---
If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in
connection with Rule 12g3-2(b):
82___________
SQM
SOCIEDAD QUIMICA Y MINERA DE CHILE S.A.
Santiago, August 18, 2004
Mr. Alejandro Ferreiro Y. Superintendent
Securities and Insurance Superintendence
Avda. Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins 1449 Santiago
ESSENTIAL ISSUE
Dear Mr. Superintendent.
We hereby inform you that Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile S.A.
("SQM"), at a public auction carried out today at the Santiago Stock Exchange,
has sold 653,748,837 shares of Empresas Melon S.A. for a price of Ch$67 per
share. This transaction has generated after-tax profits for SQM in the
approximate amount of US$5.6 million, which will be fully reflected in the
Company's 2004 earnings.
We inform you the above as an essential issue and in compliance with
articles 9 and 10 of Law Number 18.045. Additionally, also in compliance with
the indications set forth in the Rule of General Character Number 30 that was
issued on November 10, 1989.
We remain at your disposal to clarify any additional aspects that you
may deem relevant in relation to the above.
Yours truly,
SOCIEDAD QUIMICA Y MINERA DE CHILE S.A.
CONF: /S/ PATRICIO CONTESSE G.
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PATRICIO CONTESSE G.
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Cc: Santiago Stock Exchange
Brokers Stock Exchange
Electronic Stock Exchange
New York Stock Exchange
Securities and Exchange Commission
The Bank of New York
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
SOCIEDAD QUIMICA Y MINERA DE CHILE S.A.
Conf: /s/ Ricardo Ramos R.
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Ricardo Ramos R.
Chief Financial Officer
Date: August 18, 2004