with former senior managers in the company were in 2016 and 2017 investigated by the Chilean national police in relation to allegations of tax evasion and bribery. This investigation was referred to by La Nación, a major Chilean newspaper, as "the SQM Affair". On 13 January 2017, as part of an investigation by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission into violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, SQM agreed to pay a $30 million penalty to resolve parallel civil and criminal cases. According to the investigation, the company made $15 million in improper payments to Chilean political figures and others connected to them in a seven-year period. Carbon footprint SQM reported Total CO2e emissions (Direct + Indirect) for 31 December 2020 at 748 Kt (+98/+15% y-o-y). Emissions have been on an upward trend since 2017. References External links Companies listed on the Santiago Stock Exchange Companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange Fertilizer companies of Chile 1968 establishments in Chile Mining companies of Chile Electric railways in Chile 3 ft 6 in gauge railways in Chile Lithium mining Companies established in 1968