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
Essential Issue filed in Spanish on December 30, 2002 before
the Superintendencia de Valores y Seguros of Chile, regarding
the renewal of a syndicated loan.
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
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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
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If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in
connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82___________
Free Translation
SQM
SOCIEDAD QUIMICA Y MINERA DE CHILE S.A.
Santiago, December 30, 2002
Mr.
Alvaro Clarke de la C.
Superintendent
Securities and Insurance Superintendence
Avda. Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins No 1449
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Essential Issue
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Dear Mr. Superintendent.
Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile S.A. (SQM) and other financial institutions
subscribed, on February 20, 1998, a Credit Agreement in the amount of US$120
million. The above, in the terms and conditions that were disclosed in the
essential issue that SQM filed on February 23, 1998, and bearing in mind that
SQM has already prepaid US$60 million of this Credit that matures, in principle,
on February 20, 2003.
In light of the above, we hereby inform you that on December 26, 2002, SQM and
the respective financial institutions modified and renewed the said Credit
Agreement by subscribing the corresponding Amended and Restated Credit
Agreement. The above, with the purpose of extending its maturity until 2006,
keeping most of the terms and conditions of the original Credit Agreement
unchanged and modifying, basically, the interest rate (Libor plus 1%, adjustable
either upward or downward in accordance with SQM's then current credit rating)
and the dates for the final payments (US$30 million in 2005 and US$30 million in
2006).
We inform you the above as an essential issue and in compliance with articles 9
and 10 of Law No 18.045 and the Rule of General Character No 30 that the
Superintendence 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 Chamber of Commerce 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/ Matias Astaburuaga S.
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Matias Astaburuaga S.
General Counsel
Date: December 30, 2002