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 a material event sent by
                 Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile S.A. to the
                 Superintendencia de Valores y Seguros de Chile
                               on March 29, 2006

                     SOCIEDAD QUIMICA Y MINERA DE CHILE S.A.
                     ---------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                    CHEMICAL AND MINING COMPANY OF CHILE INC.
                    -----------------------------------------
                 (Translation of registrant's name into English)

                El Trovador 4285, Santiago, Chile (562) 425-2000
                ------------------------------------------------
            (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___________


SUMMARY OF INFORMATION INCLUDED IN THIS REPORT Press Release dated March 29, 2006 - Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile S.A. Launches Offering of Notes due 2016

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 ------------------ Ricardo Ramos Chief Financial Officer & Business Development SVP Date: March 29, 2006

[SQM LOGO] [GRAPHIC OMITTED]

                              FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile S.A. Launches Offering of Notes due 2016

Santiago, Chile, March 29, 2006--Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile S.A. (NYSE:
SQM, SQMA; Santiago Stock Exchange: SQM-B, SQM-A) announced today that it
intends, subject to market and other customary conditions, to make an offering
of up to US$200,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of notes due 2016.

The net proceeds of the offering will be used to refinance existing indebtedness
at maturity in September 2006.

The notes will not be and have not been registered under the Securities Act, or
any state securities laws, and will not be offered or sold in the United States
absent registration under, or an applicable exemption from, the registration
requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of
an offer to buy the notes, nor shall there be any sale of the notes in any state
in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to
registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state.