TMX Newsfile·2026-01-27 12:00Core Viewpoint - Ivanhoe Electric has entered into a Collaboration and Exploration Agreement with Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile (SQM) to explore for copper in northern Chile, leveraging advanced geophysical technologies to overcome challenges posed by caliche cover [1][2][4]. Group 1: Collaboration Details - The Collaboration covers SQM's mining concessions totaling 2,002 km² and will utilize Ivanhoe Electric's Typhoon™ geophysical surveying system along with Computational Geosciences Inc.'s data inversion software to identify qualifying copper deposits over an initial three-year term [2][5]. - SQM will fund the exploration with an initial commitment of $9 million, and upon identifying a qualifying copper deposit, Ivanhoe Electric can acquire a 50% interest in the deposit by paying twice SQM's exploration expenditures to date [3][11]. Group 2: Technological Advantages - The Typhoon™ system is designed to penetrate highly resistive caliche cover, which has historically hindered traditional exploration methods, thus enabling the detection of potential copper deposits at greater depths [4][8][9]. - The collaboration aims to utilize the unique capabilities of Typhoon™ and CGI technologies to explore areas that are otherwise difficult to assess, particularly in the Atacama Desert, known for its significant copper resources [6][11]. Group 3: Strategic Importance - The partnership is positioned to capitalize on the growing global demand for copper, with Chile being a historical leader in copper production, suggesting that new discoveries may be critical for meeting future supply needs [4][6]. - Both companies express confidence that their combined expertise and resources will unlock substantial geological potential in the region, which is essential for the global energy transition [6][18].