
Jan 27 (Reuters) - Chilean lithium miner SQM said on Tuesday it had reached an agreement for a copper mining exploration partnership with Ivanhoe Electric in northern Chile, covering an area of just over 2,000 square kilometers (770 square miles).
If successful, the partnership could lead to a 50/50 joint venture where SQM SQMA.SN could have the option to operate and decide the partnership's CEO, the Chilean miner said.
The initial phase includes a $9 million investment from SQM for three years' exploration, it added.