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 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.