COMMITTMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES: (Details 3) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011
Peruvian operations.
Labor matters
Percentage of labor unionized (as a percent)		79.00%
Number of labor unions		8
Number of labor unions represent majority of workers		3
Number of labor unions at each production area represent majority of workers		1
Term of collective bargaining agreement (in years)	3
Percentage of Annual salary increase as per collective bargaining agreement (as a percent)	5.00%
Bonus given to each workers as per collective bargaining agreement	$ 6,700
Number of workers covered under collective bargaining agreement	2,000
Number of labor unions other than majority workers unions		5
Mexican operations
Labor matters
Percentage of labor unionized (as a percent)		73.00%
Number of labor unions		3
Period of other benefits negotiated under collective bargaining agreement (in years)		2
Mexican operations \| Buenavista mine
Labor matters
Number of workers covered under collective bargaining agreement		780
Mine rehabilitation and reconstruction cost		135,300,000
Mine rehabilitation and reconstruction cost capitalized		78,700,000
Mine rehabilitation and reconstruction cost charged to operating cost		56,600,000
Significant total estimated cost of repairs of Buenavista mine		174,000,000
Additional amount to be spent on rehabilitation of Buenavista mine		$ 38,700,000
Number of workers operating in mine and plants as well as in growth program		4,800
Original production capacity of copper (in tons)		180,000
Expected production capacity of copper (in tons)		450,000
Investment in growth program		3,700,000,000

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