INCOME TAXES: (Details 2) (Peru, USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Income Taxes
Operating income margin (as a percent)	10.00%
Increase in special mining tax rate for each 5% increase up to 85% increase in operating income margin (as a percent)	0.40%
Provision for special mining tax	$ 15.5	$ 11.9
Minimum
Income Taxes
Special mine tax (as a percent)	2.00%
Increment in operating income margin (as a percent)	5.00%
Maximum
Income Taxes
Special mine tax (as a percent)	8.40%
Increment in operating income margin (as a percent)	85.00%

Represents the increase over the threshold percentage of operating income margin.

No definition available.

Name:	scco_OperatingIncomeMarginIncreaseOverThresholdPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	scco_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Represents the threshold percentage of operating income margin for determining special mining tax.

No definition available.

Name:	scco_OperatingIncomeMarginThresholdPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	scco_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Represents the increase in special mining tax rate for each 5 percent increase up to 85 percent increase in the operating income margin.

No definition available.

Name:	scco_PercentageIncreaseInSpecialMiningTaxAtEach5PercentIncreaseInOperatingIncomeMarginThresholdPercentageUpto85Percent
Namespace Prefix:	scco_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Represents the percentage of special mining tax based on operating income margins.

No definition available.

Name:	scco_PercentageOfSpecialMiningTax
Namespace Prefix:	scco_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Represents the special mining tax based on operating income.

No definition available.