Represents the entity's weighted average cost of capital (including debt and equity).

No definition available.

Name:	scco_WeightedAverageCostOfCapital
Namespace Prefix:	scco_
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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents the aggregate of the assets reported on the balance sheet at period end measured at fair value by the entity. This element is intended to be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 820

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7578670&loc=d3e19207-110258

+ Details

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Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

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- Definition

This element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. This item represents Available-for-sale Securities which consist of all investments in certain debt and equity securities neither classified as trading or held-to-maturity securities. A debt security represents a creditor relationship with an enterprise. Debt securities include, among other items, US Treasury securities, US government securities, municipal securities, corporate bonds, convertible debt, commercial paper, and all securitized debt instruments. An equity security represents an ownership interest in an enterprise or the right to acquire or dispose of an ownership interest in an enterprise at fixed or determinable prices. Equity securities include, among other things, common stock, certain preferred stock, warrant rights, call options, and put options, but do not include convertible debt. An entity may opt to provide the reader with additional narrative text to better understand the nature of investments in debt and equity securities which are categorized as Available-for-sale.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 320

-SubTopic 10

-Section 25

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7534914&loc=d3e22054-111558

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 115

-Paragraph 12

-Subparagraph b

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Available-for-Sale Securities

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6505594

+ Details

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- Details

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- Definition

Carrying amount of long-term debt, net of unamortized discount or premium, including current and noncurrent amounts. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 16

-Article 7

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.16)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.16)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

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-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 16

-Article 9

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 20, 22

-Article 5

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The fair value amount of long-term debt whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value as of the balance sheet date of all price risk derivative assets not designated as hedging instruments.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 133

-Paragraph 17

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4B

-Subparagraph (c)(2)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5624163-113959

+ Details

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- Details

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- Definition

This element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. This item represents Trading Securities which consist of all investments in certain debt and equity securities that are bought and held principally for the purpose of selling them in the near term (thus held for only a short period of time) or for which an entity has elected the fair value option. Trading generally reflects active and frequent buying and selling, and trading securities are generally used with the objective of generating profits on short-term differences in price, but this category of investments may also include items which are not intended to be sold in the near term or for which the fair value option has been elected.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 320

-SubTopic 10

-Section 25

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7534914&loc=d3e22054-111558

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 115

-Paragraph 12

-Subparagraph a

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Trading Securities

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6526789

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FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS: (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified																													6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013 Fair value measurements recurring Fair value as of the end of the period	Dec. 31, 2012 Fair value measurements recurring Fair value as of the end of the period	Jun. 30, 2013 Fair value measurements recurring Fair value as of the end of the period Copper	Dec. 31, 2012 Fair value measurements recurring Fair value as of the end of the period Copper	Jun. 30, 2013 Fair value measurements recurring Fair value as of the end of the period Molybdenum	Dec. 31, 2012 Fair value measurements recurring Fair value as of the end of the period Molybdenum	Jun. 30, 2013 Fair value measurements recurring Fair value as of the end of the period Corporate bonds	Dec. 31, 2012 Fair value measurements recurring Fair value as of the end of the period Corporate bonds	Jun. 30, 2013 Fair value measurements recurring Fair value as of the end of the period Asset backed obligations	Dec. 31, 2012 Fair value measurements recurring Fair value as of the end of the period Asset backed obligations	Jun. 30, 2013 Fair value measurements recurring Fair value as of the end of the period Mortgage backed securities	Dec. 31, 2012 Fair value measurements recurring Fair value as of the end of the period Mortgage backed securities	Jun. 30, 2013 Fair value measurements recurring Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1)	Dec. 31, 2012 Fair value measurements recurring Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1)	Jun. 30, 2013 Fair value measurements recurring Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) Copper	Dec. 31, 2012 Fair value measurements recurring Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) Copper	Jun. 30, 2013 Fair value measurements recurring Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) Molybdenum	Dec. 31, 2012 Fair value measurements recurring Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) Molybdenum	Jun. 30, 2013 Fair value measurements recurring Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)	Dec. 31, 2012 Fair value measurements recurring Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)	Jun. 30, 2013 Fair value measurements recurring Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) Corporate bonds	Dec. 31, 2012 Fair value measurements recurring Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) Corporate bonds	Jun. 30, 2013 Fair value measurements recurring Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) Asset backed obligations	Dec. 31, 2012 Fair value measurements recurring Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) Asset backed obligations	Jun. 30, 2013 Fair value measurements recurring Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) Mortgage backed securities	Dec. 31, 2012 Fair value measurements recurring Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) Mortgage backed securities	Jun. 30, 2013 Mitsui loan
Liabilities:
Long-term debt, Carrying Value	$ 4,209.4	$ 4,213.9
Long-term debt, Fair Value	4,109.5	4,870.6
Fair values of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Fair value calculation, present value based on cash flow discount rate, weighted average cost of capital (as a percent)																													10.00%
Short term Investment:
Trading securities investment			386.8	127.8											386.8	127.8
Available-for-sale debt securities:
Available-for-sale debt securities									0.4	0.4	0.1	0.1	5.6	6.0									0.4	0.4	0.1	0.1	5.6	6.0
Derivative:
Provisionally priced sales					30.1	70.8	89.6	102.9									30.1	70.8	89.6	102.9
Total assets, fair value			$ 512.6	$ 308.0											$ 506.5	$ 301.5					$ 6.1	$ 6.5