10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

xQUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended: March 31, 2018

or

oTRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from             to            

Commission File Number: 1-14066

SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	13-3849074
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

1440 East Missouri Avenue Suite 160 Phoenix, AZ	85014
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (602) 264-1375

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.                                                                  Yes x             No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required  to submit and post such files).

Yes x             No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer	x	Accelerated filer	o
Non-accelerated filer	o	Smaller reporting company	o
Emerging growth company	o

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes o           No x

As of April 26, 2018 there were outstanding 773,028,469 shares of Southern Copper Corporation common stock, par value $0.01 per share.

Southern Copper Corporation (“SCC”)

INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

		Page No.
Part I. Financial Information:
Item. 1	Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017	3
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017	4
	Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017	5
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017	6
	Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	7-29
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	30-43
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk	44-45
Item 4.	Controls and procedures	46
	Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm	47
Part II. Other Information:
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	48
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	48
Item 2.	Unregistered Sale of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	48
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	48
Item 6.	Exhibits	49-51
	Signatures	52
	List of Exhibits	53-55
Exhibit 15	Independent Accountants’ Awareness Letter	1
Exhibit 31.1	Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002	1
Exhibit 31.2	Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002	1
Exhibit 32.1	Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002	1
Exhibit 32.2	Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002	1

2

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.  Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

Southern Copper Corporation

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2018			2017
	(in millions, except per share  amounts)
Net sales (including sales to related parties, see Note 7)	$	1,841.1		$	1,583.9
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation, amortization and depletion shown separately below)	876.5			843.8
Selling, general and administrative	24.1			21.4
Depreciation, amortization and depletion	162.0			153.4
Exploration	5.2			5.1
Environmental remediation	—			(10.2		)
Total operating costs and expenses	1,067.8			1,013.5
Operating income	773.3			570.4
Interest expense	(90.3		)	(105.7		)
Capitalized interest	21.1			14.9
Other income (expense)	(2.3		)	4.8
Interest income	2.6			0.9
Income before income taxes	704.4			485.3
Income taxes (including royalty taxes, see Note 4)	236.6			176.2
Net income before equity earnings of affiliate	467.8			309.1
Equity earnings of affiliate, net of income tax	4.1			6.2
Net income	471.9			315.3
Less: Net income attributable to the non-controlling interest	1.2			0.9
Net income attributable to SCC	$	470.7		$	314.4
Per common share amounts attributable to SCC:
Net earnings - basic and diluted	$	0.61		$	0.41
Dividends paid	$	0.30		$	0.08
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic and diluted	773.0			773.0

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

3

Southern Copper Corporation

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2018		2017
	(in millions)
Net income and comprehensive income	$	471.9	$	315.3
Comprehensive income attributable to the non-controlling interest	1.2		0.9
Comprehensive income attributable to SCC	$	470.7	$	314.4

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

4

Southern Copper Corporation

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

	March 31,			December 31,
	2018			2017
	(in millions)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,068.2		$	1,004.8
Short-term investments	56.5			50.5
Accounts receivable trade	873.9			890.6
Accounts receivable other (including related parties 2018 - $66.1 and 2017 - $26.1)	135.8			85.8
Inventories	1,049.8			1,041.9
Prepaid taxes	114.6			85.5
Other current assets	18.4			11.0
Total current assets	3,317.2			3,170.1
Property and mine development, net	9,118.5			9,099.6
Ore stockpiles on leach pads	1,028.9			977.4
Intangible assets, net	153.1			152.5
Deferred income tax	186.8			164.9
Equity method investment	100.0			99.7
Other assets	133.6			115.9
Total assets	$	14,038.1		$	13,780.1
LIABILITIES
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable (including related parties 2018 - $58.9 and 2017 - $90.1)	$	640.0		$	659.8
Accrued income taxes	180.0			226.4
Accrued workers’ participation	197.0			176.9
Accrued interest	133.1			83.9
Other accrued liabilities	29.7			21.3
Total current liabilities	1,179.8			1,168.3
Long-term debt	5,957.8			5,957.1
Deferred income taxes	38.4			38.5
Non-current taxes payable	207.1			207.1
Other liabilities and reserves	45.1			37.2
Asset retirement obligation	220.5			222.5
Total non-current liabilities	6,468.9			6,462.4
Commitments and contingencies (Note 9)
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Common stock	8.8			8.8
Additional paid-in capital	3,380.1			3,373.3
Retained earnings	5,965.0			5,726.2
Accumulated other comprehensive income	0.5			0.5
Treasury stock, at cost, common shares	(3,007.6		)	(3,001.1		)
Total Southern Copper Corporation stockholders’ equity	6,346.8			6,107.7
Non-controlling interest	42.6			41.7
Total equity	6,389.4			6,149.4
Total liabilities and equity	$	14,038.1		$	13.780.1

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

5

Southern Copper Corporation

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

	3 Months Ended
	March 31,
	2018			2017
	(in millions)
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$	471.9		$	315.3
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided from operating activities:
Depreciation, amortization and depletion	162.0			153.4
Equity earnings of affiliate, net of dividends received	(0.3		)	(2.8		)
Loss on foreign currency transaction effect	26.4			31.1
Benefit from deferred income taxes	(23.9		)	(16.8		)
Other, net	(1.2		)	6.5
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable	16.7			(77.7		)
(Increase) in inventories	(59.4		)	(10.7		)
Increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities	83.4			71.7
(Decrease) increase in other operating assets and liabilities	(25.8		)	20.1
Net cash provided by operating activities	649.8			490.1
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital investments	(295.7		)	(245.6		)
(Purchase of) proceeds from short-term investments, net	(6.0		)	(1.4		)
Proceeds from sale of property	0.3			0.4
Net cash used in investing activities	(301.4		)	(246.6		)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Cash dividends paid to common stockholders	(231.9		)	(61.8		)
Other	(0.9		)	—
Net cash used in financing activities	(232.8		)	(61.8		)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(52.2		)	(29.0		)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	63.4			152.7
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	1,004.8			546.0
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	1,068.2		$	698.7

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

6

Southern Copper Corporation

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

NOTE 1 — DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS:

The Company is a majority-owned, indirect subsidiary of Grupo Mexico S.A.B. de C.V. (“Grupo Mexico”). At March 31, 2018, Grupo Mexico through its wholly-owned subsidiary Americas Mining Corporation (“AMC”) owned 88.9% of the Company’s capital stock. The condensed consolidated financial statements presented herein consist of the accounts of Southern Copper Corporation (“SCC” or the “Company”), a Delaware corporation, and its subsidiaries. The Company is an integrated producer of copper and other minerals, and operates mining, smelting and refining facilities in Peru and Mexico. The Company conducts its primary operations in Peru through a registered branch (the “Peruvian Branch” or “Branch” or “SPCC Peru Branch”). The Peruvian Branch is not a corporation separate from the Company. The Company’s Mexican operations are conducted through subsidiaries. The Company also conducts exploration activities in Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico and Peru.

In the opinion of the Company, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary to state fairly the Company’s financial position as of March 31, 2018 and the results of operations, comprehensive income and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2018 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. The December 31, 2017 balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements at December 31, 2017 and notes included in the Company’s 2017 annual report on Form 10-K.

NOTE 2 — SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS:

Short-term investments were as follows ($ in millions):

	At March 31,			At December 31,
	2018			2017
Trading securities	$	55.6		$	49.5
Weighted average interest rate	1.9		%	1.8		%
Available-for-sale	$	0.9		$	1.0
Weighted average interest rate	0.7		%	0.7		%
Total	$	56.5		$	50.5

Trading securities consist of bonds issued by public companies and are publicly traded. Each financial instrument is independent of the others. The Company has the intention to sell these bonds in the short-term.

Available-for-sale investments consist of securities issued by public companies. Each security is independent of the others and at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, included corporate bonds and asset and mortgage backed obligations. As of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, gross unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities were not material.

Related to these investments the Company earned interest, which was recorded as interest income in the condensed consolidated statement of earnings. Also, the Company redeemed some of these securities and recognized gains (losses) due to changes in fair value, which were recorded as other income (expense) in the condensed consolidated statement of earnings.

7

The following table summarizes the activity of these investments by category (in millions):

	Three months ended March 31,
	2018			2017
Trading:
Interest earned	$	0.1		$	0.2
Unrealized (loss) gain at the end of the period	$	(0.1	)	$	(0.1	)
Available-for-sale:
Interest earned	(*		)	(*		)
Investment redeemed	$	0.1		$	(*	)

(*) Less than $0.1 million.

NOTE 3 - INVENTORIES:

Inventories were as follows:

(in millions)	At March 31, 2018		At December 31, 2017
Inventory, current:
Metals at average cost:
Finished goods	$	59.3	$	48.8
Work-in-process	308.9		308.0
Ore stockpiles on leach pads	316.5		320.9
Supplies at average cost:	365.1		364.2
Total current inventory	$	1,049.8	$	1,041.9
Inventory, non-current:
Ore stockpiles on leach pads	$	1,028.9	$	977.4

In the first quarter 2018 and 2017, total leaching costs capitalized as non-current inventory of ore stockpiles on leach pads amounted to $126.5 million and $120.8 million, respectively. Leaching inventories recognized in cost of sales amounted to $79.5 million and $82.1 million for the first quarter 2018 and 2017, respectively.

NOTE 4 — INCOME TAXES:

The income tax provision and the effective income tax rate for the first quarter 2018 and 2017 consisted of ($ in millions):

	2018			2017
Statutory income tax provision	$	212.3		$	148.5
Peruvian royalty	1.7			0.4
Mexican royalty	16.1			21.4
Peruvian special mining tax	6.5			5.9
Income tax provision	$	236.6		$	176.2
Effective income tax rate	33.6		%	36.3		%

These provisions include income taxes for Peru, Mexico and the United States. In addition, a Mexican royalty tax, a portion of the Peruvian royalty tax and the Peruvian special mining tax are included in the income tax provision. The decrease in the effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2018 from the same period in the prior year is primarily due to the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act enacted in December 2017, which cause dividends from the Company’s Mexican subsidiary to no longer be taxed in the U.S.

On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Act”) was signed into law. Changes under the Act include, among others, a decrease in the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%, the transition of the U.S. taxation of international operation from a worldwide system to a quasi-territorial system, a one-time transition tax on the mandatory deemed repatriation of cumulative

8

foreign earnings as of December 31, 2017, a general elimination of U.S. federal income taxes on dividends from foreign subsidiaries, and a current inclusion in U.S. federal taxable income of certain earnings of controlled foreign corporations.  As reported in detail in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, these tax law changes accounted for a provisional non-cash tax expense adjustment of $785.9 million in 2017. There have been no material changes to the provisional amounts recorded in the last quarter of 2017.

Recognizing that public reporting entities would not have sufficient time and resources to properly analyze all the provisions of the Act, on December 22, 2017, the SEC staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”) which provides guidance on the accounting for the impact of the Act. The focus of SAB 118 is what to do when an entity does not have the necessary information available, analyzed or prepared in reasonable detail to complete the accounting pursuant to the guidelines of ASC 740 Income Taxes.

The Company adopted SAB 118 and accordingly, its accounting for the effect of the Act is based on reasonable estimates, which can require additional adjustment throughout the one year measurement period commencing on December 22, 2017. As more information becomes available, the Company will continue to review whether changes are necessary to the provisional amounts recorded in 2017. The ultimate impact of the Act may differ from these provisional amounts, possibly materially. After the Company files its 2017 U.S. federal income tax return and finalizes certain tax positions it will conclude whether further adjustments are required to its net deferred tax assets or liabilities, current year foreign tax credits and any liability associated with the one-time mandatory tax on the repatriation of foreign earnings.

Two new taxes became effective as of January 1, 2018: the Global Intangible Low Tax Income or GILTI tax and the Base Erosion Anti-Abuse Tax or BEAT. The GILTI provisions impose a tax on foreign income in excess of a deemed return on tangible assets of foreign corporations. The Company’s current analysis of the tax on the GILTI inclusion indicates that the Company could be subject to this additional tax for 2018. However, the estimated tax impact was not material to the quarter. Future U.S. inclusions in taxable income related to GILTI depends on a number of different aspects of the Company’s estimated future results of global operations. The Company is not yet able to reasonably estimate the long-term effects of this provision of the Act, and accordingly has not recorded any potential deferred tax effects related to GILTI in its financial statements. Additionally, the Company not made a policy decision regarding whether to record deferred taxes on GILTI or to use the period cost method.

The BEAT tax rate is 5% for tax years beginning in 2018 (10% for 2019 through 2025, and 12.5% for tax years beginning after 2025) and is calculated on a base equal to the Company’s income determined without the tax benefit arising from base erosion payments. The erosion payments are a specifically defined set of deductible expenses. Provisional estimates indicate that the Company will not likely be subject to the BEAT in 2018.

The Company is still in the process of analyzing the provisions of these taxes and the effect they may or may not have on future results and financial reporting.  The issuance of future administrative guidance may further clarify the interpretation of the new law.

Peruvian royalty and special mining tax: The mining royalty charge is based on operating income margins with graduated rates ranging from 1% to 12% of operating profits, with a minimum royalty charge assessed at 1% of net sales. If the operating income margin is 10% or less, the royalty charge is 1% and for each 5% increment in the operating income margin, the royalty charge rate increases by 0.75%, up to a maximum of 12%. The minimum royalty charge assessed at 1% of net sales is recorded as cost of sales and those amounts assessed against operating income are included in the income tax provision. The Company has accrued $7.1 million and $5.5 million of royalty charge in the first quarter 2018 and 2017, respectively, of which $1.7 million and $0.4 million were included in income taxes in 2018 and 2017, respectively.

The special mining tax is based on operating income and its rate ranges from 2% to 8.4%. It begins at 2% for operating income margin up to 10% and increases by 0.4% of operating income for each additional 5% of operating income until 85% of operating income is reached. The Company has accrued $6.5 million and $5.9 million of special mining tax as part of the income tax provision for the first quarter 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Mexican mining royalty: Mexico has a mining royalty charge of 7.5% on earnings before taxes as defined by Mexican tax regulations and an additional royalty charge of 0.5% over gross income from sales of gold, silver and platinum. The Company has accrued $16.1 million and $21.4 million of royalty taxes as part of the income tax provision for the first quarter 2018 and 2017, respectively. In the first quarter of 2018, the Company has paid $87.7 million for year 2017 mining royalty.

Accounting for uncertainty in income taxes: In the first quarter of 2018, there were no changes in the Company’s uncertain tax positions.

9

NOTE 5 —REVENUE RECOGNITION:

On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 606 (“ASC 606”), Revenue from Contracts with Customers. Upon adoption by the Company, no cumulative effect adjustment was required to be recognized, as the adoption of the standard has not resulted in a change to the way the Company recognizes its revenue.

The Company’s net sales were $1,841.1 million in the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to $1,583.9 million in the same period of 2017. The geographic breakdown of the Company’s sales is as follows (in millions):

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
	Mexican  Open-Pit		Mexican  IMMSA Unit		Peruvian  Operations		Corporate &  Elimination			Consolidated
The Americas:
Mexico	$	368.8	$	111.3	$	—	$	(19.6	)	$	460.5
United States	248.4		5.0		41.5		—			294.9
Peru	—		—		93.5		—			93.5
Brazil	—		12.6		62.9		—			75.5
Chile	—		—		36.0		—			36.0
Other American countries	12.6		0.8		1.0		—			14.4
Europe:
Switzerland	82.3		9.2		43.8		—			135.3
Italy	8.3		5.5		82.2		—			96.0
Spain	44.5		—		—		—			44.5
Other European countries	51.8		4.6		25.7		—			82.1
Asia:
Singapore	143.9		—		132.5		—			276.4
Japan	44.2		—		115.2		—			159.4
Other Asian countries	63.8		0.2		8.6		—			72.6
Total	$	1,068.6	$	149.2	$	642.9	$	(19.6	)	$	1,841.1

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
	Mexican  Open-Pit		Mexican  IMMSA Unit		Peruvian  Operations		Corporate &  Elimination			Consolidated
The Americas:
Mexico	$	300.5	$	88.5	$	—	$	(20.6	)	$	368.4
United States	266.6		11.7		22.1		—			300.4
Peru	—		0.5		87.4		—			87.9
Brazil	—		11.9		45.5		—			57.4
Chile	—		—		33.2		—			33.2
Other American countries	16.8		1.0		6.2		—			24.0
Europe:
Switzerland	91.3		3.3		2.5		—			97.1
Italy	5.8		5.1		76.7		—			87.6
Spain	30.2		—		—		—			30.2
Other European countries	50.2		7.2		18.7		—			76.1
Asia:
Singapore	141.6		1.5		135.5		—			278.6
Japan	26.4		—		89.1		—			115.5
Other Asian countries	22.8		0.1		4.6		—			27.5
Total	$	952.2	$	130.8	$	521.5	$	(20.6	)	$	1,583.9

10

The following table presents information regarding the sales value by reporting segment of the Company’s significant products for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 (in millions):

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
	Mexican  Open-Pit		Mexican  IMMSA Unit		Peruvian  Operations		Corporate &  Elimination			Consolidated
Copper	$	909.4	$	11.2	$	564.0	$	(11.2	)	$	1,473.4
Molybdenum	91.0		—		45.3		—			136.3
Zinc	—		95.0		—		(0.1		)	94.9
Silver	42.6		20.6		15.4		(7.5		)	71.1
Other	25.6		22.4		18.2		(0.8		)	65.4
Total	$	1,068.6	$	149.2	$	642.9	$	(19.6	)	$	1,841.1

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
	Mexican  Open-Pit		Mexican  IMMSA Unit		Peruvian  Operations		Corporate &  Elimination			Consolidated
Copper	$	828.2	$	10.9	$	457.6	$	(10.9	)	$	1,285.8
Molybdenum	53.9		—		38.9		—			92.8
Zinc	—		79.3		—		(0.3		)	79.0
Silver	47.5		19.7		14.0		(7.4		)	73.8
Other	22.6		20.9		11.0		(2.0		)	52.5
Total	$	952.2	$	130.8	$	521.5	$	(20.6	)	$	1,583.9

The following table presents information regarding the opening and closing balances of receivables by reporting segment of the Company for the three months ended March 31, 2018 (in millions):

	Mexican  Open-Pit		Mexican  IMMSA Unit		Peruvian  Operations		Corporate &  Elimination		Consolidated
As of March 31, 2018:
Trade receivables	$	539.7	$	71.7	$	262.5	$	—	$	873.9
Related parties	58.1		—		—		$	8.0	$	66.1
As of December 31, 2017:
Trade receivables	$	556.2	$	79.7	$	254.7	$	—	$	890.6
Related parties	18.0		—		—		8.1		26.1

Provisionally priced sales:  At March 31, 2018, the Company has recorded provisionally priced sales of copper at average forward prices per pound, and molybdenum at the March 31, 2018 market price per pound. These sales are subject to final pricing based on the average monthly London Metal Exchange (“LME”), or New York Commodities Exchange (“COMEX”), copper prices and Dealer Oxide molybdenum prices in the future month of settlement.

Following are the provisionally priced copper and molybdenum sales outstanding at March 31, 2018:

	Sales volume (million lbs.)	Priced at (per pound)		Month of settlement
Copper	45.5	$	3.02	From April 2018 to June 2018
Molybdenum	9.4	$	12.63	From April 2018 to June 2018

The provisional sales price adjustment included in accounts receivable and net sales at March, 31, 2018 includes positive adjustments of $0.1 million and $6.4 million for copper and molybdenum, respectively.

Management believes that the final pricing of these sales will not have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

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NOTE 6 - ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATION:

The Company maintains an asset retirement obligation for its mining properties in Peru, as required by the Peruvian Mine Closure Law. In accordance with the requirements of this law the Company’s closure plans were approved by the Peruvian Ministry of Energy and Mines (“MINEM”). As part of the closure plans, the Company is required to provide annual guarantees over the estimated life of the mines, based on a present value approach, and to furnish the funds for the asset retirement obligation. This law requires a review of closing plans every five years. Currently and for the near-term future, the Company has pledged the value of its Lima office complex as support for this obligation. The accepted value of the Lima office building, for this purpose, is $36.9 million. Through March 2018, the Company has provided guarantees of $32.3 million. The closure cost recognized for this liability includes the cost, as outlined in its closure plans, of dismantling the Toquepala and Cuajone concentrators, the Ilo smelter and refinery, and the shops and auxiliary facilities at the three units. In March 2016, MINEM approved the Mining Closure Plan for the Toquepala expansion project. The closure plan for the Tia Maria project was approved in February 2017. The Company, however, has not recorded a retirement obligation for the project as the construction permit has not been received, and work on the project is on hold. The Company believes that under these circumstances the recording of a retirement obligation is not appropriate. In accordance with requirements of Peruvian law, the Company in December 2017 and February 2018, submitted to MINEM revised closure plans for the Cuajone mine and the Ilo facilities respectively, which at March 31, 2018 are pending approval. As a result of these new estimates, the Company has reduced the asset retirement obligation by $11.6 million in December 2017 and $5.2 million in the first quarter of 2018.

In 2010, the Company announced to the Mexican federal environmental authorities its closure plans for the copper smelter plant at San Luis Potosi. The Company initiated a program for plant demolition and soil remediation with a budget of $66.2 million, which has been spent through March 31, 2018. Plant demolition and construction of a confinement area at the south of the property were completed in 2012. In accordance with remediation goals previously approved by environmental authorities, soil remediation and on-site encapsulation on a second confinement area of impacted soils have been completed. Confirmation sampling was successfully completed. On September 2, 2016, the environmental authorities approved the conclusion of the remediation effort. The Company continues studying the possibilities for this property in order to decide whether to sell or develop the property. The overall cost recognized for mining closure in Mexico includes the estimated costs of dismantling concentrators, smelter and refinery plants, shops and other facilities.

The following table summarizes the asset retirement obligation activity for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 (in millions):

	2018			2017
Balance as of January 1	$	222.5		$	216.5
Changes in estimates	(5.2		)	—
Payments	—			(0.3		)
Accretion expense	3.2			6.1
Balance as of March 31,	$	220.5		$	222.3

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NOTE 7 — RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS:

The Company has entered into certain transactions in the ordinary course of business with parties that are controlling shareholders or their affiliates. These transactions include the lease of office space, air transportation and construction services and products and services related to mining and refining. The Company lends and borrows funds among affiliates for acquisitions and other corporate purposes. These financial transactions bear interest and are subject to review and approval by senior management, as are all related party transactions. It is the Company’s policy that the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors shall review all related party transactions. The Company is prohibited from entering or continuing a material related party transaction that has not been reviewed and approved or ratified by the Audit Committee.

Receivable and payable balances with related parties are shown below (in millions):

	At March 31, 2018		At December 31,  2017
Related parties receivable current:
Grupo Mexico and affiliates:
Mexico Generadora de Energia, S. de R.L. (“MGE”)	$	31.3	$	16.2
Asarco LLC	29.3		4.1
Grupo Mexico	2.8		2.8
Compañia Perforadora Mexico, S.A.P.I. de C.V. and affiliates	1.4		1.4
Mexico Proyectos y Desarrollos, S.A. de C.V. and affiliates	0.7		1.1
Related to the controlling group:
Mexico Transportes Aereos, S.A. de C.V. (“Mextransport”)	0.1
Operadora de Cinemas, S.A. de C.V.	0.3		0.3
Boutique Bowling de Mexico, S.A. de C.V.	0.2		0.2
	$	66.1	$	26.1

	At March 31, 2018		At December 31,  2017
Related parties payable:
Grupo Mexico and affiliates:
MGE	$	28.7	$	38.5
Asarco LLC	14.8		24.2
Mexico Proyectos y Desarrollos, S.A. de C.V. and affiliates	7.7		21.7
Ferrocarril Mexicano, S.A. de C.V.	3.2		2.6
Eolica El Retiro, S.A.P.I. de C.V. (“Eolica el Retiro”)	0.6		0.8
Grupo Mexico	3.6		0.7
Related to the controlling group:
Operadora de Cinemas, S.A. de C.V.	0.1		0.7
Boutique Bowling de Mexico, S.A. de C.V.	0.1		0.6
Mextransport	0.1		0.3
	$	58.9	$	90.1

Purchase and sale activity:

Grupo Mexico and affiliates:

The following table summarizes the purchase and sale activities with Grupo Mexico and its affiliates in the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 (in millions):

	2018		2017
Purchase activity
Asarco LLC	$	6.8	$	13.0
Eolica El Retiro	0.6		0.9
Ferrocarril Mexicano, S.A de C.V.	10.0		10.8
Grupo Mexico	4.5		3.5
MGE	61.9		61.1
Mexico Proyectos y Desarrollos, S.A. de C.V. and affiliates	15.9		27.1
Total purchases	$	99.7	$	116.4

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Sales activity
Asarco LLC	$	36.5	$	41.8
Compania Perforadora Mexico, S.A.P.I. de C.V and affiliates	—		0.2
Grupo Mexico	—		0.2
MGE	23.2		24.4
Total sales	$	59.7	$	66.6

Grupo Mexico, the parent and the majority indirect stockholder of the Company, and its affiliates provide various services to the Company. These services are primarily related to accounting, legal, tax, financial, treasury, human resources, price risk assessment and hedging, purchasing, procurement and logistics, sales and administrative and other support services. The Company pays Grupo Mexico for these services and expects to continue requiring these services in the future.

In the first quarter of 2018, the Company made donations of $0.7 million to Fundacion Grupo Mexico, A.C., an organization dedicated to promoting the social and economic development of the communities close to the Company’s Mexican operations.

The Company’s Mexican operations paid fees for freight services provided by Ferrocarril Mexicano, S.A de C.V. and for construction services provided by Mexico Proyectos y Desarrollos, S.A. de C.V. and its affiliates. All of these companies are subsidiaries of Grupo Mexico.

The Company’s Mexican operations purchased scrap and other residual copper mineral from Asarco LLC, and power from MGE. Both companies are subsidiaries of Grupo Mexico.

In 2005, the Company organized MGE, as a subsidiary of Minera Mexico, for the construction of two power plants to supply power to the Company’s Mexican operations. In May 2010, the Company’s Mexican operations granted a $350 million line of credit to MGE for the construction of the power plants. That line of credit was due on December 31, 2012 and carried an interest rate of 4.4%. In the first quarter of 2012, an indirect subsidiary of Grupo Mexico acquired 99.999% of MGE through a capital subscription of 1,928.6 million of Mexican pesos (approximately $150 million), reducing Minera Mexico’s participation to less than 0.001%. As consequence of this change in control, MGE became an indirect subsidiary of Grupo Mexico. Additionally, at the same time, MGE paid $150 million to the Company’s Mexican operations partially reducing the total debt. The remaining balance was repaid in the third quarter of 2016.

In 2012, the Company signed a power purchase agreement with MGE, whereby MGE will supply some of the Company’s Mexican operations with power through 2032. MGE has two natural gas-fired combined cycle power generating units, with a net total capacity of 516.2 megawatts and has been supplying power to the Company since December 2013. Currently, MGE is supplying 14% of its power output to third-party energy users.

In 2014, Mexico Generadora de Energia Eolica S. de R.L. de C.V, an indirect subsidiary of Grupo Mexico, located in Oaxaca, Mexico, acquired Eolica el Retiro. Eolica el Retiro is a windfarm with 37 wind turbines. This company started operations in January 2014 and started to sell power to Industrial Minera Mexico and subsidiaries (IMMSA) and other subsidiaries of Grupo Mexico in the third quarter of 2014. Currently, Eolica el Retiro is supplying approximately 27% of its power output to IMMSA.

The Company sold copper cathodes, rod and anodes, as well as sulfuric acid, silver, gold and lime to Asarco LLC. In addition, the Company received fees for building rental and maintenance services provided to Mexico Proyectos y Desarrollos, S.A. de C.V. and its affiliates and to Perforadora Mexico S.A.P.I. de C.V., and for natural gas and services provided to MGE; all subsidiaries of Grupo Mexico.

Companies with relationships to the controlling group:

The following table summarizes the purchase and sales activities with other Larrea family companies in the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 (in millions):

	2018			2017
Purchase activity
Boutique Bowling de Mexico, S.A. de C.V.	$	0.1		$	—
Operadora de Cinemas, S.A. de C.V.	(*		)	—
Mextransport	0.2			—
Total purchases	$	0.3		$	—

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Sales activity
Boutique Bowling de Mexico S.A. de C.V.	$	0.1		$	0.1
Operadora de Cinemas S.A. de C.V.	(*		)	(*		)
Mextransport	0.1			—
Total sales	$	0.2		$	0.1

(*) amount is lower than $0.1 million

The Larrea family controls a majority of the capital stock of Grupo Mexico, and has extensive interests in other businesses, including transportation, real estate and entertainment. The Company engages in certain transactions in the ordinary course of business with other entities controlled by the Larrea family relating to the lease of office space, air transportation and entertainment.

The Company’s Mexican operations paid fees for entertainment services provided by Boutique Bowling de Mexico S.A de C.V. and Operadora de Cinemas S.A. de C.V. Both companies are controlled by the Larrea family.

Mextransport provides aviation services to the Company’s Mexican operations. This is a company controlled by the Larrea family.

In addition, the Company received fees for building rental and maintenance provided to Boutique Bowling de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Operadora de Cinemas S.A. de C.V and Mextransport.

Equity Investment in Affiliate: The Company has a 44.2% participation in Compania Minera Coimolache S.A. (“Coimolache”), which it accounts for on the equity method. Coimolache owns Tantahuatay, a gold mine located in the northern part of Peru.

It is anticipated that in the future the Company will enter into similar transactions with these same parties.

NOTE 8 — BENEFIT PLANS:

Post retirement defined benefit plans:

The Company has two noncontributory defined benefit pension plans covering former salaried employees in the United States and certain former expatriate employees in Peru. Effective October 31, 2000, the Board of Directors amended the qualified pension plan to suspend the accrual of benefits.

In addition, the Company’s Mexican subsidiaries have a defined contribution pension plan for salaried employees and a non-contributory defined benefit pension plan for union employees.

The components of net periodic benefit costs for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 are as follows (in millions):

	2018			2017
Service cost	$	0.3		$	0.2
Interest cost	0.4			0.3
Expected return on plan assets	(0.9		)	(0.7		)
Amortization of net actuarial loss	(*		)	(*		)
Amortization of net loss/(gain)	(*		)	(*		)
Net periodic benefit costs	$	(0.2	)	$	(0.2	)

(*) amount is lower than $0.1 million

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Post-retirement health care plans:

United States: The Company adopted a post-retirement health care plan for retired salaried employees eligible for Medicare in 1996. The Company manages the plan and is currently providing health benefits to retirees. The plan is accounted for in accordance with ASC 715 “Compensation retirement benefits”.

In Mexico, health services are provided by the Mexican Social Security Institute.

The components of net periodic benefit cost for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 are as follows (in millions):

	2018			2017
Interest cost	$	0.2		$	0.2
Amortization of net loss (gain)	(*		)	(*		)
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	(*		)	(*		)
Net periodic benefit cost	$	0.2		$	0.2

(*) amount is lower than $0.1 million

NOTE 9 — COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES:

Environmental matters:

The Company has instituted extensive environmental conservation programs at its mining facilities in Peru and Mexico. The Company’s environmental programs include, among others, water recovery systems to conserve water and minimize the impact on nearby streams, reforestation programs to stabilize the surface of the tailings dams and the implementation of scrubbing technology in the mines to reduce dust emissions.

Environmental capital investments in the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 were as follows (in millions):

	2018		2017
Peruvian operations	$	6.5	$	16.5
Mexican operations	19.9		22.1
	$	26.4	$	38.6

Peruvian operations: The Company’s operations are subject to applicable Peruvian environmental laws and regulations. The Peruvian government, through the Ministry of Environment (“MINAM”) conducts annual audits of the Company’s Peruvian mining and metallurgical operations. Through these environmental audits, matters related to environmental obligation, compliance with legal requirements, atmospheric emissions, effluent monitoring and waste management are reviewed. The Company believes that it is in material compliance with applicable Peruvian environmental laws and regulations. Peruvian law requires that companies in the mining industry provide assurances for future mine closure and remediation. In accordance with the requirements of this law, the Company’s closure plans were approved by MINEM. See Note 6 “Asset retirement obligation,” for further discussion of this matter. In March 2016, MINEM approved the Mining Closure Plan for the Toquepala expansion project. The closure plan for the Tia Maria project was approved in February 2017. In accordance with requirements of Peruvian law, the Company in December 2017 and February 2018, submitted to MINEM revised closure plans for the Cuajone mine and the Ilo facilities, respectively, which at March 31, 2018 are pending approval.

Air Quality Standards (“AQS”): In 2008, the Peruvian government enacted environmental regulations establishing stringent air quality standards (“AQS”) for daily sulfur dioxide (“SO2”) in the air for the Peruvian territory. These regulations were amended in 2013 and 2017. In June 2017, MINAM enacted a supreme decree which defines new AQS for daily sulfur dioxide and gaseous mercury for the Peruvian territory, as well as monthly lead in particulate matter (PM10). This decree establishes a mean 24-hour AQS equal to 250 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3) of SO2 to replace the current 24-hour AQS of 20 µg/m3 of SO2, effective since 2014. The decree also establishes a mean 24-hour AQS equal to 2 µg/m3 of gaseous mercury and a mean monthly AQS equal to 1.5 µg/m3 of lead in PM10.

The Company believes that these new AQS are appropriate for Peru and will allow Peruvian industry to be competitive with other countries. As of March 31, 2018, the Company maintains a lower daily average level of µg/m3 of SO2, than those required by the new AQS.

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Soil Environmental Quality Standards (“SQS”): In 2013, the Peruvian government enacted SQS applicable to any existing facility or project that generates or could generate the risk of soil contamination in its area of operation or influence. In March 2014, MINAM issued a supreme decree, which establishes additional provisions for the gradual implementation of SQS. Under this rule the Company had twelve months to identify contaminated sites in and around its facilities and present a report of identified contaminated sites. These documents were submitted to MINEM for approval in April 2015, and were fully approved in July 2017. The next step is for the Company to prepare a characterization study to determine the depth, extent and physio-chemical composition of the contaminated areas and define an appropriate remediation plan with a time-frame for completion. In addition, the Company must submit for approval a Soil Decontamination Plan (SDP) within 30 months after being notified by the authority. This SDP must include remediation actions, a schedule and compliance deadlines. Also under this rule, if deemed necessary and given reasonable justification, the Company may request a one year extension for the decontamination plan.

Soil confirmation tests must be carried out after completion of decontamination actions (within the approved schedule) and results must be presented to authorities within 30 days after receiving such results. Non-compliance with this obligation or with decontamination goals will carry penalties, although no specific sanctions have been established yet. During compliance with this schedule, companies cannot be penalized for non-compliance with the SQS.

While the Company believes that there is a reasonable possibility that a potential loss contingency may exist, it cannot currently estimate reasonably the amount of the contingency. The Company believes that a reasonable determination of the loss will be possible once the characterization study and the SDP are substantially completed, which is expected for the first quarter of 2020. At that time the Company will be in a position to estimate the remediation cost. Further, the Company does not believe that it can estimate a reasonable range of possible costs until the noted studies have substantially progressed and therefore is not able to disclose a range of costs that is meaningful.

Water Quality Standards (“WQS”): In June 2017, MINAM enacted a supreme decree which establishes water quality standards in the Peruvian territory. The Company has reviewed this decree and considers that its adoption will not have a material impact on its financial position.

Mexican operations: The Company’s operations are subject to applicable Mexican federal, state and municipal environmental laws, to Mexican official standards, and to regulations for the protection of the environment, including regulations relating to water supply, water quality, air quality, noise levels and hazardous and solid waste.

The principal legislation applicable to the Company’s Mexican operations is the Federal General Law of Ecological Balance and Environmental Protection (the “General Law”), which is enforced by the Federal Bureau of Environmental Protection (“PROFEPA”). PROFEPA monitors compliance with environmental legislation and enforces Mexican environmental laws, regulations and official standards. It may also initiate administrative proceedings against companies that violate environmental laws, which in the most extreme cases may result in the temporary or permanent shutdown of non-complying facilities, the revocation of operating licenses and/or other sanctions or fines.

In 2011, the General Law was amended, giving an individual or entity the ability to contest administrative acts, including environmental authorizations, permits or concessions granted, without the need to demonstrate the actual existence of harm to the environment as long as it can be argued that the harm may be caused. In addition, in 2011, amendments to the Civil Federal Procedures Code (“CFPC”) were enacted. These amendments establish three categories of collective actions by means of which 30 or more people claiming injury derived from environmental, consumer protection, financial services and economic competition issues will be considered to be sufficient in order to have a legitimate interest to seek through a civil procedure restitution or economic compensation or suspension of the activities from which the alleged injury derived. The amendments to the CFPC may result in more litigation, with plaintiffs seeking remedies, including suspension of the activities alleged to cause harm.

In 2013, the Environmental Liability Federal Law was enacted. The law establishes general guidelines for actions to be considered to likely cause environmental harm. If a possible determination regarding harm occurs, environmental clean-up and remedial actions sufficient to restore environment to a pre-existing condition should be taken. Under this law, if restoration is not possible, compensation measures should be provided. Criminal penalties and monetary fines can be imposed under this law.

The Company believes that all of its facilities in Peru and Mexico are in material compliance with applicable environmental, mining and other laws and regulations.

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The Company also believes that continued compliance with environmental laws of Mexico and Peru will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, properties, result of operations, financial condition or prospects and will not result in material capital investments.

Litigation matters:

Peruvian operations

The Tia Maria Mining Project

There are four lawsuits filed against the Peruvian Branch of the Company related to the Tia Maria project. The lawsuits seek (i) to declare null and void the resolution which approved the Environmental Impact Assessment of the project; (ii) the cancellation of the project and the withdrawal of mining activities in the area and (iii) to declare null and void the mining concession application of the Tia Maria project. The lawsuits were filed by Messrs. Jorge Isaac del Carpio Lazo (filed May 22, 2015), Ernesto Mendoza Padilla (filed May 26, 2015), Juan Alberto Guillen Lopez (filed June 18, 2015) and Nicolas Belfiore Nicolini (filed November 13, 2015).

The del Carpio Lazio case was rejected by the court of first instance on November 14, 2016. The plaintiff filed an appeal before the Superior Court on January 3, 2017. On January 9, 2018, the lawyers of both parties presented their respective positions before the Appellate Court. On March 8th, 2018, the Appellate Court issued its final decision, which upholds the first instance ruling. The plaintiff can still challenge said decision by filing a cassation writ, in order for the Supreme Court to review the matter.

The Mendoza Padilla case was rejected by the lower court on July 8, 2015. This ruling was confirmed by the Superior Court on June 14, 2016. On July 12, 2016, the case was appealed before the Constitutional Court. As of March 31, 2018, the case remains pending resolution without further developments.

The Guillen Lopez case is currently before the lower court. As of March 31, 2018, the case remains pending resolution without further developments.

In the Belfiore Nicolini case, the court ruled partially in favor of the plaintiff. However, the Company filed an appeal to challenge said decision. As of March 31, 2018, the case remains pending resolution.

The Company asserts that these lawsuits are without merit and is vigorously defending against them. The potential contingency amount for these cases cannot be reasonably estimated by management at this time.

Special Regional Pasto Grande Project (“Pasto Grande Project”)

In 2012, the Pasto Grande Project, an entity of the Regional Government of Moquegua, filed a lawsuit against SCC’s Peruvian Branch alleging property rights over a certain area used by the Peruvian Branch and seeking the demolition of the tailings dam where SCC’s Peruvian Branch has deposited its tailings from the Toquepala and Cuajone operations since 1995. The Peruvian Branch has had title to use the area in question since 1960 and has constructed and operated the tailing dams with proper governmental authorization, since 1995. Upon a motion filed by the Peruvian Branch, the lower court has included MINEM as a defendant in this lawsuit. MINEM has answered the complaint and denied the validity of the claim. As of March 31, 2018, the case remains pending resolution without further developments. SCC’s Peruvian Branch asserts that the lawsuit is without merit and is vigorously defending against it. The amount of this contingency cannot be reasonably estimated by management at this time.

Mexican operations

The Accidental Spill at Buenavista Mine of 2014

In relation to the 2014 accidental spill of copper sulfate solution that occurred at a leaching pond of the Buenavista mine, the following legal procedures are open against the Company:

On August 19, 2014, PROFEPA, as part of the administrative proceeding initiated after the spill, announced the filing of a criminal complaint against Buenavista del Cobre S.A. de C.V. (“BVC”), a subsidiary of the Company, in order to determine

18

those responsible for the environmental damages. The Company is vigorously defending itself against this complaint. As of March 31, 2018, the case remains pending resolution.

Through the first half of 2015, six collective action lawsuits were filed in federal courts in Mexico City and Sonora against two subsidiaries of the Company seeking economic compensation, clean up and remedial activities in order to restore the environment to its pre-existing conditions. Two of the collective action lawsuits have been dismissed by the court. The plaintiffs in the four remaining lawsuits are: Acciones Colectivas de Sinaloa, A.C. which established two collective actions, Defensa Colectiva A.C.; and Ana Luisa Salazar Medina et al. which has been granted a collective action certification. The remaining plaintiffs have requested cautionary measures on the construction of facilities for the monitoring of public health services and the prohibition of the closure of the Río Sonora Trust. As of March 31, 2018, these cases remain pending resolution.

Similarly, during 2015, eight civil action lawsuits were filed against BVC in the state courts of Sonora seeking damages for alleged injuries and for moral damages as a consequence of the spill. The plaintiffs in the state court lawsuits are: Jose Vicente Arriola Nunez et al; Santana Ruiz Molina et al; Andres Nogales Romero et al; Teodoro Javier Robles et al; Gildardo Vasquez Carvajal et al; Rafael Noriega Souffle et al; Grupo Banamichi Unido de Sonora El Dorado, S.C. de R.L. de C.V; and Marcelino Mercado Cruz. In 2016, three additional civil action lawsuits, claiming similar damages, were filed by Juan Melquicedec Lebaron; Blanca Lidia Valenzuela Rivera et al and Ramona Franco Quijada et al. In 2017, BVC was served with thirty-three additional civil action lawsuits, claiming similar damages. The lawsuits were filed by Francisco Javier Molina Peralta et al; Anacleto Cohen Machini et al; Francisco Rafael Alvarez Ruiz et al; Jose Alberto Martinez Bracamonte et al; Gloria del Carmen Ramirez Duarte et al; Flor Margarita Sabori et al; Blanca Esthela Ruiz Toledo et al; Julio Alfonso Corral Domínguez et al; Maria Eduwiges Bracamonte Villa et al; Francisca Marquez Dominguez et al; Jose Juan Romo Bravo et al; Jose Alfredo Garcia Leyva et al; Gloria Irma Dominguez Perez et al; Maria del Refugio Romero et al; Miguel Rivas Medina et al; Yolanda Valenzuela Garrobo et al; Maria Elena Garcia Leyva et al; Manuel Alfonso Ortiz Valenzuela et al; Francisco Alberto Arvayo Romero et al; Maria del Carmen Villanueva Lopez et al; Manuel Martin Garcia Salazar; Miguel Garcia Arguelles et al; Dora Elena Rodriguez Ochoa et al; Honora Eduwiges Ortiz Rodriguez et al; Francisco Jose Martinez Lopez et al; Maria Eduwiges Lopez Bustamante; Rodolfo Barron Villa et al, Jose Carlos Martinez Fernandez et al, Maria de los Angeles Fabela et al; Rafaela Edith Haro et al; Luz Mercedes Cruz et al; Juan Pedro Montaño et al; and Juana Irma Alday Villa. During the first quarter of 2018, BVC was served with another civil action lawsuit, claiming similar damages. The lawsuit was filed by Alma Angelina Del Cid Rivera et al. As of March 31, 2018, these cases remain pending resolution.

During 2015, four constitutional lawsuits (juicios de amparo) were filed before Federal Courts against various authorities and against a subsidiary of the Company, arguing; (i) the alleged lack of a waste management program approved by SEMARNAT; (ii) the alleged lack of a remediation plan approved by SEMARNAT with regard to the August 2014 spill; (iii) the alleged lack of community approval regarding the environmental impact authorizations granted by SEMARNAT to one subsidiary of the Company; and (iv) the alleged inactivity of the authorities with regard of the spill in August 2014. The plaintiffs of these lawsuits are: Francisca Garcia Enriquez, et al which established two lawsuits, Francisco Ramon Miranda, et al and Jesus David Lopez Peralta et al. During the third quarter of 2016, four additional constitutional lawsuits, claiming similar damages were filed by Mario Alberto Salcido et al; Maria Elena Heredia Bustamante et al; Martin Eligio Ortiz Gamez et al; and Maria de los Angeles Enriquez Bacame et al. During the third quarter of 2017, BVC was served with another constitutional lawsuit filed by Francisca García Enriquez et al. In 2018, BVC was served with two additional constitutional lawsuits that were filed against SEMARNAT by Norberto Bustamante et al. As of March 31, 2018, these cases remain pending resolution.

It is not currently possible to determine the extent of the damages sought in these state and federal lawsuits but the Company considers that these lawsuits are without merit. Accordingly, the Company is vigorously defending against them. Nevertheless, the Company considers that none of the legal proceedings resulting from the spill, individually or in the aggregate, would have a material effect on its financial position or results of operations.

Corporate operations

Carla Lacey and Barbara Siegfried, on behalf of themselves and all other similarly situated stockholders of Southern Copper Corporation, and derivatively on behalf of Southern Copper Corporation

A purported class action derivative lawsuit filed in the Delaware Court of Chancery was served on the Company and its Directors in February 2016 relating to the 2012 capitalization of 99.999% of MGE by Controladora de Infraestructura Energetica Mexico, S.A. de C.V., an indirect subsidiary of Grupo Mexico (the “CIEM Capitalization”), the Company’s entry into a power purchase agreement with MGE in 2012 (the “MGE Power Purchase Agreement”), and the 2012 restructuring of a loan from the Company’s Mexican Operations to MGE for the construction of two power plants to supply power to the Company’s Mexican operations (the “MGE Loan Restructuring”). The action purports to be brought on behalf of the Company

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and its common stockholders. The complaint alleges, among other things, that the CIEM Capitalization, the MGE Power Purchase Agreement and the MGE Loan Restructuring were the result of breaches of fiduciary duties and the Company’s charter. The Company has filed a response denying these allegations and is currently in the discovery process.

Labor matters:

Peruvian operations: 72% of the Company’s 4,661 Peruvian employees were unionized at March 31, 2018. Currently, there are six separate unions, one large union and five smaller unions. In the first quarter of 2016, the Company signed three-year agreements with all the existing unions at that time. These agreements include, among other things, annual salary increases of 5% for each of the three years. In March 2018, the Company has started preliminary negotiations for the new collective bargain agreements with some unions.

Mexican operations: In recent years, the Mexican operations have experienced a positive improvement of their labor environment, as its workers opted to change their affiliation from the Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores Mineros, Metalurgicos y Similares de la Republica Mexicana (the “National Mining Union”) to other less politicized unions.

However, the workers of the San Martin and Taxco mines, are still under the National Mining Union and have been on strike since July 2007. On December 10, 2009, a federal court confirmed the legality of the San Martin strike. In order to recover the control of the San Martin mine and resume operations, the Company filed a court petition on January 27, 2011 requesting that the court, among other things, define the termination payment for each unionized worker. The court denied the petition alleging that, according to federal labor law, the union was the only legitimate party to file such petition. On appeal by the Company, on May 13, 2011, the Mexican federal tribunal accepted the petition. In July 2011, the National Mining Union appealed the favorable court decision before the Supreme Court. On November 7, 2012, the Supreme Court affirmed the decision of the federal tribunal. The Company filed a new proceeding before the labor court on the basis of the Supreme Court decision, which recognized the right of the labor court to define responsibility for the strike and the termination payment for each unionized worker.

On February 28, 2018, the striking workers of the San Martín mine of IMMSA held an election to vote on the union that will hold the collective bargaining agreement at the San Martín mine. The Federacion Nacional de Sindicatos Independientes (the National Federation of Independent Unions), won the vote by a majority. Nevertheless, the vote was challenged by the National Mining Union. As a result, once the Federal Mediation and Arbitration Board issues a ruling recognizing the election results, IMMSA will be entitled to negotiate and enter into a collective bargaining agreement with the Federacion Nacional de Sindicatos Independientes to end the strike that began in 2007 and resume operations at the San Martin mine. As of March 31, 2018, the case remains pending resolution without further developments.

In the case of the Taxco mine, following the workers refusal to allow exploration of new reserves, the Company commenced litigation seeking to terminate the labor relationship with workers at the mine (including termination of the related collective bargaining agreement). On September 1, 2010, the federal labor court issued a ruling approving the termination of the collective bargaining agreement and all the individual labor contracts of the workers affiliated with the Mexican mining union at the Taxco mine. The mining union appealed the labor court ruling before a federal court. In September 2011, the federal court accepted the union’s appeal and remanded the case to the federal labor court for reconsideration. After several legal proceedings on January 25, 2013, the Company filed a new proceeding before the labor court. On June 16, 2014, the labor court denied the petition of the Company. The resolution issued by the labor court was challenged by the Company before a federal court. In August 2015, the Supreme Court decided to assert jurisdiction over the case and to rule on it directly. As of March 31, 2018, the case remains pending resolution without further developments.

It is expected that operations at these mines will remain suspended until these labor issues are resolved.

In view of these lengthy strikes, the Company has reviewed the carrying value of the San Martin and Taxco mines to ascertain whether impairment exists. The Company concluded that there is a non-material impairment of the assets located at these mines.

Other legal matters:

The Company is involved in various other legal proceedings incidental to its operations, but the Company does not believe that decisions adverse to it in any such proceedings, individually or in the aggregate, would have a material effect on its financial position or results of operations.

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Other commitments:

Peruvian Operations

Tia Maria:

On August 1, 2014, the Company received the final approval of Tia Maria´s Environmental Impact Assessment (“EIA”). However, the issuance of the project´s construction permit has been delayed due to pressures from anti-mining groups. The Company continues working with community groups in order to resolve open issues concerning the project. The Company is also working jointly with the Peruvian Government to obtain the construction license for this 120,000 tons of SX-EW copper per year greenfield project. The Company expects the license to be issued in 2018.

Tia Maria´s project budget is approximately $1.4 billion, of which $355.2 million has been invested through March 31, 2018. When completed, it is expected to produce 120,000 tons of copper cathodes per year. This project will use state-of-the-art SX-EW technology with the highest international environmental standards. SX-EW facilities are the most environmentally friendly in the industry as they do not require a smelting process and consequently, no emissions are released into the atmosphere. The project will only use seawater, transporting this more than 25 kilometers to 1,000 meters above sea level, and includes a desalinization plant which will be constructed at a cost of $95 million. Consequently, the Tambo river water resources and the water resources from the wells in the area will be used solely for farming and human consumption.

The Company expects the project to generate 3,600 jobs during the construction phase. When in operation, Tia Maria will directly employ 600 workers and indirectly provide jobs to another 4,200. Through its expected twenty-year life, the project related services will create significant business opportunities in the Arequipa region.

In view of the delay in this project, the Company continues to review the carrying value of this asset to ascertain whether impairment exists. Should the Tia Maria project not move forward, the Company is confident that most of the project equipment will continue to be used productively, through reassignment to other mine locations operated by the Company. The Company believes that an impairment loss, if any, will not be material.

Toquepala Concentrator Expansion:

In April 2015, the construction permit for the Toquepala expansion project was approved by the MINEM. The project budget is $1.3 billion, of which $968.1 million has been invested through March 31, 2018. When completed, this project is expected to increase annual production capacity by 100,000 tons of copper and 3,100 tons of molybdenum. The project has reached 90% progress and is expected to initiate production in the third quarter of 2018.

Corporate Social Responsibility:

The Company has a corporate social responsibility policy to maintain and promote continuity of its mining operations and obtain the best results. The main objective of this policy is to integrate its operations with the local communities in the areas of influence of its operations by creating a permanent positive relationship with them, in order to develop the optimum social conditions and to promote sustainable development in the area. Accordingly, the Company has made the following commitments:

Tacna Region: In connection with the Toquepala concentrator expansion, the Company has committed to fund various social and infrastructure improvement projects in Toquepala’s neighboring communities. The total amount committed for these purposes is S/ 445.0 million (approximately $132 million).

Moquegua Region: In the Moquegua region, the Company is part of a “development roundtable” in which the local municipal authorities, the community representatives and the Company discuss the social needs and the way the Company could contribute to sustainable development in the region. As part of this, the roundtable is discussing the creation of a Moquegua Region Development Fund for which the Company has offered a contribution of S/ 700 million (approximately $209 million). While final funding is not yet settled, the Company has committed to contribute S/ 108.5 million (approximately $32 million) in advance, which is being utilized in an educational project and S/ 48.4 million (approximately $14 million) for a residual water treatment plant in Ilo, a sea-wall embankment and a fresh water facility at El Algarrobal.

In addition, the Company has committed S/ 143.0 million (approximately $43 million) for the construction of five infrastructure projects in the Moquegua region under the “social investment for taxes” (obras por impuestos) program which allows the Company to use these amounts as an advance payment of taxes.

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These commitments are subject to the continuity of the respective mine operations and, as such, are not considered to be present obligations of the Company. Therefore, the Company has not recorded a liability in its condensed consolidated financial statements.

Power purchase agreements:

·Electroperu S.A.: In June 2014, the Company entered into a power purchase agreement for 120 megawatt (“MW”) with the state power company Electroperu S.A., under which Electroperu S.A. began supplying energy for the Peruvian operations for twenty years starting on April 17, 2017.

·Kallpa Generacion S.A. (“Kallpa”): In July 2014, the Company entered into a power purchase agreement for 120MW with Kallpa, an independent Israeli owned power company, under which Kallpa will supply energy for the Peruvian operations for ten years starting on April 17, 2017 and ending on April 30, 2027. In May 2016, the Company signed an additional power purchase agreement for a maximum of 80MW with Kallpa, under which Kallpa began supplying energy for the Peruvian operations related to the Toquepala Expansion and other minor projects for ten years starting on May 1, 2017 and ending after ten years of commercial operation of the Toquepala Expansion or on April 30, 2029; whichever occurs first.

Mexican operations

Power purchase agreements:

·MGE: In 2012, the Company signed a power purchase agreement with MGE, an indirect subsidiary of Grupo Mexico, to supply power to some of the Company’s Mexican operations through 2032. For further information, please see Note 7 “Related party transactions”.

·Eolica el Retiro S.A.P.I. de C.V.: In 2013, the Company signed a power purchase agreement with Eolica el Retiro, S.A.P.I de C.V. a windfarm energy producer that is an indirect subsidiary of Grupo Mexico, to supply power to some of the Company´s Mexican operations. For further information, please see Note 7 “Related party transactions”.

Corporate operations

Commitment for Capital projects:

As of March 31, 2018, the Company has committed approximately $1,401.9 million for the development of its capital investment projects at its operations.

Tax contingency matters:

Tax contingencies are provided for under ASC 740-10-50-15 Uncertain tax position (see Note 4 “Income taxes”).

NOTE 10 — SEGMENT AND RELATED INFORMATION:

Company management views Southern Copper as having three reportable segments and manages it on the basis of these segments.  The reportable segments identified by the Company are: the Peruvian operations, the Mexican open-pit operations and the Mexican underground mining operations segment identified as the IMMSA unit.

The three reportable segments identified are groups of mines, each of which constitute an operating segment, with similar economic characteristics, type of products, processes and support facilities, similar regulatory environments, similar employee bargaining contracts and similar currency risks. In addition, each mine within the individual group earns revenues from similar type of customers for their products and services and each group incurs expenses independently, including commercial transactions between groups.

Financial information is regularly prepared for each of the three segments and the results of the Company’s operations are regularly reported to Senior Management on the segment basis. Senior Management of the Company focus on operating income and on total assets as measures of performance to evaluate different segments and to make decisions to allocate resources to the reported segments. These are common measures in the mining industry.

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Financial information relating to Southern Copper’s segments is as follows:

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
	(in millions)
	Mexican Open-Pit		Mexican IMMSA Unit		Peruvian Operations		Corporate, other and eliminations			Consolidated
Net sales outside of segments	$	1,068.6	$	129.6	$	642.9				$	1,841.1
Intersegment sales			19.6				$	(19.6	)	—
Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation, amortization and depletion)	411.3		95.6		389.8		(20.2		)	876.5
Selling, general and administrative	11.9		2.4		9.4		0.4			24.1
Depreciation, amortization and depletion	92.5		11.0		51.8		6.7			162.0
Exploration	0.6		1.3		2.6		0.7			5.2
Operating income	$	552.3	$	38.9	$	189.3	$	(7.2	)	773.3
Less:
Interest, net										(66.6		)
Other income (expense)										(2.3		)
Income taxes										(236.6		)
Equity earnings of affiliate										4.1
Non-controlling interest										(1.2		)
Net income attributable to SCC										$	470.7
Capital investment	$	64.7	$	12.6	$	216.3	$	2.1		$	295.7
Property and mine development, net	$	4,577.4	$	434.6	$	3,443.5	$	663.0		$	9,118.5
Total assets	$	8,338.7	$	950.1	$	4,382.0	$	367.3		$	14,038.1

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
	(in millions)
	Mexican Open-Pit			Mexican IMMSA Unit		Peruvian Operations		Corporate, other and eliminations			Consolidated
Net sales outside of segments	$	952.2		$	110.2	$	521.5				$	1.583.9
Intersegment sales				20.6				$	(20.6	)	—
Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation, amortization and depletion)	464.8			83.0		315.7		(19.7		)	843.8
Selling, general and administrative	10.0			2.2		9.0		0.2			21.4
Depreciation, amortization and depletion	98.6			13.4		35.3		6.1			153.4
Exploration	0.5			0.7		2.1		1.8			5.1
Environmental remediation	(10.2		)	—		—		—			(10.2		)
Operating income	$	388.5		$	31.5	$	159.4	$	(9.0	)	570.4
Less:
Interest, net											(89.9		)
Other income (expense)											4.8
Income taxes											(176.2		)
Equity earnings of affiliate											6.2
Non-controlling interest											(0.9		)
Net income attributable to SCC											$	314.4
Capital investment	$	57.3		$	7.0	$	181.1	$	0.2		$	245.6
Property and mine development, net	$	5,171.1		$	375.9	$	2,986.6	$	222.3		$	8,755.9
Total assets	$	8,481.7		$	889.0	$	4,391.0	$	(238.7	)	$	13,523.0

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NOTE 11 — STOCKHOLDERS’EQUITY:

Treasury Stock:

Activity in treasury stock in the three-month period ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 is as follows (in millions):

	2018		2017
Southern Copper common shares
Balance as of January 1,	$	2,768.7	$	2,769.0
Purchase of shares	—		—
Balance as of March 31,	2,768.7		2,769.0
Parent Company (Grupo Mexico) common shares
Balance as of January 1,	232.4		218.6
Other activity, including dividend, interest and foreign currency transaction effect	6.5		2.1
Balance as of March 31,	238.9		220.7
Treasury stock balance as of March 31,	$	3,007.6	$	2,989.7

Southern Copper Common Shares:

At March 31, 2018 and 2017, there were in treasury 111,567,617 and 111,579,617 SCC’s common shares, respectively.

SCC share repurchase program:

In 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors (“BOD”) authorized a $500 million share repurchase program that has since been increased by the BOD and is currently authorized to $3 billion. Pursuant to this program, the Company purchased common stock as shown in the table below. These shares are available for general corporate purposes. The Company may purchase additional shares of its common stock from time to time, based on market conditions and other factors. This repurchase program has no expiration date and may be modified or discontinued at any time.

Period		Total Number of Shares	Average Price Paid		Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly	Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plan	Total Cost ($ in
From	To	Purchased	per Share		Announced Plan	@ $54.18(1)	millions)
2008	2012	46,914,486	$	18.72	46,914,486		878.1
2013:		10,245,000	27.47		57,159,486		281.4
2014:		22,711,428	30.06		79,870,914		682.8
2015:		36,689,052	27.38		116,559,966		1,004.4
2016:		2,937,801	24.42				71.7
Total purchased		119,497,767	$	24.42		1,506,706	$	2,918.4

(*) NYSE closing price of SCC common shares at March 31, 2018.

As a result of the repurchase of shares of SCC’s common stock, Grupo Mexico’s direct and indirect ownership was 88.9% as of March 31, 2018. There has not been any activity in the SCC share repurchase program since the third quarter of 2016.

Directors’ Stock Award Plan:

The Company established a stock award compensation plan for certain directors who are not compensated as employees of the Company. Under this plan, participants received 1,200 shares of common stock upon election and 1,200 additional shares following each annual meeting of stockholders thereafter. 600,000 shares of Southern Copper common stock have been reserved for this plan. On April 26, 2018, the Company’s Board of Directors and the stockholders approved a five-year extension of the Plan until January 29, 2023 and an increase of the shares award from 1,200 to 1,600. The fair value of the award is measured each year at the date of the grant.

Parent Company common shares:

At March 31, 2018 and 2017 there were in treasury 104,479,600 and 112,457,204 of Grupo Mexico’s common shares, respectively.

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Employee Stock Purchase Plan:

2010 Plan: During 2010, the Company offered to eligible employees a stock purchase plan through a trust that acquires series B shares of Grupo Mexico stock for sale to its employees, employees of subsidiaries, and certain affiliated companies. The purchase price was established at 26.51 Mexican pesos (approximately $1.28) for the initial subscription. Every two years employees were able to acquire title to 50% of the shares paid in the previous two years. The employees paid for shares purchased through monthly payroll deductions over the eight year period of the plan. At the end of the eight year period, the Company granted the participant a bonus of one share for every ten shares purchased by the employee.

The participants were entitled to receive dividends in cash for dividends paid by Grupo Mexico for all shares that were fully purchased and paid by the employee as of the date that the dividend is paid. If the participant had only partially paid for shares, the entitled dividends were used to reduce the remaining liability owed for purchased shares.

In the case of voluntary or involuntary resignation/termination of the employee, the Company paid to the employee the fair market sales price at the date of resignation/termination of the fully paid shares, net of costs and taxes. When the fair market sales value of the shares was higher than the purchase price, the Company applied a deduction over the amount to be paid to the employee based on a decreasing schedule specified in the plan.

In case of retirement or death of the employee, the Company rendered the buyer or his legal beneficiary, the fair market sales value as of the date of retirement or death of the shares effectively paid, net of costs and taxes.

The stock based compensation expense for the first quarter 2018 and 2017 and the unrecognized compensation expense under this plan were as follows (in millions):

	2018		2017
Stock based compensation expense	$	0.1	$	0.1
Unrecognized compensation expense	$	0.1	$	0.7

The plan ended on January 29, 2018.

The following table presents the activity of this plan for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017:

	Shares		Unit Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Outstanding shares at January 1, 2018	1,393,663		$	2.05
Granted	—		—
Exercised	(981,707	)	2.05
Forfeited	—		—
Outstanding shares at March 31, 2018	411,956		$	2.05
Outstanding shares at January 1, 2017	1,401,096		$	2.05
Granted	—		—
Exercised	—		2.05
Forfeited	—		—
Outstanding shares at March 31, 2017	1,401,096		$	2.05

2015 Plan: In January 2015, the Company offered to eligible employees a new stock purchase plan (the “New Employee Stock Purchase Plan”) through a trust that acquires series B of shares of Grupo Mexico stock for sale to its employees, and employees of subsidiaries, and certain affiliated companies.

The purchase price was established at 38.44 Mexican pesos (approximately $1.86) for the initial subscription, which expires on January 2023. Every two years employees will be able to acquire title to 50% of the shares paid in the previous two years. The employees will pay for shares purchased through monthly payroll deductions over the eight year period of the plan. At the end of the eight year period, the Company will grant the participant a bonus of 1 share for every 10 shares purchased by the employee. Any future subscription will be at the average market price at the date of acquisition or the grant date.

If Grupo Mexico pays dividends on shares during the eight year period, the participants will be entitled to receive the dividend in cash for all shares that have been fully purchased and paid as of the date that the dividend is paid. If the participant has only partially paid for shares, the entitled dividends will be used to reduce the remaining liability owed for purchased shares.

In the case of voluntary or involuntary resignation/termination of the employee, the Company will pay to the employee the fair market sales price at the date of resignation of the fully paid shares, net of costs and taxes. When the fair market sales value of

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the shares is higher than the purchase price, the Company will apply a deduction over the amount to be paid to the employee based on a decreasing schedule specified in the plan.

In case of retirement or death of the employee, the Company will render the buyer or his legal beneficiary, the fair market sales value as of the date of retirement or death of the shares effectively paid, net of costs and taxes.

The stock based compensation expense for the first quarter 2018 and 2017 and the unrecognized compensation expense under this plan were as follows (in millions):

	2018		2017
Stock based compensation expense	$	0.2	$	0.2
Unrecognized compensation expense	$	3.0	$	3.4

The following table presents the activity of this plan for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017:

	Shares		Unit Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Outstanding shares at January 1, 2018	2,293,120		$	2.63
Granted	—		—
Exercised	(1,873	)	2.63
Forfeited	—		—
Outstanding shares at March 31, 2018	2,291,247		$	2.63
Outstanding shares at January 1, 2017	2,540,223		$	2.63
Granted	—		—
Exercised	(228,430	)	2.63
Forfeited	—		—
Outstanding shares at March 31, 2017	2,311,793		$	2.63

Non-controlling interest:

The following table presents the non-controlling interest activity for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017:

	2018			2017
Balance as of January 1,	$	41.7		$	38.6
Net earnings	1.2			0.9
Dividend paid	(0.3		)	(0.2		)
Balance as of March 31,	$	42.6		$	39.3

NOTE 12 — FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS:

Subtopic 820-10 of ASC “Fair value measurement and disclosures — Overall” establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under Subtopic 820-10 are described below:

Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities.

Level 2 - Inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly, but do not qualify as Level 1 inputs. (i.e., quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities).

Level 3 - Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable (i.e., supported by little or no market activity).

The carrying amounts of certain financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable (other than accounts receivable associated with provisionally priced sales) and accounts payable approximate fair value due to their short maturities. Consequently, such financial instruments are not included in the following table that provides information about the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of other financial instruments that are not measured at fair value in the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (in millions):

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	At March 31, 2018				At December 31, 2017
	Carrying Value		Fair Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value
Liabilities:
Long-term debt level 1	$	5,209.0	$	6,061.4	$	5,208.4	$	6,488.9
Long-term debt level 2	748.8		785.0		748.7		806.1
Total long-term debt	$	5,957.8	$	6,846.4	$	5,957.1	$	7,295.0

Long-term debt is carried at amortized cost and its estimated fair value is based on quoted market prices classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy except for the cases of the Yankee bonds, the notes due 2020 and the notes due 2022, which qualify as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy as they are based on quoted priced in market that are not active.

Fair values of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis were calculated as follows as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (in millions):

	Fair Value at Measurement Date Using:
Description	Fair Value as of March 31, 2018		Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1)		Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)		Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
Assets:
Short term investment:
- Trading securities	$	55.6	$	55.6	$	—	$	—
- Available-for-sale debt securities:
Corporate bonds	0.1		—		0.1		—
Asset backed securities	0.4		—		0.4		—
Mortgage backed securities	0.4		—		0.4		—
Accounts receivable:
- Embedded derivatives - Not classified as hedges:
Provisionally priced sales:
Copper	137.1		137.1		—		—
Molybdenum	118.7		118.7		—		—
Total	$	312.3	$	311.4	$	0.9	$	—

	Fair Value at Measurement Date Using:
Description	Fair Value as of December 31, 2017		Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1)		Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)		Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
Assets:
Short term investment:
- Trading securities	$	49.5	$	49.5	—		$	—
- Available-for-sale debt securities:
Corporate bonds	0.1		—		$	0.1	—
Asset backed securities	0.5		—		0.5		—
Mortgage backed securities	0.4		—		0.4		—
Accounts receivable:
- Embedded derivatives - Not classified as hedges:
Provisionally priced sales:
Copper	184.6		184.6		—		—
Molybdenum	102.8		102.8		—		—
Total	$	337.9	$	336.9	$	1.0	$	—

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The Company’s short-term trading securities investments are classified as Level 1 because they are valued using quoted prices of the same securities as they consist of bonds issued by public companies and publicly traded. The Company’s short-term available-for-sale investments are classified as Level 2 because they are valued using quoted prices for similar investments.

The Company’s accounts receivables associated with provisionally priced copper sales are valued using quoted market prices based on the forward price on the LME or on the COMEX. Such value is classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Molybdenum prices are established by reference to the publication Platt’s Metals Week and are considered Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

NOTE 13 — SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:

ADOPTION OF REVENUE RECOGNITION STANDARD

The Company has adopted FASB ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, effective January 1, 2018, applying the modified retrospective approach. Under this approach, the results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2018 will be presented in the consolidated financial statements under the guidance, while prior period amounts will not be adjusted and will continue to be reported under the guidance in effect for those periods. Upon adoption by the Company, no cumulative effect adjustment was required to be recognized at January 1, 2018, as the adoption of the standard has not resulted in a change to the way the Company recognizes its revenue. The Company has applied the related disclosure requirements of the new standard beginning in 2018.

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

With the exception of the change in the Company’s Revenue Recognition policy as a result of the adoption of ASC 606, there have been no new or material changes to the significant accounting policies discussed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, that are of significance, or potential significance to the Company.

Revenue recognition -

The Company adopted ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, effective January 1, 2018. The Company’s revenue consists of product revenue resulting from the sale of copper and non-copper products, such as molybdenum, silver, zinc, lead and gold.

The Company accounts for a contract with a customer when there is a legally enforceable contract between the Company and the customer, the rights of the parties are identified, the contract has commercial substance, and collectability of the contract consideration is probable. The Company’s revenues are measured based on consideration specified in the contract with each customer.

The Company’s marketing strategy and annual sales planning emphasize developing and maintaining long-term customer relationships. Generally, 80% to 90% of the Company’s metal production is sold under annual or longer-term contracts. The Company considers each contract to be a single performance obligation, represented by the delivery of a series of distinct goods that are substantially the same, with the same pattern of transfer to the Company’s customers.  Accordingly, the Company recognizes revenues for each contract over a period of time, applying the invoice practical expedient. The Company considers that is has a right to consideration from its customers in an amount that corresponds directly to the value transferred to those customers, for which reason it believes that this method is a faithful depiction of the transfer of goods to its customers. Because the duration of the majority of these contracts is one year or more, and because the Company has applied the invoice practical expedient, it does not disclose the remaining performance obligations as of the end of each reporting period.

The remainder of the Company’s revenues are generated by spot sales that are recognized at a point in time.

Under both sales models, revenue is recognized as the performance obligations are satisfied, when the Company transfers control of the goods title passes to the customer. Considering the International Commercial Terms (incoterms) utilized by the Company, control is transferred generally upon the completion of loading the material at the point of origin. This is the point at which the customer obtains legal title to the product as well as the ability to direct the use of and obtain substantially all of the remaining benefits of ownership of the asset. Additionally, payment is generally due upon the delivery of the shipping and title documents at the point of origin. Copper and non-copper revenues are measured based on the monthly average of prevailing commodity prices according to the terms of the contracts. The Company provides allowances for doubtful accounts based upon historical bad debt and claims experience and periodic evaluation of specific customer accounts.

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Substantially all of the Company’s sales are made under cost and freight, or cost, insurance and freight incoterms, whereby the Company is responsible for providing shipping and insurance after control of the inventory has been transferred to the customer. Per the terms of the Company’s contracts, these services are not distinct within the context of the contract, as they are not separately identifiable from other promises in the contract. It is the Company policy and it has a long-standing history of arranging and providing shipping and insurance services to its customers. Accordingly, shipping and insurance are not considered separate performance obligations.

Furthermore, the Company considered the impact of the shipping and insurance services on the determination of when control is transferred to its customers. It has concluded that the terms of these services do not impact its customers’ ability to sell, pledge, or otherwise use the products in shipment. As well, there is a small likelihood and minimal history of lost or damaged goods during shipment. Considering these factors, combined with the other indicators of control previously mentioned, the Company has concluded that these services do not impact the determination that control is transferred at the point of origin.

For certain of the Company’s sales of copper and molybdenum products, customer contracts allow for pricing based on a month subsequent to shipping, in most cases within the following three months and occasionally in some cases a few additional months. In such cases, revenue is recorded at a provisional price at the time of shipment. The provisionally priced copper sales are adjusted to reflect forward LME or COMEX copper prices at the end of each month until a final adjustment is made to the price of the shipments upon settlement with customers pursuant to the terms of the contract. In the case of molybdenum sales, for which there are no published forward prices, the provisionally priced sales are adjusted to reflect the market prices at the end of each month until a final adjustment is made to the price of the shipments upon settlement with customers pursuant to the terms of the contract.

These provisional pricing arrangements are accounted for separately from the contract as an embedded derivative instrument under ASC 815-30 ‘‘Derivatives and Hedging—Cash Flow Hedges.’’ The Company sells copper in concentrate, anode, blister and refined form at industry standard commercial terms. Net sales include the invoiced value of copper, zinc, silver, molybdenum, sulfuric acid and other metals and the corresponding fair value adjustment of the related forward contract of copper and molybdenum.

IMPACT OF NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

During the first quarter of 2018, the FASB issued the following new accounting updates to the Codification:

ASU 2018-01: In January 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-01 “Leases” (Topic 842). The amendments in this update provide an additional option for the evaluation under Topic 842 of existing or expired land easements that were not accounted for as leases according to the current accounting guidance. The Company is evaluating the impact of this update on its financial statements.

ASU 2018-02: In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02 “Income Statement — Reporting Comprehensive Income” (Topic 220). This update allows the stranded tax effects that result from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to be reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings. The Company is evaluating the impact of this update on its financial statements.

ASU 2018-03: In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-03 “Technical Corrections and Improvements to Financial Instruments - Overall” (Subtopic 825-10). The FASB undertook this project to address certain issues raised by stakeholders regarding the recognition, measurement and presentation of financial instruments. The Company is evaluating the impact of this update on its financial statements.

ASU 2018-04: In March 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-04 “Investments — Debt Securities” (Topic 320) and “Regulated Operations” (Topic 980). This update amends several paragraphs that contain SEC guidance in ASC 320 and ASC 980, pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 117 and SEC Release No. 33-9273. The Company is evaluating the impact of this update on its financial statements.

ASU 2018-05: In March 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-05 “Income Taxes” (Topic 740). This update adds several paragraphs that contain SEC guidance in ASC 740, pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”). As previously reported, the Company has adopted SAB 118 and its provisions have been considered in the preparation of its financial statements as of December 31, 2017.

NOTE 14 — SUBSEQUENT EVENTS:

Dividends:

On April 19, 2018, the Board of Directors authorized a dividend of $0.30 per share payable on May 23, 2018 to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 9, 2018.

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Item 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion provides information that management believes is relevant to an assessment and understanding of the condensed consolidated financial condition and results of operations of Southern Copper Corporation and its subsidiaries (collectively, “SCC”, “the Company”, “our”, and “we”). This item should be read in conjunction with our interim unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes thereto included in this quarterly report. Additionally, the following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the Management Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.

EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW

Business: Our business is primarily the production and sale of copper. In the process of producing copper, a number of valuable metallurgical by-products are recovered, which we also produce and sell. Market forces outside of our control largely determine the sale prices for our products. Our management, therefore, focuses on value creation through copper production, cost control, production enhancement and maintaining a prudent capital structure to remain profitable. We endeavor to achieve these goals through capital spending programs, exploration efforts and cost reduction programs. Our aim is to remain profitable during periods of low copper prices and to maximize financial performance in periods of high copper prices.

We are one of the world’s largest copper mining companies in terms of production and sales with our principal operations in Peru and Mexico. We also have active ongoing exploration programs in Chile, Argentina and Ecuador. In addition to copper, we produce significant amounts of other metals, either as a by-product of the copper process or in a number of dedicated mining facilities in Mexico.

Outlook: Various key factors will affect our outcome. These include, but are not limited to, some of the following:

·Changes in copper, molybdenum, silver and zinc prices: In the first quarter of 2018, the average LME and COMEX copper prices were $3.16 and $3.14 per pound, respectively, about 19.2% and 18.5% higher than in the first quarter of 2017, respectively. During the first quarter of 2018 per pound LME spot copper prices ranged from $2.95 to $3.27. Average molybdenum and zinc prices in the first quarter of 2018 increased 56.8% and 23.0%, respectively, when compared to the average prices in the first quarter of 2017. Average silver prices decreased 4.4% in the first quarter of 2018 when compared to the same period of 2017.

·Sales structure: In the first quarter of 2018, approximately 80% of our revenue came from the sale of copper, 7% from molybdenum, 5% from zinc, 4% from silver and 4% from various other products, including gold, sulfuric acid and other materials.

·Copper: We are very positive of current market outlook. As a result of the synchronized economic growth of the major world economies, refined copper demand has outperformed our initial forecast of a 2.1% growth for 2018 and experts are forecasting an increase in demand between 2.5 to 3.0% for the year.

Regarding copper supply, we see a balance market for 2018. However, we expect a weak production response from the industry as a result of the consistent decline in investments that several companies have had in recent years. In addition, labor unrest (an important element in 2018), excess government taxation and technical difficulties are further affecting production. As a result, we expect a supply growth of approximately 1.5% in 2018 which will give strong support for copper prices.

Given the current market outlook as well as our continuous commitment to increasing low cost production, we believe Southern Copper is uniquely positioned to continue delivering enhanced performance, sustainable growth and superior value.

As part of our view of operating with high quality assets, in February of this year the Company won the Michiquillay bidding process in Peru, adding this excellent copper deposit to our project pipeline. We believe this asset not only offers a unique and very appealing opportunity for growth, but also an excellent strategic and operational complement that fits perfectly into our portfolio of mining projects in America and especially in investment grade countries.

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·Molybdenum: Represented 7.4% of our sales in the first quarter of 2018. During the first quarter of 2018, the average molybdenum price improved by 56.8% when compared to the first quarter of 2017.

Molybdenum is mainly used for the production of special alloys of stainless steel that require significant hardness, corrosion and heat resistance. A new use for this metal is in lubricants and sulfur filtering of heavy oils and shale gas production.

·Zinc: Represented 5.2% of our sales in the first quarter of 2018. We also believe that zinc has very good long term fundamentals due to its significant industrial consumption and expected mine production shutdowns.

·Silver: Represented 3.9% of our sales in the first quarter of 2018 and it is currently our third by-product. We believe that silver prices will have support due to its industrial uses as well as its linkage to gold as a value shelter in times of economic uncertainty.

·Production: In 2018, we will commence production at the new Toquepala concentrator and expect to be able to produce 901,000 tons of copper, a 3% increase from the 877,000 tons we produced in 2017.

We also expect to produce 17.5 million ounces of silver, about 10% higher than the 2017 production of 15.9 million ounces. In 2018, we expect to produce 84,600 tons of zinc from our mines, up 23% from 2017 production of 68,665 tons, as a result of the recovery of production at the Santa Eulalia and Santa Barbara mines. Additionally, we expect to produce 21,900 tons of molybdenum, an increase of 1.8% due to additional production from Buenavista and the recovery of our Peruvian operations.

·Cost: Our operating costs and expenses for the first quarter 2018 and 2017 were as follows:

					Variance
	2018		2017		Value		%
Operating costs and expenses ($ in millions)	$	1,067.8	$	1,013.5	$	54.3	5.4	%

The increase was mainly due to higher cost of sales at our Peruvian operations and higher depreciation, amortization and depletion at our three operating segments, partially offset by lower cost of sales at our Mexican open-pit operations.

·Capital Investments: In the first quarter of 2018 we spent $295.7 million on capital investments, 20.4% higher than in the first quarter of 2017, and represented 62.8% of net income. Our growth program to develop the full production potential of our Company is underway. We are currently developing a new organic growth plan to increase our copper volume production to 1.5 million tons by 2025 with the development of new projects.

KEY MATTERS:

We discuss below several matters that we believe are important to understand our results of operations and financial condition. These matters include, (i) our earnings, (ii) our production, (iii) our “operating cash costs” as a measure of our performance, (iv) metal prices, (v) business segments, (vi) the effect of inflation and other local currency issues, and (vii) our capital investment and exploration program.

Earnings: The table below highlights key financial and operational data of our Company for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 (in millions, except copper price, percentages and per share amounts):

	2018		2017		Variance			% Change
Copper price LME	3.16		2.65		0.51			19.2	%
Pounds of copper sold	469.1		487.7		(18.6		)	(3.8	)%
Net sales	$	1,841.1	$	1,583.9	$	257.2		16.2	%
Operating income	$	773.3	$	570.4	$	202.9		35.6	%
Net income attributable to SCC	$	470.7	$	314.4	$	156.3		49.7	%
Earnings per share	$	0.61	$	0.41	$	0.20		48.8	%
Dividends per share	$	0.30	$	0.08	$	0.22		275.0	%

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Net sales and net income in the first quarter 2018 were higher than in the first quarter of 2017 by $257.2 million and $156.3 million, respectively. These increases were mainly the result of higher copper (+19.2%), molybdenum (+56.9%) and zinc (+23.1%) prices.

Production: The table below highlights our mine production data for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017:

	2018	2017	Variance		% Change
Copper (in million pounds)	451.5	471.2	(19.7	)	(4.2	)%
Molybdenum (in million pounds)	11.4	11.6	(0.2	)	(1.9	)%
Silver (in million ounces)	4.1	4.0	0.1		3.9	%
Zinc (in million pounds)	39.1	41.0	(1.9	)	(4.6	)%

The table below highlights our copper production data for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017:

COPPER (in million pounds)	2018	2017	Variance		% Change
Toquepala	83.9	78.3	5.6		7.1	%
Cuajone	68.1	85.4	(17.3	)	(20.2	)%
La Caridad	71.3	69.6	1.7		2.4	%
Buenavista	225.1	234.6	(9.5	)	(4.0	)%
IMMSA	3.1	3.3	(0.2	)	(6.2	)%
Total	451.5	471.2	(19.7	)	(4.2	)%

Mined copper production in the first quarter of 2018 decreased by 4.2% to 451.5 million pounds compared to 471.2 million pounds in the first quarter of 2017. This decrease was principally due to:

·Lower production at the Cuajone mine due to a decrease in ore grades and higher ore hardness index, which caused lower recoveries.

·Lower production at the Buenavista mine due to lower SX-EW copper production, partially offset by higher production of copper in concentrates. We have been obtaining lower ore grade in the pregnant leaching solution of this plant due to the lower solubility index in our new leach pads and the characteristics of the ore that is being deposited in such pads. While production of copper in concentrates increased due to higher throughput and better concentrate recoveries at the new concentrator.

·Lower production at our IMMSA mines, principally at our Santa Barbara mine due to lower ore grades and recoveries.

Molybdenum production decreased 1.9% in the first quarter of 2018 to 11.4 million pounds, compared to 11.6 million pounds in the first quarter of 2017. Molybdenum production decreased principally at our Peruvian mines due to lower ore grades and recoveries. This was partially offset by higher production at the Buenavista mine due to higher output principally at the new concentrator.

Silver mine production increased by 3.9% in the first quarter of 2018 mainly as result of higher production at our Buenavista and La Caridad mines, partially offset by lower production at our IMMSA and Toquepala mines.

Zinc production decreased 4.6% in the first quarter of 2018, principally due to lower production at our Charcas and Santa Barbara mines.

Operating Cash Costs: An overall benchmark used by us and a common industry metric to measure performance is operating cash costs per pound of copper produced. Operating cash cost is a non-GAAP measure that does not have a standardized meaning and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures provided by other companies. This non-GAAP information should not be considered in isolation or as substitute for measures of performance determined in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation of our operating cash cost per pound of copper produced to the cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation, amortization and depletion) as presented in the condensed consolidated statement of earnings is presented under the subheading, “Non-GAAP Information Reconciliation” on page 43. We disclose operating cash cost per pound of copper produced, both before and net of by-product revenues.

We define operating cash cost per pound of copper produced before by-product revenues as cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation, amortization and depletion), plus selling, general and administrative charges, treatment and refining charges net of sales premiums; less the cost of purchased concentrates, workers’ participation and other miscellaneous charges, including royalty charges, and the change in inventory levels; divided by total pounds of copper produced by our own mines.

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In our calculation of operating cash cost per pound of copper produced, we exclude depreciation, amortization and depletion, which are considered non-cash expenses. Exploration is considered a discretionary expenditure and is also excluded. Workers’ participation provisions are determined on the basis of pre-tax earnings and are also excluded. Additionally excluded from operating cash costs are items of a non-recurring nature and the mining royalty charge as it is based on various calculations of taxable income, depending on which jurisdiction, Peru or Mexico, is imposing the charge. We believe these adjustments will allow our management and stakeholders to see a presentation of our controllable cash cost, which we consider is one of the lowest of copper producing companies of similar size.

We define operating cash cost per pound of copper produced net of by-product revenues as operating cash cost per pound of copper produced, as defined in the previous paragraph, less by-product revenues and net revenue (loss) on sale of metal purchased from third parties.

In our calculation of operating cash cost per pound of copper produced, net of by-product revenues, we credit against our costs the revenues from the sale of all our by-products, including, molybdenum, zinc, silver, gold, etc. and the net revenue (loss) on sale of metals purchased from third parties. We disclose this measure including the by-product revenues in this way because we consider our principal business to be the production and sale of copper. As part of our copper production process, much of our by-products are recovered. These by-products, as well as the processing of copper purchased from third parties, are a supplemental part of our production process and their sales value contribute to cover part of our incurred fixed costs incurred. We believe that our Company is viewed by the investment community as a copper company, and is valued, in large part, by the investment community’s view of the copper market and our ability to produce copper at a reasonable cost.

We believe that both of these measures are useful tools for our management and our stakeholders. Our cash costs before by-product revenues allow us to monitor our cost structure and address with operating management areas of concern. The measure operating cash cost per pound of copper produced net of by-product revenues is a common measure used in the copper industry and is a useful management tool that allows us to track our performance and better allocate our resources. This measure is also used in our investment project evaluation process to determine a project’s potential contribution to our operations, its competitiveness and its relative strength in different price scenarios. The expected contribution of by-products is generally a significant factor used by the copper industry in determining whether to move forward with the development of a new mining project. As the price of our by-product commodities can have significant fluctuations from period to period, the value of its contribution to our costs can be volatile.

Our operating cash cost per pound of copper produced, before and net of by-product revenues, is presented in the table below for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017.

Operating cash cost per pound of copper produced (1)

(In millions, except cost per pound and percentages)

	2018			2017			Variance			% Change
Total operating cash cost before by-product revenues	$	688.3		$	677.3		$	11.0		1.6	%
Total by-products revenues	(343.0		)	(275.9		)	$	(67.1	)	24.3	%
Total operating cash cost net of by-products revenues	$	345.3		$	401.4		$	(56.1	)	(14.0	)%
Total pounds of copper produced (2)	437.8			457.0			(19.2		)	(4.2	)%
Operating cash cost per pound before by-product revenues	$	1.57		$	1.48		$	0.09		6.1	%
By-products per pound revenues	$	(0.78	)	$	(0.60	)	$	(0.18	)	30.0	%
Operating cash cost per pound net of by-products revenues	$	0.79		$	0.88		$	(0.09	)	(10.2	)%

(1)These are non-GAAP measures. Please see page 43 for reconciliation to GAAP measure.

(2)Net of metallurgical losses.

As seen in the table above, our per pound cash cost before by-product revenues in the first quarter of 2018 was $0.09 higher than in the same period of 2017. This 6.1% increase in operating cash cost was the result of the unit cost effect of 4.2% lower production, higher costs per pound from selling, general and administrative expenses and higher production cost.

In addition, our per pound cash cost for the three months ended March 31, 2018 when calculated net of by-product revenues was $0.79 per pound, $0.09 or 10% lower than in the first quarter of 2017. This improvement was mainly the result of the higher prices for our major by-products.

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Metal Prices: The profitability of our operations is dependent on, and our financial performance is significantly affected by, the international market prices for the products we produce, especially for copper, molybdenum, zinc and silver.

We are subject to market risks arising from the volatility of copper and other metal prices. For the remaining nine months of 2018, assuming that expected metal production and sales are achieved, that tax rates are unchanged and giving no effect to potential hedging programs, metal price sensitivity factors would indicate the following change in estimated net income attributable to SCC resulting from metal price changes:

	Copper		Zinc		Molybdenum		Silver
Change in metal prices (per pound except silver — per ounce)	$	0.10	$	0.10	$	1.00	$	1.00
Change in net earnings (in millions)	$	94.7	$	10.9	$	22.4	$	9.1

Business Segments: We view our Company as having three reportable segments and manage it on the basis of these segments. These segments are (1) our Peruvian operations, (2) our Mexican open-pit operations and (3) our Mexican underground operations, known as our IMMSA unit. Our Peruvian operations include the Toquepala and Cuajone mine complexes and the smelting and refining plants, industrial railroad and port facilities that service both mines. The Peruvian operations produce copper, with significant by-product production of molybdenum, silver and other material. Our Mexican open-pit operations include La Caridad and Buenavista mine complexes, the smelting and refining plants and support facilities, which service both mines. The Mexican open pit operations produce copper, with significant by-product production of molybdenum, silver and other material. Our IMMSA unit includes five underground mines that produce zinc, lead, copper, silver and gold, a coal mine which produces coal and coke, and several industrial processing facilities for zinc, copper and silver.

Segment information is included in our review of “Results of Operations” in this item and also in Note 10 “Segment and Related Information” of our condensed consolidated financial statements.

Inflation and Exchange Rate Effect of the Peruvian Sol and the Mexican Peso: Our functional currency is the U.S. dollar and our revenues are primarily denominated in U.S. dollars. Significant portions of our operating costs are denominated in Peruvian sol and Mexican pesos. Accordingly, when inflation and currency devaluation/appreciation of the Peruvian currency and Mexican currency occur, our operating results can be affected. In recent years, we do believe such changes have not had a material effect on our results and financial position. Please see Item 3. “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk” for more detailed information.

Capital Investment Programs: We made capital investments of $295.7 million in the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared with $245.6 million in the same period of 2017. In general, the capital investments and investment projects described below are intended to increase production, decrease costs or address social and environmental commitments.

Set forth below are descriptions of some of our current expected capital investment programs. We expect to meet the cash requirements for these projects from cash on hand, internally generated funds and from additional external financing, including funding received in April 2015. All capital spending plans will continue to be reviewed and adjusted to respond to changes in the economy or market conditions.

Projects in Mexico:

Buenavista Zinc - Sonora: This project is located within the Buenavista facility and contemplates the development of a new concentrator to produce approximately 80,000 tons of zinc and 20,000 tons of additional copper per year that will allow us to double our current zinc production capacity. We have concluded the basic engineering and we are working on the purchasing process for the main project components. We estimate an investment of $413 million for this project and expect to initiate operations in 2020.

Pilares - Sonora: This project, located six kilometers from La Caridad, will be developed as an open-pit mine operation. The ore will be transported by truck from the pit to the primary crushers of the La Caridad copper concentrator, significantly improving the over-all mineral ore grade (from 0.34% at La Caridad to 0.78% expected from Pilares). Currently, we continue with the mine plan preparation, including the final outline design for the road through which the ore will be transported to the La Caridad mill. An investment of $159 million is estimated to produce 35,000 tons of copper in concentrates per year. We expect this project to start producing in 2019.

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Projects in Peru:

We currently have a portfolio of projects in Peru, with a total capital budget of $2,900 million, out of which $1,704 million have already been invested.

Toquepala Expansion Project - Tacna: This $1,255 million project includes a new state-of-the-art concentrator which will increase Toquepala’s annual copper production by 100,000 tons to reach 245,000 tons in 2019, a 69% production increase. Through March 31, 2018, we have invested $968.1 million in this expansion. The project has reached 90% progress and is expected to initiate production in the third quarter of 2018.

The project to improve the crushing process at Toquepala with the installation of a High Pressure Grinding Roll (HPGR) system, has as its main objective, to ensure that our existing concentrator will operate at its maximum annual production capacity of 117,000 tons of copper while reducing operating costs through ore crushing efficiencies, even with an increase of the ore material hardness index. The budget for this project is $50 million and as of March 31, 2018, we have invested $41 million in this project. We expect to start the ramping up and production during the second quarter of 2018.

Cuajone tailing thickeners project — Moquegua: This project will replace two of the three existing thickeners at the concentrator with a new hi-rate thickener. The purpose is to streamline the concentrator flotation process and improve water recovery efficiency, increasing the tailings solids content from 54% to 61%, thereby reducing fresh water consumption and replacing it with recovered water. Equipment assembly is completed and we are in the commissioning process. As of March 31, 2018, we have invested $29 million in this project out of the approved capital budget of $30 million. We expect the project to be completed by the end of the second quarter of 2018.

Tailings disposal at Quebrada Honda - Moquegua: This project increases the height of the existing Quebrada Honda dam to impound future tailings from the Toquepala and Cuajone mills and will extend the expected life of this tailings facility by 25 years. The first stage and construction of the drainage system for the lateral dam is finished. We finished the second stage with the installation of a new cyclone battery station that allows us to place more slurry at the dams. We are in a bidding process for a new stage which will improve the operational processes. The project has a total budgeted cost of $116.0 million. We have invested $89.4 million through March 31, 2018 and expect the project to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2018.

Potential projects

We have a number of other projects that we may develop in the future. We evaluate new projects on the basis of our long-term corporate objectives, expected return on investment, environmental concerns, required investment and estimated production, among other considerations. All capital spending plans will continue to be reviewed and adjusted to respond to changes in the economy or market conditions.

El Arco — Baja California: This is a world class copper deposit located in the central part of the Baja California peninsula, with ore reserves over 2.7 billion tons with an ore grade of 0.399% and 0.11 grams of gold per ton. This project, includes an open-pit mine combining concentrator and SX-EW operations with an estimated production of 190,000 tons of copper and 105,000 ounces of gold annually. Between July 2015 and February 2016, we conducted a drilling program of 20,170 meters in order to further define the deposit at lower depths of between 300 and 600 meters. In 2018, we expect to conduct further exploration activities. In addition, we will begin an engineering study to define optimization alternatives for the project and update the feasibility study, besides further analysis in the electrical energy supply.

El Pilar - Sonora: This is a fully permitted, low capital intensity copper development project strategically located in Sonora, Mexico, approximately 45 kilometers from our Buenavista mine. Its copper oxide mineralization contains estimated proven and probable reserves of 325 million tons of ore with an average copper grade of 0.287%. El Pilar will operate as a conventional open-pit mine and copper cathodes will be produced using the highly cost efficient and environmentally friendly SX-EW technology. Average annual production is currently estimated at 35,000 tons of copper cathodes over an initial 13-year mine life, with start of commercial operations forecasted for 2019. On a preliminary basis, we estimate a development investment of approximately $310 million. In 2016, we conducted a diamond drilling program of 3,700 meters and a geophysical survey of 40 kilometers in order to confirm the reserves. Additionally, the results allowed us to identify potential new areas of interest. During the first half of 2017, we initiated a reserve estimation program. In July 2017, we started a 20,000 meter drilling program focused on further assessing the geophysical anomalies detected in the exploration program of 2016. During 2018 we will continue with the metallurgical testing program and the leaching optimization studies.

Tia Maria - Arequipa: We have completed engineering and after having complied with all environmental requirements, we have obtained the approval of the environmental impact assessment. We are working jointly with the Peruvian Government to obtain

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the construction license for this 120,000 tons of SX-EW copper per year greenfield project with a total capital investment of $1,400 million. We expect the license to be issued in 2018.

This greenfield project, located in Arequipa, Peru, will use state of the art SX-EW technology with the highest international environmental standards. SX-EW facilities are the most environmentally friendly in the industry due to their technical process with no emissions released into the atmosphere. The project will use seawater, transporting it more than 25 kilometers to an altitude of 1,000 meters above sea level. The construction of the desalinization plant requires an investment of approximately $95 million.

We expect the project to generate 3,600 jobs during the construction phase. When in operation, Tia Maria will directly employ 600 workers and indirectly provide jobs to another 4,200. Through its expected twenty-year life, the project related services will create significant business opportunities in the Arequipa region. Tia Maria has complied with all existing requirements and regulations and therefore the Company trusts that it will soon receive from government authorities the construction licenses and permits required in order to begin construction of this project.

Los Chancas - Apurimac: This greenfield project, located in Apurimac, Peru, is a copper and molybdenum porphyry deposit. Current estimates indicate the presence of 545 million tons of mineralized material with a copper content of 0.59%, molybdenum content of 0.04% and 0.039 grams of gold per ton, as well as 181 million tons of mineralized leachable material with a total copper content of 0.357%.  Los Chancas project envisions an open-pit mine with a combined operation of concentrator and SX-EW processes to annually produce 130,000 tons of copper and 7,500 tons of molybdenum. The estimated capital investment is $2,800 million and is expected to be in operation in 2022. In 2016 and 2017, we continued with the development of social and environmental improvements for the local communities in order to conduct the environmental impact assessment during 2018.

Michiquillay Project - Cajamarca: On February 20, 2018, Southern Copper won the public bidding process for the Michiquillay project in Cajamarca, Peru, at a purchase price of $400 million. Michiquillay is a world class mining project with mineral resources of 1,150 million tons and a copper grade of 0.63%, it will produce 225,000 tons of copper per year (along with such by-products as molybdenum, gold and silver) for an initial mine life of more than 25 years, at a very competitive cash-cost, which will strengthen Southern Copper’s leadership as a low-cost producer. We estimate to invest approximately $2.5 billion and expect to start production by 2025 to become one of the largest copper mines in Peru. The project will create significant business opportunities in the Cajamarca region, generate new jobs for the local communities and contribute with taxes and royalties to the national, regional and local governments.

The above information is based on estimates only. We cannot make any assurances that we will undertake any of these projects or that the information noted is accurate.

ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

Our discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations, as well as quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risks, are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires our management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. We make our best estimate of the ultimate outcome for these items based on historical trends and other information available when the financial statements are prepared. Changes in estimates are recognized in accordance with the accounting rules for the estimate, which is typically in the period when new information becomes available to management. Areas where the nature of the estimate makes it reasonably possible that actual results could materially differ from amounts estimated include: ore reserves, revenue recognition, ore stockpiles on leach pads and related amortization, estimated impairment of assets, asset retirement obligations, valuation allowances for deferred tax assets, unrecognized tax benefits and fair value of financial instruments. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

36

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following highlights key financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 (in millions):

	2018			2017			Variance			% Change
Net sales	$	1,841.1		$	1,583.9		$	257.2		16.2	%
Operating costs and expenses	(1,067.8		)	(1,013.5		)	(54.3		)	5.4	%
Operating income	773.3			570.4			202.9			35.6	%
Non-operating income (expense)	(68.9		)	(85.1		)	16.2			(19.0	)%
Income before income taxes	704.4			485.3			219.1			45.1	%
Income taxes	(236.6		)	(176.2		)	(60.4		)	34.3	%
Equity earnings of affiliate	4.1			6.2			(2.1		)	(33.9	)%
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest	(1.2		)	(0.9		)	(0.3		)	33.3	%
Net income attributable to SCC	$	470.7		$	314.4		$	156.3		49.7	%

NET SALES

Net sales for the first quarter 2018 were $1,841.1 million, compared to $1,583.9 million in the first quarter 2017, an increase of $257.2 million. This 16.2% increase was principally the result of higher metal prices as shown below.

The table below outlines the average published market metals prices for our metals for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017:

	2018		2017		% Change
Copper price ($ per pound — LME)	$	3.16	$	2.65	19.2	%
Copper price ($ per pound — COMEX)	$	3.14	$	2.65	18.5	%
Molybdenum price ($ per pound) (1)	$	12.14	$	7.74	56.8	%
Zinc price ($ per pound — LME)	$	1.55	$	1.26	23.0	%
Silver price ($ per ounce —COMEX)	$	16.68	$	17.45	(4.4	)%

(1)Platt’s Metals Week Dealer Oxide

The table below provides our metal sales as a percentage of our total net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017:

Sales as a percentage of total net sales	2018		2017
Copper	80.0	%	81.2	%
Molybdenum	7.4	%	5.9	%
Zinc	5.2	%	5.0	%
Silver	3.9	%	4.7	%
Other by-products	3.5	%	3.2	%
Total	100.0	%	100.0	%

The table below provides our copper sales by type of product for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017:

Copper Sales (million pounds)	2018	2017	Variance		% Change
Refined (including SX-EW)	288.1	307.6	(19.5	)	(6.3	)%
Rod	83.0	73.3	9.7		13.2	%
Concentrates and other	98.0	106.8	(8.8	)	(8.2	)%
Total	469.1	487.7	(18.6	)	(3.8	)%

The table below provides our copper sales volume by type of product as a percentage of our total copper sales volume for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017:

Copper Sales by product type	2018		2017
Refined (including SX-EW)	61.4	%	63.1	%
Rod	17.7	%	15.0	%
Concentrates and other	20.9	%	21.9	%
Total	100.0	%	100.0	%

37

OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES

The table below summarizes the production cost structure by major components as a percentage of total production cost:

	Three months ended March 31,
	2018		2017
Power	16.3	%	20.0	%
Fuel	14.7	%	13.5	%
Labor	12.9	%	13.4	%
Operating material	18.8	%	18.6	%
Maintenance	19.6	%	19.1	%
Other	17.7	%	15.4	%
Total	100.0	%	100.0	%

Operating costs and expenses were $1,067.8 million in the first quarter of 2018 compared to $1,013.5 million in the first quarter of 2017. The increase of $54.3 million was primarily due to:

Operating cost and expenses for the first quarter 2017	$	1,013.5
Plus:
·Higher volume and cost of metals purchased from third parties.	69.5
·Reversal in 2017 of over accrual of previously recorded Sonora River remediation costs, due to the completion of remediation activities.	10.2
·Higher depreciation, amortization and depletion mainly as a result of our expansion and maintenance capital investments.	8.6
·Higher selling, general and administrative expenses.	2.7
·Higher exploration expense.	0.1
Less:
·Lower other cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation, amortization and depletion) mainly due to lower inventory consumption and lower power costs, partially offset by higher fuel costs, repairing materials and operation contractors services.	(36.8		)
Operating cost and expenses for the first quarter 2018	$	1,067.8

NON-OPERATING INCOME (EXPENSES)

Non-operating income and expense were a net expense of $68.9 million in the first quarter of 2018 compared to a net expense of $85.1 million in the first quarter of 2017. The lower expense of $16.2 million was primarily due to:

·$ 15.5 million of lower interest expense due to an adjustment in capitalized interest computation recorded in 2017,

·$ 6.1 million of higher capitalized interest,

·$ 1.7 million of higher interest income, partially offset by,

·$ 7.1 million of lower miscellaneous income, net.

INCOME TAXES

	Three months ended March 31,
	2018			2017
Provision for income taxes (in millions)	$	236.6		$	176.2
Effective income tax rate	33.6		%	36.3		%

These provisions include income taxes for Peru, Mexico and the United States. In addition, a Mexican royalty tax, a portion of the Peruvian royalty tax and the Peruvian special mining tax are included in the income tax provision. The decrease in the effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2018 from the same period in the prior year is primarily due to the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which causes dividends from the Company’s Mexican subsidiary to no longer be taxed in the U.S. For further information, please see Note 4 “Income taxes”.

On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted the “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act” (the “Act”). The Act contains numerous provisions, the following of which most significantly impacted the Company: (i) a decrease in the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%; (ii) a transition of the U.S. taxation of international operation from a worldwide system to a quasi-territorial system and

38

a one-time transition tax on the mandatory deemed repatriation of cumulative foreign earnings as of December 31, 2017, (iii) generally eliminates U.S. federal income taxes on dividends from foreign subsidiaries, requiring a current inclusion in U.S. federal taxable income of certain earnings of controlled foreign corporations and (iv) limitations on the use of foreign tax credits to reduce the U.S. income tax liability. As reported in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, these tax law changes accounted for a provisional non-cash tax expense adjustment of $785.9 million in 2017.  There have been no material changes to the provisional amounts recorded in the last quarter of 2017.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”), which provides guidance on accounting for the tax effects of the Act. The Company has adopted SAB 118. Accordingly, the provisions of the Act deemed most relevant to the Company have been considered in preparation of its financial statements.

SEGMENT RESULT ANALYSIS

We have three segments: the Peruvian operations, the Mexican open-pit operations and the Mexican underground mining operations.

The table below presents information regarding the volume of our copper sales by segment for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017:

Copper Sales (million pounds)	2018		2017		Variance		% Change
Peruvian operations	177.3		172.5		4.8		2.8	%
Mexican open-pit	291.8		315.2		(23.4	)	(7.4	)%
Mexican IMMSA unit	4.1		4.6		(0.5	)	(10.9	)%
Other and intersegment elimination	(4.1	)	(4.6	)	0.5		10.9	%
Total	469.1		487.7		(18.6	)	(3.8	)%

The table below presents information regarding the volume of sales by segment of our significant by-products for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017:

By-product Sales (in million pounds, except silver — in million ounces)	2018		2017		Variance		% Change
Peruvian operations
Molybdenum contained in concentrates	3.8		4.8		(1.0	)	(20.8	)%
Silver	0.9		0.8		0.1		12.5	%
Mexican open-pit
Molybdenum contained in concentrates	7.8		6.8		1.0		14.7	%
Silver	2.6		2.7		(0.1	)	(3.7	)%
Mexican IMMSA unit
Zinc — refined and in concentrate	58.2		59.5		(1.3	)	(2.2	)%
Silver	1.3		1.2		0.1		8.3	%
Other and intersegment elimination
Silver	(0.5	)	(0.5	)	—		—
Total by-product sales
Molybdenum contained in concentrates	11.6		11.6		—		—
Zinc — refined and in concentrate	58.2		59.5		(1.3	)	(2.2	)%
Silver	4.3		4.2		0.1		0.2	%

Peruvian Operations:

	First Quarter						Variance
(in millions)	2018			2017			Value			%
Net sales	$	642.9		$	521.5		$	121.4		23.3	%
Operating costs and expenses	(453.6		)	(362.1		)	$	(91.5	)	25.3	%
Operating income	$	189.3		$	159.4		$	29.9		18.8	%

39

Net Sales in the first quarter of 2018 were $642.9 million compared to $521.5 million in the first quarter of 2017. The increase in net sales was mainly the result of higher copper and molybdenum prices, as well as higher copper (+2.8%) and silver (+12.5%) sales volumes, partially offset by lower molybdenum sales volume (-20.8%).

Operating costs and expenses in the first quarter of 2018 increased by $91.5 million to $453.6 million from $362.1 million in the first quarter of 2017, primarily due to:

Operating cost and expenses for the first quarter 2017	$	362.1
Plus:
·Higher volume and cost of metals purchased from third parties.	38.5
·Higher other cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation, amortization and depletion) mainly due to higher inventory consumption; partially offset by lower power costs.	35.6
·Higher depreciation, amortization and depletion due to our expansion and maintenance capital investments.	16.5
·Higher exploration expenses.	0.5
·Higher selling, general and administrative expenses.	0.4
Operating cost and expenses for the first quarter 2018	$	453.6

Mexican Open-pit Operations:

	First Quarter						Variance
(in millions)	2018			2017			Value		%
Net sales	$	1,068.6		$	952.2		$	116.4	12.2	%
Operating costs and expenses	(516.3		)	(563.7		)	47.4		8.4	%
Operating income	$	552.3		$	388.5		$	163.8	42.2	%

Net Sales in the first quarter of 2018 were $1,068.6 million, compared to $952.2 million in the first quarter of 2017. The increase of $116.4 million was principally due to higher copper and molybdenum prices and higher molybdenum sales volume, partially offset by lower copper and silver sales volumes.

Operating costs and expenses in the first quarter of 2018 decreased by $47.4 million to $516.3 million from $563.7 million in the same 2017 period, primarily due to:

Operating cost and expenses for the first quarter 2017	$	563.7
Less:
·Lower cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation, amortization and depletion) mainly due to lower inventory consumption; partially offset by higher cost of metals purchased from third parties and higher workers’ participation expense.	(53.5		)
·Lower depreciation, amortization and depletion expense.	(6.1		)
Plus:
·Reversal in 2017 of over accrual of previously recorded Sonora River remediation costs, due to the completion of remediation activities.	10.2
·Higher selling, general and administrative expenses.	1.9
·Higher exploration expenses.	0.1
Operating cost and expenses for the first quarter 2018	$	516.3

Mexican Underground Operations (IMMSA):

	First Quarter						Variance
(in millions)	2018			2017			Value			%
Net sales	$	149.2		$	130.8		$	18.4		14.1	%
Operating costs and expenses	(110.3		)	(99.3		)	(11.0		)	11.1	%
Operating income	$	38.9		$	31.5		$	7.4		23.5	%

Net Sales in the first quarter of 2018 were $149.2 million, compared to $130.8 million in the first quarter of 2017. This increase of $18.4 million was primarily due to higher zinc prices and higher silver sales volume, partially offset by lower zinc and copper sales volumes.

40

Operating costs and expenses in the first quarter of 2018 increased by $11.0 million to $110.3 million from $99.3 million in the first quarter of 2017, primarily due to:

Operating cost and expenses for the first quarter 2017	$	99.3
Plus:
·Higher cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation, amortization and depletion) mainly due to higher cost of metals purchased from third parties and higher inventory consumption; partially offset by lower power costs.	12.6
·Higher exploration expense.	0.6
·Higher selling, general and administrative expenses.	0.2
Less:
·Lower depreciation, amortization and depletion expense.	(2.4		)
Operating cost and expenses for the first quarter 2018	$	110.3

Intersegment Eliminations and Adjustments:

The net sales, operating costs and expenses and operating income discussed above will not be directly equal to amounts in our condensed consolidated statement of earnings because the adjustments of intersegment operating revenues and expenses must be taken into account. Please see Note 10 “Segment and Related Information” of the condensed consolidated financial statements.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Cash flow:

The following table shows the cash flow for the first quarter 2018 and 2017 (in millions):

	2018			2017			Variance
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	649.8		$	490.1		$	159.7
Net cash (used for) provided by investing activities	$	(301.4	)	$	(246.6	)	$	(54.8	)
Net cash used in financing activities	$	(232.8	)	$	(61.8	)	$	(171.0	)

Net cash provided by operating activities:

The change in net cash from operating activities for the first quarter of 2018 and 2017 include (in millions):

	2018			2017			Variance			% Change
Net income	$	471.9		$	315.3		$	156.6		49.7	%
Depreciation, amortization and depletion	162.0			153.4			8.6			5.6	%
Benefit from deferred income taxes	(23.9		)	(16.8		)	(7.1		)	(42.3	)%
Loss on foreign currency transaction effect	26.4			31.1			(4.7		)	(15.1	)%
Other adjustments to net income	(1.5		)	3.7			(5.2		)	(140.5	)%
Change in operating assets and liabilities	14.9			3.4			11.5			338.2	%
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	649.8		$	490.1		$	159.7		32.6	%

Significant items added to (deducted from) net income to arrive at operating cash flow include depreciation, amortization and depletion, deferred tax amounts, foreign currency fluctuations and changes in operating assets and liabilities.

First quarter 2018: Net income was $471.9 million, approximately 72.6% of the net operating cash flow. A decrease in operating assets and liabilities increased operating cash flow by $14.9 million and included:

·$16.7 million decrease in accounts receivable.

·$(59.4) million of net increase in inventory, which included $(47.1) million of higher leaching inventory, $(11.4) million of higher finished goods and work in process, and $(0.9) million of higher supplies inventory.

·$83.4 million increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities, which included $49.2 million of interest accrual, $20.1 million of workers’ participation accrual and $14.1 million of higher other liabilities.

·$(25.8) million increase in other operating assets and liabilities, which included principally $(29.1) million of higher prepaid taxes.

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First quarter 2017: Net income was $315.3 million, approximately 64.3% of the net operating cash flow. A decrease in operating assets and liabilities increased operating cash flow by $3.4 million and included:

·$(77.7) million increase in accounts receivable.

·$(10.7) million of net increase in inventory, which included $(41.3) million of higher non-current leaching inventory, partially offset by $30.5 million of lower inventories and supplies for our operations.

·$71.7 million increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities, which included $46.9 million of interest accrual, $33.7 million of workers’ participation accrual and $(8.9) million of lower other liabilities.

·$20.1 million decrease in other operating assets and liabilities, which included principally $22.7 million of lower prepaid taxes.

Net cash used for investing activities:

First quarter 2018: Net cash used for investing activities included $295.7 million for capital investments. The capital investments included:

·$79.4 million of investments at our Mexican operations:

·$11.7 million for the new tailing disposal deposit at the Buenavista mine,

·$3.6 million for the over elevation of tailings deposit N° 7 at the La Caridad Mine,

·$2.6 million for the new Buenavista concentrator,

·$2.0 million for the Sonora River water restitution system located in the Moritas basin,

·$12.9 million at our IMMSA unit,

·$37.5 million for various other replacement and maintenance expenditures, and

·$9.1 million decrease in capital expenditures incurred but not yet paid.

·$216.3 million of investments at our Peruvian operations:

·$84.2 million for the Toquepala concentrator expansion project,

·$4.2 million for the tailings disposal at Quebrada Honda project,

·$2.3 million for the High Pressure Grinding Roll (HPGR) system in Toquepala,

·$2.2 million for the Toquepala mine equipment acquisition,

·$51.5 million for various other replacement and maintenance expenditures, and

·$71.9 million decrease in capital expenditures incurred but not yet paid.

The first quarter 2018 investment activities include $6.0 million of net purchases of short-term investments.

First quarter 2017: Net cash used for investing activities included $245.6 million for capital investments. The capital investments included:

·$64.5 million of investments at our Mexican operations:

·$6.1 million for the new Buenavista concentrator,

·$3.9 million for new projects infrastructure,

·$11.2 million for the new tailing disposal deposit at the Buenavista mine,

·$5.1 million for the Quebalix IV project,

·$6.9 million for the solutions system improvements of Tinajas,

·$5.5 million at our IMMSA unit,

·$28.3 million for various other replacement expenditures, and

·$(2.5) million increase in capital expenditures incurred but not yet paid.

·$181.1 million of investments at our Peruvian operations:

·$37.4 million for the Toquepala concentrator expansion project,

·$14.5 million for the Heavy Mineral Management Optimizing Project in Cuajone,

·$4.9 million for the High Pressure Grinding Roll (HPGR) system in Toquepala,

·$3.7 million for the Toquepala mine equipment acquisition,

·$39.4 million for various other replacement and maintenance expenditures, and

·$81.2 million decrease in capital expenditures incurred but not yet paid.

The first quarter 2017 investment activities include $1.4 million of net purchases of short-term investments.

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Net cash used for financing activities:

Net cash used for financing activities in the first quarter of 2018 was $232.8 million, compared to $61.8 million in the first quarter of 2017. The first quarter of 2018 included a dividend distribution of $231.9 million, compared to a distribution of $61.8 million in the same period of 2017.

Dividends:

On February 27, 2018, we paid a dividend of $0.30 per share totaling $231.9 million. On April 19, 2018, our Board of Directors authorized a quarterly dividend of $0.30 per share, expected to total $231.9 million, to be paid on May 23, 2018 to SCC shareholders of record at the close of business on May 9, 2018.

Capital Investment and Exploration Programs:

A discussion of our capital investment programs is an important part of understanding our liquidity and capital resources. We expect to meet the cash requirements for these capital investments from cash on hand, internally generated funds and from additional external financing if required. For information regarding our capital investment programs, please see the discussion under the caption “Capital Investment Programs” under this Item 2.

Contractual Obligations:

There have been no material changes in our contractual obligations in the first quarter of 2018. Please see item 7 in Part II of our 2017 annual report on Form 10-K.

NON-GAAP INFORMATION RECONCILIATION

Operating cash cost: Following is a reconciliation of “Operating Cash Cost” (see page 33) to cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation, amortization and depletion) as reported in our condensed consolidated statement of earnings, in millions of dollars and dollars per pound of copper in the table below.

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2018						Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
	$ million			$ per pound			$ million			$ per pound
Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation, amortization and depletion)	$	876.5		$	2.00		$	843.8		$	1.85
Add:
Selling, general and administrative	24.1			0.06			21.4			0.05
Sales premiums, net of treatment and refining charges	(0.8		)	0.00			5.3			0.01
Less:
Workers’ participation	(55.9		)	(0.13		)	(47.0		)	(0.10		)
Cost of metal purchased from third parties	(146.9		)	(0.34		)	(77.4		)	(0.17		)
Other cost of sales, net	(55.8		)	(0.13		)	(72.6		)	(0.16		)
Inventory change	47.1			0.11			3.8			(0.00		)
Operating Cash Cost before by-products revenues	$	688.3		$	1.57		$	677.3		$	1.48
Add:
By-product revenues (1)	(321.8		)	(0.74		)	(266.9		)	(0.58		)
Net revenue on sale of metal purchased from third parties	(21.2		)	(0.04		)	(9.0		)	(0.02		)
Total by-product revenues	(343.0		)	(0.78		)	(275.9		)	(0.60		)
Operating cash cost, net of by-product revenues	$	345.3		$	0.79		$	401.4		$	0.88
Total pounds of copper produced (in millions)	437.8						457.0

(1)By-product revenues included in our presentation of operating cash cost contain the following:

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2018						Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
	$ million			$ per pound			$ million			$ per pound
Molybdenum	$	(136.3	)	$	(0.31	)	$	(92.9	)	$	(0.20	)
Silver	(60.3		)	(0.14		)	(65.0		)	(0.14		)
Zinc	(63.1		)	(0.14		)	(59.4		)	(0.13		)
Sulfuric Acid	(25.6		)	(0.06		)	(16.4		)	(0.04		)
Gold and others	(36.5		)	(0.09		)	(33.2		)	(0.07		)
Total	$	321.8		$	(0.74	)	$	(266.9	)	$	(0.58	)

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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk

Commodity price risk:

For additional information on metal price sensitivity, refer to “Metal Prices” in Part I, Item 2 of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2018.

Foreign currency exchange rate risk:

Our functional currency is the U.S. dollar. Portions of our operating costs are denominated in Peruvian soles and Mexican pesos. Since our revenues are primarily denominated in U.S. dollars, when inflation or deflation in our Mexican or Peruvian operations is not offset by a change in the exchange rate of the sol or the peso to the dollar, our financial position, results of operations and cash flows could be affected by local cost conversion when expressed in U.S. dollars. In addition, the dollar value of our net monetary assets denominated in soles or pesos can be affected by exchange rate variances of the sol or the peso, resulting in a re-measurement gain or loss in our financial statements. Recent inflation and exchange rate variances are provided in the table below for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017:

	2018		2017
Peru:
Peruvian inflation rate	0.97	%	1.86	%
Initial exchange rate	3.245		3.360
Closing exchange rate	3.229		3.249
Appreciation/(devaluation)	0.49	%	3.30	%
Mexico:
Mexican inflation rate	1.24	%	2.92	%
Initial exchange rate	19.735		20.664
Closing exchange rate	18.345		18.809
Appreciation/(devaluation)	7.05	%	8.98	%

Change in monetary position:

Assuming an exchange rate variance of 10% at March 31, 2018 we estimate our net monetary position in Peruvian sol and Mexican peso would increase (decrease) our net earnings as follows:

	Effect on net earnings
	($ in millions)
Appreciation of 10% in U.S. dollar vs. sol	$	11.3
Devaluation of 10% in U.S. dollar vs. sol	$	(13.8	)
Appreciation of 10% in U.S. dollar vs. Mexican peso	$	22.1
Devaluation of 10% in U.S. dollar vs. Mexican peso	$	(27.1	)

Open sales risk:

Our provisional copper and molybdenum sales contain an embedded derivative that is required to be separate from the host contract for accounting purposes. The host contract is the receivable from the sale of copper and molybdenum concentrates at prevailing market prices at the time of the sale. The embedded derivative, which does not qualify for hedge accounting, is marked to market through earnings each period prior to settlement. See Note 5 to our condensed consolidated financial statements for further information about these provisional sales.

Short-term Investments:

For additional information on our trading securities and available-for-sale investments, refer to “Short-term Investments” in Part I, Item 1 of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2018.

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Cautionary Statement:

Forward-looking statements in this report and in other Company statements include statements regarding expected commencement dates of mining or metal production operations, projected quantities of future metal production, anticipated production rates, operating efficiencies, costs and expenditures as well as projected demand or supply for the Company’s products. Actual results could differ materially depending upon factors including the risks and uncertainties relating to general U.S. and international economic and political conditions, the cyclical and volatile prices of copper, other commodities and supplies, including fuel and electricity, availability of materials, insurance coverage, equipment, required permits or approvals and financing, the occurrence of unusual weather or operating conditions, lower than expected ore grades, water and geological problems, the failure of equipment or processes to operate in accordance with specifications, failure to obtain financial assurance to meet closure and remediation obligations, labor relations, litigation and environmental risks as well as political and economic risk associated with foreign operations. Results of operations are directly affected by metal prices on commodity exchanges that can be volatile.

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Item 4. Controls and Procedures

EVALUATION OF DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

As of March 31, 2018, the Company conducted an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s disclosure committee and the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness and the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)). Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of March 31, 2018, to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is:

1.Recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and

2.Accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

CHANGES IN INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) that occurred during the first quarter ended March 31, 2018 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting.

46

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Southern Copper Corporation:

Results of Review of Interim Financial Statements.

We have reviewed the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet of Southern Copper Corporation and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of March 31, 2018, the related condensed consolidated statements of earnings, comprehensive income and cash flows for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “interim financial information”). Based on our reviews, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the accompanying interim financial information for it to be in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We have previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of December 31, 2017, and the related consolidated statements of earnings, comprehensive income, and cash flows for the year then ended (not presented herein); and in our report dated March 1, 2018, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2017 is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.

Basis for Review Results

This interim financial information is the responsibility of the Company’s management. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our reviews in accordance with standards of the PCAOB.  A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB, the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the condensed consolidated interim financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

Galaz, Yamazaki, Ruiz Urquiza, S.C.

Member of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited

/s/ Daniel Toledo Antonio

C.P.C. Daniel Toledo Antonio

Mexico City, Mexico

May 2, 2018

47

PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings:

The information provided in Note 9 “Commitments and Contingencies” to the condensed consolidated financial statements contained in Part I of this Form 10-Q, is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 1A. Risk Factors:

There have been no material changes to our risk factors during the three months ended March 31, 2018. For additional information on risk factors, refer to “Risk Factors” included in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 filed with the SEC on March 1, 2018.

Item 2. Unregistered Sale of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds:

SCC share repurchase program:

In 2008, the Company’s BOD authorized a $500 million share repurchase program that has since been increased by the BOD and is currently authorized to $3 billion. Pursuant to this program, the Company purchased common stock as shown in the table below. These shares are available for general corporate purposes. The Company may purchase additional shares of its common stock from time to time, based on market conditions and other factors. This repurchase program has no expiration date and may be modified or discontinued at any time.

Period		Total Number of Shares	Average Price Paid		Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly	Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plan	Total Cost ($ in
From	To	Purchased	per Share		Announced Plan	@ $54.18(1)	millions)
2008	2012	46,914,486	$	18.72	46,914,486		878.1
2013:		10,245,000	27.47		57,159,486		281.4
2014:		22,711,428	30.06		79,870,914		682.8
2015:		36,689,052	27.38		116,559,966		1,004.4
2016:		2,937,801	24.42				71.7
Total purchased		119,497,767	$	24.42		1,506,706	$	2,918.4

(*) NYSE closing price of SCC common shares at March 31, 2018.

As a result of the repurchase of shares of SCC’s common stock, Grupo Mexico’s direct and indirect ownership was 88.9% as of March 31, 2018. There has not been any activity in the SCC share repurchase program since the third quarter of 2016.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures:

Not applicable.

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Item 6. Exhibits

Exhibit No.	Description of Exhibit
3.1	(a) Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, filed on October 11, 2005. (Filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the third quarter of 2005 and incorporated herein by reference). (b) Certificate of Amendment of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation dated May 2, 2006. (Filed as Exhibit 3.1 to Registration Statement on Form S-4, File No. 333-135170) filed on June 20, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference). (c) Certificate of Amendment of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation dated May 28, 2008. (Filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the second quarter of 2008 and incorporated herein by reference).
3.2	By-Laws, as last amended on January 27, 2011. (Filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K incorporated herein by reference).
4.1	Indenture governing $200 million 6.375% Notes due 2015, by and among Southern Copper Corporation, The Bank of New York and the Bank of New York (Luxembourg) S.A. (Filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on August 1, 2005 and incorporated by reference.
4.2	(a) Indenture governing $600 million 7.500% Notes due 2035, by and among Southern Copper Corporation, the Bank of New York and The Bank of New York (Luxembourg) S.A. (Filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on August 1, 2005) and incorporated herein by reference). (b) Indenture governing $400 million 7.500% Notes due 2035, by and between Southern Copper Corporation, The Bank of New York, The Bank of New York (Luxembourg) S.A.(Filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on August 1, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference).
4.3	Form of 6.375% Note (included in Exhibit 4.1).
4.4	Form of New 7.500% Note (included in Exhibit 4.2(a)).
4.5	Form of New 7.500% Note (included in Exhibit 4.2(b)).
4.6	Indenture, dated as of April 16, 2010, between Southern Copper Corporation and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, pursuant to which $400 million of 5.375% Notes due 2020 and $1.1 billion of 6.750% Notes due 2040 were issued (Filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 19, 2010 and incorporated herein by reference).
4.7	First Supplemental Indenture dated as of April 16, 2010, between Southern Copper Corporation and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, pursuant to which the 5.375% Notes due 2020 were issued (Filed as an Exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 19, 2010 and incorporated herein by reference).
4.8	Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 16, 2010, between Southern Copper Corporation and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, pursuant to which the 6.750% Notes due 2040 were issued. (Filed as an Exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 19, 2010 and incorporated herein by reference).
4.9	Form of 5.375% Notes due 2020 (Filed as an Exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 19, 2010 and incorporated herein by reference).
4.10	Form of 6.750% Notes due 2040 (Filed as an Exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 19, 2010 and incorporated herein by reference).
4.11	Third Supplemental Indenture dated as of November 8, 2012, between Southern Copper Corporation and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, pursuant to which the 3.500% Notes due 2022 were issued (Filed as an Exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 9, 2012 and incorporated herein by reference).
4.12	Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of November 8, 2012, between Southern Copper Corporation and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, pursuant to which the 5.250% Notes due 2042 were issued. (Filed as an Exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 9, 2012 and incorporated herein by reference).
4.13	Form of 3.500% Notes due 2022. (Filed as an Exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed

49

	on November 9, 2012 and incorporated herein by reference).
4.14	Form of 5.250% Notes due 2042. (Filed as an Exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 9, 2012 and incorporated herein by reference).
4.15	Fifth Supplemental Indenture dated as of April 23, 2015, between Southern Copper Corporation and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, pursuant to which the 3.875% Notes due 2025 were issued. (Filed as an Exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 24, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference).
4.16	Sixth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 23, 2015, between Southern Copper Corporation and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, pursuant to which the 5.875% Notes due 2045 were issued. (Filed as an Exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 24, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference).
4.17	Form of 3.875% Notes due 2025. (Filed as Exhibit A to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 24, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference).
4.18	Form of 5.875% Notes due 2045. (Filed as Exhibit A to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 24, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.1	Directors’ Stock Award Plan of the Company, as amended through April 26, 2018. (Filed as an exhibit to the Company’s 2018 Proxy Statement and incorporated herein by reference).
10.2	Service Agreement entered into by the Company with a subsidiary of Grupo Mexico S.A.B. de C. V., assigned upon the same terms and conditions to Grupo Mexico S.A.B. de C.V. in February 2004 (Filed as Exhibit 10.10 to the Company’s 2002 Annual Report on Form 10-K and incorporated herein by reference).
10.3	Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 21, 2004, by and among Southern Copper Corporation, SCC Merger Sub., Inc., Americas Sales Company, Inc., Americas Mining Corporation and Minera Mexico S.A. de C.V., (Filed as an Exhibit to Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 22, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.4	Tax Agreement entered into by the Company and Americas Mining Corporation, effective as of February 20, 2017.
14.0	Code of Business Conduct and Ethics adopted by the Board of Directors on May 8, 2003 and amended on April 23, 2015. (Filed as Exhibit 14 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 29, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference).
15.0	Consent of Registered Public Accounting Firm (Galaz, Yamazaki, Ruiz Urquiza, S.C. - Member of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, Limited) (filed herewith).
31.1	Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).
31.2	Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).
32.1	Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C., Section 1350. This document is being furnished in accordance with SEC Release No. 33-8238.
32.2	Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C., Section 1350. This document is being furnished in accordance with SEC Release No. 33-8238.
101.INS	XBRL Instance Document (submitted electronically with this report).
101.SCH	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document (submitted electronically with this report).
101.CAL	XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document (submitted electronically with this report).
101.DEF	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document (submitted electronically with this report).
101.LAB	XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document (submitted electronically with this report).
101.PRE	XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document (submitted electronically with this report).

Attached as Exhibit 101 to this report are the following documents formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017; (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017; (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017; (iv) the Condensed Consolidated

50

Statement of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017; and (v) the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements tagged in detail.  Users of this data are advised pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T that this interactive data file is deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, is deemed not filed for purposes of section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and otherwise is not subject to liability under these sections.

51

SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION

List of Exhibits

Exhibit No.	Description of Exhibit
3.1	(a) Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, filed on October 11, 2005. (Filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the third quarter of 2005 and incorporated herein by reference). (b) Certificate of Amendment of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation dated May 2, 2006. (Filed as Exhibit 3.1 to Registration Statement on Form S-4, File No. 333-135170) filed on June 20, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference). (c) Certificate of Amendment of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation dated May 28, 2008. (Filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the second quarter of 2008 and incorporated herein by reference).
3.2	By-Laws, as last amended on January 27, 2011. (Filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K incorporated herein by reference).
4.1	Indenture governing $200 million 6.375% Notes due 2015, by and among Southern Copper Corporation, The Bank of New York and the Bank of New York (Luxembourg) S.A. (Filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on August 1, 2005 and incorporated by reference.
4.2	(a) Indenture governing $600 million 7.500% Notes due 2035, by and among Southern Copper Corporation, the Bank of New York and The Bank of New York (Luxembourg) S.A. (Filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on August 1, 2005) and incorporated herein by reference). (b) Indenture governing $400 million 7.500% Notes due 2035, by and between Southern Copper Corporation, The Bank of New York, The Bank of New York (Luxembourg) S.A.(Filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on August 1, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference).
4.3	Form of 6.375% Note (included in Exhibit 4.1).
4.4	Form of New 7.500% Note (included in Exhibit 4.2(a)).
4.5	Form of New 7.500% Note (included in Exhibit 4.2(b)).
4.6	Indenture, dated as of April 16, 2010, between Southern Copper Corporation and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, pursuant to which $400 million of 5.375% Notes due 2020 and $1.1 billion of 6.750% Notes due 2040 were issued (Filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 19, 2010 and incorporated herein by reference).
4.7	First Supplemental Indenture dated as of April 16, 2010, between Southern Copper Corporation and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, pursuant to which the 5.375% Notes due 2020 were issued (Filed as an Exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 19, 2010 and incorporated herein by reference).
4.8	Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 16, 2010, between Southern Copper Corporation and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, pursuant to which the 6.750% Notes due 2040 were issued. (Filed as an Exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 19, 2010 and incorporated herein by reference).
4.9	Form of 5.375% Notes due 2020 (Filed as an Exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 19, 2010 and incorporated herein by reference).
4.10	Form of 6.750% Notes due 2040 (Filed as an Exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 19, 2010 and incorporated herein by reference).
4.11	Third Supplemental Indenture dated as of November 8, 2012, between Southern Copper Corporation and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, pursuant to which the 3.500% Notes due 2022 were issued (Filed as an Exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 9, 2012 and incorporated herein by reference).
4.12	Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of November 8, 2012, between Southern Copper Corporation and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, pursuant to which the 5.250% Notes due 2042 were issued. (Filed as an Exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 9, 2012 and incorporated herein by reference).

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4.13	Form of 3.500% Notes due 2022. (Filed as an Exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 9, 2012 and incorporated herein by reference).
4.14	Form of 5.250% Notes due 2042. (Filed as an Exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 9, 2012 and incorporated herein by reference).
4.15	Fifth Supplemental Indenture dated as of April 23, 2015, between Southern Copper Corporation and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, pursuant to which the 3.875% Notes due 2025 were issued. (Filed as an Exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 24, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference).
4.16	Sixth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 23, 2015, between Southern Copper Corporation and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, pursuant to which the 5.875% Notes due 2045 were issued. (Filed as an Exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 24, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference).
4.17	Form of 3.875% Notes due 2025. (Filed as Exhibit A to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 24, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference).
4.18	Form of 5.875% Notes due 2045. (Filed as Exhibit A to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 24, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.1	Directors’ Stock Award Plan of the Company, as amended through April 26, 2018. (Filed as an exhibit to the Company’s 2018 Proxy Statement and incorporated herein by reference).
10.2	Service Agreement entered into by the Company with a subsidiary of Grupo Mexico S.A.B. de C. V., assigned upon the same terms and conditions to Grupo Mexico S.A.B. de C.V. in February 2004 (Filed as Exhibit 10.10 to the Company’s 2002 Annual Report on Form 10-K and incorporated herein by reference).
10.3	Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 21, 2004, by and among Southern Copper Corporation, SCC Merger Sub., Inc., Americas Sales Company, Inc., Americas Mining Corporation and Minera Mexico S.A. de C.V., (Filed as an Exhibit to Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 22, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.4	Tax Agreement entered into by the Company and Americas Mining Corporation, effective as of February 20, 2017. (Filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the first quarter of 2017 and incorporated herein by reference).
14.0	Code of Business Conduct and Ethics adopted by the Board of Directors on May 8, 2003 and amended on April 23, 2015. (Filed as Exhibit 14 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 29, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference).
15.0	Consent of Registered Public Accounting Firm (Galaz, Yamazaki, Ruiz Urquiza, S.C. - Member of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, Limited) (filed herewith).
31.1	Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).
31.2	Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).
32.1	Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C., Section 1350. This document is being furnished in accordance with SEC Release No. 33-8238.
32.2	Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C., Section 1350. This document is being furnished in accordance with SEC Release No. 33-8238.
101.INS	XBRL Instance Document (submitted electronically with this report).
101.SCH	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document (submitted electronically with this report).
101.CAL	XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document (submitted electronically with this report).
101.DEF	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document (submitted electronically with this report).
101.LAB	XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document (submitted electronically with this report).
101.PRE	XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document (submitted electronically with this report).

Attached as Exhibit 101 to this report are the following documents formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017; (ii)

53

the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017; (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017; (iv) the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017; and (v) the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements tagged in detail.  Users of this data are advised pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T that this interactive data file is deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, is deemed not filed for purposes of section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and otherwise is not subject to liability under these sections.

54

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

	SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION
	(Registrant)
	/s/ Oscar Gonzalez Rocha
	Oscar Gonzalez Rocha
	President and Chief Executive Officer
May 2, 2018
	/s/ Raul Jacob
	Raul Jacob
	Vice President, Finance, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
May 2, 2018

55

EX-15.0

Exhibit 15.0

May 2, 2018

Southern Copper Corporation

1440 East Missouri Avenue, Suite 160

Phoenix, AZ 85014

We have reviewed, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial information of Southern Copper Corporation and subsidiaries for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, and have issued our report dated May 2, 2018. As indicated in such report because we did not perform an audit, we expressed no opinion on that information.

We are aware that our report referred to above, which is included in your Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, is incorporated by reference in Post-Effective Amendment No.2 to Registration Statement No. 333-150982 on Form S-8, and Registration Statement No. 333-203237 on Form S-3.

We also are aware that the aforementioned report, pursuant to Rule 436(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, is not considered a part of the Registration Statement prepared or certified by an accountant or a report prepared or certified by an accountant within the meaning of Sections 7 and 11 of that Act.

Galaz, Yamazaki, Ruiz Urquiza, S.C.

Member of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited

/s/ Daniel Toledo Antonio

C.P.C. Daniel Toledo Antonio

Mexico City, Mexico

1

EX-31.1

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

I, Oscar Gonzalez Rocha, certify that:

1.I have reviewed this report on Form 10-Q of Southern Copper Corporation;

2.Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15-d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a.Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b.Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c.Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d.Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a.All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b.Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

May 2, 2018

/s/ Oscar Gonzalez Rocha

Oscar Gonzalez Rocha

President and Chief Executive Officer

1

EX-31.2

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

I, Raul Jacob, certify that:

1.I have reviewed this report on Form 10-Q of Southern Copper Corporation;

2.Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.The registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15 (e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a.Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b.Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c.Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d.Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a.All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b.Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

May 2, 2018

/s/ Raul Jacob

Raul Jacob

Vice President, Finance,Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer

1

EX-32.1

Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Southern Copper Corporation (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ending March 31, 2018 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Oscar Gonzalez Rocha, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

/s/ Oscar Gonzalez Rocha

Oscar Gonzalez Rocha

President and Chief Executive Officer

May 2, 2018

A signed original of this written statement required by section 906 has been provided to Southern Copper Corporation and will be retained by Southern Copper Corporation and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

1

EX-32.2

Exhibit 32.2

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Southern Copper Corporation (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ending March 31, 2018 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Raul Jacob, Vice President Finance, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

/s/ Raul Jacob

Raul Jacob

Vice President, Finance, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer

May 2, 2018

A signed original of this written statement required by section 906 has been provided to Southern Copper Corporation and will be retained by Southern Copper Corporation and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

1

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Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Apr. 26, 2018
Document and Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	SOUTHERN COPPER CORP/
Entity Central Index Key	0001001838
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2018
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		773,028,469
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
Net sales (including sales to related parties, see Note 7)	$ 1,841.1	$ 1,583.9
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation, amortization and depletion shown separately below)	876.5	843.8
Selling, general and administrative	24.1	21.4
Depreciation, amortization and depletion	162.0	153.4
Exploration	5.2	5.1
Environmental remediation		(10.2)
Total operating costs and expenses	1,067.8	1,013.5
Operating income	773.3	570.4
Interest expense	(90.3)	(105.7)
Capitalized interest	21.1	14.9
Other income (expense)	(2.3)	4.8
Interest income	2.6	0.9
Income before income taxes	704.4	485.3
Income taxes (including royalty taxes, see Note 4)	236.6	176.2
Net income before equity earnings of affiliate	467.8	309.1
Equity earnings of affiliate, net of income tax	4.1	6.2
Net income	471.9	315.3
Less: Net income attributable to the non-controlling interest	1.2	0.9
Net income attributable to SCC	$ 470.7	$ 314.4
Per common share amounts attributable to SCC:
Net earnings - basic and diluted	$ 0.61	$ 0.41
Dividends paid	$ 0.30	$ 0.08
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic and diluted	773.0	773.0

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Net income and comprehensive income	$ 471.9	$ 315.3
Comprehensive income attributable to the non-controlling interest	1.2	0.9
Comprehensive income attributable to SCC	$ 470.7	$ 314.4

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 1,068.2	$ 1,004.8
Short-term investments	56.5	50.5
Accounts receivable trade	873.9	890.6
Accounts receivable other (including related parties 2018 - $66.1 and 2017 - $26.1)	135.8	85.8
Inventories	1,049.8	1,041.9
Prepaid taxes	114.6	85.5
Other current assets	18.4	11.0
Total current assets	3,317.2	3,170.1
Property and mine development, net	9,118.5	9,099.6
Ore stockpiles on leach pads	1,028.9	977.4
Intangible assets, net	153.1	152.5
Deferred income tax	186.8	164.9
Equity method investment	100.0	99.7
Other assets	133.6	115.9
Total assets	14,038.1	13,780.1
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable (including related parties 2018 - $58.9 and 2017 - $90.1 )	640.0	659.8
Accrued income taxes	180.0	226.4
Accrued workers' participation	197.0	176.9
Accrued interest	133.1	83.9
Other accrued liabilities	29.7	21.3
Total current liabilities	1,179.8	1,168.3
Long-term debt	5,957.8	5,957.1
Deferred income taxes	38.4	38.5
Non current taxes payable	207.1	207.1
Other liabilities and reserves	45.1	37.2
Asset retirement obligation	220.5	222.5
Total non-current liabilities	6,468.9	6,462.4
Commitments and contingencies (Note 9)
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock	8.8	8.8
Additional paid-in capital	3,380.1	3,373.3
Retained earnings	5,965.0	5,726.2
Accumulated other comprehensive income	0.5	0.5
Treasury stock, at cost, common shares	(3,007.6)	(3,001.1)
Total Southern Copper Corporation stockholders' equity	6,346.8	6,107.7
Non-controlling interest	42.6	41.7
Total equity	6,389.4	6,149.4
Total liabilities and equity	$ 14,038.1	$ 13,780.1

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
Accounts receivable other, related parties	$ 66.1	$ 26.1
Accounts payable, related parties	$ 58.9	$ 90.1

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$ 471.9	$ 315.3
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided from operating activities:
Depreciation, amortization and depletion	162.0	153.4
Equity earnings of affiliate, net of dividends received	(0.3)	(2.8)
Loss on foreign currency transaction effect	26.4	31.1
Benefit from deferred income taxes	(23.9)	(16.8)
Other, net	(1.2)	6.5
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable	16.7	(77.7)
(Increase) in inventories	(59.4)	(10.7)
Increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities	83.4	71.7
(Decrease) increase in other operating assets and liabilities	(25.8)	20.1
Net cash provided by operating activities	649.8	490.1
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital investments	(295.7)	(245.6)
(Purchase of) proceeds from short-term investments, net	(6.0)	(1.4)
Proceeds from sale of property	0.3	0.4
Net cash used in investing activities	(301.4)	(246.6)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Cash dividends paid to common stockholders	(231.9)	(61.8)
Other	(0.9)
Net cash used in financing activities	(232.8)	(61.8)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(52.2)	(29.0)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	63.4	152.7
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	1,004.8	546.0
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 1,068.2	$ 698.7

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DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS:

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS:

DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS:

NOTE 1 — DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS:

The Company is a majority-owned, indirect subsidiary of Grupo Mexico S.A.B. de C.V. (“Grupo Mexico”). At March 31, 2018, Grupo Mexico through its wholly-owned subsidiary Americas Mining Corporation (“AMC”) owned 88.9% of the Company’s capital stock. The condensed consolidated financial statements presented herein consist of the accounts of Southern Copper Corporation (“SCC” or the “Company”), a Delaware corporation, and its subsidiaries. The Company is an integrated producer of copper and other minerals, and operates mining, smelting and refining facilities in Peru and Mexico. The Company conducts its primary operations in Peru through a registered branch (the “Peruvian Branch” or “Branch” or “SPCC Peru Branch”). The Peruvian Branch is not a corporation separate from the Company. The Company’s Mexican operations are conducted through subsidiaries. The Company also conducts exploration activities in Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico and Peru.

In the opinion of the Company, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary to state fairly the Company’s financial position as of March 31, 2018 and the results of operations, comprehensive income and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2018 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. The December 31, 2017 balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements at December 31, 2017 and notes included in the Company’s 2017 annual report on Form 10-K.

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SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS:

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS:

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS:

NOTE 2 — SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS:

Short-term investments were as follows ($ in millions):

	At March 31,			At December 31,
	2018			2017
Trading securities	$	55.6		$	49.5
Weighted average interest rate	1.9		%	1.8		%
Available-for-sale	$	0.9		$	1.0
Weighted average interest rate	0.7		%	0.7		%
Total	$	56.5		$	50.5

Trading securities consist of bonds issued by public companies and are publicly traded. Each financial instrument is independent of the others. The Company has the intention to sell these bonds in the short-term.

Available-for-sale investments consist of securities issued by public companies. Each security is independent of the others and at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, included corporate bonds and asset and mortgage backed obligations. As of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, gross unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities were not material.

Related to these investments the Company earned interest, which was recorded as interest income in the condensed consolidated statement of earnings. Also, the Company redeemed some of these securities and recognized gains (losses) due to changes in fair value, which were recorded as other income (expense) in the condensed consolidated statement of earnings.

The following table summarizes the activity of these investments by category (in millions):

	Three months ended March 31,
	2018			2017
Trading:
Interest earned	$	0.1		$	0.2
Unrealized (loss) gain at the end of the period	$	(0.1	)	$	(0.1	)
Available-for-sale:
Interest earned	(*		)	(*		)
Investment redeemed	$	0.1		$	(*	)

(*) Less than $0.1 million.

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INVENTORIES:

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

INVENTORIES:

INVENTORIES:

NOTE 3 - INVENTORIES:

Inventories were as follows:

(in millions)	At March 31, 2018		At December 31, 2017
Inventory, current:
Metals at average cost:
Finished goods	$	59.3	$	48.8
Work-in-process	308.9		308.0
Ore stockpiles on leach pads	316.5		320.9
Supplies at average cost:	365.1		364.2
Total current inventory	$	1,049.8	$	1,041.9
Inventory, non-current:
Ore stockpiles on leach pads	$	1,028.9	$	977.4

In the first quarter 2018 and 2017, total leaching costs capitalized as non-current inventory of ore stockpiles on leach pads amounted to $126.5 million and $120.8 million, respectively. Leaching inventories recognized in cost of sales amounted to $79.5 million and $82.1 million for the first quarter 2018 and 2017, respectively.

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INCOME TAXES:

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

INCOME TAXES:

INCOME TAXES:

NOTE 4 — INCOME TAXES:

The income tax provision and the effective income tax rate for the first quarter 2018 and 2017 consisted of ($ in millions):

	2018			2017
Statutory income tax provision	$	212.3		$	148.5
Peruvian royalty	1.7			0.4
Mexican royalty	16.1			21.4
Peruvian special mining tax	6.5			5.9
Income tax provision	$	236.6		$	176.2
Effective income tax rate	33.6		%	36.3		%

These provisions include income taxes for Peru, Mexico and the United States. In addition, a Mexican royalty tax, a portion of the Peruvian royalty tax and the Peruvian special mining tax are included in the income tax provision. The decrease in the effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2018 from the same period in the prior year is primarily due to the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act enacted in December 2017, which cause dividends from the Company’s Mexican subsidiary to no longer be taxed in the U.S.

On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Act”) was signed into law. Changes under the Act include, among others, a decrease in the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%, the transition of the U.S. taxation of international operation from a worldwide system to a quasi-territorial system, a one-time transition tax on the mandatory deemed repatriation of cumulative foreign earnings as of December 31, 2017, a general elimination of U.S. federal income taxes on dividends from foreign subsidiaries, and a current inclusion in U.S. federal taxable income of certain earnings of controlled foreign corporations.  As reported in detail in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, these tax law changes accounted for a provisional non-cash tax expense adjustment of $785.9 million in 2017. There have been no material changes to the provisional amounts recorded in the last quarter of 2017.

Recognizing that public reporting entities would not have sufficient time and resources to properly analyze all the provisions of the Act, on December 22, 2017, the SEC staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”) which provides guidance on the accounting for the impact of the Act. The focus of SAB 118 is what to do when an entity does not have the necessary information available, analyzed or prepared in reasonable detail to complete the accounting pursuant to the guidelines of ASC 740 Income Taxes.

The Company adopted SAB 118 and accordingly, its accounting for the effect of the Act is based on reasonable estimates, which can require additional adjustment throughout the one year measurement period commencing on December 22, 2017. As more information becomes available, the Company will continue to review whether changes are necessary to the provisional amounts recorded in 2017. The ultimate impact of the Act may differ from these provisional amounts, possibly materially. After the Company files its 2017 U.S. federal income tax return and finalizes certain tax positions it will conclude whether further adjustments are required to its net deferred tax assets or liabilities, current year foreign tax credits and any liability associated with the one-time mandatory tax on the repatriation of foreign earnings.

Two new taxes became effective as of January 1, 2018: the Global Intangible Low Tax Income or GILTI tax and the Base Erosion Anti-Abuse Tax or BEAT. The GILTI provisions impose a tax on foreign income in excess of a deemed return on tangible assets of foreign corporations. The Company’s current analysis of the tax on the GILTI inclusion indicates that the Company could be subject to this additional tax for 2018. However, the estimated tax impact was not material to the quarter. Future U.S. inclusions in taxable income related to GILTI depends on a number of different aspects of the Company’s estimated future results of global operations. The Company is not yet able to reasonably estimate the long-term effects of this provision of the Act, and accordingly has not recorded any potential deferred tax effects related to GILTI in its financial statements. Additionally, the Company not made a policy decision regarding whether to record deferred taxes on GILTI or to use the period cost method.

The BEAT tax rate is 5% for tax years beginning in 2018 (10% for 2019 through 2025, and 12.5% for tax years beginning after 2025) and is calculated on a base equal to the Company’s income determined without the tax benefit arising from base erosion payments. The erosion payments are a specifically defined set of deductible expenses. Provisional estimates indicate that the Company will not likely be subject to the BEAT in 2018.

The Company is still in the process of analyzing the provisions of these taxes and the effect they may or may not have on future results and financial reporting.  The issuance of future administrative guidance may further clarify the interpretation of the new law.

Peruvian royalty and special mining tax: The mining royalty charge is based on operating income margins with graduated rates ranging from 1% to 12% of operating profits, with a minimum royalty charge assessed at 1% of net sales. If the operating income margin is 10% or less, the royalty charge is 1% and for each 5% increment in the operating income margin, the royalty charge rate increases by 0.75%, up to a maximum of 12%. The minimum royalty charge assessed at 1% of net sales is recorded as cost of sales and those amounts assessed against operating income are included in the income tax provision. The Company has accrued $7.1 million and $5.5 million of royalty charge in the first quarter 2018 and 2017, respectively, of which $1.7 million and $0.4 million were included in income taxes in 2018 and 2017, respectively.

The special mining tax is based on operating income and its rate ranges from 2% to 8.4%. It begins at 2% for operating income margin up to 10% and increases by 0.4% of operating income for each additional 5% of operating income until 85% of operating income is reached. The Company has accrued $6.5 million and $5.9 million of special mining tax as part of the income tax provision for the first quarter 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Mexican mining royalty: Mexico has a mining royalty charge of 7.5% on earnings before taxes as defined by Mexican tax regulations and an additional royalty charge of 0.5% over gross income from sales of gold, silver and platinum. The Company has accrued $16.1 million and $21.4 million of royalty taxes as part of the income tax provision for the first quarter 2018 and 2017, respectively. In the first quarter of 2018, the Company has paid $87.7 million for year 2017 mining royalty.

Accounting for uncertainty in income taxes: In the first quarter of 2018, there were no changes in the Company’s uncertain tax positions.

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REVENUE RECOGNITION:

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

REVENUE RECOGNITION:

REVENUE RECOGNITION:

NOTE 5 —REVENUE RECOGNITION:

On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 606 (“ASC 606”), Revenue from Contracts with Customers. Upon adoption by the Company, no cumulative effect adjustment was required to be recognized, as the adoption of the standard has not resulted in a change to the way the Company recognizes its revenue.

The Company’s net sales were $1,841.1 million in the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to $1,583.9 million in the same period of 2017. The geographic breakdown of the Company’s sales is as follows (in millions):

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
	Mexican  Open-Pit		Mexican  IMMSA Unit		Peruvian  Operations		Corporate &  Elimination			Consolidated
The Americas:
Mexico	$	368.8	$	111.3	$	—	$	(19.6	)	$	460.5
United States	248.4		5.0		41.5		—			294.9
Peru	—		—		93.5		—			93.5
Brazil	—		12.6		62.9		—			75.5
Chile	—		—		36.0		—			36.0
Other American countries	12.6		0.8		1.0		—			14.4
Europe:
Switzerland	82.3		9.2		43.8		—			135.3
Italy	8.3		5.5		82.2		—			96.0
Spain	44.5		—		—		—			44.5
Other European countries	51.8		4.6		25.7		—			82.1
Asia:
Singapore	143.9		—		132.5		—			276.4
Japan	44.2		—		115.2		—			159.4
Other Asian countries	63.8		0.2		8.6		—			72.6
Total	$	1,068.6	$	149.2	$	642.9	$	(19.6	)	$	1,841.1

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
	Mexican  Open-Pit		Mexican  IMMSA Unit		Peruvian  Operations		Corporate &  Elimination			Consolidated
The Americas:
Mexico	$	300.5	$	88.5	$	—	$	(20.6	)	$	368.4
United States	266.6		11.7		22.1		—			300.4
Peru	—		0.5		87.4		—			87.9
Brazil	—		11.9		45.5		—			57.4
Chile	—		—		33.2		—			33.2
Other American countries	16.8		1.0		6.2		—			24.0
Europe:
Switzerland	91.3		3.3		2.5		—			97.1
Italy	5.8		5.1		76.7		—			87.6
Spain	30.2		—		—		—			30.2
Other European countries	50.2		7.2		18.7		—			76.1
Asia:
Singapore	141.6		1.5		135.5		—			278.6
Japan	26.4		—		89.1		—			115.5
Other Asian countries	22.8		0.1		4.6		—			27.5
Total	$	952.2	$	130.8	$	521.5	$	(20.6	)	$	1,583.9

The following table presents information regarding the sales value by reporting segment of the Company’s significant products for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 (in millions):

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
	Mexican  Open-Pit		Mexican  IMMSA Unit		Peruvian  Operations		Corporate &  Elimination			Consolidated
Copper	$	909.4	$	11.2	$	564.0	$	(11.2	)	$	1,473.4
Molybdenum	91.0		—		45.3		—			136.3
Zinc	—		95.0		—		(0.1		)	94.9
Silver	42.6		20.6		15.4		(7.5		)	71.1
Other	25.6		22.4		18.2		(0.8		)	65.4
Total	$	1,068.6	$	149.2	$	642.9	$	(19.6	)	$	1,841.1

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
	Mexican  Open-Pit		Mexican  IMMSA Unit		Peruvian  Operations		Corporate &  Elimination			Consolidated
Copper	$	828.2	$	10.9	$	457.6	$	(10.9	)	$	1,285.8
Molybdenum	53.9		—		38.9		—			92.8
Zinc	—		79.3		—		(0.3		)	79.0
Silver	47.5		19.7		14.0		(7.4		)	73.8
Other	22.6		20.9		11.0		(2.0		)	52.5
Total	$	952.2	$	130.8	$	521.5	$	(20.6	)	$	1,583.9

The following table presents information regarding the opening and closing balances of receivables by reporting segment of the Company for the three months ended March 31, 2018 (in millions):

	Mexican  Open-Pit		Mexican  IMMSA Unit		Peruvian  Operations		Corporate &  Elimination		Consolidated
As of March 31, 2018:
Trade receivables	$	539.7	$	71.7	$	262.5	$	—	$	873.9
Related parties	58.1		—		—		$	8.0	$	66.1
As of December 31, 2017:
Trade receivables	$	556.2	$	79.7	$	254.7	$	—	$	890.6
Related parties	18.0		—		—		8.1		26.1

Provisionally priced sales:  At March 31, 2018, the Company has recorded provisionally priced sales of copper at average forward prices per pound, and molybdenum at the March 31, 2018 market price per pound. These sales are subject to final pricing based on the average monthly London Metal Exchange (“LME”), or New York Commodities Exchange (“COMEX”), copper prices and Dealer Oxide molybdenum prices in the future month of settlement.

Following are the provisionally priced copper and molybdenum sales outstanding at March 31, 2018:

	Sales volume (million lbs.)	Priced at (per pound)		Month of settlement
Copper	45.5	$	3.02	From April 2018 to June 2018
Molybdenum	9.4	$	12.63	From April 2018 to June 2018

The provisional sales price adjustment included in accounts receivable and net sales at March, 31, 2018 includes positive adjustments of $0.1 million and $6.4 million for copper and molybdenum, respectively.

Management believes that the final pricing of these sales will not have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

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ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATION:

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATION:

ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATION:

NOTE 6 - ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATION:

The Company maintains an asset retirement obligation for its mining properties in Peru, as required by the Peruvian Mine Closure Law. In accordance with the requirements of this law the Company’s closure plans were approved by the Peruvian Ministry of Energy and Mines (“MINEM”). As part of the closure plans, the Company is required to provide annual guarantees over the estimated life of the mines, based on a present value approach, and to furnish the funds for the asset retirement obligation. This law requires a review of closing plans every five years. Currently and for the near-term future, the Company has pledged the value of its Lima office complex as support for this obligation. The accepted value of the Lima office building, for this purpose, is $36.9 million. Through March 2018, the Company has provided guarantees of $32.3 million. The closure cost recognized for this liability includes the cost, as outlined in its closure plans, of dismantling the Toquepala and Cuajone concentrators, the Ilo smelter and refinery, and the shops and auxiliary facilities at the three units. In March 2016, MINEM approved the Mining Closure Plan for the Toquepala expansion project. The closure plan for the Tia Maria project was approved in February 2017. The Company, however, has not recorded a retirement obligation for the project as the construction permit has not been received, and work on the project is on hold. The Company believes that under these circumstances the recording of a retirement obligation is not appropriate. In accordance with requirements of Peruvian law, the Company in December 2017 and February 2018, submitted to MINEM revised closure plans for the Cuajone mine and the Ilo facilities respectively, which at March 31, 2018 are pending approval. As a result of these new estimates, the Company has reduced the asset retirement obligation by $11.6 million in December 2017 and $5.2 million in the first quarter of 2018.

In 2010, the Company announced to the Mexican federal environmental authorities its closure plans for the copper smelter plant at San Luis Potosi. The Company initiated a program for plant demolition and soil remediation with a budget of $66.2 million, which has been spent through March 31, 2018. Plant demolition and construction of a confinement area at the south of the property were completed in 2012. In accordance with remediation goals previously approved by environmental authorities, soil remediation and on-site encapsulation on a second confinement area of impacted soils have been completed. Confirmation sampling was successfully completed. On September 2, 2016, the environmental authorities approved the conclusion of the remediation effort. The Company continues studying the possibilities for this property in order to decide whether to sell or develop the property. The overall cost recognized for mining closure in Mexico includes the estimated costs of dismantling concentrators, smelter and refinery plants, shops and other facilities.

The following table summarizes the asset retirement obligation activity for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 (in millions):

	2018			2017
Balance as of January 1	$	222.5		$	216.5
Changes in estimates	(5.2		)	—
Payments	—			(0.3		)
Accretion expense	3.2			6.1
Balance as of March 31,	$	220.5		$	222.3

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RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS:

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS:

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS:

NOTE 7 — RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS:

The Company has entered into certain transactions in the ordinary course of business with parties that are controlling shareholders or their affiliates. These transactions include the lease of office space, air transportation and construction services and products and services related to mining and refining. The Company lends and borrows funds among affiliates for acquisitions and other corporate purposes. These financial transactions bear interest and are subject to review and approval by senior management, as are all related party transactions. It is the Company’s policy that the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors shall review all related party transactions. The Company is prohibited from entering or continuing a material related party transaction that has not been reviewed and approved or ratified by the Audit Committee.

Receivable and payable balances with related parties are shown below (in millions):

	At March 31, 2018		At December 31,  2017
Related parties receivable current:
Grupo Mexico and affiliates:
Mexico Generadora de Energia, S. de R.L. (“MGE”)	$	31.3	$	16.2
Asarco LLC	29.3		4.1
Grupo Mexico	2.8		2.8
Compañia Perforadora Mexico, S.A.P.I. de C.V. and affiliates	1.4		1.4
Mexico Proyectos y Desarrollos, S.A. de C.V. and affiliates	0.7		1.1
Related to the controlling group:
Mexico Transportes Aereos, S.A. de C.V. (“Mextransport”)	0.1
Operadora de Cinemas, S.A. de C.V.	0.3		0.3
Boutique Bowling de Mexico, S.A. de C.V.	0.2		0.2
	$	66.1	$	26.1

	At March 31, 2018		At December 31,  2017
Related parties payable:
Grupo Mexico and affiliates:
MGE	$	28.7	$	38.5
Asarco LLC	14.8		24.2
Mexico Proyectos y Desarrollos, S.A. de C.V. and affiliates	7.7		21.7
Ferrocarril Mexicano, S.A. de C.V.	3.2		2.6
Eolica el Retiro	0.6		0.8
Grupo Mexico	3.6		0.7
Related to the controlling group:
Operadora de Cinemas, S.A. de C.V.	0.1		0.7
Boutique Bowling de Mexico, S.A. de C.V.	0.1		0.6
Mextransport	0.1		0.3
	$	58.9	$	90.1

Purchase and sale activity:

Grupo Mexico and affiliates:

The following table summarizes the purchase and sale activities with Grupo Mexico and its affiliates in the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 (in millions):

	2018		2017
Purchase activity
Asarco LLC	$	6.8	$	13.0
Eolica el Retiro	0.6		0.9
Ferrocarril Mexicano, S.A de C.V.	10.0		10.8
Grupo Mexico	4.5		3.5
MGE	61.9		61.1
Mexico Proyectos y Desarrollos, S.A. de C.V. and affiliates	15.9		27.1
Total purchases	$	99.7	$	116.4

Sales activity
Asarco LLC	$	36.5	$	41.8
Compania Perforadora Mexico, S.A.P.I. de C.V and affiliates	—		0.2
Grupo Mexico	—		0.2
MGE	23.2		24.4
Total sales	$	59.7	$	66.6

Grupo Mexico, the parent and the majority indirect stockholder of the Company, and its affiliates provide various services to the Company. These services are primarily related to accounting, legal, tax, financial, treasury, human resources, price risk assessment and hedging, purchasing, procurement and logistics, sales and administrative and other support services. The Company pays Grupo Mexico for these services and expects to continue requiring these services in the future.

In the first quarter of 2018, the Company made donations of $0.7 million to Fundacion Grupo Mexico, A.C., an organization dedicated to promoting the social and economic development of the communities close to the Company’s Mexican operations.

The Company’s Mexican operations paid fees for freight services provided by Ferrocarril Mexicano, S.A de C.V. and for construction services provided by Mexico Proyectos y Desarrollos, S.A. de C.V. and its affiliates. All of these companies are subsidiaries of Grupo Mexico.

The Company’s Mexican operations purchased scrap and other residual copper mineral from Asarco LLC, and power from MGE. Both companies are subsidiaries of Grupo Mexico.

In 2005, the Company organized MGE, as a subsidiary of Minera Mexico, for the construction of two power plants to supply power to the Company’s Mexican operations. In May 2010, the Company’s Mexican operations granted a $350 million line of credit to MGE for the construction of the power plants. That line of credit was due on December 31, 2012 and carried an interest rate of 4.4%. In the first quarter of 2012, an indirect subsidiary of Grupo Mexico acquired 99.999% of MGE through a capital subscription of 1,928.6 million of Mexican pesos (approximately $150 million), reducing Minera Mexico’s participation to less than 0.001%. As consequence of this change in control, MGE became an indirect subsidiary of Grupo Mexico. Additionally, at the same time, MGE paid $150 million to the Company’s Mexican operations partially reducing the total debt. The remaining balance was repaid in the third quarter of 2016.

In 2012, the Company signed a power purchase agreement with MGE, whereby MGE will supply some of the Company’s Mexican operations with power through 2032. MGE has two natural gas-fired combined cycle power generating units, with a net total capacity of 516.2 megawatts and has been supplying power to the Company since December 2013. Currently, MGE is supplying 14% of its power output to third-party energy users.

In 2014, Mexico Generadora de Energia Eolica S. de R.L. de C.V, an indirect subsidiary of Grupo Mexico, located in Oaxaca, Mexico, acquired Eolica el Retiro. Eolica el Retiro is a windfarm with 37 wind turbines. This company started operations in January 2014 and started to sell power to Industrial Minera Mexico and subsidiaries (IMMSA) and other subsidiaries of Grupo Mexico in the third quarter of 2014. Currently, Eolica el Retiro is supplying approximately 27% of its power output to IMMSA.

The Company sold copper cathodes, rod and anodes, as well as sulfuric acid, silver, gold and lime to Asarco LLC. In addition, the Company received fees for building rental and maintenance services provided to Mexico Proyectos y Desarrollos, S.A. de C.V. and its affiliates and to Perforadora Mexico S.A.P.I. de C.V., and for natural gas and services provided to MGE; all subsidiaries of Grupo Mexico.

Companies with relationships to the controlling group:

The following table summarizes the purchase and sales activities with other Larrea family companies in the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 (in millions):

	2018			2017
Purchase activity
Boutique Bowling de Mexico, S.A. de C.V.	$	0.1		$	—
Operadora de Cinemas, S.A. de C.V.	(*		)	—
Mextransport	0.2			—
Total purchases	$	0.3		$	—

Sales activity
Boutique Bowling de Mexico, S.A. de C.V.	$	0.1		$	0.1
Operadora de Cinemas, S.A. de C.V.	(*		)	(*		)
Mextransport	0.1			—
Total sales	$	0.2		$	0.1

(*) amount is lower than $0.1 million

The Larrea family controls a majority of the capital stock of Grupo Mexico, and has extensive interests in other businesses, including transportation, real estate and entertainment. The Company engages in certain transactions in the ordinary course of business with other entities controlled by the Larrea family relating to the lease of office space, air transportation and entertainment.

The Company’s Mexican operations paid fees for entertainment services provided by Boutique Bowling de Mexico S.A de C.V. and Operadora de Cinemas S.A. de C.V. Both companies are controlled by the Larrea family.

Mextransport provides aviation services to the Company’s Mexican operations. This is a company controlled by the Larrea family.

In addition, the Company received fees for building rental and maintenance provided to Boutique Bowling de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Operadora de Cinemas S.A. de C.V and Mextransport.

Equity Investment in Affiliate: The Company has a 44.2% participation in Compania Minera Coimolache S.A. (“Coimolache”), which it accounts for on the equity method. Coimolache owns Tantahuatay, a gold mine located in the northern part of Peru.

It is anticipated that in the future the Company will enter into similar transactions with these same parties.

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BENEFIT PLANS:

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

BENEFIT PLANS:

BENEFIT PLANS:

NOTE 8 — BENEFIT PLANS:

Post retirement defined benefit plans:

The Company has two noncontributory defined benefit pension plans covering former salaried employees in the United States and certain former expatriate employees in Peru. Effective October 31, 2000, the Board of Directors amended the qualified pension plan to suspend the accrual of benefits.

In addition, the Company’s Mexican subsidiaries have a defined contribution pension plan for salaried employees and a non-contributory defined benefit pension plan for union employees.

The components of net periodic benefit costs for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 are as follows (in millions):

	2018			2017
Service cost	$	0.3		$	0.2
Interest cost	0.4			0.3
Expected return on plan assets	(0.9		)	(0.7		)
Amortization of net actuarial loss	(*		)	(*		)
Amortization of net loss/(gain)	(*		)	(*		)
Net periodic benefit costs	$	(0.2	)	$	(0.2	)

(*) amount is lower than $0.1 million

Post-retirement health care plans:

United States: The Company adopted a post-retirement health care plan for retired salaried employees eligible for Medicare in 1996. The Company manages the plan and is currently providing health benefits to retirees. The plan is accounted for in accordance with ASC 715 “Compensation retirement benefits”.

In Mexico, health services are provided by the Mexican Social Security Institute.

The components of net periodic benefit cost for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 are as follows (in millions):

	2018			2017
Interest cost	$	0.2		$	0.2
Amortization of net loss (gain)	(*		)	(*		)
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	(*		)	(*		)
Net periodic benefit cost	$	0.2		$	0.2

(*) amount is lower than $0.1 million

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COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES:

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES:

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES:

NOTE 9 — COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES:

Environmental matters:

The Company has instituted extensive environmental conservation programs at its mining facilities in Peru and Mexico. The Company’s environmental programs include, among others, water recovery systems to conserve water and minimize the impact on nearby streams, reforestation programs to stabilize the surface of the tailings dams and the implementation of scrubbing technology in the mines to reduce dust emissions.

Environmental capital investments in the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 were as follows (in millions):

	2018		2017
Peruvian operations	$	6.5	$	16.5
Mexican operations	19.9		22.1
	$	26.4	$	38.6

Peruvian operations: The Company’s operations are subject to applicable Peruvian environmental laws and regulations. The Peruvian government, through the Ministry of Environment (“MINAM”) conducts annual audits of the Company’s Peruvian mining and metallurgical operations. Through these environmental audits, matters related to environmental obligation, compliance with legal requirements, atmospheric emissions, effluent monitoring and waste management are reviewed. The Company believes that it is in material compliance with applicable Peruvian environmental laws and regulations. Peruvian law requires that companies in the mining industry provide assurances for future mine closure and remediation. In accordance with the requirements of this law, the Company’s closure plans were approved by MINEM. See Note 6 “Asset retirement obligation,” for further discussion of this matter. In March 2016, MINEM approved the Mining Closure Plan for the Toquepala expansion project. The closure plan for the Tia Maria project was approved in February 2017. In accordance with requirements of Peruvian law, the Company in December 2017 and February 2018, submitted to MINEM revised closure plans for the Cuajone mine and the Ilo facilities, respectively, which at March 31, 2018 are pending approval.

Air Quality Standards (“AQS”): In 2008, the Peruvian government enacted environmental regulations establishing stringent air quality standards (“AQS”) for daily sulfur dioxide (“SO2”) in the air for the Peruvian territory. These regulations were amended in 2013 and 2017. In June 2017, MINAM enacted a supreme decree which defines new AQS for daily sulfur dioxide and gaseous mercury for the Peruvian territory, as well as monthly lead in particulate matter (PM10). This decree establishes a mean 24-hour AQS equal to 250 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3) of SO2 to replace the current 24-hour AQS of 20 µg/m3 of SO2, effective since 2014. The decree also establishes a mean 24-hour AQS equal to 2 µg/m3 of gaseous mercury and a mean monthly AQS equal to 1.5 µg/m3 of lead in PM10.

The Company believes that these new AQS are appropriate for Peru and will allow Peruvian industry to be competitive with other countries. As of March 31, 2018, the Company maintains a lower daily average level of µg/m3 of SO2, than those required by the new AQS.

Soil Environmental Quality Standards (“SQS”): In 2013, the Peruvian government enacted SQS applicable to any existing facility or project that generates or could generate the risk of soil contamination in its area of operation or influence. In March 2014, MINAM issued a supreme decree, which establishes additional provisions for the gradual implementation of SQS. Under this rule the Company had twelve months to identify contaminated sites in and around its facilities and present a report of identified contaminated sites. These documents were submitted to MINEM for approval in April 2015, and were fully approved in July 2017. The next step is for the Company to prepare a characterization study to determine the depth, extent and physio-chemical composition of the contaminated areas and define an appropriate remediation plan with a time-frame for completion. In addition, the Company must submit for approval a Soil Decontamination Plan (SDP) within 30 months after being notified by the authority. This SDP must include remediation actions, a schedule and compliance deadlines. Also under this rule, if deemed necessary and given reasonable justification, the Company may request a one year extension for the decontamination plan.

Soil confirmation tests must be carried out after completion of decontamination actions (within the approved schedule) and results must be presented to authorities within 30 days after receiving such results. Non-compliance with this obligation or with decontamination goals will carry penalties, although no specific sanctions have been established yet. During compliance with this schedule, companies cannot be penalized for non-compliance with the SQS.

While the Company believes that there is a reasonable possibility that a potential loss contingency may exist, it cannot currently estimate reasonably the amount of the contingency. The Company believes that a reasonable determination of the loss will be possible once the characterization study and the SDP are substantially completed, which is expected for the first quarter of 2020. At that time the Company will be in a position to estimate the remediation cost. Further, the Company does not believe that it can estimate a reasonable range of possible costs until the noted studies have substantially progressed and therefore is not able to disclose a range of costs that is meaningful.

Water Quality Standards (“WQS”): In June 2017, MINAM enacted a supreme decree which establishes water quality standards in the Peruvian territory. The Company has reviewed this decree and considers that its adoption will not have a material impact on its financial position.

Mexican operations: The Company’s operations are subject to applicable Mexican federal, state and municipal environmental laws, to Mexican official standards, and to regulations for the protection of the environment, including regulations relating to water supply, water quality, air quality, noise levels and hazardous and solid waste.

The principal legislation applicable to the Company’s Mexican operations is the Federal General Law of Ecological Balance and Environmental Protection (the “General Law”), which is enforced by the Federal Bureau of Environmental Protection (“PROFEPA”). PROFEPA monitors compliance with environmental legislation and enforces Mexican environmental laws, regulations and official standards. It may also initiate administrative proceedings against companies that violate environmental laws, which in the most extreme cases may result in the temporary or permanent shutdown of non-complying facilities, the revocation of operating licenses and/or other sanctions or fines.

In 2011, the General Law was amended, giving an individual or entity the ability to contest administrative acts, including environmental authorizations, permits or concessions granted, without the need to demonstrate the actual existence of harm to the environment as long as it can be argued that the harm may be caused. In addition, in 2011, amendments to the Civil Federal Procedures Code (“CFPC”) were enacted. These amendments establish three categories of collective actions by means of which 30 or more people claiming injury derived from environmental, consumer protection, financial services and economic competition issues will be considered to be sufficient in order to have a legitimate interest to seek through a civil procedure restitution or economic compensation or suspension of the activities from which the alleged injury derived. The amendments to the CFPC may result in more litigation, with plaintiffs seeking remedies, including suspension of the activities alleged to cause harm.

In 2013, the Environmental Liability Federal Law was enacted. The law establishes general guidelines for actions to be considered to likely cause environmental harm. If a possible determination regarding harm occurs, environmental clean-up and remedial actions sufficient to restore environment to a pre-existing condition should be taken. Under this law, if restoration is not possible, compensation measures should be provided. Criminal penalties and monetary fines can be imposed under this law.

The Company believes that all of its facilities in Peru and Mexico are in material compliance with applicable environmental, mining and other laws and regulations.

The Company also believes that continued compliance with environmental laws of Mexico and Peru will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, properties, result of operations, financial condition or prospects and will not result in material capital investments.

Litigation matters:

Peruvian operations

The Tia Maria Mining Project

There are four lawsuits filed against the Peruvian Branch of the Company related to the Tia Maria project. The lawsuits seek (i) to declare null and void the resolution which approved the Environmental Impact Assessment of the project; (ii) the cancellation of the project and the withdrawal of mining activities in the area and (iii) to declare null and void the mining concession application of the Tia Maria project. The lawsuits were filed by Messrs. Jorge Isaac del Carpio Lazo (filed May 22, 2015), Ernesto Mendoza Padilla (filed May 26, 2015), Juan Alberto Guillen Lopez (filed June 18, 2015) and Nicolas Belfiore Nicolini (filed November 13, 2015).

The del Carpio Lazio case was rejected by the court of first instance on November 14, 2016. The plaintiff filed an appeal before the Superior Court on January 3, 2017. On January 9, 2018, the lawyers of both parties presented their respective positions before the Appellate Court. On March 8th, 2018, the Appellate Court issued its final decision, which upholds the first instance ruling. The plaintiff can still challenge said decision by filing a cassation writ, in order for the Supreme Court to review the matter.

The Mendoza Padilla case was rejected by the lower court on July 8, 2015. This ruling was confirmed by the Superior Court on June 14, 2016. On July 12, 2016, the case was appealed before the Constitutional Court. As of March 31, 2018, the case remains pending resolution without further developments.

The Guillen Lopez case is currently before the lower court. As of March 31, 2018, the case remains pending resolution without further developments.

In the Belfiore Nicolini case, the court ruled partially in favor of the plaintiff. However, the Company filed an appeal to challenge said decision. As of March 31, 2018, the case remains pending resolution.

The Company asserts that these lawsuits are without merit and is vigorously defending against them. The potential contingency amount for these cases cannot be reasonably estimated by management at this time.

Special Regional Pasto Grande Project (“Pasto Grande Project”)

In 2012, the Pasto Grande Project, an entity of the Regional Government of Moquegua, filed a lawsuit against SCC’s Peruvian Branch alleging property rights over a certain area used by the Peruvian Branch and seeking the demolition of the tailings dam where SCC’s Peruvian Branch has deposited its tailings from the Toquepala and Cuajone operations since 1995. The Peruvian Branch has had title to use the area in question since 1960 and has constructed and operated the tailing dams with proper governmental authorization, since 1995. Upon a motion filed by the Peruvian Branch, the lower court has included MINEM as a defendant in this lawsuit. MINEM has answered the complaint and denied the validity of the claim. As of March 31, 2018, the case remains pending resolution without further developments. SCC’s Peruvian Branch asserts that the lawsuit is without merit and is vigorously defending against it. The amount of this contingency cannot be reasonably estimated by management at this time.

Mexican operations

The Accidental Spill at Buenavista Mine of 2014

In relation to the 2014 accidental spill of copper sulfate solution that occurred at a leaching pond of the Buenavista mine, the following legal procedures are open against the Company:

On August 19, 2014, PROFEPA, as part of the administrative proceeding initiated after the spill, announced the filing of a criminal complaint against Buenavista del Cobre S.A. de C.V. (“BVC”), a subsidiary of the Company, in order to determine those responsible for the environmental damages. The Company is vigorously defending itself against this complaint. As of March 31, 2018, the case remains pending resolution.

Through the first half of 2015, six collective action lawsuits were filed in federal courts in Mexico City and Sonora against two subsidiaries of the Company seeking economic compensation, clean up and remedial activities in order to restore the environment to its pre-existing conditions. Two of the collective action lawsuits have been dismissed by the court. The plaintiffs in the four remaining lawsuits are: Acciones Colectivas de Sinaloa, A.C. which established two collective actions, Defensa Colectiva A.C.; and Ana Luisa Salazar Medina et al. which has been granted a collective action certification. The remaining plaintiffs have requested cautionary measures on the construction of facilities for the monitoring of public health services and the prohibition of the closure of the Río Sonora Trust. As of March 31, 2018, these cases remain pending resolution.

Similarly, during 2015, eight civil action lawsuits were filed against BVC in the state courts of Sonora seeking damages for alleged injuries and for moral damages as a consequence of the spill. The plaintiffs in the state court lawsuits are: Jose Vicente Arriola Nunez et al; Santana Ruiz Molina et al; Andres Nogales Romero et al; Teodoro Javier Robles et al; Gildardo Vasquez Carvajal et al; Rafael Noriega Souffle et al; Grupo Banamichi Unido de Sonora El Dorado, S.C. de R.L. de C.V; and Marcelino Mercado Cruz. In 2016, three additional civil action lawsuits, claiming similar damages, were filed by Juan Melquicedec Lebaron; Blanca Lidia Valenzuela Rivera et al and Ramona Franco Quijada et al. In 2017, BVC was served with thirty-three additional civil action lawsuits, claiming similar damages. The lawsuits were filed by Francisco Javier Molina Peralta et al; Anacleto Cohen Machini et al; Francisco Rafael Alvarez Ruiz et al; Jose Alberto Martinez Bracamonte et al; Gloria del Carmen Ramirez Duarte et al; Flor Margarita Sabori et al; Blanca Esthela Ruiz Toledo et al; Julio Alfonso Corral Domínguez et al; Maria Eduwiges Bracamonte Villa et al; Francisca Marquez Dominguez et al; Jose Juan Romo Bravo et al; Jose Alfredo Garcia Leyva et al; Gloria Irma Dominguez Perez et al; Maria del Refugio Romero et al; Miguel Rivas Medina et al; Yolanda Valenzuela Garrobo et al; Maria Elena Garcia Leyva et al; Manuel Alfonso Ortiz Valenzuela et al; Francisco Alberto Arvayo Romero et al; Maria del Carmen Villanueva Lopez et al; Manuel Martin Garcia Salazar; Miguel Garcia Arguelles et al; Dora Elena Rodriguez Ochoa et al; Honora Eduwiges Ortiz Rodriguez et al; Francisco Jose Martinez Lopez et al; Maria Eduwiges Lopez Bustamante; Rodolfo Barron Villa et al, Jose Carlos Martinez Fernandez et al, Maria de los Angeles Fabela et al; Rafaela Edith Haro et al; Luz Mercedes Cruz et al; Juan Pedro Montaño et al; and Juana Irma Alday Villa. During the first quarter of 2018, BVC was served with another civil action lawsuit, claiming similar damages. The lawsuit was filed by Alma Angelina Del Cid Rivera et al. As of March 31, 2018, these cases remain pending resolution.

During 2015, four constitutional lawsuits (juicios de amparo) were filed before Federal Courts against various authorities and against a subsidiary of the Company, arguing; (i) the alleged lack of a waste management program approved by SEMARNAT; (ii) the alleged lack of a remediation plan approved by SEMARNAT with regard to the August 2014 spill; (iii) the alleged lack of community approval regarding the environmental impact authorizations granted by SEMARNAT to one subsidiary of the Company; and (iv) the alleged inactivity of the authorities with regard of the spill in August 2014. The plaintiffs of these lawsuits are: Francisca Garcia Enriquez, et al which established two lawsuits, Francisco Ramon Miranda, et al and Jesus David Lopez Peralta et al. During the third quarter of 2016, four additional constitutional lawsuits, claiming similar damages were filed by Mario Alberto Salcido et al; Maria Elena Heredia Bustamante et al; Martin Eligio Ortiz Gamez et al; and Maria de los Angeles Enriquez Bacame et al. During the third quarter of 2017, BVC was served with another constitutional lawsuit filed by Francisca García Enriquez et al. In 2018, BVC was served with two additional constitutional lawsuits that were filed against SEMARNAT by Norberto Bustamante et al. As of March 31, 2018, these cases remain pending resolution.

It is not currently possible to determine the extent of the damages sought in these state and federal lawsuits but the Company considers that these lawsuits are without merit. Accordingly, the Company is vigorously defending against them. Nevertheless, the Company considers that none of the legal proceedings resulting from the spill, individually or in the aggregate, would have a material effect on its financial position or results of operations.

Corporate operations

Carla Lacey and Barbara Siegfried, on behalf of themselves and all other similarly situated stockholders of Southern Copper Corporation, and derivatively on behalf of Southern Copper Corporation

A purported class action derivative lawsuit filed in the Delaware Court of Chancery was served on the Company and its Directors in February 2016 relating to the 2012 capitalization of 99.999% of MGE by Controladora de Infraestructura Energetica Mexico, S.A. de C.V., an indirect subsidiary of Grupo Mexico (the “CIEM Capitalization”), the Company’s entry into a power purchase agreement with MGE in 2012 (the “MGE Power Purchase Agreement”), and the 2012 restructuring of a loan from the Company’s Mexican Operations to MGE for the construction of two power plants to supply power to the Company’s Mexican operations (the “MGE Loan Restructuring”). The action purports to be brought on behalf of the Company and its common stockholders. The complaint alleges, among other things, that the CIEM Capitalization, the MGE Power Purchase Agreement and the MGE Loan Restructuring were the result of breaches of fiduciary duties and the Company’s charter. The Company has filed a response denying these allegations and is currently in the discovery process.

Labor matters:

Peruvian operations: 72% of the Company’s 4,661 Peruvian employees were unionized at March 31, 2018. Currently, there are six separate unions, one large union and five smaller unions. In the first quarter of 2016, the Company signed three-year agreements with all the existing unions at that time. These agreements include, among other things, annual salary increases of 5% for each of the three years. In March 2018, the Company has started preliminary negotiations for the new collective bargain agreements with some unions.

Mexican operations: In recent years, the Mexican operations have experienced a positive improvement of their labor environment, as its workers opted to change their affiliation from the Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores Mineros, Metalurgicos y Similares de la Republica Mexicana (the “National Mining Union”) to other less politicized unions.

However, the workers of the San Martin and Taxco mines, are still under the National Mining Union and have been on strike since July 2007. On December 10, 2009, a federal court confirmed the legality of the San Martin strike. In order to recover the control of the San Martin mine and resume operations, the Company filed a court petition on January 27, 2011 requesting that the court, among other things, define the termination payment for each unionized worker. The court denied the petition alleging that, according to federal labor law, the union was the only legitimate party to file such petition. On appeal by the Company, on May 13, 2011, the Mexican federal tribunal accepted the petition. In July 2011, the National Mining Union appealed the favorable court decision before the Supreme Court. On November 7, 2012, the Supreme Court affirmed the decision of the federal tribunal. The Company filed a new proceeding before the labor court on the basis of the Supreme Court decision, which recognized the right of the labor court to define responsibility for the strike and the termination payment for each unionized worker.

On February 28, 2018, the striking workers of the San Martín mine of IMMSA held an election to vote on the union that will hold the collective bargaining agreement at the San Martín mine. The Federacion Nacional de Sindicatos Independientes (the National Federation of Independent Unions), won the vote by a majority.  Nevertheless, the vote was challenged by the National Mining Union. As a result, once the Federal Mediation and Arbitration Board issues a ruling recognizing the election results, IMMSA will be entitled to negotiate and enter into a collective bargaining agreement with the Federacion Nacional de Sindicatos Independientes to end the strike that began in 2007 and resume operations at the San Martin mine. As of March 31, 2018, the case remains pending resolution without further developments.

In the case of the Taxco mine, following the workers refusal to allow exploration of new reserves, the Company commenced litigation seeking to terminate the labor relationship with workers at the mine (including termination of the related collective bargaining agreement). On September 1, 2010, the federal labor court issued a ruling approving the termination of the collective bargaining agreement and all the individual labor contracts of the workers affiliated with the Mexican mining union at the Taxco mine. The mining union appealed the labor court ruling before a federal court. In September 2011, the federal court accepted the union’s appeal and remanded the case to the federal labor court for reconsideration. After several legal proceedings on January 25, 2013, the Company filed a new proceeding before the labor court. On June 16, 2014, the labor court denied the petition of the Company. The resolution issued by the labor court was challenged by the Company before a federal court. In August 2015, the Supreme Court decided to assert jurisdiction over the case and to rule on it directly. As of March 31, 2018, the case remains pending resolution without further developments.

It is expected that operations at these mines will remain suspended until these labor issues are resolved.

In view of these lengthy strikes, the Company has reviewed the carrying value of the San Martin and Taxco mines to ascertain whether impairment exists. The Company concluded that there is a non-material impairment of the assets located at these mines.

Other legal matters:

The Company is involved in various other legal proceedings incidental to its operations, but the Company does not believe that decisions adverse to it in any such proceedings, individually or in the aggregate, would have a material effect on its financial position or results of operations.

Other commitments:

Peruvian Operations

Tia Maria:

On August 1, 2014, the Company received the final approval of Tia Maria´s Environmental Impact Assessment (“EIA”). However, the issuance of the project´s construction permit has been delayed due to pressures from anti-mining groups. The Company continues working with community groups in order to resolve open issues concerning the project. The Company is also working jointly with the Peruvian Government to obtain the construction license for this 120,000 tons of SX-EW copper per year greenfield project. The Company expects the license to be issued in 2018.

Tia Maria´s project budget is approximately $1.4 billion, of which $355.2 million has been invested through March 31, 2018. When completed, it is expected to produce 120,000 tons of copper cathodes per year. This project will use state-of-the-art SX-EW technology with the highest international environmental standards. SX-EW facilities are the most environmentally friendly in the industry as they do not require a smelting process and consequently, no emissions are released into the atmosphere. The project will only use seawater, transporting this more than 25 kilometers to 1,000 meters above sea level, and includes a desalinization plant which will be constructed at a cost of $95 million. Consequently, the Tambo river water resources and the water resources from the wells in the area will be used solely for farming and human consumption.

The Company expects the project to generate 3,600 jobs during the construction phase. When in operation, Tia Maria will directly employ 600 workers and indirectly provide jobs to another 4,200. Through its expected twenty-year life, the project related services will create significant business opportunities in the Arequipa region.

In view of the delay in this project, the Company continues to review the carrying value of this asset to ascertain whether impairment exists. Should the Tia Maria project not move forward, the Company is confident that most of the project equipment will continue to be used productively, through reassignment to other mine locations operated by the Company. The Company believes that an impairment loss, if any, will not be material.

Toquepala Concentrator Expansion:

In April 2015, the construction permit for the Toquepala expansion project was approved by the MINEM. The project budget is $1.3 billion, of which $968.1 million has been invested through March 31, 2018. When completed, this project is expected to increase annual production capacity by 100,000 tons of copper and 3,100 tons of molybdenum. The project has reached 90% progress and is expected to initiate production in the third quarter of 2018.

Corporate Social Responsibility:

The Company has a corporate social responsibility policy to maintain and promote continuity of its mining operations and obtain the best results. The main objective of this policy is to integrate its operations with the local communities in the areas of influence of its operations by creating a permanent positive relationship with them, in order to develop the optimum social conditions and to promote sustainable development in the area. Accordingly, the Company has made the following commitments:

Tacna Region: In connection with the Toquepala concentrator expansion, the Company has committed to fund various social and infrastructure improvement projects in Toquepala’s neighboring communities. The total amount committed for these purposes is S/ 445.0 million (approximately $132 million).

Moquegua Region: In the Moquegua region, the Company is part of a “development roundtable” in which the local municipal authorities, the community representatives and the Company discuss the social needs and the way the Company could contribute to sustainable development in the region. As part of this, the roundtable is discussing the creation of a Moquegua Region Development Fund for which the Company has offered a contribution of S/ 700 million (approximately $209 million). While final funding is not yet settled, the Company has committed to contribute S/ 108.5 million (approximately $32 million) in advance, which is being utilized in an educational project and S/ 48.4 million (approximately $14 million) for a residual water treatment plant in Ilo, a sea-wall embankment and a fresh water facility at El Algarrobal.

In addition, the Company has committed S/ 143.0 million (approximately $43 million) for the construction of five infrastructure projects in the Moquegua region under the “social investment for taxes” (obras por impuestos) program which allows the Company to use these amounts as an advance payment of taxes.

These commitments are subject to the continuity of the respective mine operations and, as such, are not considered to be present obligations of the Company. Therefore, the Company has not recorded a liability in its condensed consolidated financial statements.

Power purchase agreements:

· Electroperu S.A.: In June 2014, the Company entered into a power purchase agreement for 120 megawatt (“MW”) with the state power company Electroperu S.A., under which Electroperu S.A. began supplying energy for the Peruvian operations for twenty years starting on April 17, 2017.

· Kallpa Generacion S.A. (“Kallpa”): In July 2014, the Company entered into a power purchase agreement for 120MW with Kallpa, an independent Israeli owned power company, under which Kallpa will supply energy for the Peruvian operations for ten years starting on April 17, 2017 and ending on April 30, 2027. In May 2016, the Company signed an additional power purchase agreement for a maximum of 80MW with Kallpa, under which Kallpa began supplying energy for the Peruvian operations related to the Toquepala Expansion and other minor projects for ten years starting on May 1, 2017 and ending after ten years of commercial operation of the Toquepala Expansion or on April 30, 2029; whichever occurs first.

Mexican operations

Power purchase agreements:

· MGE: In 2012, the Company signed a power purchase agreement with MGE, an indirect subsidiary of Grupo Mexico, to supply power to some of the Company’s Mexican operations through 2032. For further information, please see Note 7 “Related party transactions”.

· Eolica el Retiro S.A.P.I. de C.V.: In 2013, the Company signed a power purchase agreement with Eolica el Retiro, S.A.P.I de C.V. a windfarm energy producer that is an indirect subsidiary of Grupo Mexico, to supply power to some of the Company´s Mexican operations. For further information, please see Note 7 “Related party transactions”.

Corporate operations

Commitment for Capital projects:

As of March 31, 2018, the Company has committed approximately $1,401.9 million for the development of its capital investment projects at its operations.

Tax contingency matters:

Tax contingencies are provided for under ASC 740-10-50-15 Uncertain tax position (see Note 4 “Income taxes”).

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SEGMENT AND RELATED INFORMATION:

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

SEGMENT AND RELATED INFORMATION:

SEGMENT AND RELATED INFORMATION:

NOTE 10 — SEGMENT AND RELATED INFORMATION:

Company management views Southern Copper as having three reportable segments and manages it on the basis of these segments.  The reportable segments identified by the Company are: the Peruvian operations, the Mexican open-pit operations and the Mexican underground mining operations segment identified as the IMMSA unit.

The three reportable segments identified are groups of mines, each of which constitute an operating segment, with similar economic characteristics, type of products, processes and support facilities, similar regulatory environments, similar employee bargaining contracts and similar currency risks. In addition, each mine within the individual group earns revenues from similar type of customers for their products and services and each group incurs expenses independently, including commercial transactions between groups.

Financial information is regularly prepared for each of the three segments and the results of the Company’s operations are regularly reported to Senior Management on the segment basis. Senior Management of the Company focus on operating income and on total assets as measures of performance to evaluate different segments and to make decisions to allocate resources to the reported segments. These are common measures in the mining industry.

Financial information relating to Southern Copper’s segments is as follows:

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
	(in millions)
	Mexican Open-Pit		Mexican IMMSA Unit		Peruvian Operations		Corporate, other and eliminations			Consolidated
Net sales outside of segments	$	1,068.6	$	129.6	$	642.9				$	1,841.1
Intersegment sales			19.6				$	(19.6	)	—
Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation, amortization and depletion)	411.3		95.6		389.8		(20.2		)	876.5
Selling, general and administrative	11.9		2.4		9.4		0.4			24.1
Depreciation, amortization and depletion	92.5		11.0		51.8		6.7			162.0
Exploration	0.6		1.3		2.6		0.7			5.2
Operating income	$	552.3	$	38.9	$	189.3	$	(7.2	)	773.3
Less:
Interest, net										(66.6		)
Other income (expense)										(2.3		)
Income taxes										(236.6		)
Equity earnings of affiliate										4.1
Non-controlling interest										(1.2		)
Net income attributable to SCC										$	470.7
Capital investment	$	64.7	$	12.6	$	216.3	$	2.1		$	295.7
Property and mine development, net	$	4,577.4	$	434.6	$	3,443.5	$	663.0		$	9,118.5
Total assets	$	8,338.7	$	950.1	$	4,382.0	$	367.3		$	14,038.1

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
	(in millions)
	Mexican Open-Pit			Mexican IMMSA Unit		Peruvian Operations		Corporate, other and eliminations			Consolidated
Net sales outside of segments	$	952.2		$	110.2	$	521.5				$	1.583.9
Intersegment sales				20.6				$	(20.6	)	—
Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation, amortization and depletion)	464.8			83.0		315.7		(19.7		)	843.8
Selling, general and administrative	10.0			2.2		9.0		0.2			21.4
Depreciation, amortization and depletion	98.6			13.4		35.3		6.1			153.4
Exploration	0.5			0.7		2.1		1.8			5.1
Environmental remediation	(10.2		)	—		—		—			(10.2		)
Operating income	$	388.5		$	31.5	$	159.4	$	(9.0	)	570.4
Less:
Interest, net											(89.9		)
Other income (expense)											4.8
Income taxes											(176.2		)
Equity earnings of affiliate											6.2
Non-controlling interest											(0.9		)
Net income attributable to SCC											$	314.4
Capital investment	$	57.3		$	7.0	$	181.1	$	0.2		$	245.6
Property and mine development, net	$	5,171.1		$	375.9	$	2,986.6	$	222.3		$	8,755.9
Total assets	$	8,481.7		$	889.0	$	4,391.0	$	(238.7	)	$	13,523.0

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STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:

NOTE 11 — STOCKHOLDERS’EQUITY:

Treasury Stock:

Activity in treasury stock in the three-month period ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 is as follows (in millions):

	2018		2017
Southern Copper common shares
Balance as of January 1,	$	2,768.7	$	2,769.0
Purchase of shares	—		—
Balance as of March 31,	2,768.7		2,769.0
Parent Company (Grupo Mexico) common shares
Balance as of January 1,	232.4		218.6
Other activity, including dividend, interest and foreign currency transaction effect	6.5		2.1
Balance as of March 31,	238.9		220.7
Treasury stock balance as of March 31,	$	3,007.6	$	2,989.7

Southern Copper Common Shares:

At March 31, 2018 and 2017, there were in treasury 111,567,617 and 111,579,617 SCC’s common shares, respectively.

SCC share repurchase program:

In 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors (“BOD”) authorized a $500 million share repurchase program that has since been increased by the BOD and is currently authorized to $3 billion. Pursuant to this program, the Company purchased common stock as shown in the table below. These shares are available for general corporate purposes. The Company may purchase additional shares of its common stock from time to time, based on market conditions and other factors. This repurchase program has no expiration date and may be modified or discontinued at any time.

Period		Total Number of Shares	Average Price Paid		Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly	Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plan	Total Cost ($ in
From	To	Purchased	per Share		Announced Plan	@ $54.18(1)	millions)
2008	2012	46,914,486	$	18.72	46,914,486		878.1
2013:		10,245,000	27.47		57,159,486		281.4
2014:		22,711,428	30.06		79,870,914		682.8
2015:		36,689,052	27.38		116,559,966		1,004.4
2016:		2,937,801	24.42				71.7
Total purchased		119,497,767	$	24.42		1,506,706	$	2,918.4

(*) NYSE closing price of SCC common shares at March 31, 2018.

As a result of the repurchase of shares of SCC’s common stock, Grupo Mexico’s direct and indirect ownership was 88.9% as of March 31, 2018. There has not been any activity in the SCC share repurchase program since the third quarter of 2016.

Directors’ Stock Award Plan:

The Company established a stock award compensation plan for certain directors who are not compensated as employees of the Company. Under this plan, participants received 1,200 shares of common stock upon election and 1,200 additional shares following each annual meeting of stockholders thereafter. 600,000 shares of Southern Copper common stock have been reserved for this plan. On April 26, 2018, the Company’s Board of Directors and the stockholders approved a five-year extension of the Plan until January 29, 2023 and an increase of the shares award from 1,200 to 1,600. The fair value of the award is measured each year at the date of the grant.

Parent Company common shares:

At March 31, 2018 and 2017 there were in treasury 104,479,600 and 112,457,204 of Grupo Mexico’s common shares, respectively.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan:

2010 Plan: During 2010, the Company offered to eligible employees a stock purchase plan through a trust that acquires series B shares of Grupo Mexico stock for sale to its employees, employees of subsidiaries, and certain affiliated companies. The purchase price was established at 26.51 Mexican pesos (approximately $1.28) for the initial subscription. Every two years employees were able to acquire title to 50% of the shares paid in the previous two years. The employees paid for shares purchased through monthly payroll deductions over the eight year period of the plan. At the end of the eight year period, the Company granted the participant a bonus of one share for every ten shares purchased by the employee.

The participants were entitled to receive dividends in cash for dividends paid by Grupo Mexico for all shares that were fully purchased and paid by the employee as of the date that the dividend is paid. If the participant had only partially paid for shares, the entitled dividends were used to reduce the remaining liability owed for purchased shares.

In the case of voluntary or involuntary resignation/termination of the employee, the Company paid to the employee the fair market sales price at the date of resignation/termination of the fully paid shares, net of costs and taxes. When the fair market sales value of the shares was higher than the purchase price, the Company applied a deduction over the amount to be paid to the employee based on a decreasing schedule specified in the plan.

In case of retirement or death of the employee, the Company rendered the buyer or his legal beneficiary, the fair market sales value as of the date of retirement or death of the shares effectively paid, net of costs and taxes.

The stock based compensation expense for the first quarter 2018 and 2017 and the unrecognized compensation expense under this plan were as follows (in millions):

	2018		2017
Stock based compensation expense	$	0.1	$	0.1
Unrecognized compensation expense	$	0.1	$	0.7

The plan ended on January 29, 2018.

The following table presents the activity of this plan for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017:

	Shares		Unit Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Outstanding shares at January 1, 2018	1,393,663		$	2.05
Granted	—		—
Exercised	(981,707	)	2.05
Forfeited	—		—
Outstanding shares at March 31, 2018	411,956		$	2.05
Outstanding shares at January 1, 2017	1,401,096		$	2.05
Granted	—		—
Exercised	—		2.05
Forfeited	—		—
Outstanding shares at March 31, 2017	1,401,096		$	2.05

2015 Plan: In January 2015, the Company offered to eligible employees a new stock purchase plan (the “New Employee Stock Purchase Plan”) through a trust that acquires series B of shares of Grupo Mexico stock for sale to its employees, and employees of subsidiaries, and certain affiliated companies.

The purchase price was established at 38.44 Mexican pesos (approximately $1.86) for the initial subscription, which expires on January 2023. Every two years employees will be able to acquire title to 50% of the shares paid in the previous two years. The employees will pay for shares purchased through monthly payroll deductions over the eight year period of the plan. At the end of the eight year period, the Company will grant the participant a bonus of 1 share for every 10 shares purchased by the employee. Any future subscription will be at the average market price at the date of acquisition or the grant date.

If Grupo Mexico pays dividends on shares during the eight year period, the participants will be entitled to receive the dividend in cash for all shares that have been fully purchased and paid as of the date that the dividend is paid. If the participant has only partially paid for shares, the entitled dividends will be used to reduce the remaining liability owed for purchased shares.

In the case of voluntary or involuntary resignation/termination of the employee, the Company will pay to the employee the fair market sales price at the date of resignation of the fully paid shares, net of costs and taxes. When the fair market sales value of the shares is higher than the purchase price, the Company will apply a deduction over the amount to be paid to the employee based on a decreasing schedule specified in the plan.

In case of retirement or death of the employee, the Company will render the buyer or his legal beneficiary, the fair market sales value as of the date of retirement or death of the shares effectively paid, net of costs and taxes.

The stock based compensation expense for the first quarter 2018 and 2017 and the unrecognized compensation expense under this plan were as follows (in millions):

	2018		2017
Stock based compensation expense	$	0.2	$	0.2
Unrecognized compensation expense	$	3.0	$	3.4

The following table presents the activity of this plan for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017:

	Shares		Unit Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Outstanding shares at January 1, 2018	2,293,120		$	2.63
Granted	—		—
Exercised	(1,873	)	2.63
Forfeited	—		—
Outstanding shares at March 31, 2018	2,291,247		$	2.63
Outstanding shares at January 1, 2017	2,540,223		$	2.63
Granted	—		—
Exercised	(228,430	)	2.63
Forfeited	—		—
Outstanding shares at March 31, 2017	2,311,793		$	2.63

Non-controlling interest:

The following table presents the non-controlling interest activity for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017:

	2018			2017
Balance as of January 1,	$	41.7		$	38.6
Net earnings	1.2			0.9
Dividend paid	(0.3		)	(0.2		)
Balance as of March 31,	$	42.6		$	39.3

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FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS:

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS:

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS:

NOTE 12 — FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS:

Subtopic 820-10 of ASC “Fair value measurement and disclosures — Overall” establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under Subtopic 820-10 are described below:

Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities.

Level 2 - Inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly, but do not qualify as Level 1 inputs. (i.e., quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities).

Level 3 - Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable (i.e., supported by little or no market activity).

The carrying amounts of certain financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable (other than accounts receivable associated with provisionally priced sales) and accounts payable approximate fair value due to their short maturities. Consequently, such financial instruments are not included in the following table that provides information about the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of other financial instruments that are not measured at fair value in the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (in millions):

	At March 31, 2018				At December 31, 2017
	Carrying Value		Fair Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value
Liabilities:
Long-term debt level 1	$	5,209.0	$	6,061.4	$	5,208.4	$	6,488.9
Long-term debt level 2	748.8		785.0		748.7		806.1
Total long-term debt	$	5,957.8	$	6,846.4	$	5,957.1	$	7,295.0

Long-term debt is carried at amortized cost and its estimated fair value is based on quoted market prices classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy except for the cases of the Yankee bonds, the notes due 2020 and the notes due 2022, which qualify as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy as they are based on quoted priced in market that are not active.

Fair values of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis were calculated as follows as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (in millions):

	Fair Value at Measurement Date Using:
Description	Fair Value as of March 31, 2018		Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1)		Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)		Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
Assets:
Short term investment:
- Trading securities	$	55.6	$	55.6	$	—	$	—
- Available-for-sale debt securities:
Corporate bonds	0.1		—		0.1		—
Asset backed securities	0.4		—		0.4		—
Mortgage backed securities	0.4		—		0.4		—
Accounts receivable:
- Embedded derivatives - Not classified as hedges:
Provisionally priced sales:
Copper	137.1		137.1		—		—
Molybdenum	118.7		118.7		—		—
Total	$	312.3	$	311.4	$	0.9	$	—

	Fair Value at Measurement Date Using:
Description	Fair Value as of December 31, 2017		Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1)		Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)		Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
Assets:
Short term investment:
- Trading securities	$	49.5	$	49.5	—		$	—
- Available-for-sale debt securities:
Corporate bonds	0.1		—		$	0.1	—
Asset backed securities	0.5		—		0.5		—
Mortgage backed securities	0.4		—		0.4		—
Accounts receivable:
- Embedded derivatives - Not classified as hedges:
Provisionally priced sales:
Copper	184.6		184.6		—		—
Molybdenum	102.8		102.8		—		—
Total	$	337.9	$	336.9	$	1.0	$	—

The Company’s short-term trading securities investments are classified as Level 1 because they are valued using quoted prices of the same securities as they consist of bonds issued by public companies and publicly traded. The Company’s short-term available-for-sale investments are classified as Level 2 because they are valued using quoted prices for similar investments.

The Company’s accounts receivables associated with provisionally priced copper sales are valued using quoted market prices based on the forward price on the LME or on the COMEX. Such value is classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Molybdenum prices are established by reference to the publication Platt’s Metals Week and are considered Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:

NOTE 13 — SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:

ADOPTION OF REVENUE RECOGNITION STANDARD

The Company has adopted FASB ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, effective January 1, 2018, applying the modified retrospective approach. Under this approach, the results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2018 will be presented in the consolidated financial statements under the guidance, while prior period amounts will not be adjusted and will continue to be reported under the guidance in effect for those periods. Upon adoption by the Company, no cumulative effect adjustment was required to be recognized at January 1, 2018, as the adoption of the standard has not resulted in a change to the way the Company recognizes its revenue. The Company has applied the related disclosure requirements of the new standard beginning in 2018.

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

With the exception of the change in the Company’s Revenue Recognition policy as a result of the adoption of ASC 606, there have been no new or material changes to the significant accounting policies discussed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, that are of significance, or potential significance to the Company.

Revenue recognition -

The Company adopted ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, effective January 1, 2018. The Company’s revenue consists of product revenue resulting from the sale of copper and non-copper products, such as molybdenum, silver, zinc, lead and gold.

The Company accounts for a contract with a customer when there is a legally enforceable contract between the Company and the customer, the rights of the parties are identified, the contract has commercial substance, and collectability of the contract consideration is probable. The Company’s revenues are measured based on consideration specified in the contract with each customer.

The Company’s marketing strategy and annual sales planning emphasize developing and maintaining long-term customer relationships. Generally, 80% to 90% of the Company’s metal production is sold under annual or longer-term contracts. The Company considers each contract to be a single performance obligation, represented by the delivery of a series of distinct goods that are substantially the same, with the same pattern of transfer to the Company’s customers.  Accordingly, the Company recognizes revenues for each contract over a period of time, applying the invoice practical expedient. The Company considers that is has a right to consideration from its customers in an amount that corresponds directly to the value transferred to those customers, for which reason it believes that this method is a faithful depiction of the transfer of goods to its customers. Because the duration of the majority of these contracts is one year or more, and because the Company has applied the invoice practical expedient, it does not disclose the remaining performance obligations as of the end of each reporting period.

The remainder of the Company’s revenues are generated by spot sales that are recognized at a point in time.

Under both sales models, revenue is recognized as the performance obligations are satisfied, when the Company transfers control of the goods title passes to the customer. Considering the International Commercial Terms (incoterms) utilized by the Company, control is transferred generally upon the completion of loading the material at the point of origin. This is the point at which the customer obtains legal title to the product as well as the ability to direct the use of and obtain substantially all of the remaining benefits of ownership of the asset. Additionally, payment is generally due upon the delivery of the shipping and title documents at the point of origin. Copper and non-copper revenues are measured based on the monthly average of prevailing commodity prices according to the terms of the contracts. The Company provides allowances for doubtful accounts based upon historical bad debt and claims experience and periodic evaluation of specific customer accounts.

Substantially all of the Company’s sales are made under cost and freight, or cost, insurance and freight incoterms, whereby the Company is responsible for providing shipping and insurance after control of the inventory has been transferred to the customer. Per the terms of the Company’s contracts, these services are not distinct within the context of the contract, as they are not separately identifiable from other promises in the contract. It is the Company policy and it has a long-standing history of arranging and providing shipping and insurance services to its customers. Accordingly, shipping and insurance are not considered separate performance obligations.

Furthermore, the Company considered the impact of the shipping and insurance services on the determination of when control is transferred to its customers. It has concluded that the terms of these services do not impact its customers’ ability to sell, pledge, or otherwise use the products in shipment. As well, there is a small likelihood and minimal history of lost or damaged goods during shipment. Considering these factors, combined with the other indicators of control previously mentioned, the Company has concluded that these services do not impact the determination that control is transferred at the point of origin.

For certain of the Company’s sales of copper and molybdenum products, customer contracts allow for pricing based on a month subsequent to shipping, in most cases within the following three months and occasionally in some cases a few additional months. In such cases, revenue is recorded at a provisional price at the time of shipment. The provisionally priced copper sales are adjusted to reflect forward LME or COMEX copper prices at the end of each month until a final adjustment is made to the price of the shipments upon settlement with customers pursuant to the terms of the contract. In the case of molybdenum sales, for which there are no published forward prices, the provisionally priced sales are adjusted to reflect the market prices at the end of each month until a final adjustment is made to the price of the shipments upon settlement with customers pursuant to the terms of the contract.

These provisional pricing arrangements are accounted for separately from the contract as an embedded derivative instrument under ASC 815-30 ‘‘Derivatives and Hedging—Cash Flow Hedges.’’ The Company sells copper in concentrate, anode, blister and refined form at industry standard commercial terms. Net sales include the invoiced value of copper, zinc, silver, molybdenum, sulfuric acid and other metals and the corresponding fair value adjustment of the related forward contract of copper and molybdenum.

IMPACT OF NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

During the first quarter of 2018, the FASB issued the following new accounting updates to the Codification:

ASU 2018-01: In January 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-01 “Leases” (Topic 842). The amendments in this update provide an additional option for the evaluation under Topic 842 of existing or expired land easements that were not accounted for as leases according to the current accounting guidance. The Company is evaluating the impact of this update on its financial statements.

ASU 2018-02: In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02 “Income Statement — Reporting Comprehensive Income” (Topic 220). This update allows the stranded tax effects that result from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to be reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings. The Company is evaluating the impact of this update on its financial statements.

ASU 2018-03: In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-03 “Technical Corrections and Improvements to Financial Instruments - Overall” (Subtopic 825-10). The FASB undertook this project to address certain issues raised by stakeholders regarding the recognition, measurement and presentation of financial instruments. The Company is evaluating the impact of this update on its financial statements.

ASU 2018-04: In March 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-04 “Investments — Debt Securities” (Topic 320) and “Regulated Operations” (Topic 980). This update amends several paragraphs that contain SEC guidance in ASC 320 and ASC 980, pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 117 and SEC Release No. 33-9273. The Company is evaluating the impact of this update on its financial statements.

ASU 2018-05: In March 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-05 “Income Taxes” (Topic 740). This update adds several paragraphs that contain SEC guidance in ASC 740, pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”). As previously reported, the Company has adopted SAB 118 and its provisions have been considered in the preparation of its financial statements as of December 31, 2017.

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SUBSEQUENT EVENTS:

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS:

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS:

NOTE 14 — SUBSEQUENT EVENTS:

Dividends:

On April 19, 2018, the Board of Directors authorized a dividend of $0.30 per share payable on May 23, 2018 to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 9, 2018.

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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES: (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:

Revenue recognition

Revenue recognition -

The Company adopted ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, effective January 1, 2018. The Company’s revenue consists of product revenue resulting from the sale of copper and non-copper products, such as molybdenum, silver, zinc, lead and gold.

The Company accounts for a contract with a customer when there is a legally enforceable contract between the Company and the customer, the rights of the parties are identified, the contract has commercial substance, and collectability of the contract consideration is probable. The Company’s revenues are measured based on consideration specified in the contract with each customer.

The Company’s marketing strategy and annual sales planning emphasize developing and maintaining long-term customer relationships. Generally, 80% to 90% of the Company’s metal production is sold under annual or longer-term contracts. The Company considers each contract to be a single performance obligation, represented by the delivery of a series of distinct goods that are substantially the same, with the same pattern of transfer to the Company’s customers.  Accordingly, the Company recognizes revenues for each contract over a period of time, applying the invoice practical expedient. The Company considers that is has a right to consideration from its customers in an amount that corresponds directly to the value transferred to those customers, for which reason it believes that this method is a faithful depiction of the transfer of goods to its customers. Because the duration of the majority of these contracts is one year or more, and because the Company has applied the invoice practical expedient, it does not disclose the remaining performance obligations as of the end of each reporting period.

The remainder of the Company’s revenues are generated by spot sales that are recognized at a point in time.

Under both sales models, revenue is recognized as the performance obligations are satisfied, when the Company transfers control of the goods title passes to the customer. Considering the International Commercial Terms (incoterms) utilized by the Company, control is transferred generally upon the completion of loading the material at the point of origin. This is the point at which the customer obtains legal title to the product as well as the ability to direct the use of and obtain substantially all of the remaining benefits of ownership of the asset. Additionally, payment is generally due upon the delivery of the shipping and title documents at the point of origin. Copper and non-copper revenues are measured based on the monthly average of prevailing commodity prices according to the terms of the contracts. The Company provides allowances for doubtful accounts based upon historical bad debt and claims experience and periodic evaluation of specific customer accounts.

Substantially all of the Company’s sales are made under cost and freight, or cost, insurance and freight incoterms, whereby the Company is responsible for providing shipping and insurance after control of the inventory has been transferred to the customer. Per the terms of the Company’s contracts, these services are not distinct within the context of the contract, as they are not separately identifiable from other promises in the contract. It is the Company policy and it has a long-standing history of arranging and providing shipping and insurance services to its customers. Accordingly, shipping and insurance are not considered separate performance obligations.

Furthermore, the Company considered the impact of the shipping and insurance services on the determination of when control is transferred to its customers. It has concluded that the terms of these services do not impact its customers’ ability to sell, pledge, or otherwise use the products in shipment. As well, there is a small likelihood and minimal history of lost or damaged goods during shipment. Considering these factors, combined with the other indicators of control previously mentioned, the Company has concluded that these services do not impact the determination that control is transferred at the point of origin.

For certain of the Company’s sales of copper and molybdenum products, customer contracts allow for pricing based on a month subsequent to shipping, in most cases within the following three months and occasionally in some cases a few additional months. In such cases, revenue is recorded at a provisional price at the time of shipment. The provisionally priced copper sales are adjusted to reflect forward LME or COMEX copper prices at the end of each month until a final adjustment is made to the price of the shipments upon settlement with customers pursuant to the terms of the contract. In the case of molybdenum sales, for which there are no published forward prices, the provisionally priced sales are adjusted to reflect the market prices at the end of each month until a final adjustment is made to the price of the shipments upon settlement with customers pursuant to the terms of the contract.

These provisional pricing arrangements are accounted for separately from the contract as an embedded derivative instrument under ASC 815-30 ‘‘Derivatives and Hedging—Cash Flow Hedges.’’ The Company sells copper in concentrate, anode, blister and refined form at industry standard commercial terms. Net sales include the invoiced value of copper, zinc, silver, molybdenum, sulfuric acid and other metals and the corresponding fair value adjustment of the related forward contract of copper and molybdenum.

IMPACT OF NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

IMPACT OF NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

During the first quarter of 2018, the FASB issued the following new accounting updates to the Codification:

ASU 2018-01: In January 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-01 “Leases” (Topic 842). The amendments in this update provide an additional option for the evaluation under Topic 842 of existing or expired land easements that were not accounted for as leases according to the current accounting guidance. The Company is evaluating the impact of this update on its financial statements.

ASU 2018-02: In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02 “Income Statement — Reporting Comprehensive Income” (Topic 220). This update allows the stranded tax effects that result from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to be reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings. The Company is evaluating the impact of this update on its financial statements.

ASU 2018-03: In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-03 “Technical Corrections and Improvements to Financial Instruments - Overall” (Subtopic 825-10). The FASB undertook this project to address certain issues raised by stakeholders regarding the recognition, measurement and presentation of financial instruments. The Company is evaluating the impact of this update on its financial statements.

ASU 2018-04: In March 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-04 “Investments — Debt Securities” (Topic 320) and “Regulated Operations” (Topic 980). This update amends several paragraphs that contain SEC guidance in ASC 320 and ASC 980, pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 117 and SEC Release No. 33-9273. The Company is evaluating the impact of this update on its financial statements.

ASU 2018-05: In March 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-05 “Income Taxes” (Topic 740). This update adds several paragraphs that contain SEC guidance in ASC 740, pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”). As previously reported, the Company has adopted SAB 118 and its provisions have been considered in the preparation of its financial statements as of December 31, 2017.

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SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS: (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS:

Schedule of short-term investments

Short-term investments were as follows ($ in millions):

	At March 31,			At December 31,
	2018			2017
Trading securities	$	55.6		$	49.5
Weighted average interest rate	1.9		%	1.8		%
Available-for-sale	$	0.9		$	1.0
Weighted average interest rate	0.7		%	0.7		%
Total	$	56.5		$	50.5

Summary of activities of short-term investments

The following table summarizes the activity of these investments by category (in millions):

	Three months ended March 31,
	2018			2017
Trading:
Interest earned	$	0.1		$	0.2
Unrealized (loss) gain at the end of the period	$	(0.1	)	$	(0.1	)
Available-for-sale:
Interest earned	(*		)	(*		)
Investment redeemed	$	0.1		$	(*	)

(*) Less than $0.1 million.

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INVENTORIES: (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

INVENTORIES:

Schedule of inventories

(in millions)	At March 31, 2018		At December 31, 2017
Inventory, current:
Metals at average cost:
Finished goods	$	59.3	$	48.8
Work-in-process	308.9		308.0
Ore stockpiles on leach pads	316.5		320.9
Supplies at average cost:	365.1		364.2
Total current inventory	$	1,049.8	$	1,041.9
Inventory, non-current:
Ore stockpiles on leach pads	$	1,028.9	$	977.4

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INCOME TAXES: (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

INCOME TAXES:

Schedule of income tax provision and effective income tax rate

The income tax provision and the effective income tax rate for the first quarter 2018 and 2017 consisted of ($ in millions):

	2018			2017
Statutory income tax provision	$	212.3		$	148.5
Peruvian royalty	1.7			0.4
Mexican royalty	16.1			21.4
Peruvian special mining tax	6.5			5.9
Income tax provision	$	236.6		$	176.2
Effective income tax rate	33.6		%	36.3		%

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REVENUE RECOGNITION: (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

REVENUE RECOGNITION:

Summary of company's sales by geographic wise and segment wise

The geographic breakdown of the Company’s sales is as follows (in millions):

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
	Mexican  Open-Pit		Mexican  IMMSA Unit		Peruvian  Operations		Corporate &  Elimination			Consolidated
The Americas:
Mexico	$	368.8	$	111.3	$	—	$	(19.6	)	$	460.5
United States	248.4		5.0		41.5		—			294.9
Peru	—		—		93.5		—			93.5
Brazil	—		12.6		62.9		—			75.5
Chile	—		—		36.0		—			36.0
Other American countries	12.6		0.8		1.0		—			14.4
Europe:
Switzerland	82.3		9.2		43.8		—			135.3
Italy	8.3		5.5		82.2		—			96.0
Spain	44.5		—		—		—			44.5
Other European countries	51.8		4.6		25.7		—			82.1
Asia:
Singapore	143.9		—		132.5		—			276.4
Japan	44.2		—		115.2		—			159.4
Other Asian countries	63.8		0.2		8.6		—			72.6
Total	$	1,068.6	$	149.2	$	642.9	$	(19.6	)	$	1,841.1

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
	Mexican  Open-Pit		Mexican  IMMSA Unit		Peruvian  Operations		Corporate &  Elimination			Consolidated
The Americas:
Mexico	$	300.5	$	88.5	$	—	$	(20.6	)	$	368.4
United States	266.6		11.7		22.1		—			300.4
Peru	—		0.5		87.4		—			87.9
Brazil	—		11.9		45.5		—			57.4
Chile	—		—		33.2		—			33.2
Other American countries	16.8		1.0		6.2		—			24.0
Europe:
Switzerland	91.3		3.3		2.5		—			97.1
Italy	5.8		5.1		76.7		—			87.6
Spain	30.2		—		—		—			30.2
Other European countries	50.2		7.2		18.7		—			76.1
Asia:
Singapore	141.6		1.5		135.5		—			278.6
Japan	26.4		—		89.1		—			115.5
Other Asian countries	22.8		0.1		4.6		—			27.5
Total	$	952.2	$	130.8	$	521.5	$	(20.6	)	$	1,583.9

The following table presents information regarding the sales value by reporting segment of the Company’s significant products for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 (in millions):

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
	Mexican  Open-Pit		Mexican  IMMSA Unit		Peruvian  Operations		Corporate &  Elimination			Consolidated
Copper	$	909.4	$	11.2	$	564.0	$	(11.2	)	$	1,473.4
Molybdenum	91.0		—		45.3		—			136.3
Zinc	—		95.0		—		(0.1		)	94.9
Silver	42.6		20.6		15.4		(7.5		)	71.1
Other	25.6		22.4		18.2		(0.8		)	65.4
Total	$	1,068.6	$	149.2	$	642.9	$	(19.6	)	$	1,841.1

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
	Mexican  Open-Pit		Mexican  IMMSA Unit		Peruvian  Operations		Corporate &  Elimination			Consolidated
Copper	$	828.2	$	10.9	$	457.6	$	(10.9	)	$	1,285.8
Molybdenum	53.9		—		38.9		—			92.8
Zinc	—		79.3		—		(0.3		)	79.0
Silver	47.5		19.7		14.0		(7.4		)	73.8
Other	22.6		20.9		11.0		(2.0		)	52.5
Total	$	952.2	$	130.8	$	521.5	$	(20.6	)	$	1,583.9

Schedule of opening and closing balances of receivables by reporting segment

The following table presents information regarding the opening and closing balances of receivables by reporting segment of the Company for the three months ended March 31, 2018 (in millions):

	Mexican  Open-Pit		Mexican  IMMSA Unit		Peruvian  Operations		Corporate &  Elimination		Consolidated
As of March 31, 2018:
Trade receivables	$	539.7	$	71.7	$	262.5	$	—	$	873.9
Related parties	58.1		—		—		$	8.0	$	66.1
As of December 31, 2017:
Trade receivables	$	556.2	$	79.7	$	254.7	$	—	$	890.6
Related parties	18.0		—		—		8.1		26.1

Schedule of provisionally priced copper and molybdenum sales outstanding

	Sales volume (million lbs.)	Priced at (per pound)		Month of settlement
Copper	45.5	$	3.02	From April 2018 to June 2018
Molybdenum	9.4	$	12.63	From April 2018 to June 2018

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ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATION: (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATION:

Summary of asset retirement obligation activity

The following table summarizes the asset retirement obligation activity for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 (in millions):

	2018			2017
Balance as of January 1	$	222.5		$	216.5
Changes in estimates	(5.2		)	—
Payments	—			(0.3		)
Accretion expense	3.2			6.1
Balance as of March 31,	$	220.5		$	222.3

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RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS: (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS:

Schedule of receivable and payable balances with related parties

Receivable and payable balances with related parties are shown below (in millions):

	At March 31, 2018		At December 31,  2017
Related parties receivable current:
Grupo Mexico and affiliates:
Mexico Generadora de Energia, S. de R.L. (“MGE”)	$	31.3	$	16.2
Asarco LLC	29.3		4.1
Grupo Mexico	2.8		2.8
Compañia Perforadora Mexico, S.A.P.I. de C.V. and affiliates	1.4		1.4
Mexico Proyectos y Desarrollos, S.A. de C.V. and affiliates	0.7		1.1
Related to the controlling group:
Mexico Transportes Aereos, S.A. de C.V. (“Mextransport”)	0.1
Operadora de Cinemas, S.A. de C.V.	0.3		0.3
Boutique Bowling de Mexico, S.A. de C.V.	0.2		0.2
	$	66.1	$	26.1

	At March 31, 2018		At December 31,  2017
Related parties payable:
Grupo Mexico and affiliates:
MGE	$	28.7	$	38.5
Asarco LLC	14.8		24.2
Mexico Proyectos y Desarrollos, S.A. de C.V. and affiliates	7.7		21.7
Ferrocarril Mexicano, S.A. de C.V.	3.2		2.6
Eolica el Retiro	0.6		0.8
Grupo Mexico	3.6		0.7
Related to the controlling group:
Operadora de Cinemas, S.A. de C.V.	0.1		0.7
Boutique Bowling de Mexico, S.A. de C.V.	0.1		0.6
Mextransport	0.1		0.3
	$	58.9	$	90.1

Grupo Mexico and affiliates

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS:

Schedule of purchase and sales activities with related parties

The following table summarizes the purchase and sale activities with Grupo Mexico and its affiliates in the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 (in millions):

	2018		2017
Purchase activity
Asarco LLC	$	6.8	$	13.0
Eolica el Retiro	0.6		0.9
Ferrocarril Mexicano, S.A de C.V.	10.0		10.8
Grupo Mexico	4.5		3.5
MGE	61.9		61.1
Mexico Proyectos y Desarrollos, S.A. de C.V. and affiliates	15.9		27.1
Total purchases	$	99.7	$	116.4

Sales activity
Asarco LLC	$	36.5	$	41.8
Compania Perforadora Mexico, S.A.P.I. de C.V and affiliates	—		0.2
Grupo Mexico	—		0.2
MGE	23.2		24.4
Total sales	$	59.7	$	66.6

Related to the controlling group

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS:

Schedule of purchase and sales activities with related parties

The following table summarizes the purchase and sales activities with other Larrea family companies in the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 (in millions):

	2018			2017
Purchase activity
Boutique Bowling de Mexico, S.A. de C.V.	$	0.1		$	—
Operadora de Cinemas, S.A. de C.V.	(*		)	—
Mextransport	0.2			—
Total purchases	$	0.3		$	—

Sales activity
Boutique Bowling de Mexico, S.A. de C.V.	$	0.1		$	0.1
Operadora de Cinemas, S.A. de C.V.	(*		)	(*		)
Mextransport	0.1			—
Total sales	$	0.2		$	0.1

(*) amount is lower than $0.1 million

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BENEFIT PLANS: (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Post retirement defined benefit plans

Components of net periodic benefit costs

Schedule of the components of net periodic benefit costs

The components of net periodic benefit costs for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 are as follows (in millions):

	2018			2017
Service cost	$	0.3		$	0.2
Interest cost	0.4			0.3
Expected return on plan assets	(0.9		)	(0.7		)
Amortization of net actuarial loss	(*		)	(*		)
Amortization of net loss/(gain)	(*		)	(*		)
Net periodic benefit costs	$	(0.2	)	$	(0.2	)

(*) amount is lower than $0.1 million

Post-retirement Health care plans

Components of net periodic benefit costs

Schedule of the components of net periodic benefit costs

The components of net periodic benefit cost for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 are as follows (in millions):

	2018			2017
Interest cost	$	0.2		$	0.2
Amortization of net loss (gain)	(*		)	(*		)
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	(*		)	(*		)
Net periodic benefit cost	$	0.2		$	0.2

(*) amount is lower than $0.1 million

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COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES: (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES:

Schedule of environmental capital investments

Environmental capital investments in the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 were as follows (in millions):

	2018		2017
Peruvian operations	$	6.5	$	16.5
Mexican operations	19.9		22.1
	$	26.4	$	38.6

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SEGMENT AND RELATED INFORMATION: (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

SEGMENT AND RELATED INFORMATION:

Schedule of financial information relating to Company's segments

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
	(in millions)
	Mexican Open-Pit		Mexican IMMSA Unit		Peruvian Operations		Corporate, other and eliminations			Consolidated
Net sales outside of segments	$	1,068.6	$	129.6	$	642.9				$	1,841.1
Intersegment sales			19.6				$	(19.6	)	—
Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation, amortization and depletion)	411.3		95.6		389.8		(20.2		)	876.5
Selling, general and administrative	11.9		2.4		9.4		0.4			24.1
Depreciation, amortization and depletion	92.5		11.0		51.8		6.7			162.0
Exploration	0.6		1.3		2.6		0.7			5.2
Operating income	$	552.3	$	38.9	$	189.3	$	(7.2	)	773.3
Less:
Interest, net										(66.6		)
Other income (expense)										(2.3		)
Income taxes										(236.6		)
Equity earnings of affiliate										4.1
Non-controlling interest										(1.2		)
Net income attributable to SCC										$	470.7
Capital investment	$	64.7	$	12.6	$	216.3	$	2.1		$	295.7
Property and mine development, net	$	4,577.4	$	434.6	$	3,443.5	$	663.0		$	9,118.5
Total assets	$	8,338.7	$	950.1	$	4,382.0	$	367.3		$	14,038.1

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
	(in millions)
	Mexican Open-Pit			Mexican IMMSA Unit		Peruvian Operations		Corporate, other and eliminations			Consolidated
Net sales outside of segments	$	952.2		$	110.2	$	521.5				$	1.583.9
Intersegment sales				20.6				$	(20.6	)	—
Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation, amortization and depletion)	464.8			83.0		315.7		(19.7		)	843.8
Selling, general and administrative	10.0			2.2		9.0		0.2			21.4
Depreciation, amortization and depletion	98.6			13.4		35.3		6.1			153.4
Exploration	0.5			0.7		2.1		1.8			5.1
Environmental remediation	(10.2		)	—		—		—			(10.2		)
Operating income	$	388.5		$	31.5	$	159.4	$	(9.0	)	570.4
Less:
Interest, net											(89.9		)
Other income (expense)											4.8
Income taxes											(176.2		)
Equity earnings of affiliate											6.2
Non-controlling interest											(0.9		)
Net income attributable to SCC											$	314.4
Capital investment	$	57.3		$	7.0	$	181.1	$	0.2		$	245.6
Property and mine development, net	$	5,171.1		$	375.9	$	2,986.6	$	222.3		$	8,755.9
Total assets	$	8,481.7		$	889.0	$	4,391.0	$	(238.7	)	$	13,523.0

XML

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY: (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:

Schedule of activity in treasury stock

Activity in treasury stock in the three-month period ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 is as follows (in millions):

	2018		2017
Southern Copper common shares
Balance as of January 1,	$	2,768.7	$	2,769.0
Purchase of shares	—		—
Balance as of March 31,	2,768.7		2,769.0
Parent Company (Grupo Mexico) common shares
Balance as of January 1,	232.4		218.6
Other activity, including dividend, interest and foreign currency transaction effect	6.5		2.1
Balance as of March 31,	238.9		220.7
Treasury stock balance as of March 31,	$	3,007.6	$	2,989.7

Schedule of share repurchase program activity

Period		Total Number of Shares	Average Price Paid		Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly	Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plan	Total Cost ($ in
From	To	Purchased	per Share		Announced Plan	@ $54.18(1)	millions)
2008	2012	46,914,486	$	18.72	46,914,486		878.1
2013:		10,245,000	27.47		57,159,486		281.4
2014:		22,711,428	30.06		79,870,914		682.8
2015:		36,689,052	27.38		116,559,966		1,004.4
2016:		2,937,801	24.42				71.7
Total purchased		119,497,767	$	24.42		1,506,706	$	2,918.4

(*) NYSE closing price of SCC common shares at March 31, 2018.

Summary of non-controlling interest activity

	2018			2017
Balance as of January 1,	$	41.7		$	38.6
Net earnings	1.2			0.9
Dividend paid	(0.3		)	(0.2		)
Balance as of March 31,	$	42.6		$	39.3

Employee Stock Purchase 2010 Plan

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:

Schedule of stock based compensation expense and unrecognized compensation expense

The stock based compensation expense for the first quarter 2018 and 2017 and the unrecognized compensation expense under this plan were as follows (in millions):

	2018		2017
Stock based compensation expense	$	0.1	$	0.1
Unrecognized compensation expense	$	0.1	$	0.7

Schedule of stock award activity

	Shares		Unit Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Outstanding shares at January 1, 2018	1,393,663		$	2.05
Granted	—		—
Exercised	(981,707	)	2.05
Forfeited	—		—
Outstanding shares at March 31, 2018	411,956		$	2.05
Outstanding shares at January 1, 2017	1,401,096		$	2.05
Granted	—		—
Exercised	—		2.05
Forfeited	—		—
Outstanding shares at March 31, 2017	1,401,096		$	2.05

Employee Stock Purchase 2015 Plan

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:

Schedule of stock based compensation expense and unrecognized compensation expense

The stock based compensation expense for the first quarter 2018 and 2017 and the unrecognized compensation expense under this plan were as follows (in millions):

	2018		2017
Stock based compensation expense	$	0.2	$	0.2
Unrecognized compensation expense	$	3.0	$	3.4

Schedule of stock award activity

	Shares		Unit Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Outstanding shares at January 1, 2018	2,293,120		$	2.63
Granted	—		—
Exercised	(1,873	)	2.63
Forfeited	—		—
Outstanding shares at March 31, 2018	2,291,247		$	2.63
Outstanding shares at January 1, 2017	2,540,223		$	2.63
Granted	—		—
Exercised	(228,430	)	2.63
Forfeited	—		—
Outstanding shares at March 31, 2017	2,311,793		$	2.63

XML

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS: (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS:

Schedule of carrying amount and estimated fair values of the Company's financial instruments

Consequently, such financial instruments are not included in the following table that provides information about the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of other financial instruments that are not measured at fair value in the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (in millions):

	At March 31, 2018				At December 31, 2017
	Carrying Value		Fair Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value
Liabilities:
Long-term debt level 1	$	5,209.0	$	6,061.4	$	5,208.4	$	6,488.9
Long-term debt level 2	748.8		785.0		748.7		806.1
Total long-term debt	$	5,957.8	$	6,846.4	$	5,957.1	$	7,295.0

Schedule of fair values of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis

Fair values of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis were calculated as follows as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (in millions):

	Fair Value at Measurement Date Using:
Description	Fair Value as of March 31, 2018		Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1)		Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)		Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
Assets:
Short term investment:
- Trading securities	$	55.6	$	55.6	$	—	$	—
- Available-for-sale debt securities:
Corporate bonds	0.1		—		0.1		—
Asset backed securities	0.4		—		0.4		—
Mortgage backed securities	0.4		—		0.4		—
Accounts receivable:
- Embedded derivatives - Not classified as hedges:
Provisionally priced sales:
Copper	137.1		137.1		—		—
Molybdenum	118.7		118.7		—		—
Total	$	312.3	$	311.4	$	0.9	$	—

	Fair Value at Measurement Date Using:
Description	Fair Value as of December 31, 2017		Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1)		Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)		Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
Assets:
Short term investment:
- Trading securities	$	49.5	$	49.5	—		$	—
- Available-for-sale debt securities:
Corporate bonds	0.1		—		$	0.1	—
Asset backed securities	0.5		—		0.5		—
Mortgage backed securities	0.4		—		0.4		—
Accounts receivable:
- Embedded derivatives - Not classified as hedges:
Provisionally priced sales:
Copper	184.6		184.6		—		—
Molybdenum	102.8		102.8		—		—
Total	$	337.9	$	336.9	$	1.0	$	—

XML

DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS: (Details)	Mar. 31, 2018
DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS:
Percentage of ownership interest held by the parent company	88.90%

XML

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS: (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Short-term investment:
Trading securities	$ 55.6		$ 49.5
Weighted average interest rate (as a percent)	1.90%		1.80%
Available-for-sale	$ 0.9		$ 1.0
Weighted average interest rate (as a percent)	0.70%		0.70%
Total	$ 56.5		$ 50.5
Trading :
Interest earned	0.1	$ 0.2
Unrealized (loss) gain at the end of the period	(0.1)	(0.1)
Available-for-sale:
Interest earned	2.6	0.9
Investment redeemed	0.1
Maximum
Available-for-sale:
Interest earned	$ 0.1	0.1
Investment redeemed		$ 0.1

XML

INVENTORIES: (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Metals at average cost:
Finished goods	$ 59.3		$ 48.8
Work-in-process	308.9		308.0
Ore stockpiles on leach pads	316.5		320.9
Supplies at average cost	365.1		364.2
Total current inventory	1,049.8		1,041.9
Inventory, non-current:
Ore stockpiles on leach pads	1,028.9		$ 977.4
Total leaching costs capitalized as non-current inventory of ore stockpiles	126.5	$ 120.8
Long-term leaching inventories recognized as cost of sales	$ 79.5	$ 82.1

XML

INCOME TAXES: (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Income Taxes
Statutory income tax provision	$ 212.3	$ 148.5
Peruvian royalty	1.7	0.4
Mexican royalty	16.1	21.4
Peruvian special mining tax	6.5	5.9
Income tax provision	$ 236.6	$ 176.2
Effective income tax rate (as a percent)	33.60%	36.30%
U.S. statutory rate (as a percent)				35.00%
Non-cash tax expense for estimated tax effect				$ 785.9
Changes in the entity's uncertain tax positions	$ 0.0
Peru
Income Taxes
Peruvian royalty	$ 1.7	$ 0.4
Increment in operating income margin for royalty tax (as a percent)	5.00%
Increase in royalty tax rate for each 5% increase up to 12% increase in operating income margin (as a percent)	0.75%
Royalty charges	$ 7.1	5.5
Increase in special mining tax rate for each 5% increase up to 85% increase in operating income margin (as a percent)	0.40%
Increment in operating income margin (as a percent)	5.00%
Accrued special mining tax	$ 6.5	5.9
Peru | Minimum
Income Taxes
Mining royalty tax (as a percent)	1.00%
Royalty charge assessed as a percentage of net sales	1.00%
Special mine tax (as a percent)	2.00%
Increment in operating income margin (as a percent)	2.00%
Peru | Maximum
Income Taxes
Mining royalty tax (as a percent)	12.00%
Operating income margin for royalty tax (as a percent)	10.00%
Increment in operating income margin for royalty tax (as a percent)	12.00%
Special mine tax (as a percent)	8.40%
Operating income margin (as a percent)	10.00%
Increment in operating income margin (as a percent)	85.00%
Mexico
Income Taxes
Mexican royalty	$ 16.1	$ 21.4
Mining royalty tax (as a percent)	7.50%
Additional royalty tax over net sales from sales of gold, silver and platinum (as a percent)	0.50%
Royalty expense paid	$ 87.7
Forecast
Income Taxes
U.S. statutory rate (as a percent)			21.00%
Beginning in 2018
Income Taxes
BEAT tax rate (as a percent)	5.00%
2019 - 2025
Income Taxes
BEAT tax rate (as a percent)	10.00%
After 2025
Income Taxes
BEAT tax rate (as a percent)	12.50%

XML

REVENUE RECOGNITION: - Revenue by Geographical Areas (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	$ 1,841.1	$ 1,583.9
Corporate, other and eliminations
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	(19.6)	(20.6)
Mexican Open-pit
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	1,068.6	952.2
Mexican Open-pit | Operating segment
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	1,068.6	952.2
Mexican IMMSA Unit
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	129.6	110.2
Mexican IMMSA Unit | Operating segment
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	149.2	130.8
Peruvian Operations
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	642.9	521.5
Peruvian Operations | Operating segment
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	642.9	521.5
Mexico
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	460.5	368.4
Mexico | Corporate, other and eliminations
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	(19.6)	(20.6)
Mexico | Mexican Open-pit | Operating segment
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	368.8	300.5
Mexico | Mexican IMMSA Unit | Operating segment
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	111.3	88.5
United States
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	294.9	300.4
United States | Mexican Open-pit | Operating segment
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	248.4	266.6
United States | Mexican IMMSA Unit | Operating segment
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	5.0	11.7
United States | Peruvian Operations | Operating segment
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	41.5	22.1
Peru
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	93.5	87.9
Peru | Mexican IMMSA Unit | Operating segment
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales		0.5
Peru | Peruvian Operations | Operating segment
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	93.5	87.4
Brazil
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	75.5	57.4
Brazil | Mexican IMMSA Unit | Operating segment
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	12.6	11.9
Brazil | Peruvian Operations | Operating segment
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	62.9	45.5
Chile
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	36.0	33.2
Chile | Peruvian Operations | Operating segment
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	36.0	33.2
Other American countries
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	14.4	24.0
Other American countries | Mexican Open-pit | Operating segment
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	12.6	16.8
Other American countries | Mexican IMMSA Unit | Operating segment
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	0.8	1.0
Other American countries | Peruvian Operations | Operating segment
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	1.0	6.2
Switzerland
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	135.3	97.1
Switzerland | Mexican Open-pit | Operating segment
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	82.3	91.3
Switzerland | Mexican IMMSA Unit | Operating segment
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	9.2	3.3
Switzerland | Peruvian Operations | Operating segment
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	43.8	2.5
Italy
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	96.0	87.6
Italy | Mexican Open-pit | Operating segment
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	8.3	5.8
Italy | Mexican IMMSA Unit | Operating segment
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	5.5	5.1
Italy | Peruvian Operations | Operating segment
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	82.2	76.7
Spain
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	44.5	30.2
Spain | Mexican Open-pit | Operating segment
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	44.5	30.2
Other European Countries
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	82.1	76.1
Other European Countries | Mexican Open-pit | Operating segment
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	51.8	50.2
Other European Countries | Mexican IMMSA Unit | Operating segment
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	4.6	7.2
Other European Countries | Peruvian Operations | Operating segment
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	25.7	18.7
Singapore
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	276.4	278.6
Singapore | Mexican Open-pit | Operating segment
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	143.9	141.6
Singapore | Mexican IMMSA Unit | Operating segment
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales		1.5
Singapore | Peruvian Operations | Operating segment
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	132.5	135.5
Japan
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	159.4	115.5
Japan | Mexican Open-pit | Operating segment
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	44.2	26.4
Japan | Peruvian Operations | Operating segment
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	115.2	89.1
Other Asian countries
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	72.6	27.5
Other Asian countries | Mexican Open-pit | Operating segment
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	63.8	22.8
Other Asian countries | Mexican IMMSA Unit | Operating segment
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	0.2	0.1
Other Asian countries | Peruvian Operations | Operating segment
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	$ 8.6	$ 4.6

XML

REVENUE RECOGNITION: - Revenue by Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	$ 1,841.1	$ 1,583.9
Corporate, other and eliminations
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	(19.6)	(20.6)
Mexican Open-pit
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	1,068.6	952.2
Mexican Open-pit | Operating segment
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	1,068.6	952.2
Mexican IMMSA Unit
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	129.6	110.2
Mexican IMMSA Unit | Operating segment
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	149.2	130.8
Peruvian Operations
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	642.9	521.5
Peruvian Operations | Operating segment
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	642.9	521.5
Copper
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	1,473.4	1,285.8
Copper | Corporate, other and eliminations
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	(11.2)	(10.9)
Copper | Mexican Open-pit | Operating segment
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	909.4	828.2
Copper | Mexican IMMSA Unit | Operating segment
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	11.2	10.9
Copper | Peruvian Operations | Operating segment
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	564.0	457.6
Molybdenum
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	136.3	92.8
Molybdenum | Mexican Open-pit | Operating segment
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	91.0	53.9
Molybdenum | Peruvian Operations | Operating segment
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	45.3	38.9
Zinc
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	94.9	79.0
Zinc | Corporate, other and eliminations
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	(0.1)	(0.3)
Zinc | Mexican IMMSA Unit | Operating segment
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	95.0	79.3
Silver
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	71.1	73.8
Silver | Corporate, other and eliminations
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	(7.5)	(7.4)
Silver | Mexican Open-pit | Operating segment
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	42.6	47.5
Silver | Mexican IMMSA Unit | Operating segment
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	20.6	19.7
Silver | Peruvian Operations | Operating segment
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	15.4	14.0
Other
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	65.4	52.5
Other | Corporate, other and eliminations
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	(0.8)	(2.0)
Other | Mexican Open-pit | Operating segment
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	25.6	22.6
Other | Mexican IMMSA Unit | Operating segment
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	22.4	20.9
Other | Peruvian Operations | Operating segment
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Net sales	$ 18.2	$ 11.0

XML

REVENUE RECOGNITION: - Receivables by reporting segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Opening and closing balances of receivables
Trade receivables	$ 873.9	$ 890.6
Related parties	66.1	26.1
Corporate, other and eliminations
Opening and closing balances of receivables
Related parties	8.0	8.1
Mexican Open-pit | Operating segment
Opening and closing balances of receivables
Trade receivables	539.7	556.2
Related parties	58.1	18.0
Mexican IMMSA Unit | Operating segment
Opening and closing balances of receivables
Trade receivables	71.7	79.7
Peruvian Operations | Operating segment
Opening and closing balances of receivables
Trade receivables	$ 262.5	$ 254.7

XML

REVENUE RECOGNITION: - Provisionally prices sales (Details) lb in Millions, $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($) lb $ / item
Copper
Provisionally priced sales:
Provisional price sales adjustment amounts included in accounts receivable and net sales | $	$ 0.1
Copper | April 2018 to June 2018
Provisionally priced sales:
Sales volume (in million lbs.) | lb	45.5
Provisional price | $ / item	3.02
Molybdenum
Provisionally priced sales:
Provisional price sales adjustment amounts included in accounts receivable and net sales | $	$ 6.4
Molybdenum | April 2018 to June 2018
Provisionally priced sales:
Sales volume (in million lbs.) | lb	9.4
Provisional price | $ / item	12.63

XML

ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATION: (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($) item	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)
ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATION:
Period after which successive reviews are required by the law (in years)	5 years
Accepted value of the Lima office building	$ 36.9
Cumulative guarantee amount	$ 32.3
Number of units with future closure costs recognized as an asset retirement obligation | item	3
Changes in estimates	$ (5.2)		$ (11.6)
Asset retirement obligation activity
Balance at the beginning of the year	222.5	$ 216.5	216.5
Changes in estimates	(5.2)		(11.6)
Payments		(0.3)
Accretion expense	3.2	6.1
Balance at the end of the year	220.5	$ 222.3	$ 222.5
Mexico
Environmental cost
Plant demolition and soil remediation budgeted cost	$ 66.2

XML

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS: (Details) $ in Millions, $ in Millions		1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Aug. 04, 2014 item	May 31, 2010 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2012 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012 item MW	Dec. 31, 2005 item	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2012 MXN ($)	Mar. 31, 2012 USD ($)
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS:
Related parties receivable current:			$ 66.1					$ 26.1
Related parties payable:			58.9					90.1
Grupo Mexico and affiliates
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS:
Total purchases			99.7	$ 116.4
Total sales			59.7	66.6
Mexico Generadora de Energia, S. de R.L. ("MGE")
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS:
Related parties receivable current:			31.3					16.2
Related parties payable:			28.7					38.5
Total purchases			61.9	61.1
Total sales			23.2	24.4
Maximum amount of line of credit granted to related party		$ 350.0
Interest rate (as a percent)		4.40%
Loan repaid					$ 150.0
Mexico Generadora de Energia, S. de R.L. ("MGE") | Mexico
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS:
Number of power plants | item						2	2
Number of natural gas-fired combined cycle power generating units | item						2
Net total capacity (in megawatts) | MW						516.2
Percentage of supply to third-party energy users						14.00%
Mexico Generadora de Energia, S. de R.L. ("MGE") | Controladora de Infraestructura Energetica Mexico, S. A. de C. V.
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS:
Percentage of interest acquired									99.999%	99.999%
Value of interest acquired									$ 1,928.6	$ 150.0
Mexico Generadora de Energia, S. de R.L. ("MGE") | Controladora de Infraestructura Energetica Mexico, S. A. de C. V. | Mexico
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS:
Percentage of interest acquired						99.999%
Mexico Generadora de Energia, S. de R.L. ("MGE") | Minera Mexico | Maximum
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS:
Ownership percentage									0.001%	0.001%
Asarco LLC
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS:
Related parties receivable current:			29.3					4.1
Related parties payable:			14.8					24.2
Total purchases			6.8	13.0
Total sales			36.5	41.8
Grupo Mexico
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS:
Related parties receivable current:			2.8					2.8
Related parties payable:			3.6					0.7
Total purchases			4.5	3.5
Total sales				0.2
Donations			0.7
Compania Perforadora Mexico, S.A.P.I. de C.V. and affiliates
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS:
Related parties receivable current:			1.4					1.4
Total sales				0.2
Mexico Proyectos y Desarrollos, S.A. de C.V. and affiliates
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS:
Related parties receivable current:			0.7					1.1
Related parties payable:			7.7					21.7
Total purchases			15.9	27.1
Ferrocarril Mexicano, S.A. de C.V.
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS:
Related parties payable:			3.2					2.6
Total purchases			10.0	10.8
Eolica el Retiro
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS:
Related parties payable:			0.6					0.8
Total purchases			0.6	0.9
Number of wind turbines | item	37
Percentage of supply to third-party energy users	27.00%
Related to the controlling group
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS:
Total purchases			0.3
Total sales			0.2	0.1
Mexico Transportes Aereos, S.A. de C.V. ("Mextransport")
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS:
Related parties receivable current:			0.1
Related parties payable:			0.1					0.3
Total purchases			0.2
Total sales			0.1
Operadora de Cinemas, S.A. de C.V.
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS:
Related parties receivable current:			0.3					0.3
Related parties payable:			0.1					0.7
Operadora de Cinemas, S.A. de C.V. | Maximum
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS:
Total purchases			0.1
Total sales			0.1	0.1
Boutique Bowling de Mexico, S.A. de C.V.
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS:
Related parties receivable current:			0.2					0.2
Related parties payable:			0.1					$ 0.6
Total purchases			0.1
Total sales			$ 0.1	$ 0.1
Equity investment in affiliate
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS:
Ownership percentage			44.20%

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BENEFIT PLANS: (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($) plan	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Benefit plans
Number of noncontributory defined benefit pension plans | plan	2
Post retirement defined benefit plans
Defined benefit plan, net periodic benefit costs
Service cost	$ 0.3	$ 0.2
Interest cost	0.4	0.3
Expected return on plan assets	(0.9)	(0.7)
Net periodic benefit cost	(0.2)	(0.2)
Post retirement defined benefit plans | Maximum
Defined benefit plan, net periodic benefit costs
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	0.1	0.1
Amortization of net actuarial loss	0.1	0.1
Amortization of net loss/(gain)	0.1	0.1
Post-retirement Health care plans
Defined benefit plan, net periodic benefit costs
Interest cost	0.2	0.2
Net periodic benefit cost	$ 0.2	$ 0.2

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COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES: - Environmental Costs (Details) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($) lawsuit item m³	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016 lawsuit	Jun. 30, 2015 lawsuit item	Dec. 31, 2015 lawsuit item	Dec. 31, 2011 category person	Dec. 31, 2017 lawsuit	Dec. 31, 2016 item
Environmental costs
Environmental capital investment | $		$ 26.4	$ 38.6
Number of collective action lawsuits					6
Number of subsidiaries against which lawsuits were filed | item					2
Number of collective action lawsuits dismissed					2
Remaining number of lawsuits					4
Number of civil actions seeking damages								33
Number of constitutional action lawsuits						4
Number of subsidiaries to which environmental impact authorizations were granted | item						1
Buenavista del Cobre, S.A. de C.V
Environmental costs
Number of civil actions seeking damages | item						8			3
Peru
Environmental costs
Environmental capital investment | $		$ 6.5	16.5
AQS, new hours | item		24
AQS, new micrograms of SO2 | m³		250
AQS, old hours | item		24
Revised air quality standards for sulfur dioxide as per new environmental regulation (in micrograms per cubic meter) | m³		20
AQS, new micrograms of gaseous mercury | m³		2
Mean monthly AQS | m³		1.5
Number of months for identification of contaminated sites and around in facilities	12 months
Period for preparation of decontamination plan	P30M
Period of extension for preparation of decontamination plan	1 year
Number of days in which results of soil confirmation tests are to be presented to authorities	30 days
Mexico
Environmental costs
Environmental capital investment | $		$ 19.9	$ 22.1
Number of categories of collective actions | category							3
Minimum number of people claiming injury due to collective action initiative in Civil Federal Procedures Code (CFPC) | person							30
Francisca Garcia Enriquez
Environmental costs
Number of additional constitutional lawsuits filed						2
Mario Alberto Salcido et al; Maria Elena Heredia Bustamante et al; Martin Eligio Ortiz Gamez et al and Maria de los Angeles Enriquez Bacame et al
Environmental costs
Number of additional constitutional lawsuits filed				4
Norberto Bustamante et al
Environmental costs
Number of additional constitutional lawsuits filed		2

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COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES: - Litigation Matters (Details)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018 lawsuit item	Dec. 31, 2012 item	Dec. 31, 2005 item	Mar. 31, 2012
Tia Maria
Litigation Matter
Number of lawsuits | lawsuit	4
Mexico Generadora de Energia, S. de R.L. ("MGE") | Controladora de Infraestructura Energetica Mexico, S. A. de C. V.
Litigation Matter
Acquisition percentage				99.999%
Peru | Labor Matters
Litigation Matter
Percentage of labor unionized	72.00%
Total number of workers	4,661
Number of labor unions	6
Number of labor unions represent majority of workers	1
Number of labor unions other than majority workers unions	5
Term of agreement	3 years
Annual salary increase (as a percent)	5.00%
Mexico | Mexico Generadora de Energia, S. de R.L. ("MGE")
Litigation Matter
Number of power plants		2	2
Mexico | Mexico Generadora de Energia, S. de R.L. ("MGE") | Controladora de Infraestructura Energetica Mexico, S. A. de C. V.
Litigation Matter
Acquisition percentage		99.999%

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COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES: - Others (Details) S/ in Millions, $ in Millions	1 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
	May 31, 2016 MW	Jul. 31, 2014 MW	Jun. 30, 2014 MW	Mar. 31, 2018 PEN (S/) item m km T	Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($) item m km T
Other commitments:
Commitment for capital projects					$ 1,401.9
Tia Maria | Peru
Other commitments:
Project budget					1,400.0
Amount spend as of the current date					$ 355.2
Annual production ( in tons) | T				120,000	120,000
Distance of sea water transportation | km				25	25
Height above sea level of the desalinization plant | m				1,000	1,000
Additional investment in desalinization plant					$ 95.0
Number of jobs expected to be generated | item				3,600	3,600
Number of workers expected to be directly employed | item				600	600
Number of workers expected to be indirectly employed | item				4,200	4,200
Term life of environmental project (in years)				20 years	20 years
Toquepala Concentrator Expansion | Peru
Other commitments:
Project budget					$ 1,300.0
Amount spend as of the current date					$ 968.1
Percentage of Work Completed (in percentage)				90.00%	90.00%
Amount committed to funding for social and infrastructure improvement projects				S/ 445.0	$ 132.0
Development Fund Moquegua Region | Peru
Other commitments:
Amount committed to funding for social and infrastructure improvement projects				S/ 700.0	$ 209.0
Copper | Toquepala Concentrator Expansion | Peru
Other commitments:
Estimated increase in annual production (in tons) | T				100,000	100,000
Molybdenum | Toquepala Concentrator Expansion | Peru
Other commitments:
Estimated increase in annual production (in tons) | T				3,100	3,100
Educational Project | Development Fund Moquegua Region | Peru
Other commitments:
Amount committed to funding for social and infrastructure improvement projects				S/ 108.5	$ 32.0
Water Treatment | Development Fund Moquegua Region | Peru
Other commitments:
Amount committed to funding for social and infrastructure improvement projects				48.4	14.0
Social Investment For Taxes | Development Fund Moquegua Region | Peru
Other commitments:
Amount committed to funding for social and infrastructure improvement projects				S/ 143.0	$ 43.0
Electroperu S.A | Power purchase agreements | Peru
Other commitments:
Term of power purchase agreement related to sale of power plant			20 years
Purchase agreement, contracted power capacity (in megawatts) | MW			120
Kallpa | Power purchase agreements | Peru
Other commitments:
Term of power purchase agreement related to sale of power plant	10 years	10 years
Purchase agreement, contracted power capacity (in megawatts) | MW		120
Kallpa | Power purchase agreements | Peru | Maximum
Other commitments:
Purchase agreement, contracted power capacity (in megawatts) | MW	80

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SEGMENT AND RELATED INFORMATION: (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($) segment	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Financial information related to segments
Number of reportable segments | segment	3
Financial information relating to segments
Net sales	$ 1,841.1	$ 1,583.9
Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation, amortization and depletion)	876.5	843.8
Selling, general and administrative	24.1	21.4
Depreciation, amortization and depletion	162.0	153.4
Exploration	5.2	5.1
Environmental remediation		(10.2)
Operating income	773.3	570.4
Interest, net	(66.6)		$ (89.9)
Other income (expense)	(2.3)	4.8
Income taxes	(236.6)	(176.2)
Equity earnings of affiliate, net of income tax	4.1	6.2
Non-controlling interest	(1.2)	(0.9)
Net income attributable to SCC	470.7	314.4
Capital investment	295.7	245.6
Property and mine development, net	9,118.5	8,755.9		$ 9,099.6
Total assets	14,038.1	13,523.0		$ 13,780.1
Corporate, other and eliminations
Financial information relating to segments
Net sales	(19.6)	(20.6)
Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation, amortization and depletion)	(20.2)	(19.7)
Selling, general and administrative	0.4	0.2
Depreciation, amortization and depletion	6.7	6.1
Exploration	0.7	1.8
Operating income	(7.2)	(9.0)
Capital investment	2.1	0.2
Property and mine development, net	663.0	222.3
Total assets	367.3	(238.7)
Mexican Open-pit
Financial information relating to segments
Net sales	1,068.6	952.2
Mexican Open-pit | Operating segment
Financial information relating to segments
Net sales	1,068.6	952.2
Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation, amortization and depletion)	411.3	464.8
Selling, general and administrative	11.9	10.0
Depreciation, amortization and depletion	92.5	98.6
Exploration	0.6	0.5
Environmental remediation		(10.2)
Operating income	552.3	388.5
Capital investment	64.7	57.3
Property and mine development, net	4,577.4	5,171.1
Total assets	8,338.7	8,481.7
Mexican IMMSA Unit
Financial information relating to segments
Net sales	129.6	110.2
Mexican IMMSA Unit | Operating segment
Financial information relating to segments
Net sales	149.2	130.8
Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation, amortization and depletion)	95.6	83.0
Selling, general and administrative	2.4	2.2
Depreciation, amortization and depletion	11.0	13.4
Exploration	1.3	0.7
Operating income	38.9	31.5
Capital investment	12.6	7.0
Property and mine development, net	434.6	375.9
Total assets	950.1	889.0
Mexican IMMSA Unit | Intersegment sales
Financial information relating to segments
Net sales	19.6	20.6
Peruvian Operations
Financial information relating to segments
Net sales	642.9	521.5
Peruvian Operations | Operating segment
Financial information relating to segments
Net sales	642.9	521.5
Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation, amortization and depletion)	389.8	315.7
Selling, general and administrative	9.4	9.0
Depreciation, amortization and depletion	51.8	35.3
Exploration	2.6	2.1
Operating income	189.3	159.4
Capital investment	216.3	181.1
Property and mine development, net	3,443.5	2,986.6
Total assets	$ 4,382.0	$ 4,391.0

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STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY: - Treasury Stock (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended				60 Months Ended	123 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2018
Activity in treasury stock
Balance at the beginning of the period	$ 3,001.1
Purchase of shares			$ 71.7	$ 1,004.4	$ 682.8	$ 281.4	$ 878.1	$ 2,918.4
Balance at the end of the period	$ 3,007.6	$ 2,989.7						$ 3,007.6
Southern copper common shares
Activity in treasury stock
Treasury stock balance at the end of the period (in shares)	111,567,617	111,579,617						111,567,617
Parent Company (Grupo Mexico) common shares
Activity in treasury stock
Treasury stock balance at the end of the period (in shares)	104,479,600	112,457,204						104,479,600
TREASURY STOCK: | Southern copper common shares
Activity in treasury stock
Balance at the beginning of the period	$ 2,768.7	$ 2,769.0
Balance at the end of the period	2,768.7	2,769.0	2,769.0					$ 2,768.7
TREASURY STOCK: | Parent Company (Grupo Mexico) common shares
Activity in treasury stock
Balance at the beginning of the period	232.4	218.6
Other activity, including dividend, interest and foreign currency transaction effect	6.5	2.1
Balance at the end of the period	$ 238.9	$ 220.7	$ 218.6					$ 238.9

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STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY: - Repurchase Program (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended				60 Months Ended	123 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2008
SCC share repurchase program:
Amount authorized for share repurchase program						$ 3,000.0		$ 500.0
Total Number of Shares Purchased	2,937,801	36,689,052	22,711,428	10,245,000	46,914,486	119,497,767
Average Price Paid per Share (in dollars per share)	$ 24.42	$ 27.38	$ 30.06	$ 27.47	$ 18.72	$ 24.42
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plan		116,559,966	79,870,914	57,159,486	46,914,486
Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plan @ $54.189						1,506,706
Total Cost	$ 71.7	$ 1,004.4	$ 682.8	$ 281.4	$ 878.1	$ 2,918.4
Percentage of ownership by parent						88.90%
Parent Company (Grupo Mexico) common shares
Parent Company common shares:
Treasury stock balance at the end of the period (in shares)						104,479,600	112,457,204

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STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY: - Compensation Plan (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions			3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015 $ / shares	Jan. 31, 2015 $ / shares	Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Dec. 31, 2010 $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2010 $ / shares
Employee Stock Purchase 2010 Plan
Information related to compensation cost
Purchase price for initial subscription (in dollars per share) | (per share)					$ 1.28	$ 26.51
Percentage of title acquired by employee in every two years on shares paid in previous two years			50.00%
Period of plan			8 years
Ratio of bonus shares granted to participant			0.1
Stock based compensation expense | $			$ 0.1	$ 0.1
Unrecognized compensation expense | $			$ 0.1	$ 0.7
Stock award activity, Shares
Outstanding shares at the beginning of the period | shares			1,393,663	1,401,096
Exercised (in shares) | shares			(981,707)
Outstanding shares at the end of the period | shares			411,956	1,401,096
Unit Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Outstanding shares at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share) | $ / shares			$ 2.05	$ 2.05
Exercised (in dollars per share) | $ / shares			2.05	2.05
Outstanding shares at the end of the period (in dollars per share) | $ / shares			$ 2.05	$ 2.05
Employee Stock Purchase 2015 Plan
Information related to compensation cost
Purchase price for initial subscription (in dollars per share) | (per share)	$ 1.86	$ 38.44
Percentage of title acquired by employee in every two years on shares paid in previous two years			50.00%
Period of plan			8 years
Ratio of bonus shares granted to participant			0.1
Stock based compensation expense | $			$ 0.2	$ 0.2
Unrecognized compensation expense | $			$ 3.0	$ 3.4
Stock award activity, Shares
Outstanding shares at the beginning of the period | shares			2,293,120	2,540,223
Exercised (in shares) | shares			(1,873)	(228,430)
Outstanding shares at the end of the period | shares			2,291,247	2,311,793
Unit Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Outstanding shares at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share) | $ / shares			$ 2.63	$ 2.63
Exercised (in dollars per share) | $ / shares			2.63	2.63
Outstanding shares at the end of the period (in dollars per share) | $ / shares			$ 2.63	$ 2.63

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STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY: - Other (Details) - Directors' Stock Award Plan	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018 shares
Share based Compensation Plan
Common shares received on election as director	1,200
Additional shares issued at each annual general meeting	1,200
Total SCC shares reserved for the plan	600,000
Period of extension of plan	5 years
Increased share awards issued to directors	1,600

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STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY: - Non Controlling Interest (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Non-controlling interest activity
Balance at the beginning of the period	$ 41.7	$ 38.6
Net earnings	1.2	0.9
Dividend paid	(0.3)	(0.2)
Balance at the end of the period	$ 42.6	$ 39.3

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FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS: (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Liabilities:
Long-term debt, Carrying Value	$ 5,957.8	$ 5,957.1
Long-term debt, Fair Value	6,846.4	7,295.0
Short-term investment:
Trading securities	55.6	49.5
Available-for-sale debt securities:
Available-for-sale Securities, Current, Total	0.9	1.0
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1)
Liabilities:
Long-term debt, Carrying Value	5,209.0	5,208.4
Long-term debt, Fair Value	6,061.4	6,488.9
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)
Liabilities:
Long-term debt, Carrying Value	748.8	748.7
Long-term debt, Fair Value	785.0	806.1
Fair value measurements recurring | Fair value as of the end of the period
Short-term investment:
Trading securities	55.6	49.5
Derivative:
Total assets, fair value	312.3	337.9
Fair value measurements recurring | Fair value as of the end of the period | Copper
Derivative:
Provisionally priced sales	137.1	184.6
Fair value measurements recurring | Fair value as of the end of the period | Molybdenum
Derivative:
Provisionally priced sales	118.7	102.8
Fair value measurements recurring | Corporate bonds | Fair value as of the end of the period
Available-for-sale debt securities:
Available-for-sale debt securities	0.1	0.1
Fair value measurements recurring | Asset backed securities | Fair value as of the end of the period
Available-for-sale debt securities:
Available-for-sale debt securities	0.4	0.5
Fair value measurements recurring | Mortgage backed securities | Fair value as of the end of the period
Available-for-sale debt securities:
Available-for-sale debt securities	0.4	0.4
Fair value measurements recurring | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1)
Short-term investment:
Trading securities	55.6	49.5
Derivative:
Total assets, fair value	311.4	336.9
Fair value measurements recurring | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | Copper
Derivative:
Provisionally priced sales	137.1	184.6
Fair value measurements recurring | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | Molybdenum
Derivative:
Provisionally priced sales	118.7	102.8
Fair value measurements recurring | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)
Available-for-sale debt securities:
Available-for-sale Securities, Current, Total	0.9	1.0
Fair value measurements recurring | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Corporate bonds
Available-for-sale debt securities:
Available-for-sale debt securities	0.1	0.1
Fair value measurements recurring | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Asset backed securities
Available-for-sale debt securities:
Available-for-sale debt securities	0.4	0.5
Fair value measurements recurring | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Mortgage backed securities
Available-for-sale debt securities:
Available-for-sale debt securities	$ 0.4	$ 0.4

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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES: (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Minimum
Revenue recognition
Percentage of metal production sold under annual or longer-term contracts	80.00%
Maximum
Revenue recognition
Percentage of metal production sold under annual or longer-term contracts	90.00%

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SUBSEQUENT EVENTS: (Details)	Apr. 19, 2018 $ / shares
Subsequent Events
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS:
Quarterly dividend authorized (in dollars per share)	$ 0.30