Name:	scco_IncomeTaxesLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	scco_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Represents the 7.5% on earnings before taxes adjusted as defined by Mexican tax regulations

No definition available.

Name:	scco_MiningRoyaltyTaxMexico
Namespace Prefix:	scco_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Represents the amount of mining royalty in excess over the 1% of net sales.

No definition available.

Name:	scco_MiningRoyaltyTaxPeru
Namespace Prefix:	scco_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Represents the total mining royalty tax compute based on operating income or the 1% of net sales, the highest.

No definition available.

Name:	scco_RoyaltyExpenses
Namespace Prefix:	scco_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Represents the special mining tax based on operating income.

No definition available.

Name:	scco_SpecialMiningTax
Namespace Prefix:	scco_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Represents the amount accrued for the special mining tax during the period.

No definition available.

Name:	scco_SpecialMiningTaxAccrued
Namespace Prefix:	scco_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Percentage of current income tax expense (benefit) and deferred income tax expense (benefit) pertaining to continuing operations.

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Name:	us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperations
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Amount of current and deferred federal income tax expense (benefit) attributable to income (loss) from continuing operations.

Name:	us-gaap_FederalIncomeTaxExpenseBenefitContinuingOperations
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Amount of current income tax expense (benefit) and deferred income tax expense (benefit) pertaining to continuing operations.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
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