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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001104659-08-023953.txt : 20090618
<SEC-HEADER>0001104659-08-023953.hdr.sgml : 20090617
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20080411163515
<PRIVATE-TO-PUBLIC>
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001104659-08-023953
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	CORRESP
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		3
FILED AS OF DATE:		20080411

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SOUTHERN COPPER CORP/
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001001838
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	METAL MINING [1000]
		IRS NUMBER:				133849074
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		CORRESP

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		11811 NORTH TATUM BLVD
		STREET 2:		SUITE 2500
		CITY:			PHOENIX
		STATE:			AZ
		ZIP:			85028
		BUSINESS PHONE:		602-494-5328

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		11811 NORTH TATUM BLVD
		STREET 2:		SUITE 2500
		CITY:			PHOENIX
		STATE:			AZ
		ZIP:			85028

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	SOUTHERN PERU COPPER CORP/
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19960726

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	SOUTHERN PERU COPPER HOLDING CO
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19951006
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>CORRESP
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>filename1.htm
<TEXT>

<html>

<head>





</head>

<body lang="EN-US">

<div style="font-family:Times New Roman;">

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman"><img width="222" height="52" src="g100972mai001.jpg"></font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 4.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">April&nbsp;11, 2008</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Mr.&nbsp;H.
Roger Schwall</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Assistant
Director</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Securities
and Exchange Commission</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Division
of Corporate Finance</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Washington,
DC 20549-7010</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
 <tr>
  <td width="6%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:6.78%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="7%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:7.76%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Re:</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="85%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:85.46%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Southern
  Copper Corporation</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="6%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:6.78%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="7%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:7.76%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="85%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:85.46%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Form&nbsp;10-K
  for the Fiscal Year Ended December&nbsp;31, 2007</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="6%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:6.78%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="7%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:7.76%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="85%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:85.46%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Filed
  February&nbsp;29, 2008</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="6%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:6.78%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="7%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:7.76%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="85%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:85.46%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Preliminary
  Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="6%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:6.78%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="7%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:7.76%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="85%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:85.46%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Filed
  March&nbsp;14, 2008</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="6%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:6.78%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="7%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:7.76%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="85%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:85.46%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">File
  No.&nbsp;1-14066</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
</table>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Dear
Mr.&nbsp;Schwall:</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">On behalf of Southern Copper
Corporation (&#147;Southern Copper&#148; or the &#147;Company&#148;), I, Oscar Gonzalez Rocha, the
Company&#146;s President and Chief Executive Officer, submit this response to your
letter, dated March&nbsp;31, 2008, relating to the above-referenced filings. We
filed a response to the comments of the Staff with respect to the Preliminary
Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A on April&nbsp;4, 2008.&#160; We are now responding to the comments of the
Staff with respect to the Form&nbsp;10-K for the fiscal year ended December&nbsp;31,
2007.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">To assist in the Staff&#146;s
review of the Company&#146;s responses, we have preceded each response with the text
(in bold type) of the comment as stated in your letter. Southern Copper
believes that it has replied to your comments relating to the Form&nbsp;10-K
for the fiscal year ended December&nbsp;31, 2007 in full. As requested, this
letter is being filed on EDGAR as correspondence and a copy is being faxed to
your attention.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><u><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Form&nbsp;10-K
for the Fiscal Year&#160; Ended December&nbsp;31,
2007</font></u></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><u><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Financial
Statements</font></u></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><u><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">General</font></u></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">5.</font></b><b><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font></b><b><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Please
clarify if you are obligated to make termination payments to employees upon
termination of employment in any of the jurisdictions where you operate.&#160; If applicable, please tell us if you account
for such post-employment benefits in </font></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION</font></b></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">11811 N. Tatum Blvd.,
Suite 2500, Phoenix, AZ 85028, U.S.A.</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Phone: (602) 494-5328 -
Fax: (602) 494-5317</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<div style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><hr size="3" width="100%" noshade color="#010101" align="left"></div>

</div>
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<div>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">accordance with SFAS 112 or indicate how you otherwise account for such
obligations.</font></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">At
our Peruvian operations the Company is not obligated to make post-employment
termination payments, except as follows:</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Under
Peruvian law, as compensation for years of service, a deposit of one-twelfth
(1/12<sup>th</sup>) of an employee&#146;s annual salary, including various bonuses
for vacation, travel, Independence and Christmas holidays, service time and
dependents, is made to a bank account in the individual employee&#146;s name.&#160; These funds can only be withdrawn when the
employee terminates employment.&#160;&#160; In
accordance with Peruvian law and SFAS No.&nbsp;112, the Company accrues this
cost monthly, with a charge to earnings.&#160;
The Company is required to deposit these funds into the employees bank
account every six months.&#160; Therefore, the
maximum accrual by the Company at any given time for such payments is six
months of owed payments.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">As
of December&nbsp;31, 2007, the balance of this liability was $2.1 million.&#160; This amount&#160;
represents an average of 45 days of remuneration, as the last cash
contribution occurred on November&nbsp;15, 2007. This liability is included in &#147;Other
accrued liabilities&#148; under current liabilities on our consolidated balance
sheet.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">With
respect to disability related benefits, the Company continues to make salary
payments for up to 20 days for employees who are temporarily disabled, after
which the Peruvian social security system makes these payments.&#160; The Company charges any such payments to cost
as incurred.&#160; These payments are immaterial
to the overall results and financial position of the Company.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">In
the case of employees of the Lima, Tacna and Arequipa offices (approximately
193 people) medical coverage is continued under the Company&#146;s medical insurance
plan for a 20-day period. The insurance covers up to $25,000 per claim.&#160; The Company charges health insurance premiums
to cost on a current basis as incurred.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Under
Mexican Labor Law, employees are entitled to receive a severance payment equal
to 90 days of salary .&#160; In addition, under
Mexican Labor Law, employees who are terminated without due cause, are entitled
to receive a severance payment equal to 20 days of salary for every year of
service rendered prior to termination.&#160;
Employees that voluntary terminate their employment with the Company are
not entitled to severance payments.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">These
severance payments are accounted for under SFAS 112.&#160; The Company obtains an actuarial calculation
to determine the applicable severance liability.&#160; This calculation takes into consideration various
assumptions including, among others, the </font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<div style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><hr size="3" width="100%" noshade color="#010101" align="left"></div>

</div>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Company&#146;s
historical involuntary termination rate and the average length of service of
employees that are terminated.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">At
December&nbsp;31, 2007, the liability determined by the independent actuary
equaled $181,377.&#160; This amount was
recorded in &#147;Other liabilities and reserves&#148; on our balance sheet.&#160; We have not considered any detailed
disclosures regarding this amount to be necessary in our financial statements
because it is immaterial to the overall financial position and results of
operations of the Company.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">All
other involuntary termination benefits are covered by the Mexican Social
Security Institute <i>(&#147;Instituto Mexicano de
Seguro Social&#148;).&#160; </i>The Company
is not required to fund any such further benefits.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .25in;"><b><u><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Note 2.&#160; Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, page&nbsp;115</font></u></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .25in;"><b><u><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Leachable Material, page&nbsp;119</font></u></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">6.</font></b><b><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font></b><b><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">In
connection with your accounting policy on leachable material, please:</font></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .75in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#183;</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><b><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">tell us the length of time it generally takes
for copper, molybdenum, zinc and silver to be recovered from the leach pad;</font></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .75in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">It
takes approximately five years&#160; to
recover copper from the leach pad.&#160;
Molybdenum, zinc and sliver are not recovered from the leaching process.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 48.0pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .75in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#183;</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><b><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">clarify
how costs relating to leachable material are captured and classified from the
time materials are extracted from the mine to the final sale; and</font></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .75in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Total
production costs of the open pit mine, including drilling, blasting, loading
and haulage as well as mine equipment depreciation, are included to determine
the total mine costs.&#160; This total mine
cost is allocated to the production of sulfide ore material and leachable
material on the following basis:</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 48.0pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<div align="center">

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
 <tr>
  <td width="10%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:10.1%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.44%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#183;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="85%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:85.46%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The
  total tons of material moved is separated into ore material, leachable
  material and waste material.</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="10%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:10.1%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.44%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#183;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="85%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:85.46%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The
  tons of waste are allocated to ore material and leachable material on the
  basis of the tonnage of both of these materials.</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="10%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:10.1%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.44%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#183;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="85%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:85.46%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Finally,
  we add the tons of leachable material including the waste assigned. These
  tons are then multiplied by the unit cost of all material moved, and the
  resulting amount is capitalized.</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
</table>

</div>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 48.0pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 48.0pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 48.0pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<div style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><hr size="3" width="100%" noshade color="#010101" align="left"></div>

</div>
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<div style="font-family:Times New Roman;">

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 48.0pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">This
capitalized cost is amortized over a five year straight line period.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 48.0pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 48.0pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The
cost of sales of the leachable material, which is sold as SX/EW refined copper
includes the SX/EW plant production cost.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 48.0pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 66.0pt;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#183;</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><b><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">tell us
the nature of the costs that are being deferred;</font></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 48.0pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The
deferred costs include those incurred in the drilling, blasting, loading and
haulage of ore material from the ground movement through the dump disposal and
the mine equipment depreciation.&#160; Such
costs are included to determine the mine costs for leachable material valuation
to be capitalized in a deferred asset account.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 48.0pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 66.0pt;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#183;</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><b><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">specify
how you determined the depletion period of the leaching dumps and tell us why
this estimate is unaudited.&#160; Please explain
to us why labeling this information as &#147;unaudited&#148; does not represent an audit
scope exception.</font></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 48.0pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The
Company has adopted a five year straight-line depletion period based on
internal engineering studies that indicate five years to be the appropriate depletion
period for the Company&#146;s leaching sites.&#160;
The Company relies on internal engineering studies and prior experience
since depletion periods are subject to variation from site to site depending on
the geological and climatic conditions of the site and since there is no
technical US GAAP guidance or industry standards defining the appropriate
depletion period.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 48.0pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 48.0pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The
ore amounts on leach pads that are capitalized on the balance sheet at December&nbsp;31,
2007 and 2006 and the ore amounts amortized to the income statement for the
periods ended December&nbsp;31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 are audited by the external
auditors. The depletion period has also been audited by the external auditors
for all years presented.&#160; All appropriate
procedures to audit the reasonableness of this period have been consistently
performed by the external auditors.&#160;
Therefore a scope limitation does not exist with regards to the
depletion period of leaching dumps.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 48.0pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 48.0pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The
depletion period of the leaching dumps was inadvertently labeled as unaudited
in the Company&#146;s Form&nbsp;10-K for the fiscal year ended December&nbsp;31,
2007.&#160; This will be corrected in all
future filings.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 48.0pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">In
addition, please tell us the facts and circumstances under which your net
operating cost would have decreased for the year 2007 and increased for the two
prior fiscal years if you would have expensed all capitalized leaching costs.</font></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<div style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><hr size="3" width="100%" noshade color="#010101" align="left"></div>

</div>
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<div style="font-family:Times New Roman;">

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Below
is a summary of capitalized leachable material costs and amortization of
capitalized leachable material cost during each of the three years ended December&nbsp;31,2007:</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="88%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:88.62%;">
 <tr>
  <td width="57%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:57.68%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold;">(in millions of US dollars)</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="3%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:3.06%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="10%" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:10.06%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold;">2007</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="3%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:3.04%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="10%" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:10.04%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold;">2006</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="3%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:3.04%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="10%" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:10.04%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold;">2005</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="3%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:3.04%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="57%" valign="top" bgcolor="#CCEEFF" style="background:#CCEEFF;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:57.68%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Capitalized leachable
  material (credit to operating costs)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="3%" valign="bottom" bgcolor="#CCEEFF" style="background:#CCEEFF;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:3.06%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="10%" valign="bottom" bgcolor="#CCEEFF" style="background:#CCEEFF;border:none;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:10.06%;">
  <p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">50.6</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="3%" valign="bottom" bgcolor="#CCEEFF" style="background:#CCEEFF;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:3.04%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="10%" valign="bottom" bgcolor="#CCEEFF" style="background:#CCEEFF;border:none;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:10.04%;">
  <p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">71.8</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="3%" valign="bottom" bgcolor="#CCEEFF" style="background:#CCEEFF;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:3.04%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="10%" valign="bottom" bgcolor="#CCEEFF" style="background:#CCEEFF;border:none;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:10.04%;">
  <p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">81.2</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="3%" valign="bottom" bgcolor="#CCEEFF" style="background:#CCEEFF;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:3.04%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="57%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:57.68%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Amortization of
  capitalized leachable material</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="3%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:3.06%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="10%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:10.06%;">
  <p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(61.8</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="3%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:3.04%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="10%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:10.04%;">
  <p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(50.4</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="3%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:3.04%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="10%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:10.04%;">
  <p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(5.7</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="3%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:3.04%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">)</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="57%" valign="top" bgcolor="#CCEEFF" style="background:#CCEEFF;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:57.68%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Effect on calculation of
  workers participation</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="3%" valign="bottom" bgcolor="#CCEEFF" style="background:#CCEEFF;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:3.06%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="10%" valign="bottom" bgcolor="#CCEEFF" style="background:#CCEEFF;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:10.06%;">
  <p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">1.1</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="3%" valign="bottom" bgcolor="#CCEEFF" style="background:#CCEEFF;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:3.04%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="10%" valign="bottom" bgcolor="#CCEEFF" style="background:#CCEEFF;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:10.04%;">
  <p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(2.1</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="3%" valign="bottom" bgcolor="#CCEEFF" style="background:#CCEEFF;padding:0in .7pt 0.375pt .7pt;width:3.04%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="10%" valign="bottom" bgcolor="#CCEEFF" style="background:#CCEEFF;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:10.04%;">
  <p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(7.5</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="3%" valign="bottom" bgcolor="#CCEEFF" style="background:#CCEEFF;padding:0in .7pt 0.375pt .7pt;width:3.04%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">)</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="57%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:57.68%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Net operating cost effect
  of capitalizing leaching cost</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="3%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:3.06%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="10%" valign="bottom" style="border:none;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:10.06%;">
  <p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(10.1</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="3%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:3.04%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="10%" valign="bottom" style="border:none;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:10.04%;">
  <p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">19.3</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="3%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:3.04%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="10%" valign="bottom" style="border:none;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:10.04%;">
  <p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">68.0</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="3%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:3.04%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="57%" valign="top" bgcolor="#CCEEFF" style="background:#CCEEFF;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:57.68%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="3%" valign="bottom" bgcolor="#CCEEFF" style="background:#CCEEFF;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:3.06%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="10%" valign="bottom" bgcolor="#CCEEFF" style="background:#CCEEFF;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:10.06%;">
  <p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="3%" valign="bottom" bgcolor="#CCEEFF" style="background:#CCEEFF;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:3.04%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="10%" valign="bottom" bgcolor="#CCEEFF" style="background:#CCEEFF;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:10.04%;">
  <p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="3%" valign="bottom" bgcolor="#CCEEFF" style="background:#CCEEFF;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:3.04%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="10%" valign="bottom" bgcolor="#CCEEFF" style="background:#CCEEFF;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:10.04%;">
  <p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="3%" valign="bottom" bgcolor="#CCEEFF" style="background:#CCEEFF;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:3.04%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="57%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:57.68%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Annual operating costs</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="3%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:3.06%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="10%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:10.06%;">
  <p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">2,588</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="3%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:3.04%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="10%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:10.04%;">
  <p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">2,406</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="3%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:3.04%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="10%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:10.04%;">
  <p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">2,018</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="3%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:3.04%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="57%" valign="top" bgcolor="#CCEEFF" style="background:#CCEEFF;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:57.68%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Effect on Annual operating
  costs of expensing all leachable costs</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="3%" valign="bottom" bgcolor="#CCEEFF" style="background:#CCEEFF;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:3.06%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="10%" valign="bottom" bgcolor="#CCEEFF" style="background:#CCEEFF;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:10.06%;">
  <p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">0.4</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="3%" valign="bottom" bgcolor="#CCEEFF" style="background:#CCEEFF;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:3.04%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">%</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="10%" valign="bottom" bgcolor="#CCEEFF" style="background:#CCEEFF;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:10.04%;">
  <p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">0.8</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="3%" valign="bottom" bgcolor="#CCEEFF" style="background:#CCEEFF;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:3.04%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">%</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="10%" valign="bottom" bgcolor="#CCEEFF" style="background:#CCEEFF;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:10.04%;">
  <p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">3.3</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="3%" valign="bottom" bgcolor="#CCEEFF" style="background:#CCEEFF;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:3.04%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">%</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
</table>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">As
noted from the above table, the effect of expensing, rather than capitalizing,
all leachable costs would be immaterial to the overall financial position and
results of operations. The effect that is illustrated in the above table has
also been disclosed in note 6 to our consolidated financial statements included
in the Company&#146;s Form&nbsp;10-K for the fiscal year ended December&nbsp;31,
2007.&#160; Our disclosure in note 6 is as
follows.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in .75in .0001pt .5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#147;The
Company&#146;s policy of deferring leachable material cost increased (decreased) operating
costs by $10.1 million, $(19.3) million and $(68.0) million in 2007, 2006, and
2005, respectively, as compared to what such amounts would have been if the
Company expensed leachable material costs as incurred.&#148;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in .75in .0001pt .5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><u><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Engineering
Comments</font></u></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><u><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">First/generation:
Project We are Planning, page&nbsp;85</font></u></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">7.</font></b><b><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font></b><b><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">We note
within your filing you refer to &#147;measured resources&#148;, but we specifically note
your reference to the Tia Maria project as having &#147;indicative resources&#148; of 638
million tons of mineralized material with an average copper grade of
0.39%.&#160; This is in contrast to your
mineralized material estimate of 193 million tons grading 0.302% copper for the
same project.&#160; The provisions in Industry
Guide 7 preclude the use of any terms other than proven or probable reserves for
disclosure in SEC documents.&#160; We do not
recognize resource reporting terminology, but traditionally, we have not
objected to the disclosure of quantity estimates for non-reserve mineralized
material in reference to that mineralization that has been sufficiently sampled
at close enough intervals to </font></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<div style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><hr size="3" width="100%" noshade color="#010101" align="left"></div>

</div>
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<br clear="all" style="page-break-before:always;">


<div>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">reasonably assume continuity between samples within the area of
influence of the samples.&#160; This material
will not qualify as a reserve until a comprehensive evaluation, based upon unit
costs, grade, recoveries, and other factors concludes economic and legal
feasibility.</font></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Generally, mineralized material should only be reported as an in-place
tonnage and grade.&#160; Estimates of
contained or salable materials, such as pounds copper or ounces of gold
mineralized material should not be reported, as these quantities may also be
confused with reserves.&#160; Please note that
&#147;mineralized material&#148; does not include: 1) material reported as reserves, and
2) volumes and grades estimated by using geologic inference, which are
sometimes classed as &#147;inferred&#148; or &#147;possible&#148; by some evaluators.&#160; Please ensure your future filings address the
following:</font></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<div align="center">

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
 <tr>
  <td width="7%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:7.88%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.44%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#183;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="87%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:87.68%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Remove
  the terms &#147;measured,&#148; &#147;indicated,&#148; &#147;inferred,&#148; &#147;mineral resource,&#148; &#147;mineral
  resource base,&#148; &#147;drill indicated,&#148; &#147;geological resources,&#148; and other
  associated estimates.</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="7%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:7.88%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.44%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="87%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:87.68%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="7%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:7.88%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.44%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#183;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="87%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:87.68%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">If
  the quantities associated with the above terms meet the requirements of
  mineralized material, disclose the estimates as &#147;mineralized material.&#148;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="7%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:7.88%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.44%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="87%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:87.68%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="7%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:7.88%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.44%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#183;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="87%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:87.68%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Please
  do not disclose estimates based on geologic inference, such as &#147;inferred&#148; or
  &#147;possible&#148; resources.</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
</table>

</div>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">We
will not use the terms such as &#147;measured,&#148; &#147;indicated,&#148; &#147;inferred,&#148; &#147;mineral
resource,&#148; &#147;mineral resource base,&#148; &#147;drill indicated,&#148; &#147;geological resources,&#148;
and similar terms in future filings.&#160; In
addition, we will restrict our disclosure for non proven and probable ore
quantities to &#147;mineralized material&#148; where such quantities meet the
requirements of mineralized material.&#160;
Also, we will not disclose estimates based on geologic inference, such
as &#147;inferred&#148; or &#147;possible&#148; resources.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Please
note that in our report of our Tia Maria deposit, we stated in page&nbsp;8 that
this project includes 2 deposits: the Tia Maria and La Tapada.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The
mineralized material is as follows:</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<div align="center">

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
 <tr>
  <td width="24%" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:24.3%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Deposit</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="5%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.0%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="34%" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:34.54%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Mineralized material </font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="5%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.0%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="28%" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:28.64%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Copper grade</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:2.54%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="24%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:24.3%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="5%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.0%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="34%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:34.54%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold;">(million tons)</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="5%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.0%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="28%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:28.64%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:2.54%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="24%" valign="top" bgcolor="#CCEEFF" style="background:#CCEEFF;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:24.3%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Tia Maria</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="5%" valign="bottom" bgcolor="#CCEEFF" style="background:#CCEEFF;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="34%" valign="bottom" bgcolor="#CCEEFF" style="background:#CCEEFF;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:34.54%;">
  <p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">193</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="5%" valign="bottom" bgcolor="#CCEEFF" style="background:#CCEEFF;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="28%" valign="bottom" bgcolor="#CCEEFF" style="background:#CCEEFF;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:28.64%;">
  <p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">0.302</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" bgcolor="#CCEEFF" style="background:#CCEEFF;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:2.54%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">%</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="24%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:24.3%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">La Tapada</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="5%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="34%" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:34.54%;">
  <p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">445</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="5%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="28%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:28.64%;">
  <p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">0.434</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:2.54%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">%</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="24%" valign="top" bgcolor="#CCEEFF" style="background:#CCEEFF;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:24.3%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Total</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="5%" valign="bottom" bgcolor="#CCEEFF" style="background:#CCEEFF;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="34%" valign="bottom" bgcolor="#CCEEFF" style="background:#CCEEFF;border:none;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:34.54%;">
  <p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">638</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="5%" valign="bottom" bgcolor="#CCEEFF" style="background:#CCEEFF;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="28%" valign="bottom" bgcolor="#CCEEFF" style="background:#CCEEFF;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:28.64%;">
  <p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">0.390</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" bgcolor="#CCEEFF" style="background:#CCEEFF;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:2.54%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">%</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
</table>

</div>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<div style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><hr size="3" width="100%" noshade color="#010101" align="left"></div>

</div>
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<br clear="all" style="page-break-before:always;">


<div>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The
total mineralized material is provided under the heading &#147;<u>First generation
projects</u>&#148; beginning on page&nbsp;84 of the Company&#146;s Form&nbsp;10-K for the
fiscal year ended December&nbsp;31, 2007.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><u><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Closing
Comments</font></u></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .25in;text-indent:.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">As requested in your letter,
Southern Copper acknowledges the following:</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .25in;text-indent:.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<div align="center">

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
 <tr>
  <td width="7%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:7.88%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:3.34%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#183;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="88%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:88.78%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Southern
  Copper is responsible for the adequacy and accuracy of the disclosure in the
  filing discussed herein;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="7%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:7.88%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:3.34%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="88%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:88.78%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="7%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:7.88%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:3.34%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#183;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="88%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:88.78%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Staff
  comments or changes to disclosure in response to Staff comments do not
  foreclose the Commission from taking any action with respect to the filing;
  and</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="7%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:7.88%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:3.34%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="88%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:88.78%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="7%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:7.88%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:3.34%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#183;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="88%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:88.78%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Southern
  Copper may not assert Staff comments as a defense in any proceeding initiated
  by the Commission or any person under the federal security laws of the United
  States.</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
</table>

</div>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-indent:0in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-indent:0in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-indent:0in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Should you have any
questions about the responses in this letter, kindly contact our general
counsel, Armando Ortega, at +52-55-1103-5130.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
 <tr>
  <td width="50%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:50.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="50%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:50.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Very truly yours,</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="47%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:47.78%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="52%" colspan="2" rowspan="6" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:52.22%;">
  <p style="margin:6.0pt 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman"><img width="205" height="84" src="g100972mai002.jpg"></font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="47%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:47.78%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="47%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:47.78%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="47%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:47.78%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="47%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:47.78%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="47%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:47.78%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="50%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:50.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="50%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:50.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Oscar Gonzalez Rocha</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr height="0">
  <td width="357" style="border:none;"></td>
  <td width="17" style="border:none;"></td>
  <td width="374" style="border:none;"></td>
 </tr>
</table>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<div style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><hr size="3" width="100%" noshade color="#010101" align="left"></div>

</div>
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