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INVENTORIES: (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010
Metals at lower of average cost or market:
Finished goods	$ 101,300,000		$ 67,900,000
Work-in-process	248,000,000		227,600,000
Supplies at average cost	260,100,000		245,500,000
Total inventories	609,436,000		540,988,000
Inventory, long-term
Long-term leach stockpiles	59,964,000		29,668,000
Average estimated recovery period of long-term leach stockpiles (in years)	5
Leaching costs capitalized as longterm inventory of leachable material	54,100,000
Long-term leaching inventories recognized as cost of sales	$ 23,600,000	$ 21,000,000

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- Definition

Represents the capitalized costs of ore stockpile material contained on a leach pad, such as copper or gold ore.

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Represents the costs recognized under cost of sales of ore stockpile material contained on a leach pad, such as copper or gold ore.

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- Definition

Represents the average estimated recovery period of long-term leach stockpiles based on the recovery percentages of each mine.

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- Definition

Carrying amount, net of valuation reserves and adjustments, as of the balance sheet date of merchandise or goods held by the company that are readily available for sale.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
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Carrying amount (lower of cost or market) as of the balance sheet date of inventories less all valuation and other allowances. Excludes noncurrent inventory balances (expected to remain on hand past one year or one operating cycle, if longer).

+ References

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The carrying amount of ore stockpile material contained on a leach pad, such as copper or gold ore.

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Carrying amount, net of valuation reserves and adjustments, as of the balance sheet date of products used directly or indirectly in the manufacturing or production process, which may or may not become part of the final product. May also include items used in the storage, presentation or transportation of physical goods.

+ References

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Carrying amount, net of reserves and adjustments, as of the balance sheet date of merchandise or goods which are partially completed. This inventory is generally comprised of raw materials, labor and factory overhead costs, which require further materials, labor and overhead to be converted into finished goods, and which generally require the use of estimates to determine percentage complete and pricing.

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