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INCOME TAXES: (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2009 Southern Copper Corporation ("SCC")	Jun. 30, 2011 Asarco
INCOME TAXES:
Income tax provision	$ 301,935,000	$ 174,901,000	$ 540,016,000	$ 378,142,000
Effective income tax rate (as a percent)			32.10%	35.10%
Mexican tax rate (as a percent)			30.00%
Peruvian tax rate (as a percent)			35.00%
Decrease in unrecognized tax positions due to audit settlement	$ 26,000,000
Ownership interest held by the parent company
Percentage of ownership interest held by the parent company (as a percent)					80.00%	100.00%

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The Mexican statutory income tax rate applicable under enacted tax laws to the company's pretax income for the period.

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The Peruvian statutory income tax rate applicable under enacted tax laws to the company's pretax income for the period.

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The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee by the parent company.

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The gross amount of decreases in unrecognized tax benefits resulting from audit settlements with taxing authorities.

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A ratio calculated by dividing the reported amount of income tax expense attributable to continuing operations for the period by GAAP-basis pretax income from continuing operations.

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The sum of the current income tax expense or benefit and the deferred income tax expense or benefit pertaining to continuing operations.

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