XML 39 R40.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.3.0.15

INVENTORIES: (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011 segment Year unit	Sep. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010
Metals at lower of average cost or market:
Finished goods	$ 108,300,000		$ 67,900,000
Work-in-process	259,000,000		227,600,000
Supplies at average cost	256,600,000		245,500,000
Total inventories	623,895,000		540,988,000
Inventory, long-term
Long-term leach stockpiles	83,303,000		29,668,000
Average estimated recovery period of long-term leach stockpiles (in years)	5
Leaching costs capitalized as long-term inventory of leachable material	87,100,000
Long-term leaching inventories recognized as cost of sales	$ 33,600,000	$ 31,200,000

X

- Definition

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

+ Details

Name:	scco_InventoryOreStockpilesOnLeachPadsCapitalizedCosts
Namespace Prefix:	scco
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

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

+ Details

Name:	scco_InventoryOreStockpilesOnLeachPadsRecognizedAsCostOfSales
Namespace Prefix:	scco
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

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

+ Details

Name:	scco_InventoryOreStockpilesOnLeachPadsRecoveryPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	scco
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_InventoryFinishedGoodsAndWorkInProcessNetOfReservesAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- 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

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.6(a)(1))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682



Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 6

-Article 5



Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)

-Number Topic 5

-Section BB



Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 330

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 5.BB)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6386940&loc=d3e100047-122729

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_InventoryFinishedGoodsNetOfReserves
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

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

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.6(a))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682



Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 330

-SubTopic 10

-Section 35

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6386567&loc=d3e3927-108312



Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6361293&loc=d3e6676-107765

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_InventoryNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_InventoryNoncurrentAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

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

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_InventoryOreStockpilesOnLeachPads
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

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

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 6

-Article 5



Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 330

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 5.BB)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6386940&loc=d3e100047-122729



Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.6(a)(5))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_InventorySuppliesNetOfReserves
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

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.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.6(a)(3))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682



Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 6

-Article 5



Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)

-Number Topic 5

-Section BB



Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 330

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 5.BB)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6386940&loc=d3e100047-122729

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_InventoryWorkInProcessNetOfReserves
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant