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COMMITTMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES: (Details 3) (USD $) | 1 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Sep. 30, 2010 person | Dec. 31, 2011 union
Peru |  |
Labor matters |  |
Percentage of labor unionized |  | 61.00%
Number of workers who were unionized |  | 4,159
Number of labor unions represent majority of workers |  | 3
Number of labor unions at each production area represent majority of workers |  | 1
Percentage of annual salary increase as per collective bargaining agreement | 5.00% |
Bonus given to each workers as per collective bargaining agreement | $ 6,700 |
Number of workers covered under collective bargaining agreement | 2,000 |
Number of labor unions other than majority workers unions |  | 5
Mexican Operations. |  |
Labor matters |  |
Percentage of labor unionized |  | 75.00%
Number of workers who were unionized |  | 7,975
Period of other benefits negotiated under collective bargaining agreement (in years) |  | 2
Mexican Operations. | Buenavista mine |  |
Labor matters |  |
Number of workers covered under collective bargaining agreement |  | 780
Mine rehabilitation and reconstruction cost |  | 212,800,000
Mine rehabilitation and reconstruction cost capitalized |  | 131,700,000
Mine rehabilitation and reconstruction cost charged to operating cost |  | 81,100,000

X
- Definition Represents the agreed signing bonus given to workers under the collective bargaining agreement. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Represents the number of companies whose workers are unionized. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition The number of labor unions in the entity representing the majority of workers at each production area. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Represents the number of labor unions other than the majority workers unions in the entity. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition The number of labor unions in the entity representing the majority of workers. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Represents the approximate number of workers covered under collective bargaining agreement. + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | scco_
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- Definition Represents the percentage of annual salary increase under the collective bargaining agreement. + References No definition available. + Details
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Balance Type: | na
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- Definition Represents the percentage of labor which was unionized labor. + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | scco_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

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- Definition Represents the duration for which the other benefits are negotiated under collective bargaining agreement (in years). + References No definition available. + Details
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Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
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- Definition Represents the rehabilitation and reconstruction cost of the Buenavista mine. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Represents the capitalized rehabilitation and reconstruction cost of the Buenavista mine. + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | scco_
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- Definition Represents the rehabilitation and reconstruction cost charged to operating cost of the Buenavista mine. + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | scco_
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- Details
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