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STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY: (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified | 1 Months Ended | 5 Months Ended | 6 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 41 Months Ended |  |  |  |  |  | 12 Months Ended
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Oct. 31, 2011 | Sep. 30, 2011 | Aug. 31, 2011 | Jun. 30, 2011 | May 31, 2011 | Dec. 31, 2008 | Oct. 14, 2010 | Sep. 30, 2009 | Dec. 31, 2011 | Dec. 31, 2011 | Dec. 31, 2010 | Dec. 31, 2009 | Dec. 31, 2011 TREASURY STOCK: | Dec. 31, 2010 TREASURY STOCK: | Dec. 31, 2011 Minera Mexico | Dec. 31, 2011 Common Class A TREASURY STOCK: | Dec. 31, 2010 Common Class A TREASURY STOCK: | Dec. 31, 2009 Common Class A TREASURY STOCK: | Dec. 31, 2011 Common Class B TREASURY STOCK: | Dec. 31, 2010 Common Class B TREASURY STOCK: | Dec. 31, 2009 Common Class B TREASURY STOCK:
Activity in treasury stock |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Balance at the beginning of the period |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 622,722 |  |  |  | $ 897,852 | $ 622,722 |  | $ 461,000 | $ 460,712 |  | $ 161,700 | $ 142,700 |
Purchase of shares | 15,300 | 28,400 | 81,900 | 147,500 | 500 | 384,700 | 500 | 71,900 | 273,700 | 730,700 |  |  |  |  |  | 273,690 | 463 | 71,903 |  |  |
Used for corporate purposes |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (534) | (208) | (159) |  |  |
Other activity, including dividend, interest and currency translation effect |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,974 | 19,054 | 17,216
Balance at the end of the period |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 897,852 | 897,852 |  |  | 897,852 | 622,722 |  | 734,123 | 461,000 | 460,712 | 163,700 | 161,700 | 142,700
Treasury stock balance at the end of the period (in shares) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 43,616,086 | 34,596,086 |  | 897,800,000 | 622,700,000 |
Appropriated Retained Earnings: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Unremitted earnings of subsidiary (in dollars) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 1,976,598 | $ 1,976,598 | $ 1,776,211 | $ 1,776,255 |  |  | $ 2,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |

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