INTANGIBLE ASSETS: (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Intangible assets
Intangible assets excluding goodwill, gross	$ 135,000,000	$ 134,800,000
Accumulated amortization	(41,600,000)	(39,500,000)
Goodwill	17,000,000	17,000,000
Intangible assets, net	110,436,000	112,352,000
Amortization expense:
Amortization expense	2,100,000	2,100,000	2,400,000
Estimated amortization expense:
2012-2016	11,900,000
Average annual	2,400,000
Mining concessions
Intangible assets
Intangible assets excluding goodwill, gross	121,200,000	121,200,000
Mine engineering and development studies
Intangible assets
Intangible assets excluding goodwill, gross	6,000,000	6,000,000
Software
Intangible assets
Intangible assets excluding goodwill, gross	$ 7,800,000	$ 7,600,000

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Represents the average annual estimated amortization expense for the five succeeding fiscal years for intangible assets subject to amortization.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

The aggregate estimated amortization expense for five succeeding fiscal years for intangible assets subject to amortization.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Sum of the carrying amounts of all intangible assets, including goodwill, as of the balance sheet date, net of accumulated amortization and impairment charges.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

The accumulated amount of amortization of a major finite-lived intangible asset class. A major class is composed of intangible assets that can be grouped together because they are similar, either by their nature or by their use in the operations of a company.

+ References

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- Definition

Aggregate amount of intangible asset amortization recognized as expense during the period.

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- Definition

Sum of the gross carrying amounts before accumulated amortization as of the balance sheet date of all intangible assets having statutory or estimated useful lives. The aggregate gross carrying amount (including any previously recognized impairment charges) of a major finite-lived intangible asset class. A major class is composed of intangible assets that can be grouped together because they are similar, either by their nature or by their use in the operations of a company.

+ References

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Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date, which is the cumulative amount paid and (if applicable) the fair value of any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree, adjusted for any amortization recognized prior to the adoption of any changes in generally accepted accounting principles (as applicable) and for any impairment charges, in excess of the fair value of net assets acquired in one or more business combination transactions.

+ References

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