XML 37 R40.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v2.4.0.6

INCOME TAXES: (Details 2) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 3 Months Ended
--- | ---
Mar. 31, 2012
Minimum |
Income Taxes |
Increase in unrecognized tax benefit | $ 30
Maximum |
Income Taxes |
Increase in unrecognized tax benefit | 50
Peru |
Income Taxes |
Operating income margin (as a percent) | 10.00%
Increase in special mining tax rate for each 5% increase up to 85% increase in operating income margin (as a percent) | 0.40%
Provision for special mining tax | $ 11.9
Peru | Minimum |
Income Taxes |
Special mining tax (as a percent) | 2.00%
Increment in operating income margin (as a percent) | 5.00%
Peru | Maximum |
Income Taxes |
Special mining tax (as a percent) | 8.40%
Increment in operating income margin (as a percent) | 85.00%

X
- Details
Name: | scco_IncomeTaxesLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | scco_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Represents the increase in the threshold percentage of operating income margin. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | scco_OperatingIncomeMarginIncreaseOverThresholdPercentage
Namespace Prefix: | scco_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Represents the threshold percentage of operating income margin for determining special mining tax. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | scco_OperatingIncomeMarginThresholdPercentage
Namespace Prefix: | scco_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Represents the increase in special mining tax rate for each 5 percent increase up to 85 percent increase in the operating income margin. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | scco_PercentageIncreaseInSpecialMiningTaxAtEach5PercentIncreaseInOperatingIncomeMarginThresholdPercentageUpto85Percent
Namespace Prefix: | scco_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Represents the percentage of special mining tax based on operating income margins. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | scco_PercentageOfSpecialMiningTax
Namespace Prefix: | scco_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Represents the special mining tax based on operating income. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | scco_SpecialMiningTax
Namespace Prefix: | scco_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The net amount of all increases and decreases in unrecognized tax benefits for the period. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Interpretation (FIN) -Number 48 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 15A -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=SL6600010-109319 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsPeriodIncreaseDecrease
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration