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COMMITTMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES: (Details 4) (USD $)
 3 Months Ended 2 Months Ended 1 Months Ended 3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 1997
Y
Mar. 31, 2012
Tia Maria
t
Mar. 31, 2012
Tia Maria
Peru
Jan. 31, 2005
Minera Mexico, S.A. de C.V. (the "Transaction")
lawsuit
Oct. 31, 2011
Americas Mining Corporation ("AMC") merger transaction
Oct. 31, 2010
Americas Mining Corporation ("AMC") merger transaction
lawsuit
Oct. 31, 2010
Americas Mining Corporation ("AMC") merger transaction
Asarco LLC
lawsuit
Litigation matter              
Number of purported class action derivative lawsuits filed       3   4 2
Number of purported class action derivative lawsuits which are consolidated       3      
Number of consolidated purported class action derivative lawsuits       1      
Damages awarded by court         $ 1,347,000,000    
Pre-adjustment interest         684,600,000    
Attorney's fees and expenses awarded, option 1         304,700,000    
Attorney's fees and expenses awarded, option 2 (as a percent)         15.00%    
Other commitments:              
Estimated annual production of copper cathodes (in tons)   120,000          
Term of power purchase agreement related to sale of power plant (in years) 20            
Total budget for the project     1,000,000,000        
Amount invested in mine and leach equipment and required studies     $ 401,100,000