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The adjustment out of accumulated other comprehensive income after tax for amortized gains or losses recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost during the period.

No definition available.

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The increase (decrease) in accumulated other comprehensive income during the period related to pension and other postretirement benefit plans, after tax.

No definition available.

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Amount of tax (expense) benefit on increase (decrease) in accumulated other comprehensive income during the period, related to pension and other postretirement benefit plans.

No definition available.

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The aggregate adjustment out of accumulated other comprehensive income after tax recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost during the period.

No definition available.

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Name:	scco_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlansAmortizedAndRecognizedInNetPeriodicBenefitCostNetOfTaxAbstract
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The accumulated change in the value of either the projected benefit obligation or the plan assets resulting from experience different from that assumed or from a change in an actuarial assumption that has not been recognized in net periodic benefit cost, net of tax.

No definition available.

Name:	scco_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlansAmortizedGainLossDuringPeriodNetOfTax
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The adjustment out of accumulated other comprehensive income after tax for amortized gains or losses recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost during the period.

No definition available.

Name:	scco_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlansNetAmortizedGainLossArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax
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The adjustment out of other comprehensive income for the net changes in currency rate changes recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost during the period, after tax.

No definition available.

Name:	scco_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeReclassificationOfDefinedBenefitPlanNetCurrencyExchangeRateChangesRecognizedInNetPeriodicBenefitCostNetOfTax
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The amount of payments made for which participants are entitled under a pension plan, including pension benefits, death benefits, and benefits due on termination of employment. Also includes payments made under a postretirement benefit plan, including prescription drug benefits, health care benefits, life insurance benefits, and legal, educational and advisory services. This item represents a periodic decrease to the plan obligations.

No definition available.

Name:	scco_BenefitPlanBenefitsPaid1
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The amount of gains and losses, net of tax that are not yet recognized as a component of the net periodic benefit cost and that are recognized as increases or decreases in other comprehensive income as they arise. Gains and losses are due to changes in the value of either the benefit obligation or the plan assets resulting from the experience different from that assumed or from a change in an actuarial assumption, or the consequence of a decision to temporarily deviate from the substantive plan.

No definition available.

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Aggregate amount of tax portion on gains (losses), that are not yet recognized as a component of the net periodic benefit cost and that are recognized as increases (decreases) in other comprehensive income as they arise. Gains (losses) are due to changes in the value of either the benefit obligation or the plan assets resulting from the experience different from that assumed or from a change in an actuarial assumption, or the consequence of a decision to temporarily deviate from the substantive plan.

No definition available.

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Represents the amount of gain (loss) from changes in actuarial assumptions.

No definition available.

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The net increase or decrease of changes in the value of either the benefit obligation or the plan assets attributable to the revised census data.

No definition available.

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The net increase or decrease of changes in the value of either the benefit obligation or the plan assets attributable to claims cost.

No definition available.

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Represents the amount of actuarial loss recognized in net periodic benefit cost.

No definition available.

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Represents the interest rate used to adjust for the time value of money assumed to determine the pension obligation and seniority premiums as of the year-end and the net cost.

No definition available.

Name:	scco_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedInCalculatingBenefitObligationAndNetPeriodicBenefitCostDiscountRate
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An assumption as to the rate of return on plan assets reflecting the average rate of earnings expected on the funds invested or to be invested to determine the pension obligation and seniority premiums as of year-end and the net cost.

No definition available.

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Represents the expected rate of compensation increases (for pay-related plans) assumed to determine the pension obligation and seniority premiums as of the year-end and the net cost.

No definition available.

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Represents the total amount of the benefits expected to be paid in the future.

No definition available.

Name:	scco_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPayments
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The assumed health care cost trend rate for the current year used to measure the expected cost of benefits covered by the plan (gross eligible charges). This is based upon the annual rate of change in the cost of health care benefits currently provided by the postretirement benefit plan, due to factors other than changes in the composition of the plan, population by age and dependency status.

No definition available.

Name:	scco_DefinedBenefitPlanHealthCareCostTrendRateAssumed
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Represents the number of expatriate noncontributory defined benefit pension plans.

No definition available.

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This element represents the amount of net gains and losses amounts in accumulative other comprehensive income recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost during the period, after tax.

No definition available.

Name:	scco_DefinedBenefitPlanReclassificationOfNetGainsLossesFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
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Represents the change in the net periodic benefit cost attributable to inflationary adjustments.

No definition available.

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Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

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The total of net gain (loss), prior service cost (credit), and transition assets (obligations), as well as minimum pension liability if still remaining, included in accumulated other comprehensive income associated with a defined benefit pension or other postretirement plan(s) because they have yet to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 220

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Amount after tax of cost (credit) due to benefit changes attributable to plan participants' prior service pursuant to a plan amendment or a plan initiation, which has not yet been recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost.

No definition available.

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The difference between fair value of plan assets at the end of the period and the fair value at the beginning of the period, adjusted for contributions and payments of benefits during the period, and after adjusting for taxes and other expenses, as applicable.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-Glossary Actual Return on Plan Assets (Component of Net Periodic Pension Cost)

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Amount of gain (loss) related to change in benefit obligation resulting from changes in actuarial assumptions, for example, but not limited to, interest, mortality, employee turnover, salary, and temporary deviation from the substantive plan.

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The amount of gains or losses recognized in net periodic benefit cost.

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The amount of the prior service cost or credit recognized in net periodic benefit cost relating to benefit changes attributable to plan participants' prior service pursuant to a plan amendment or a plan initiation.

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The amount of the transition obligation or asset recognized in net periodic benefit cost.

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The aggregate net amount recognized in the balance sheet associated with the defined benefit plan(s). Will normally be the same as the Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Status of Plan, Total.

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The amount for overfunded plans recognized in the balance sheet as a noncurrent asset associated with a defined benefit pension plan or other postretirement defined benefit plan.

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1) For defined benefit pension plans, the benefit obligation is the projected benefit obligation, which is the actuarial present value as of a date of all benefits attributed by the pension benefit formula to employee service rendered prior to that date. 2) For other postretirement defined benefit plans, the benefit obligation is the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation, which is the actuarial present value of benefits attributed to employee service rendered to a particular date.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-Glossary Projected Benefit Obligation

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-Glossary Postretirement Benefits

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

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-Paragraph 4

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The increase in the fair value of plan assets from contributions made by the employer.

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Amount of effect of a one-percentage-point decrease in the assumed health care cost trend rates on the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation for health care benefits.

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Amount of effect of a one-percentage-point decrease in the assumed health care cost trend rates on the aggregate of the service and interest cost components of net periodic postretirement health care benefit costs.

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The effect of a one-percentage-point increase in the assumed health care cost trend rates on the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation for health care benefits.

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The effect of a one-percentage-point increase in the assumed health care cost trend rates on the aggregate of the service and interest cost components of net periodic postretirement health care benefit costs.

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Amount of benefits from a defined benefit plan expected to be paid in the five fiscal years after the fifth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

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Amount of benefits from a defined benefit plan expected to be paid in the next fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

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Amount of benefits from a defined benefit plan expected to be paid in the fifth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

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Amount of benefits from a defined benefit plan expected to be paid in the fourth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

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Amount of benefits from a defined benefit plan expected to be paid in the third fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

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Amount of benefits from a defined benefit plan expected to be paid in the second fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

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An amount calculated as a basis for determining the extent of delayed recognition of the effects of changes in the fair value of assets. The expected return on plan assets is determined based on the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets and the market-related value of plan assets.

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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Assets, usually stocks, bonds, and other investments, that have been segregated and restricted (usually in a trust) to provide benefits, at their fair value as of the measurement date. Plan assets include amounts contributed by the employer (and by employees for a contributory plan) and amounts earned from investing the contributions, less benefits paid. If a plan has liabilities other than for benefits, those non-benefit obligations may be considered as reductions of plan assets.

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The amount of increase or decrease in plan assets attributed to foreign currency changes. The effects of foreign currency exchange rate changes that are to be disclosed are those applicable to plans of a foreign operation whose functional currency is not the reporting currency.

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The funded status is measured as the difference between the fair value of plan assets and the benefit obligation. Will normally be the same as the net Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheet, Total.

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The increase in a defined benefit pension plan's projected benefit obligation or a defined benefit postretirement plan's accumulated postretirement benefit obligation due to the passage of time.

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The total amount of net periodic benefit cost for defined benefit plans for the period. Periodic benefit costs include the following components: service cost, interest cost, expected return on plan assets, gain (loss), prior service cost or credit, transition asset or obligation, and gain (loss) due to settlements or curtailments.

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The actuarial present value of benefits attributed by the pension benefit formula to services rendered by employees during the period. The portion of the expected postretirement benefit obligation attributed to employee service during the period. The service cost component is a portion of the benefit obligation and is unaffected by the funded status of the plan.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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-Glossary Service Cost (Component of Net Periodic Pension Cost)

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The ultimate trend rate for health care costs.

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For a classified balance sheet, the amount recognized in balance sheet as a current liability associated with an underfunded defined benefit plan.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Current Liabilities

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This represents the noncurrent liability for underfunded plans recognized in the balance sheet that is associated with the defined benefit pension plans and other postretirement defined benefit plans.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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