Represents the cash equivalents invested as a percentage of the total cash held by the entity as on the balance sheet.

No definition available.

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- Definition

Represents the cash equivalents invested in one institution of specified country as percentage of total cash investment in that specified country.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Represents the percentage of cash equivalents invested in one institution of specified country.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Represents the percentage of the entity's total cash denominated in US dollars.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Number of open pit copper mines which represent long-lived, depletable assets that represent the legal right to explore, extract and retain some or all portions of the benefits from mining.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the number of refineries operated by the entity.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the number of smelting plants operated by the entity.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Number of underground poly metal mines which represent long-lived, depletable assets that represent the legal right to explore, extract and retain some or all portions of the benefits from mining.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Cash includes currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. It also includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits in that the customer may deposit additional funds at any time and effectively may withdraw funds at any time without prior notice or penalty. Cash equivalents, excluding items classified as marketable securities, include short-term, highly liquid Investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash, and so near their maturity that they present minimal risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Generally, only investments with original maturities of three months or less qualify under that definition. Original maturity means original maturity to the entity holding the investment. For example, both a three-month US Treasury bill and a three-year Treasury note purchased three months from maturity qualify as cash equivalents. However, a Treasury note purchased three years ago does not become a cash equivalent when its remaining maturity is three months. Short-term investments, exclusive of cash equivalents, generally consist of marketable securities intended to be sold within one year (or the normal operating cycle if longer) and may include trading securities, available-for-sale securities, or held-to-maturity securities (if maturing within one year), as applicable.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Cash

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6506951

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Cash Equivalents

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6507016

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 1

-Article 5

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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- Definition

For an entity that discloses a concentration risk in relation to quantitative amount, which serves as the "benchmark" (or denominator) in the equation, this concept represents the concentration percentage derived from the division.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 825

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 21

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35750535&loc=d3e13537-108611

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 275

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 20

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6927468&loc=d3e6404-108592

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 825

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 20

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35750535&loc=d3e13531-108611

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 275

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 18

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6927468&loc=d3e6351-108592

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CONCENTRATION OF RISK: (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
CONCENTRATION OF RISK:
Number of open-pit copper mines	4scco_NumberOfOpenPitCopperMines
Number of underground poly metallic mines	5scco_NumberOfUndergroundPolyMetalMines
Number of smelters	2scco_NumberOfSmelters
Number of refineries	8scco_NumberOfRefineries
Cash equivalents
Concentration of risk
Total cash and short-term investment	702.6
Percentage of total cash	100.00%
Percentage of cash in US dollars	97.20%
Cash equivalents \| United States
Concentration of risk
Total cash and short-term investment	210.8
Percentage of total cash	30.00%
Percentage invested in one institution of country	47.10%
Percentage invested in one institution of total cash	14.10%
Cash equivalents \| Peru
Concentration of risk
Total cash and short-term investment	83.9
Percentage of total cash	11.90%
Percentage invested in one institution of country	79.70%
Percentage invested in one institution of total cash	9.50%
Cash equivalents \| Mexico
Concentration of risk
Total cash and short-term investment	18.3
Percentage of total cash	2.60%
Percentage invested in one institution of country	62.40%
Percentage invested in one institution of total cash	1.60%
Cash equivalents \| Switzerland
Concentration of risk
Total cash and short-term investment	389.6
Percentage of total cash	55.50%
Percentage invested in one institution of country	100.00%
Percentage invested in one institution of total cash	55.50%
Accounts receivable trade \| Five largest customers
Concentration of risk
Percentage of accounts receivable and total sales	31.20%	37.10%	40.00%
Accounts receivable trade \| Largest customer
Concentration of risk
Percentage of accounts receivable and total sales	8.00%	12.20%	10.40%
Total sales \| Five largest customers
Concentration of risk
Percentage of accounts receivable and total sales	34.30%	28.70%	28.80%
Total sales \| Largest customer
Concentration of risk
Percentage of accounts receivable and total sales	8.20%	8.40%	7.40%