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CONCENTRATION OF RISK: (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) item	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
CONCENTRATION OF RISK:
Number of open-pit copper mines | item	4
Number of underground poly metallic mines | item	5
Number of smelters | item	2
Number of refineries | item	8
Cash equivalents
Concentration of risk
Total cash and short-term investment	$ 877.9
Percentage of total cash	100.00%
Percentage of cash in US dollars	98.90%
Cash equivalents | United States
Concentration of risk
Total cash and short-term investment	$ 373.8
Percentage of total cash	42.60%
Percentage invested in one institution of country	55.60%
Percentage invested in one institution of total cash	23.70%
Cash equivalents | Switzerland
Concentration of risk
Total cash and short-term investment	$ 491.0
Percentage of total cash	55.90%
Percentage invested in one institution of country	100.00%
Percentage invested in one institution of total cash	55.90%
Cash equivalents | Peru
Concentration of risk
Total cash and short-term investment	$ 6.2
Percentage of total cash	0.70%
Percentage invested in one institution of country	29.40%
Percentage invested in one institution of total cash	0.20%
Cash equivalents | Mexico
Concentration of risk
Total cash and short-term investment	$ 6.9
Percentage of total cash	0.80%
Percentage invested in one institution of country	10.30%
Percentage invested in one institution of total cash	0.10%
Accounts receivable trade | Five largest customers
Concentration of risk
Percentage of accounts receivable and total sales	32.40%	31.20%	37.10%
Accounts receivable trade | Largest customer
Concentration of risk
Percentage of accounts receivable and total sales	10.90%	8.00%	12.20%
Total sales | Five largest customers
Concentration of risk
Percentage of accounts receivable and total sales	28.00%	34.30%	28.70%
Total sales | Largest customer
Concentration of risk
Percentage of accounts receivable and total sales	7.70%	8.20%	8.40%

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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.

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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.

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