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Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems
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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
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Indicates (true false) whether lessee has option to extend operating lease.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 842
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (a)(3)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121609121&loc=SL77918673-209980

Name:	us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseExistenceOfOptionToExtend
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Indicates (true false) whether lessee has option to terminate operating lease.

Name:	us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseExistenceOfOptionToTerminate
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Amount of lessee's undiscounted obligation for lease payment for operating lease.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 842
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 6
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121609121&loc=SL77918701-209980

Name:	us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDue
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Amount of lessee's undiscounted obligation for lease payment for operating lease due after fifth fiscal year following current fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported from current statement of financial position date (rolling approach).

Name:	us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueAfterYearFive
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Amount of lessee's undiscounted obligation for lease payment for operating lease to be paid in next fiscal year following current fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported from current statement of financial position date (rolling approach).

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Amount of lessee's undiscounted obligation for lease payment for operating lease to be paid in fifth fiscal year following current fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported from current statement of financial position date (rolling approach).

Name:	us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueYearFive
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Amount of lessee's undiscounted obligation for lease payment for operating lease to be paid in fourth fiscal year following current fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported from current statement of financial position date (rolling approach).

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Amount of lessee's undiscounted obligation for lease payment for operating lease to be paid in third fiscal year following current fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported from current statement of financial position date (rolling approach).

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Amount of lessee's undiscounted obligation for lease payment for operating lease to be paid in second fiscal year following current fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported from current statement of financial position date (rolling approach).

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Amount of lessee's undiscounted obligation for lease payments in excess of discounted obligation for lease payments for operating lease.

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
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Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Amount of operating lease expense. Excludes sublease income.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 842
-SubTopic 20
-Section 45
-Paragraph 4
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Name:	us-gaap_OperatingLeaseExpense
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- References

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLiabilitiesPaymentsDueAbstract
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Present value of lessee's discounted obligation for lease payments from operating lease.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 842
-SubTopic 20
-Section 45
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Name:	us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLiability
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
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Weighted average discount rate for operating lease calculated at point in time.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 842
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
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-Subparagraph (g)(4)
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Name:	us-gaap_OperatingLeaseWeightedAverageDiscountRatePercent
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Data Type:	num:percentItemType
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Period Type:	instant

Weighted average remaining lease term for operating lease, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Publisher FASB
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Name:	us-gaap_OperatingLeaseWeightedAverageRemainingLeaseTerm1
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Amount of short-term lease cost, excluding expense for lease with term of one month or less.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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Name:	us-gaap_ShortTermLeaseCost
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
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Name:	us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis=scco_ExplorationExpenseMember
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