Accounts Receivable, Net, Current Accounts receivable trade, less allowance for doubtful accounts (2010 - $4,509; 2009 - $4,614) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Accumulated other comprehensive loss Additional Paid in Capital Additional paid-in capital (Gain) Loss on Sale of Derivatives Gain (Loss) on Sale of Property Gain on sale of property Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Unrealized gain on derivative instruments Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current Accounts receivable trade, allowance for doubtful accounts Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Text Block] Asset Retirement Obligation: Asset Retirement Obligations, Noncurrent Asset retirement obligation Earnings Per Share, Basic Net income attributable to SCC - basic (in dollars per share) Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents, at beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents, at end of period Interest Paid, Net Interest Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Accounts payable and accrued liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Inventories Inventories Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Commitments and Contingencies Common Stock, Shares Authorized Common stock, shares authorized Common Stock, Shares, Issued Common stock, shares issued Common Stock, Value, Issued Common stock Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Comprehensive income attributable to SCC Comprehensive Income Note [Text Block] Comprehensive Income (in millions): Concentration Risk Disclosure [Text Block] CONCENTRATION OF RISK: Cost of Revenue Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation, amortization and depletion shown separately below) Liabilities, Current Total current liabilities Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Financing: Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Provision (benefit) for deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current Deferred income tax Deferred Tax Liabilities, Noncurrent Deferred income taxes Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block] Derivative Instruments Earnings Per Share, Diluted Net income attributable to SCC - diluted (in dollars per share) Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents Exploration Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments, Net, Pretax Gain on derivative instruments Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt Loss on debt prepayments Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Income taxes: Income Taxes Paid, Net Income taxes Inventory, Net Inventories Investments in Debt and Marketable Equity Securities (and Certain Trading Assets) Disclosure [Text Block] Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Total liabilities and equity Long-term Debt, Current Maturities Current portion of long-term debt Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities Long-term debt Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Non-controlling interest Noncontrolling Interest Disclosure [Text Block] NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Net cash provided from (used for) financing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Net cash used for investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Net cash provided from (used for) operating activities OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Net income attributable to SCC Net earnings Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Schedule of New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Text Block] Adoption of New Accounting Standards: Liabilities, Noncurrent Total non-current liabilities Operating Income (Loss) Operating income Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block] Description of the Business and Basis of Presentation: Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets and Liabilities, Net Other operating assets and liabilities Other Comprehensive Income, Available-for-sale Securities Adjustment, Net of Tax Unrealized gain on equity securities Other Comprehensive Income, Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment, Net of Tax (Increase) decrease in pension and other post-retirement benefits Comprehensive income (loss) Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Other Comprehensive Income, Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Securities Arising During Period, Net of Tax Other Assets, Current Other current assets Payments for (Proceeds from) Other Investing Activities Other Proceeds from (Payments for) Other Financing Activities Other Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) Other income (expense) Other Receivables Accounts receivable other (including related parties 2010 - $7,577; 2009 - $4,598) Payments of Dividends, Common Stock Dividends paid to common stockholders Payments of Dividends, Noncontrolling Interest Distributions to non-controlling interest Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Expense (Increase) decrease in pension and other post-retirement benefits Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block] Benefit Plans: Proceeds from Contributions from Parent Proceeds from Sale of Treasury Stock Proceeds from sale of parent company shares Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment Sale of property Proceeds from Sale of Short-term Investments Proceeds on sale of short-term investments Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Property, net Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Capital expenditures Purchase of short-term investments Payments to Acquire Short-term Investments Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block] Related Party Transactions: Repayments of Long-term Debt Debt repaid Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock Repurchase of common shares Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Retained earnings Total retained earnings Appropriated Retained Earnings, Appropriated Retained Earnings, Unappropriated Unappropriated Revenue Mineral Sales Net sales Inventory Disclosure [Text Block] Inventories: Schedule of Subsequent Events [Text Block] Subsequent events: Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] Segment and Related Information: Selling, General and Administrative Expense Selling, general and administrative Short-term Investments. Short-term investments Stock Issued Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block] Stockholders' Equity: Assets, Current Total current assets TREASURY STOCK: Stock Issued During Period, Value, Treasury Stock Reissued Used for corporate purposes Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted (in shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic (in shares) Southern Copper common shares CAPITAL STOCK: Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block] PROPERTY: Available-for-sale Securities [Text Block] Short-term Investments: Assets Total Total assets Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block] INTANGIBLE ASSETS: Investment Income, Interest Interest income Other Liabilities, Current Other accrued liabilities Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Other liabilities and reserves Treasury Stock, Value, Retired, Cost Method Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Noncurrent Deferred income tax Statement [Table] Statement Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] Financial instruments: Quarterly Financial Information [Text Block] QUARTERLY DATA Treasury Stock, Value Treasury stock Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity Stockholders' Equity, Period Increase (Decrease) Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Stock Split Decrease in additional paid-in capital Other Assets, Noncurrent Other assets Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Cumulative Effects of Changes in Accounting Principles, Noncontrolling Interest Income before income taxes Parent Company common shares Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Total SCC stockholders' equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Balance at beginning of year Balance at end of year Due from Affiliates Accounts receivable from related parties Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Income taxes Interest Costs Incurred Interest expense Interest Costs, Capitalized During Period Capitalized interest Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss), Unrealized Loss (gain) on currency translation effect Gain (Loss) on Sale of Investments Gain on sale of short-term investment Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid Dividends paid, Common Stock (in dollars per share) Dividends paid to SCC common shareholders (in dollars per share) Increase (Decrease) in Accounts and Other Receivables Accounts receivable Statement, Equity Components [Axis] ADDITIONAL PAID-IN CAPITAL: RETAINED EARNINGS: ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS: Equity Component [Domain] Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Dividend Increase in Common Stock Stock Converted from One Class to Another, Value Liability for Uncertain Tax Positions, Noncurrent Non-current taxes payable Cumulative Effect of Initial Adoption of FIN 48 Cumulative effect of uncertain tax position Costs and Expenses Total operating costs and expenses Supplemental schedule of non-cash operating, investing and financing activities: Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method Share repurchase program Dividends, Common Stock Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Net income Net income Net earnings Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Less: Net income attributable to the non-controlling interest Non-controlling interest interest Accrued Income Taxes, Current Accrued income taxes Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Depreciation, amortization and depletion Total comprehensive income Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Comprehensive income attributable to the non-controlling interest Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Total equity Balance at beginning of year Balance at end of year TOTAL EQUITY Commitments and Contingencies. Commitments and Contingencies (Note M) Dividends, Common Stock, Cash Dividends paid, Common Stock, per share, 2009 - $0.44, 2008 - $1.94, 2007 - $2.27 Nature of Operations [Text Block] Description of the Business: Accounts Payable, Current Accounts payable Interest Payable, Current Accrued interest Stockholders' Equity, Other Net movement of the period CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET Cash provided from (used for) operating assets and liabilities: Current liabilities: CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EARNINGS LIABILITIES FINANCING ACTIVITIES INVESTING ACTIVITIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS Current assets: ASSETS Per common share amounts: Operating costs and expenses: STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided from operating activities: The carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of the gross capitalized cost of materials with low copper content extracted during the mining process, net of accumulated depreciation. Leachable material, net Leachable Material Sum of the carrying amounts of all intangible assets, including goodwill, as of the balance sheet date, net of accumulated amortization and impairment charges. Intangible assets, net Intangible Assets, Net Including Goodwill Capitalized leachable material Additions made to capitalized leachable material during the period. Capitalized Leachable Material Statutory profit sharing of workers in Peru and Mexico based on a percentage established by law due within one year or within the normal operating cycle if longer. Accrued workers' participation Accrued Workers Participation Document and Entity Information Discloses the amount of sales which are recorded at an average forward price, provisionally, pending the final prices in the future month of settlement. Provisionally Priced Sales [Text Block] Provisionally Priced Sales: Impact of New Accounting Standards [Text Block] Impact of New Accounting Standards: For a new accounting pronouncement that has been issued but not yet adopted, an entity's disclosure should (1) describe the new pronouncement, the date that adoption is required and the date that the entity plans to adopt, if earlier; (2) discuss the methods of adoption allowed by the pronouncement and the method expected to be utilized by the entity, if determined; (3) discuss the impact that adoption of the pronouncement is expected to have on the financial statements of the entity, unless such impact is not known or reasonably estimable (in which case, a statement to that effect should be made) and; (4) disclose the potential impact of other significant matters that the entity believes might result from the adoption of the pronouncement. Tangible and intangible costs incurred in the search for mineral properties. Exploration Exploration Expense Mining Capitalized Leachable Material Cost Disclosure [Text Block] CAPITALIZED LEACHABLE MATERIAL COST: This element represents the complete disclosure related to Capitalized Leachable Material Cost. Workers Participation Disclosure [Text Block] WORKERS' PARTICIPATION: This element represents the complete disclosure related to Workers Participation, the provision for workers' participation is calculated on pre-tax earnings and using the guidelines established in the income tax law. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital Gain (Loss) on Sale of Parent Company Shares Gain on sale of parent company shares Adjustment to additional paid-in-capital resulting from gain on sale of Parent Company common shares. Treasury Stock, Value, Other Activity Including Dividend, Interest and Currency Translation Effect Other activity, including dividend, interest and currency translation effect Activity in treasury stock during the period of common shares in treasury. Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: Cash paid during the year for: Common Stock split: Workers Participation. Workers' participation The amount of cash paid during the current period for Workers' participation. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES: Significant Accounting Policies Including, New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Text Block] This element may be used to describe all significant accounting policies of the reporting entity and represents disclosure of any changes in an accounting principle. Also disclose any change in the method of applying an accounting principle, or any change in an accounting principle required by a new pronouncement in the unusual instance that a new pronouncement does not include specific transition provisions. RETAINED EARNINGS Other comprehensive income (loss) net of tax: COMPREHENSIVE INCOME- Non cash transactions: Sale of shares Treasury Stock Issued During Period, Sale of Shares Represents the value of treasury shares issued during the period through sales of treasury shares. STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY- NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST: Noncontrolling Interest, Other Other activity This element represents movements included in the noncontrolling interest which are not separately disclosed or provided for elsewhere in the taxonomy. Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves Schedule of Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Text Block] Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves COMPREHENSIVE INCOME: Net proceeds from sale of short-term investments Payments for (Proceeds from) Short-term Investments Description of the Business: Adoption of New Accounting Standards: Short-term Investments: Inventories: Income taxes: Provisionally Priced Sales: Derivative Instruments Asset Retirement Obligation: Related Party Transactions: Financing: Benefit Plans: Comprehensive Income (in millions): Commitments and Contingencies Segment and Related Information: Impact of New Accounting Standards: Stockholders' Equity: Financial instruments: Subsequent events: SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES: PROPERTY CAPITALIZED LEACHABLE MATERIAL COST INTANGIBLE ASSETS WORKERS PARTICIPATION NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST CONCENTRATION OF RISK QUARTERLY DATA Description of the Business and Basis of Presentation Management Statement: Management Statement: Management Statement [Text Block] Disclosure of the entity's presentation of financial statements, including a statement as to the review procedures performed by independent auditors. Statement, Scenario [Axis] Scenario, Unspecified [Domain] Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt Debt incurred Payments Of Debt IssuanceCosts Capitalized debt issuance cost Due To Related Parties Current Due to related parties Due To Related Parties Current And Noncurrent Accounts receivable from related parties