Quarterlytics / Basic Materials / Copper / Southern Copper / FY2005 Annual Report

Southern Copper
Annual Report 2005

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FY2005 Annual Report · Southern Copper
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page 1
SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION

page 2
ANNUAL REPORT

page 2

ANNUAL REPORT

[ the future is globall ]

index

02   Operating highlights

03   Main Statistical Data

04  

Letter to the Shareholders

06   Production Statistics

07  

09  

13  

17  

21  

23 

25 

31 

37 

Selected Financial and Statistical Data

Expansion and Modernization Program

Exploration

Community Outreach

Results of Operations
for the years ended 
December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003.

Dividends and Capital Stock

Environmental Affairs

General Information

Description of Operations and Development  
Regarding the issuing entity 

52  Members of the Board of Directors

 
 
 
page 4
ANNUAL REPORT

page 5

SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION

Southern Copper Corporation and Subsidiaries
Operating highlights (tons)

Operating Area or plant 

2005 

2004

Total material moved (000’s) 
Copper in concentrate 
Molybdenum produced 
Total material moved (000’s) 
Copper in concentrate 
Molybdenum produced 
Cathodes produced 
Concentrates smelted 
Blister produced 
Cathodes produced 
Total material moved (000’s) 
Copper in concentrate 
Molybdenum produced 
Total material moved (000’s) 
Copper in concentrate 
SX/EW Cathodes 
Concentrates smelted 
Anode produced 
Cathodes produced 
 Rod produced 
Zinc 
Lead 
Copper 
Silver (Kilograms) 
Gold (Kilograms) 

Toquepala 

Cuajone 

Smelter/refineries in Peru 

Mexicana de Cobre – Caridad 

Cananea 

Smelter/refineries in Mexico 

Underground 

R: Production records.

Copper Reserves

R 

R 

134,505 
157,456 
5,324 
109,855 
163,659 
5,279 
36,498 
1,206,252  
325,623 
285,205 
75,465 
122,317 
4,200 
102,508 
118,741 
78,454 
894,735 
282,412 
233,685 
113,167 
143,609 
19,545 
12,804 
316,723 
125 

115,120
160,852
6,004
101,265
194,389
4,657
42,125
1,213,030
320,722
280,679
72,430
110,385
3,712
93,160
123,228
71,975
820,459
250,890
202,146
69,529
133,778
18,842
15,053
325,652
164

Peruvian 
Open Pit 
 Operations  

 Mexican 
Open Pit  
Operations 

Total 

Open Pit Mines  IMMSA

Cuajone 

Toquepala 

Cananea 

La Caridad

1,935,407 

Copper Reserves  (Thousand  tons)
Sulfides 
Average Grade:
Copper 
Molybdenum 
Leachable 
Leachable Material Grade 
Waste 
Total material 
Stripping ratio 

0.561% 
0.019% 
11,604 
0.568% 

5,022,010 
 6,969,021 
2.60 

2,174,479 

3,759,426 

1,562,184 

9,431,496 

41,644

0.580% 
0.032% 

2,777,807 

0.494% 

- 
1,499,915 

0.315% 
0.028% 

0.498% 
 0.026%

0.51%

1,489,303 

5,778,629

0.172% 

0.226% 

0.157% 

0.183%

7,364,671 
12,316,957 
4.66 

3,979,732 
9,239,073 
1.46 

540,455 
3,591,942 
1.30 

16,906,868 
32,116,993 
2.41

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
page 4

ANNUAL REPORT

page 5
SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION

Main SCC Statistical Data

Productivity
(Tons of copper per employee)

Accidents
(Million Hours Per Man)

56

54

52

48

45

60

40

20

30

20

10

2
2

9
1

9
1

8
1

8
1

‘01

‘02

‘03

‘04

‘05

‘01

‘02

‘03

‘04

‘05

SX/EW Production
(Thousand tons)

Refinery Production
(Thousand tons)

1
9
1
.
2
2
1

9
8
9
.
4
1
1

4
4
7
.
8
1
1

0
0
1
.
4
1
1

2
5
9
.
4
1
1

120

100

80

60

40

20

0
5
7
.
4
3
5

0
9
8
8
1
5

.

5
2
8
.
2
8
4

0
7
5
.
1
8
4

3
7
9
.
7
4
4

600

500

400

300

200

100

‘01

‘02

‘03

‘04

‘05

‘01

‘02

‘03

‘04

‘05

Copper Production
(Thousand tons)

Copper Sales
(Thousand tons)

7
0
0
8
1
7

.

.

8
2
9
9
8
6

.

5
0
6
8
4
6

9
1
0
.
4
1
6

6
1
9
.
5
6
6

750

700

650

600

550

500

450

400

350

300

250

200

150

100

50

2
1
4
.
1
2
7

5
8
4
.
0
6
6

7
0
1
.
5
4
6

8
6
6
9
0
7

.

3
5
5
.
8
9
6

750

700

650

600

550

500

450

400

350

300

250

200

150

100

50

‘01

‘02

‘03

‘04

‘05

‘01

‘02

‘03

‘04

‘05

page 6
ANNUAL REPORT

Letter to the 
Shareholders 

page 7

SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION

2005  has  been  an  extraordinary  year  for  Southern  Copper  Corporation 
(SCC)  (formerly  named  Southern  Peru  Copper  Corporation).    On  April  1, 
2005, we completed the acquisition of Minera Mexico with the issuance of 
an additional 67.2 million shares of common stock to our principal share-
holder, Grupo Mexico.  With this acquisition we have almost doubled the 
size  of  our  Company  and  more  then  doubled  our  mineral  reserves.    Our 
sales reached $4.1billion and net earnings were $1.4 billion, an increase 
of 32.8% and 42.5% respectively as compared with 2004.

These record results are mainly due to the higher metal prices as well as a 
reduction in operating costs, and reflect our commitment to be a more ef-
ficient mining operation and a more integrated company.  

We would like to highlight the strength of our balance sheet, as evidenced 
by an increase of US$512.5 million, or 18.2%, in stockholder’s equity, a 
decrease  of  US$158.2  million  in  long-term  debt  and  an  increase  in 
US$120.0 million in cash and marketable securities. 

In  2005,  average  market  prices  for  our  main  products  increased  signifi-
cantly over 2004.     The COMEX average copper price was $1.68 per pound 
in 2005, compared to $1.29 in 2004, an increase of 30.4%.  The zinc aver-
age price was $0.63 per pound, 31.9% higher than the $0.48 per pound, 
from the previous year. The silver average price was US$7.32 per pound, 
9.6% higher than the $6.68 recorded in the previous year.  The gold aver-
age  price  was  $444.88  per  ounce,  an  8.7%  increase  compared  with 
$409.21  in  2004.    The  molybdenum  average  price  was  US$31.05  per 
pound, 94.7% higher than the $15.95 recorded in 2004.

Given the price strength of our main product, copper, we have not acquired 
copper  hedges  for  2006  or  future  years.    Based  on  copper  consumption 
growth,  the  improvements  in  metal  prices,  our  estimates,  general  market 
and independent analysts expectations, we have taken this position as we 
believe this will permit SCC to retain the entire benefits from copper prices.

The Ilo Peru smelter modernization project is moving ahead on schedule 
with detailed engineering completed and construction work in process in 

page 6

ANNUAL REPORT

page 7
SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION

order to finish by the end of 2006. The anode casting wheel part of this project was successfully hot tested in the first 
quarter of 2006 replacing Ilo blister production with anodes.  We now directly feed the refinery and have eliminated 
the re-melting of blister into anode form.   We estimate that this will save the Company two cents per pound in our 
smelting and refining cost at the Ilo operations.  At December 31, 2005, the smelter project has reached 64% comple-
tion.  Additionally, the Company’s leaching dumps, crushing and conveying project at the Toquepala mine is in pro-
duction.  The primary crusher was placed in operation in August.  The overland conveyors 1, 2 and 3, and the grass-
hoppers 30 and 31 were put on the production line.  The conveying system reached its rated capacity of 6,500 ton/hr 
at the end of September 2005.  The construction of the ramp will continue until completion in August 2006. 

Regarding exploration activities in Peru, the drilling program at our promising Los Chancas project was concluded.  
The process for the pre-feasibility study has been started and should be completed by July 2006.  The drilling pro-
gram at Tia Maria was completed in March 2006 and we have begun the economic evaluation of the project.    

The  Cananea  mine’s  new  SX/EW  plant  project  is  currently  underway.    In  its  first  stage,  it  is  expected  to  produce 
10,500 tons of additional copper by the end of 2007.  Studies for a 22,900 ton subsequent expansion of the SX/EW 
plant are also being underway  As the Cananea min has the largest quantity of our copper reserves, we are studying 
several possibilities for expanding it to a scale that fully maximizes its potential. 

We continue to integrate aspects of our Peruvian and Mexican facilities to achieve operational synergies.  We are 
working  to  achieve  additional  economic  benefits  as  we  further  integrate  our  operations  utilizing  best  practices 
throughout our Peruvian and Mexican operations.  In December 2005, a team from our Peruvian and Mexican opera-
tions and an independent consulting group was formed to review   the support operations of the two locations.  The 
team is responsible for completing this review in 2006, recommending best practice and implementing such recom-
mendation prior to 2007.

Currently,  SCC  has  mining  operations  in  Peru  and  Mexico  and  exploration  operations  in  both  countries  as  well  as 
Chile. The exploration and development of these properties will permit the Company to increase its reserves, as well 
as its future prospects. 

The projects Southern Copper is executing will consolidate even more our position among the principal metal produc-
ers in the world, which we believe indicates a more satisfactory economic return for shareholders and a greater con-
tribution for the countries and localities where we operate, as well as appropriate benefit for our workers. 

On behalf of Southern Copper Corporation’s Board, we express our thanks to all the personnel for their effort, work 
and dedication and to our clients for their continued trust and loyalty, and to you, our shareholders, for your perma-
nent support.  

German Larrea Mota-Velasco 
Chairman of the Board 

Oscar Gonzalez Rocha
President and Chief Executive Officer

 
 
page 8
ANNUAL REPORT

page 9

SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION

Southern Copper Corporation and Subsidiaries
Five-year Production Statistics

Copper production Mined (tons)
Material Mined (thousand) 
Copper in concentrates 
Copper SX/EW 
Total copper 
Molybdenum in concentrates 
Zinc in concentrates 
Silver in concentrates 
Smelter/refineries production 
Copper 
Zinc 
Silver (thousand ounces) 
Toquepala 
Material Mined (thousand) 
Copper in concentrates 
Molybdenum in concentrates 
Cuajone 
Material Mined (thousand) 
Copper in concentrates 
Molybdenum in concentrates 
Smelter/refineries in Peru 
SX/EW 
Smelted concentrates 
Blister produced 
Cathode produced 
Mexicana de Cobre – Caridad 
Material Mined (thousand) 
Copper in concentrates 
Molybdenum in concentrates 
Cananea 
Material Mined  
Copper in concentrates 
Smelter/refineries in Mexico 
SX/EW 
Smelted concentrates 
Anode produced 
Cathode produced 
Rod produced 
Underground 
Contents in concentrates (tons) 
Zinc 
Lead 
Copper 
Silver (Kilograms) 
Gold (Kilograms) 

2005 

2004 

2003 

2002 

2001

426,951 
574,976 
114,952 
689,928 
14,803 
143,609 
575,266 

629,353 
101,523 
12,487 

134,505 
157,456 
5,324 

109,855 
163,659 
5,279 

386,364 
603,907 
114,100 
718,007 
14,373 
133,778 
576,372 

594,278 
102,556 
10,796 

115,120 
160,852 
6,004 

101,265 
194,389 
4,657 

356,600 
547,172 
118,744 
665,916 
12,521 
128,760 
559,941 

537,501 
101,069 
12,147 

105,242 
142,373 
4,153 

97,471 
184,528 
4,867 

357,635 
491,828 
122,191 
614,019 
11,747 
135,442 
562,219 

579,905 
92,012 
15,536 

102,145 
125,424 
4,215 

99,589 
168,208 
4,104 

385,666
533,616
114,989
648,605
13,869
149,252
617,575

676,038
107,005
15,799

99,492
122,751
4,098

101,702
165,085
4,253

36,498 
1,206,252 
325,623 
285,205 

42,125 
1,213,030 
320,722 
280,679 

47,756 
1,182,870 
314,920 
284,006 

52,854 
1,183,816 
316,493 
281,669 

54,428
1,165,062
328,241
277,260

75,465 
122,317 
4,200 

102,508 
118,741 

78,454 
894,735 
282,412 
233,685 
113,167 

143,609 
19,545 
12,804 
316,723 
125 

72,430 
110,385 
3,712 

93,160 
123,228 

71,975 
820,459 
250,890 
202,146 
69,529 

133,778 
18,842 
15,053 
325,652 
164 

73,916 
107,236 
3,501 

75,692 
94,103 

70,988 
629,505 
199,033 
163,965 
53,822 

128,760 
20,884 
18,932 
334,993 
217 

62,592 
91,925 
3,428 

88,435 
86,641 

69,336 
700,278 
239,031 
199,901 
97,485 

135,442 
23,800 
19,630 
380,695 
266 

84,204
140,760
5,518

94,551
82,198

60,561
947,175
317,133
257,490
129,562

149,252
28,991
22,822
420,947
278

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
page 8

ANNUAL REPORT

page 9
SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION

Southern Copper Corporation and Subsidiaries
Five-year selected financial and statistical data

For the years ended december 31,
(in millions, except per share and 
employee data)

Consolidated statement of earnings
  Net sales 
  Operating costs and expenses  
  Operating income 
  Minority interest of investment shares in

income of Peruvian Branch 
 Cumulative effect of change in
 accounting principle, net 

Net earnings 

Per share amount 
  Net earnings - Basic and diluted 
  Dividends paid 
Consolidated balance sheet 
  Total assets 
  Cash and marketable securities 
  Total debt 
  Stockholder’s equity 

Consolidated statement of cash flows
  Cash provided from

  operating activities 

  Dividend paid 
  Capital expenditures 
  Depreciation & depletion 

Capital stock
  Common shares outstanding 
  NYSE   Price – high 
         Price – low 

  Book value per share 
  P/E ratio 

Financial ratios 
  Current assets to current liabilities 
  Debt as % of capitalization 
  Employees (at year end) 

(1) No available

2005 

2004 

2003 

2002 

2001

$ 

$ 

4,113 
2,018 
2,095 

3,097 
1,614 
1,483 

$ 

1,577 
1,251 
326 

$ 

1,388 
1,201 
187 

$ 

1,560
1,485
75

12 

5 

$ 

1,400 

$ 

982 

$ 

4 

(2)
84 

9 

(3)

$ 

145 

$ 

(110)

$ 
$ 

$ 

$ 
$ 

9.51 
5.80 

$  5,688 
876 
1,172 
3,326 

1,644 
854 
471 
277 

147.2 
70.60 
41.63 

$ 
$ 

$  22.59 
7.04 

$ 
$ 

$ 

6.67 
1.30 

5,319 
756 
1,330 
2,814 

1,172 
191 
228 
193 

147.2 
54.10 
26.53 

19.11 
7.08 

$ 
$ 

$ 

0.57 
0.31 

$ 
$ 

0.98 
0.19 

4,491 
352 
1,671 
2,023 

$  4,419 
175 
1,621 
1,882 

$ 
$ 

$ 

(0.75)
0.19

4,481
261
1,714
1,752

65 
45 
65 
177 

182 
22 
85 
158 

N/A (1)
29
181
166

$ 
$ 

$ 

147.2 
48.85 
14.42 

13.74 
83.11 

$ 
$ 

$ 

147.2 
15.54 
10.82 

12.78 
15.41 

$ 
$ 

$ 

147.2
15.10
8.42

11.90
(20.25)

2.15 
8.2%   

1.70 
17.0% 

1.88 
39.5% 

1.64 
43.4% 

12,888 

12,794 

12,713 

12,714 

0.46
45.4%
14,320

 
 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
  
  
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
page 10
ANNUAL REPORT

[ the future is globall ]

first

page 11

SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION

page 10

ANNUAL REPORT

page 11
SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION

Expansion and 
Modernization 
Program

Operations in Peru

Ilo Unit, casting wheel in smelter, Peru.

Concerning  the  expansion  and  modernization  programs  that  have  been 
taking place in recent years, we can announce the following:

In  Toquepala,  the  Leaching  Dumps,  crushing  and  conveying  Project 
reached 94% progress in December 2005. The new primary crusher was 
placed in operations and the overland conveyors 1, 2 and 3, bridge equip-
ment, spreader and first stretch of belt 15 with 3.7 kilometers in length, 
started operating. This equipment is being used to make the ramp that will 
provide access to leacheable deposit formations at level 2875. At the end 
of the year, 4.5 million tons of waste material were deposited and the ramp 
construction is estimated to be completed in the third quarter of 2006.

The New PLS Dams Construction Project is being developed. This project 
complements the Leaching Dumps Project, since these new deposits will 
require new collection dams because the ones existing will be covered by 
leachable  materials  to  be  deposited  in  the  area.  At  December  2005, the 
project had reached 47% progress. The sedimentation and landslide con-
tention  dams  were  finished.  The  PLS  dam  reached  68%  progress.  In  an-
other area of the project, the new power sub-station was completed and is 
now under operation. Equipment and materials are currently being sought 
for the following stage referring to PLS and raffinate driving lines. This in-
volved essentially pipes and pumps, as well as the acquisition of material 
and equipment for a power distribution system at 13.8 Kv.  

Studies on possible sites for Tailings Disposal were finished. Analysis of 
alternatives were completed and we decided to expand the current Que-
brada Honda dam, using the conventional cycloning method. Engineering 
started in December and at the same time the existing auxiliary dikes were 
raised  two  meters  to  make  sure  decanted  water  does  not  flow  towards 
Quebrada Santallana.

Regarding the new copper press filter  in Toquepala, the installation was 
completed and it is in operation since June 2005.

The  Ilo  Smelter  Modernization  Project,  the  new  Smelter  will  use  an  Isa-
smelt furnace and two rotating furnaces at the copper concentrate fusion 
stage to separate matt from slag. The conversion stage will be realized in 
four  15  feet  diameter  and  35  feet  long  Pierce  Smith  converters.  Out  of 
these, three will be re-furbished and one will be new. A new Anode Plant, 
a new Sulfuric Acid Plant and a new Oxigen Plant will be installed, as well 
as the other necessary auxiliary facilities. 

page 12
ANNUAL REPORT

page 13

SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION

Processing capacity will be 1.2 million 
tons  of  copper  concentrate  per  year. 
Sulfur capture will be 95%, above cur-
rent environmental legislation require-
ments.  The  final  product  of  the  new 
Smelter will be copper anodes instead 
of the blister bars that were produced 
before. 

In  2005, construction  works  contin-
ued, reaching 64% progress to Decem-
ber 2005. The Acid Plant construction 
works reached 46% progress with the 
completion  of  civil  works.  Current 
work  is  assembly  of  main  equipment. 
Oxygen Plant construction works have 
progressed by 56%, mechanic assem-
bly is practically finished and electric  
and  instrumentation  assembly  was 
started.  The  Anode  Plant  is  almost 
finished and cold tests have been per-
formed. Hot tests with refined copper 
in  the  new  furnaces  were  made  in 
January 2006. 

HDPE  underground  piping  and  electric  duct  installation  works  were  fin-
ished; installations for reception of GLP were completed, and are now the 
most modern in Peru. The civil works of the new seawater intake are con-
cluded. The civil works for the rest of the project show a 93% progress.  

The contract to manufacture and install tanks is 58% completed, pending 
still is the installation of 22,500 tons tanks for receiving and storing sulfu-
ric acid produced by the new and existing Acid Plants. 

The Isasmelt fusion furnace and the rotating furnaces to separate matte 
from  slag  are  already  placed  on  their  pedestal  shoes and  we  have  been 
working  on  mounting  the  smelter  building  structures.  Likewise,  we  have 
been  installing  metallic  structures  in  the  feeding  hoppers  that  feed  the 
Isasmelt  furnace  and  in  the  electrostatic  precipitator  area.  On  the  other 
hand, we have been working and installing all kinds of ducts for the sys-
tem to manage the collection of gasses of the converters and installing the 
other project’s main equipment, such as electric transformers, desalting 
plants, among others. 

We started obtaining permits to install a maritime terminal to embark the 
sulfuric acid that will be produced due to the modernization. The terminal 
consists of a pier on the Pacific ocean in the sector called Bahia Tablones 
west  of  the  coastal  Ilo-Matarani  road  and  the  coast, 15  km  north  of  the 
city of Ilo and south of the Smelter.

The  call  for  tenders  started  for  the  Los  Chancas  project  pre-feasibility 
study. We expect to complete such studies on the third quarter of 2006.

Operations in Mexico

Sulfuric  Acid  Plant  Optimization  Project  at  La  Caridad  Metallurgic 
Complex

Optimization of the Sulfuric Acid Plant at La Caridad Metallurgic Complex 
was commenced. This will permit us to increase gas management capacity 
and ensure fusion content of the Smeltering Plant at 1 million tons of con-
centrate per year.

Acid Plant No. 1 will increase its 223,421 capacity to 240,000 m³ of gases 
(dry  base)  and  the  increase  in  Acid  Plant  No.  2  will  be  from  190,139  to 
220,000 m³ of gases (dry base). Optimization works in both plants were 
the design change to the distributions in the drying towers, intermediate 

 
 
 
page 12

ANNUAL REPORT

page 13
SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION

Processing capacity will be 1.2 million tons of copper concentrate 
per year. Sulfur capture will be 95%, above current environmental 
legislation requirements.

absorption and final absorption tower distributors, as well as the renewal 
of fog removers. These optimization works will continue in March 2006.

Power Generation Plant Construction

The Mexico division will invest more than 
$600  million  to  build  a  new  power  gen-
eration  plant  for  its  own  consumption. 
The plant will have a generation capacity 
of  450  MW  per  year,  using  the  coal  that 
comes  from  its  own  reserves  located  in 
the state of Coahuila.

The  plant  will  use  circulating  fluidized 
bed  technology  ensuring  clean  power 
generation, which will comply with every 
domestic and international environmen-
tal requirement. 

The  project  will  represent  considerable 
savings in the cost of kw/hr consumed by 
mining  and  metallurgic  units  in  Mexico, 
permitting  them  to  have  competitive 
power and long-term cost certainty. This 
will be added to an increase of SCC’s coal 
operations  in  Mexico,  which  will  bring 
about more jobs and revenues. 

Santa Barbara Unit Expansion

The  project  consists  on  expanding  the  mineral  extraction  capacity  from 
inside the mine to the surface with a 1,354 meters conveyor belt. With this 
project  we  will  have  access  to  the  San  Diego  mine  reserve,  which  metal 
contents are the greatest in all the unit. In 2005, the first 900 meters were 
finished. The 454 remaining meters plus the infrastructure needed for ore 
transportation will be completed in 2006.

San Martin Unit Shaft Deepening

The two phase project to deepen the unit’s shaft will permit to improve the 
extraction of the ore reserves at the least possible cost. 

The First phase contemplates sinking 220 meters of shaft and the neces-
sary works for the crusher equipment. All the mining works are completed 
and  the  last  days  of  August  2006  have  been  fixed  as  the  testing  and 
startup date. 

It  will  be  necessary  to  deepen  interior  II  shaft  in  2007-2008,  as  well  as 
building  new  load  installations.  330  shaft  meters  will  be  sunk  at  this 
stage, giving the unit’s operation continuity and permitting it to reach the 
highest mineral potential level. 

Coal Extraction Expansion

SCC Mexican Division  has 67 million tons of coal in reserve. In 2005, the 
first  project  stage  to  increase  coal  production  to  2  million  tons  per  year 
was  started,  this  first  stage  means  preparation  and  exploitation  of  the 
eastern zone with long wall mining system and an estimated production of 
900,000 tons.

The second stage contemplates preparing and exploiting the reserves lo-
cated in the Western Zone to reach an additional production of 1.1 million 
annual tons.

In 2006, construction works at the new mine will be started to be able to 
extract the coal.

      
 
    
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Exploration

We are committed with an intense exploration program to locate new miner-
alized bodies in Peru, Mexico and Chile. We spent $24.4 million in explora-
tion programs in 2005, $15.6 million in 2004 and $17.9 million in 2003, and 
we have budgeted $33.4 million for 2006.

We currently control 99,537 hectares of mining rights in Peru. In Mexico we 
control  505,127  hectares  in  exploration  and  exploitation  concessions.  We 
also hold 38,200 hectares of exploration concessions in Chile. 

PERU

Los Chancas. The Los Chancas project, located in the department of Apuri-
mac in the south,  is a copper and molybdenum porphyry deposit. In 2004, 
we completed the final phase of the diamond drilling program and the second 
and the final phase of metallurgic testing. In 2005, several companies have 
been  invited  to  present  proposals  for  execution  of  pre-feasibility  studies 
that will begin in 2006. Once completed, we will be able to make a determi-
nation if more exploration is needed or if the project contains commercially 
mineable reserves, which would warrant future development after compres-
sive  economic, technical and legal feasibility studies are completed. Testing 
to date indicated a mineral deposit of  200 million tons with a copper grade 
of 1.0%, 0.07% of molybdenum and 0.12 grams of gold per ton.

Tantahuatay. The Tantahuatay project is located in the department of Caja-
marca, in the north. We have performed exploration work in the upper part of 
the deposit, principally for gold recovery. Work to date indicates  mineraliza-
tion of 27.1 million tons, with an average gold contents of 0.89 grams per ton 
and 13.0 grams of silver per ton. This project, in which we we have a 44.25% 
share,  continues  in  the  exploratory  stage.  In  2004  and  2005,  we  concen-
trated our efforts  on dealing with the social and environmental concerns of 
communities near the project. 

Tia Maria. The Tia Maria project, located in the department of Arequipa, in 
the south, is a copper porphyritic system. In 2005, a total of 29,000 meters 
of  diamond-drilling  was  completed  out  of  the  15,000  meters  initially  pro-
jected. The drilling is continuing into  2006 to complete the program. This 
project is in the exploratory stage but we expect to commence the feasibility 
study in the second quarter of 2006.

Toquepala Unit, mining operations, Peru

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SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION

La Caridad Unit, drilling operation, Mexico

We are committed to an intense 
exploration program to locate 
new mineralized bodies in Peru, 
Mexico and Chile. We spent $24.4 
million in exploration programs 
in 2005, $15.6 million in 2004 and 
$17.9 million in 2003, and we have 
budgeted $33.4 million for 2006.

Other prospects in Peru. As part of the 2005 exploration and development 
program,  we  programed  drilling  at  the  Gloria  Cristina  prospect,  located 
in  the  north  of  Peru,  in  the  departments  of  La  Libertad  and  the  El  Fiscal 
prospect, in the south, in the department of Arequipa. The El Fiscal project 
shows evidence of copper-gold mineralization and we are scheduling addi-
tional drilling as part of the 2006 exploration and development program.

MEXICO

Drilling programs of 40,500 and 19,000 meters were developed in the Cana-
nea and La Caridad mines, respectively. These projects aim at defining re-
serves and carrying out metallurgic tests to improve recovery at the plants.

The El Arco project, containing measured resource of 846 million tons of a 
0.51% sulphide copper grade and 170 million tons of an oxide copper grade 
of 0.56%, technical studies were completed to locate 150 liters per second 
of fresh water for the SX/EW process. We are currently waiting for the cor-
responding permits to test results with direct drilling. 

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SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION

Panoramic view, Toquepala Unit, Peru

In  the  Coahuila  state,  we  continued  the  exploration  activities  to  identify 
additional  reserves  to  the  current  67  million  tons.  In  the  Guayacan  zone  
11,714 meters were drilled, showing an important additional potential. 

The Environment Secretariat and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) and Gua-
najuato Ecology Institute permits were obtained to explore for gold, silver, 
copper, zinc and lead, in the claim Reduccion Leon located in Sierra de Lo-
bos, Guanajuato.

Likewise,  5,284 meters  were  drilled  at  the  Morelos  Sur  project  located  in 
the Guerrero state. Studies show it is still interesting due to its amounts of 
gold and silver. 

The Company controls 770 claims in exploration totaling 296,227 hectares 
with exploration and exploitation rights. However, with the changes in min-
ing legislation as from January 2006, they will only be called mining conces-
sion rights. 

Generally, at all these claims, we are carrying out geology, geophysics, in-
spection, exploration, conservation and necessary infrastructure works. 

CHILE

In  2003,  we  bought  several  explora-
tion  properties  in  Chile  with  more  than 
35,000  hectares  in  mining  rights.  In 
2004,  we  started  exploration  works 
with  diamond  drilling  in  the  El  Salado 
prospect. 

El  Salado.  It  is  located  in  the  Atacama 
region,  and  occupies  a  2,700  hectares 
area. It is being explored for copper and 
gold mineralization. 11,079 meters of di-
amond drilling were performed in 2005. 

Other prospects in Chile. Catanave and 
Esperanza, located in the Tarapaca and 
Atacama  regions,  respectively,  in  the 
north of Chile, are programd for explo-
ration in the near future.

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Community 
Outreach

Operations in Peru

Open pit, Toquepala mine, Peru

Southern Copper substantially stimulates the economy in the south of the 
country and is particularly identified with the sustainable development and 
wellbeing of the Tacna and Moquegua population, promoting and carrying 
out  Social  Investment  actions  in  the  neighboring  communities.  This  is  un-
dertaken by co-management with different public entities and the popula-
tion. SCC directs its community outreach to the geographic environment as 
a  facilitator  for  social-economic  development.  Southern  Copper  is  a  good 
corporate social neighbor and is environmentally responsible. It evidences 
this approach through co-participatory projects. 

In 2005, SCC developed, among others, the following projects: 

•  Water  resource  management:  In  the  Torata  valley  (Moquegua),  the  7th 
Stage of the Chilligua canal construction is being completed. At the same 
time, we are promoting water use optimization through training and prac-
tical courses to users and the installation of 60 gates, as well as the repair 
of the main water intakes. We continued supporting the Torata User Board 
logistically and technically so they can participate in local  participatory 
budgeting. In Candarave (Tacna), the Marisol Water Divide was built. This 
will benefit the district of Cairani, Huanuara, Candarave and Quilahuani. 
We are also building and rehabilitating minor irrigation infrastructure in 
ten Irrigation Committees. In Higuerani, we are exploring the possibility of 
drilling a well to draw underground water. 

•  Agriculture: In Candarave, potato and oregano seed areas were strength-
ened.  We  also  fostered  sowing  of  oat  seeds.  We  continued  renewing 
alfalfa  plantations,  by  improving  water  consumption  and  fostering  feed 
oat sowing. At the same time we started researching biological greenfly 
control. In Torata, we are training producers to grow more profitable crops 
for their families. In the Locumba and Ite valleys we are working on irriga-
tion infrastructure. 

•  Cattle raising: In Candarave, we continued supporting genetic improve-
ment of sheep, promoting cattle raising and dairy industry, as well as the 
artificial insemination and cattle stalling programs. In Torata, we provide 
technical and animal health assistance. We created the Torata Alta Farm-
ing  Producer  Association  and,  together  with  them,  we  started  a  family 
farm program for guinea pig raising. In Suches-Huaytire-Tacalaya, we are 
starting a genetic research program with South American camelids. At the 
same time, we continue working in controlling sarcosistiosis and promot-
ing sale of camelid meat. To do so, we are completing the construction of 
a slaughter area in Huaytire. In Higuerani, (Ilabaya-Tacna), the reproduc-

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SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION

ing  guinea  pig  raising  project  was 
strengthened and we provide perma-
nent  technical  assistance  on  animal 
health and cattle management to the 
different communities devoted to this 
field.  In  Arondaya  (Cuajone),  we  are 
continuing a program to develop the 
existing subsistance cattle raising so 
as  to  improve  raising  of  camelids, 
sheep  and  goats,  by  training  area 
youths in veterinary management. 

•  Commercial  development:  In  Canda-
rave, we are strengthening the sale of 
meat  through  the  Farming  Producer 
Association  made  up  by  the  same 
cattle raisers who are trained and ad-
vised  by  SCC  technicians.  Currently, 
their  organization 
they  manage 
successfully  and  have  refrigerated  
trucks and two equipped stores, one 
in  Toquepala  and  one  in  Cuajone.  In 
Higuerani,  we  strengthen  a  guinea 
pig  sale  channel  directly  from  the 
farm to the Toquepala soup kitchens 
and concessionaires.

•  Basic  infrastructure:  We  channeled 
the  Locumba  river  from  Ilabaya  to 
the  Locumba  bridge.  In  the  Huaytire 
alpaca producing zone, we continued 
building shelters, reproduction mod-

SCC directs its community outreach to the geographic environ-
ment as a facilitator for social-economic development. Southern 
Copper is a good corporate social neighbor and is environmen-
tally responsible. It evidences this approach through co-participa-
tory projects.

ules (for controlled population) and fences around paddocks, to facilitate 
rational use of pasture. 

•  Capacity improvement: In Candarave we organized Christmas choir con-
tests. We promoted the organization of youth through Interquorum Net-
work at provincial level. 

•  Additional  activities:  We  sponsored  agricultural  fairs  in  Candarave  and 

Torata. 

In 2005, the results reached by the Company’s Social Program were highly 
satisfactory, due, among other things, to daily and permanent sharing of our 
technicians  with  the  neighboring  communities.  This  permitted  to  leverage 
their strengths, prioritize their needs, identify their deficiencies and try to 
minimize them and, by doing so, we contributed to improve their living condi-
tions and efficiently manage the relationship between our company and the 
neighboring areas. 

Operations in Mexico

IMMSA DIVISION

The IMMSA Division actively participates by promoting environmental culture, 
working with elementary schools where we give talks, workshops, courses, 
promote recycling, ecologic creativity, ecologic journeys and camps aiming at 
educating environmental leaders that may foster ecologic awareness. 

The Division coordinates with different institutions of the health sector to carry 
out  educational  and  training  activities,  such  as  talks,  courses,  campaigns 
concerning hygiene, nutrition, drug addiction, among others. It also supports 
health sector institutions to carry out vaccination campaigns. 

The Company is concerned with the education and development of the com-
munity and gratuitously gives cosmetic, sewing, manual work, first aid, infor-
mation technology, baking, yoga courses and workshops, as well as informa-
tion sessions on health and environmental self-care, among others. 

Besides, the IMMSA Division promotes sport among the population, provid-
ing them with facilities to access their fields and facilities where more than 40 
amateur soccer teams, more than 50 baseball and softball teams participate. 
Several  educational  institutions  also  hold  their  inter-institutional  matches 
there. In neighboring towns we hold national day and charity activities. Said 

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SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION

Similarly, the city Museum is maintained 
by Cananea. Here, they exhibit objects, 
documents  and  historical  documents 
and  photographs  and  there  are  also 
temporary exhibits. 

Both Units frequently support different 
educational  and  social  institutions  of 
their community, facilitating  transport 
for students and senior citizens to spe-
cial events and activities. In 2005, the 
Company  contributed  with  a  donation 
to  the  Rancho  Feliz  Institution,  which 
supports  different  assistance  homes 
for  orphan  children  and  asylums  for 
elderly  people  in  the  Nacozari  and 
Cananea communities.

These Units develop sport programs for 
their  workers  where  the  community  at 
large can also participate. 

The  La  Caridad  Unit  supports  water 
supply  organizations,  providing  tank-
ers  for  distribution  to  the  community 
during  draught  times,  when  there  are 
problems for the regular supply of this 
service. Similarly, when there are water 
supply  problems,  the  Cananea  Unit 
supports  the  community  with  potable 
water  pumping  to  the  city’s  supply 
system.

division also promotes the IMMSA Children Soccer League – INFONAVIT MO-
RALES, and participates in organizing, disseminating and co-sponsoring sev-
eral athletism events. 

IMMSA participates with the San Luis Potosi municipality monthly providing 
them more than 50,000 m3 of water by the interconnection of the municipal 
network. Besides, it participates in paving streets and sidewalks, as well as in 
city landscaping. 

CANANEA AND LA CARIDAD UNITS

Cananea and La Caridad participate in promoting the environmental culture 
and they are present in different forums on this matter, as well as in commu-
nity non-governmental organizations. 

La  Caridad  Unit  has  a  nursery  where  trees  of  different  regional  species  are 
grown. They are gratuitously distributed to institutions and individuals, who 
simply commit to take care of the trees’ development. 

The Cananea Unit contributes with maintaining the Cananea city nursery, with 
the same aims as the La Caridad Unit nursery. 

Additionally, these Units support the Hermosillo City Ecologic Center, located 
in the state of Sonora, and contribute to the conservation of the Mexican Gray 
Wolf. This is a wolf species that lives is the region and is endangered. 

The emergency brigades of both Units support laboring communities in case 
of fire, natural disasters or environmental contingencies. Besides, the Cana-
nea Unit cooperates with the Volunteer Firefighter Body by making preventive 
maintenance of their 4 firefighting equipment. 

The  La  Caridad  Unit  organizes  different  socio-cultural  activities  such  as 
manual workshop, baking, pottery, guitar playing and carpentry. It also orga-
nizes exhibits and talks on pre-school education, children development, and 
personal achievement, among others. 

On January 6, the La Caridad Unit distributed toys among low income popula-
tion of Esqueda, in the state of Sonora.

The Cananea Unit is totally charged with maintaining the Cananea city public 
library,  which  is  classified  as  the  sixth  in  the  state  of  Sonora.  This  library 
provides free Internet service and workshops for children during vacations. 

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Results of operations for the years ended 
December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003.

SCC reported 2005 net earnings of $1,400.1 million or diluted earnings of 
$9.51 per share, compared with net earnings of $982.4 million or diluted 
earnings of $6.67 per share in 2004 and $83.5 million or diluted earnings 
of $0.57 per share in 2003.

The increase in the Company´ s results for 2005 is due mainly to an increase 
in metal prices of our products, which was partially compensated with a re-
duction in the copper sales and silver. 

Price  of  copper  during  2005  in  the  London  Metal  Exchange  (LME)  and  the 
New York Commodity Exchange (COMEX) was of $1.67 and $1.68 per pound 
of copper respectively, compared to $1.30 and $1.29 in 2004.

The recent surge in price of molybdenum, principal by-product of SCC, has 
had  a  significant  effect  on  the  Company´s  traditional  calculation  of  cash 
cost and its comparability with prior periods. Accordingly, the Company is 
presenting cash costs with and without the inclusion of all by-products reve-
nues. SCC excludes from its calculation of operating cash cost, depreciation, 
amortization  and  depletion,  exploration,  workers´  participation  provisions 
and items of a non-recurring nature.

The Company´s operating cash cost, as defined, for the three years ended 
December 31, is as follows:

Cash cost per pound of copper produced 
Cash cost per pound of copper produced
  (without by-products revenue)  

2003

2005 

2004 
(in cents per pound)
0.182 

0.026 

0.435

1.005 

0.852 

0.743

Net Sales: Net sales in 2005 were $4,112.6 million, compared with $3,096.7 
million  in  2004  and  $1,576.6  million  in  2003.  Sales  increased  in  2005  by 
$1,015.9  million,  a  32.8%  increase  over  the  previous  year,  mainly  due  to 
higher  copper,  molybdenum,  silver  and  zinc  and  higher  sales  of  molybde-
num and zinc.

Prices: Sales prices for the Company´ s metals are established principally 
by reference to prices quoted in the London Metal Exchange (LME), the New 
York Commodity Exchange (COMEX) or published in Platt´s Metals Week, for 
dealer oxide mean prices for molybdenum.

Toquepala concentrator, Peru

 
 
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SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION

Net sales in 2005 were $4,112.6 million, compared with 
$3,096.7 million in 2004 and $1,576.6 million in 2003. Sales in-
creased in 2004 by $1,015.9 million, a 32.8% increase over the 
previous year

Price/Volume data  
Average Metal Prices
Copper (per pound – LME) 
Copper (per pound – COMEX) 
Molybdenum (per pound) 
Zinc (per pound – COMEX)  
Silver (per ounce – COMEX) 

2005 

2004 

2003

$  1.67 
$  1.68 
$ 31.05 
$  0.63 
$  7.32 

1.30 
$ 
1.29 
$ 
$  15.95 
$  0.48 
$  6.68 

$  0.81
$  0.81
$  5.21
$  0.38
$  4.89

Sales volume (in thousands) 
Copper (pounds) 
Molybdenum (pounds) (1) 
Zinc (pounds) 
Silver (ounces) 

2005 
1,540,100 
32,154 
 294,141 
 19,756 

2004 
1,564,548 
 31,636 
266,587 
 20,212 

2003
1,456,118
27,553
269,442 
19,498 

Leaching, Solvent, Extraction & Electrowinning 
plant (SX/EW) in Toquepala Unit, Peru

(1)  The Company’s molybdenum production is sold in the form of concentrates. 

Volume represents pounds of molybdenum contained in concentrates.

 
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SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION

Dividends and 
Capital Stock

Night view, Cuajone concentrator, Peru

The Company paid dividends to stockholders of $853.9 million or $5.80 per
share in 2005, compared to $191.4 million or $1.30 per share in 2004 and 
$45.4 million or $0.31 per share in 2003.

Distributions to the investment shares minority interest were $5.3 million,
$1.5 million and $0.4 million in 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

On January 27, 2006, a transaction dividend of $2.75 per common share was 
declared and was paid on March 3, 2006, to shareholders of record at the 
close  of  business  on  February  15,  2006.  The  Company´  s  dividend  policy 
continues  to  be  reviewed  at  each  Board  of  Directors´  meeting,  taking  into 
consideration  the  current  intensive  capital  investment  program,  and  cash 
flow generated from operations.

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Environmental 
Affairs 

Peruvian Operations

View of tailings dam, La Caridad Unit, Mexico

Some of the Company’s operations are subject to applicable Peruvian en-
vironmental  laws  and  regulations.  The  Peruvian  government,  through  its 
Ministerio de Energia y Minas (the Ministry of Energy and Mines, or MEM) 
conducts  certain  annual  audits  of  the  Company’s  Peruvian  mining  and 
metallurgical operations. Through these environmental audits, matters re-
lated to environmental commitments, compliance with legal requirements, 
atmospheric emissions and effluent monitoring are reviewed. The Company 
believes that it is in material compliance with applicable Peruvian environ-
mental laws and regulations.

In accordance with Peruvian regulations, in 1996 the Company submit-
ted its Programa de Adecuacion y Manejo Ambiental (the Environmental 
Compliance and Management Program, known by its Spanish acronym, 
PA M A) to the MEM. A third-party environmental audit was conducted in 
order to elaborate the PAMA. The PA M A applied to all current operations 
that did not have an approved environmental impact study at the time. 
SCC’s PA M A was approved in January 1997 and contains 34 mitigation 
measures  and  projects  necessary  to  (1)  bring  the  existing  operations 
into  compliance  with  the  environmental  standards  established  by  the 
MEM  and  (2)  identify  areas  impacted  by  operations  that  are  no  longer 
active and need to be reclaimed or remediated.

By the end of 2004, 31 of these projects were completed, including all PAMA 
commitments  related  to  the  Company’s  operations  in  Cuajone  and  Toque-
pala. The three pending PAMA projects all relate to the Ilo smelter operations. 
The  primary  areas  of  environmental  concern  are  the  smelter  reverberatory 
slag  eroded  from  slag  deposits  up  until  1994,  and  atmospheric  emissions 
from the Ilo smelter.

The slag remediation program is progressing as scheduled and is expected 
to be completed by 2007. With respect to the smelter emissions, the third 
phase  of  the  Ilo  smelter  modernization  has  started  and  is  scheduled  to 
be  completed  by  2007.  In  July  2003,  the  Company  awarded  the  contract 
to  provide  the  technology  and  basic  engineering  for  the  modernization  of 
the Ilo smelter to Fluor Chile S.A. and Xstrata Plc (formerly M.I.M. Holdings 
Limited). The Company believes that the selected technology complies with 
the current environmental regulations. This project is the Company’s largest 
and most important  short-term capital investment project and is estimated 
at $500 million, including $389 million expended through December 31st, 
2005. Beginning in 1995 and continuing while this project is under construc-
tion, the Company has established an emissions curtailment program that 
has allowed the Company to comply with the annual sulfur dioxide air quality 
standard (established by the MEM in 1996) in the city of Ilo.

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SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION

On October 14, 2003, the Peruvian Con-
gress published a new law announcing 
future  closure  and  remediation  obliga-
tions  for  the  mining  industry.  The  law 
was  amended  on  May  28,  2004  and 
again  on  May  8,  2005.  The  current 
modification  establishes  that  mining 
companies  must  submit  their  mine 
closure plans within one year of publi-
cation  of  final  regulations.  On  August 
16,  2005  final  regulations  were  pub-
lished  and  the  Company  has  initiated 
the  preparation  of  the  required  mine 
closure plan. As part of the law and the 
qualifying  regulations  the  Company  is 
also  required  to  engage  an  indepen-
dent  consulting  entity  to  prepare  the 
mine closure plan. The final plan, which 
is  required  by  August  2006,  is  subject 
to approval by MEM and open to public 
discussion  and  comment  in  the  area 
of  Company  operations.  Additionally, 
the  law  requires  companies  to  provide 
financial  guarantees  to 
insure  that 
remediation  programs  are  completed. 
The  Company  anticipates  that  this 
law  will  increase  its  asset  retirement 
obligations  and  require  future  expen-
ditures  and  amortizations  over  the  life 
of the mine to satisfy requirements. The 

The Company’s operations, close to the Mexican-American 
border, are also subjected to the Cooperation Agreement 
for the Protection and Improvement of the Environment in 
the Border Zone

Company believes the liability for these asset retirement obligations can-
not currently be measured, or reasonably estimated, until the Company has 
substantially completed its mine closure plan and is reasonably confident 
that it will be approved by MEM in its most material respects. However, the 
Company has made a preliminary estimate of this liability and has recorded 
such amount in its 2005 financial results. The Company foresees significant 
environmental capital expenditures in 2006 and continuing into 2007. Dur-
ing 2005, $234.6 million of environmental capital expenditures were made 
on the smelter project.

Operations in Mexico

Some Company’s operation activities are subject to federal, state and mu-
nicipal environmental laws, official Mexican standards and regulations for 
protecting the environment, including regulations concerning water supply, 
water pollution, sound pollution, and solid waste and hazardous waste dis-
posal. Some of these laws and regulations are relevant on matters related to 
Company’s facilities in San Luis Potosi.

The main legislation applicable to the Company’s Mexican operations is the 
General Law for Ecologic Balance and Environmental Protection. This is a fed-
eral law and is controlled by the Federal Environmental Protection Attorney’s 
Office (PROFEPA). PROFEPA monitors compliance with environmental legis-
lation  and  enforces  Mexican  environmental  laws,  regulations  and  official 
standards. If necessary, PROFEPA can file administrative procedures against 
companies  that  violate  environmental  legislation,  which  in  extreme  cases 
can result in temporary or permanent close of facilities that do not comply 
with provisions, revocation of operation licenses and/or other sanctions and 
fines. According to the Federal Criminal Code, PROFEPA must also inform the 
corresponding authorities about environmental crimes. 

The  Company’s  operations,  close  to  the  Mexican-American  border,  are 
also subject to the Cooperation Agreement for the Protection and Improve-
ment of the Environment in the Border Zone, or La Paz Agreement, signed 
in  1983  by  the  United  States  and  Mexico,  aiming  at  improving  air  quality 
along  the  border.  The  La  Paz  Agreement  establishes  standards  for  sulfur 
dioxide emissions and requires installing and maintaining emissions moni-
toring systems and information recording in our smelters in the northwest 
of  Mexico.  To  comply  with  sulfur  dioxide  emission  standards,  enacted  by 
the Environment Law and the La Paz Agreement, Minera Mexico closed in 
December  1999  the  Cananea  smelter  and  the  Monterrey  operations.  The 
Mexican environmental regulations has become more strict in the last de-

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SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION

•  The  San  Martin  Unit,  located  in  the 
state of Zacatecas, started the certi-
fication process as a Clean Industry. 

•  In  the  Copper  Plant  located  in  the 
state of San Luis Potosi, as follow-up 
to a volunteer proposal of improving 
the  environment,  the  Environmental 
and  Natural  Resources  Secretariat 
authorized the activities to remediate 
soils and improve the control of emis-
sions submitted by the Company. The 
Company has uninterruptedly worked 
to follow up the Actions Detailed Plan 
derived from said authorization. 

•  In the state of San Luis Potosi, there 
is  a  tree  nursery,  thanks  to  which 
41,371  trees  were  distributed  as 
follows:  6,680  for  IMMSA  division’s 
properties;  2,009  for  the  division 
employees  and  laborers;  11,210  for 
community  support;  7,149  to  sup-
port  schools;  4,696  for  the  San  Luis 
Potosi  Municipality  and  2,276  for 
supporting  the  Environmental  and 
Natural  Resources  Secretariat  and 
other  governmental  agencies.  At  the 
end of 2005, the nursery had 50,820 
developing trees.

cade and we expect this trend to go on and to be influenced by the environ-
mental agreement signed by Mexico, the United States and Canada related 
to the NAFTA, in February 1999. However, the Company’s management does 
not consider that continuing compliance with the Mexican Federal or State 
Environmental Laws will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s 
business,  facilities,  operation  results,  financial  situation  or  that  it  would 
result  in  material  capital  expenses.  Even  though  the  Company  considers 
that all its facilities comply with environmental, mining and other laws and 
regulations, the Company cannot ensure that stricter provisions or that the 
current laws and regulations or adoption of new laws and regulations will 
not have a material adverse effect on the businesses, properties, operation 
results, financial condition or prospects of the Company. 

Due  to  the  proximity  of  some  of  the  facilities  of  our  Mexican  operations 
subsidiaries to urban areas, the authorities may implement some measures 
that could impact or restrict the operation of said facilities. Any use of force 
to close any facility may have an adverse effect in the relevant subsidiary’s 
operational results. 

The Company has established broad environmental conservation programs 
at  its  mining  facilities  of  Peru  and  Mexico.  The  Company’s  environmental 
programs include water recovery systems to preserve the resource and mini-
mize pollution of nearby water sources, reforestation programs to stabilize 
surfaces of tailings dams and implementing clean technology at the mines to 
reduce dust emissions. 

IMMSA Division

•  At the Zinc Refinery located in the San Luis Potosi state, we requested the 
Environmental and Natural Resources Secretariat (SEMARNAT), to start a 
procedure to declare the areas around the refinery as Safeguard Interme-
diate Zone (ZIS). The ZIS is defined as a safety area located within a land 
stretch that is a buffer between some establishments and nearby popula-
tion centers. 

•  As for the Angangeo Project, the Environmental Natural Resources Secre-

tariat granted the Environmental Impact Authorization.

•  The Santa Barbara Unit, located in the state of Chihuahaua, is in the pro-
cess of obtaining the Clean Industry certificate under the Federal Environ-
ment Protection Attorney’s Office (PROFEPA).

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SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION

•  Aiming  at  preserving  fauna  that, 
eventually,  approaches  our  facili-
ties, the Zinc Plant in San Luis Potosi 
installed  a  new  and  modern  system 
called  Fire  Fly,  which,  through  its 
high technology, helps to prevent mi-
grating birds to approach final waste 
disposal sites.

CANANEA AND LA CARIDAD

•   In  2005,  we  started  the  Clean  In-
dustry  certification  process  for  the 
Cananea  mine  and  La  Caridad  mine 
Concentrator  Plants,  as  well  as  for 
the molybdenum plant in La Caridad. 
We  also  registered  the  Action  Plan 
before  the  Federal  Environmental 
Protection  Attorney’s  Office  after 
having performed the corresponding 
environmental  audits.  Additionally, 
we started a Voluntary Environmental 
Audit  process  at  the  Cananea  Con-
centration Plant. 

•  We concluded Cananea’s unit internal reforestation by planting 2,500 
trees. This is the company that contributes more trees in the country 
to the program that the National Forestry Commission (CONAFOR) cur-
rently promotes.

•   As for reforestation, we continued with the activity of linking every mu-
nicipality  within  the  mining  units’  and  plants’  area  of  influence.  During 
2005, 13 municipalities of Sierra de Sonora were reforested with a total of 
1,410,000 produced and planted trees. To achieve this, we were aided by 
the National Defense Secretariat and the National Forestry Commission. 
Currently,  1,100,000  trees  are  developing  in  the  nursery  and  we  have 
scheduled to increase production to 1,550,000 trees for year 2006.

•   We  got  the  Clean  Industry  certification  from  the  Natural  Gas  Transpor-
tation  System  (Gasoducto  Douglas  –  Nacozari)  facilities,  within  the 
Environmental  Audit  Program  of  the  Federal  Environmental  Protection 
Attorney’s Office. Likewise, audits are being carried out at our facilities at 
La Caridad (Hydrometalurgy Plant, Wire Rod Plant, Precious Metals Plant, 
Concentrator Plant, Molybdenum Plant and Lime Plant) all of these in the 
state of Sonora.

•   We coordinated the Clean Community program by participating in talks 
given at elementary and secondary schools and by handing out garbage 
collecting containers. These activities took place in 6 cities of the state of 
Sonora.

Flotation cells in concentrator, La Caridad Unit, 
Mexico

•   Currently, we actively participate in the Technical Advisor Council and the 
Task Force for protecting and preserving the Valle de los Cirios flora and 

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ANNUAL REPORT

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SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION

In 2005, we started the Clean Industry certification process for 
the Cananea mine and La Caridad mine Concentrator Plants, as 
well as for the molybdenum plant at La Caridad

Water recovered from the tailings dam, La Caridad 
Unit, Mexico

fauna  in  Baja  California.  We  have  recently  worked  on  the  Reserve  Man-
agement Plan and we have been able to get the El Arco project area and 
concession areas to be rated as special utilization zones, thus permitting 
mining activities. 

GENERAL MEXICAN DIVISION ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

•   The Mexican division has a Qualifications System aimed at improving our 
human  resources  performance.  In  2005,  we  supported  the  Human  Re-
sources Directorate by giving the Qualification Systems courses to all the 
personnel of the Mexican offices, at IMMSA division managerial level em-
ployees and to employees of the Cananea and La Caridad units.  Courses 
which dealt with Ecologic Awareness.

•   Taking  into  account  the  importance  of  developing  an  environmental 
culture, together with the Information Technology Directorate, we repro-
duced  the  intranet  page  capture  and  design  protocol  on  Environmental 
Affairs for the Mexican SCC division. 

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ANNUAL REPORT

[ the future is globall ]

sixth

page 33

SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION

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ANNUAL REPORT

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SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION

General Information, Description of 
Operations and Development

Information related to 
its constitution and its 
registration in the Public 
Registry:

Smelter operations in Ilo Metalurgical 
Complex, Peru

See: Brief historical review from the constitution of the Company on page 
37.

Brief Description: Southern Copper Corporation (SCC) is a copper, molyb-
denum,  zinc  and  silver  integrated  producer.  All  our  mining,  smelting  and 
refining facilities are located in Peru and Mexico, and we carry out explora-
tion in said countries and in Chile. Our activities make us the largest min-
ing company in Peru and Mexico. We are the largest publicly traded copper 
mining company in the world based on reserves and the fifth largest cop-
per mining company in the world based on 2004 sales. Our operations in 
Peru comprise mining, milling and flotation of minerals to produce copper 
and molybdenum concentrates. The smelting of copper concentrates pro-
duces blister copper and blister raffinate for producing cathodes. We also 
produce copper cathodes by using the SX/EW technology. We operate the 
Cuajone and Toquepala mines in the heights of the Andes, approximately 
984  kilometers  southeast  of  the  city  of  Lima,  Peru.  We  also  operate  a 
smelter  and  refinery  west  of  the  mines  in  Toquepala  and  Cuajone,  in  the 
city of Ilo, Peru.

Our operations in Mexico are carried out by Minera Mexico S.A. de C.V., a 
subsidiary we bought on April 1, 2005. Minera Mexico mainly develops  ac-
tivities of mining and processing of copper, zinc, silver, gold, lead and mo-
lybdenum. Minera Mexico operates through subsidiaries that are grouped 
in three separate units. Mexicana de Cobre S.A. de C.V. (together with its 
subsidiaries, Mexcobre Unit), it operates an open pit mine, a copper con-
centrator,  a  SX/EW  plant,  a  smelter,  two  refineries  and  a  wire  rod  plant. 
Mexicana de Cananea S.A. de C.V. (together with its subsidiaries, Cananea 
Unit) operates an open pit mine located in one of the areas with more cop-
per  reserves  in  the  world,  a  copper  concentrator  and  two  SX/EW  plants. 
Industrial Minera Mexico S.A. de C.V. (Immsa) and Minerales Metalicos del 
Norte S.A. (together with Immsa and its subsidiaries, Immsa Unit) operate 
five underground mines producing zinc, lead, copper, silver and gold, and 
a  coal  and  coke  mine  and  several  industrial  processing  facilities  for  zinc 
and copper.

We  use  advanced  mining  and  processing  methods,  including  global  po-
sitioning  systems  (GPS).  Our  operations  are  highly  integrated  vertically, 
which permits us to manage the whole production process, from mining to 
refined copper and other products, as well as transportation and logistics, 
by using our own facilities, employees and equipment.

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ANNUAL REPORT

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SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION

Group
SCC, indirectly, makes part of Grupo Mexico S.A. de C.V. who owns 100% of Americas Mining Corporation (AMC) share-
holding.

Name of the company 

SEVERAL ACTIVITIES 

Location 

Inscription
 in the RPMV   %

  1)  Grupo Mexico, S.A. de C. V.  
  2) 
  3) 

Grupo Mexico Servicios, S.A. de C.V.  

  Mexico Proyectos y Desarrollo, S.A. de C.V. 

RAILROAD ACTIVITIES   
Infraestructura y Transportes Mexico, S.A. de C. V. 
Grupo Ferroviario Mexicano, S.A. de C.V. 
Intermodal Mexico, S.A. de C.V. 

  MINING ACTIVITIES  

Grupo Minero Mexico Internacional, S.A. de C.V. 

Americas Mining Corporation (AMC) 

ASARCO LLC   

  Southern Copper Corporation (SCC) 

Americas Sales Company, Inc. 

  Minera Mexico, S. A. de C. V. 

SDG Mexico Apoyo Administrativo, S.A. de C.V. 
Industrial Minera Mexico, S.A. de C. V. 

  Mexicana de Cananea, S.A. de C. V. 
  Mexicana de Cobre, S.A. de C. V. 
  Mexicana del Arco, S.A. de C.V. 
  Mexico Compañia Inmobiliaria, S.A. 
  Minerales Metalicos del Norte, S.A. 
  Minera Mexico Internacional, Incorporated 

Servicios de Apoyo Administrativo, S.A. de C.V. 

  Western Copper Supplies 

Global Natural Resources, Inc. 
Logistics Services Incorporated (LSI) 

  Multimines Corporation 
  Multimines Insurance Company, Ltd. 

Southern Peru Limited 
Southern Peru Copper Corporation, Agencia en Chile 
Southern Peru Copper Corporation, Sucursal del Peru 
Compañia Minera Los Tolmos, S.A. 

  4) 
  5) 
  6) 

  7) 
  8) 
  9) 
 10) 
  11) 
 12) 
  13) 
 14) 
  15) 
 16) 
  17) 
 18) 
 19) 
 20) 
 21) 
 22) 
 23) 
 24) 
 25) 
 26) 
 27) 
 28) 
 29) 
 30) 

NOTE:

1.- Includes 82.69% of patrimony and 16.60% of common Investment Shares.

Mexico 
Mexico 
Mexico 

Mexico 
Mexico 
Mexico 

Mexico 
USA 
USA 
USA 
USA 
Mexico 
Mexico 
Mexico 
Mexico 
Mexico 
Mexico 
Mexico 
Mexico 
USA 
Mexico 
USA 
USA 
USA 
USA 
Bermudas 
USA 
Chile 
Peru 
Peru 

100.0
99.9

100.0
74.0
100.0

99.8
99.99
100.0
75.1
100.0
99.95
100.0
99.99
99.99
99.97
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
99.291
97.31

  
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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ANNUAL REPORT

page 35
SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION

Corporate Capital and Common Stock

Harvest of cathodes at the Ilo refinery, Peru

The authorized number of shares is 
Issued and Paid-In Capital: Common Shares 
Nominal Value of Common Shares  

Total number and percent of shares  
Americas Mining Corporation 
Common Shares 
Total 

Shares  

shares
167,207,640
147,228,025
$ 0.01

Interest 
75.1%
24.9%
100.0%

Authorizations Obtained for the Development of 
the Business

Operations in Peru

1.  Toquepala  Concentrator:  Authorized  by  Directorial  Resolution  No.455-
91-EM/DGM/DCM  dated  July  5,  1991,  which  approved  the  operation 
of the Toquepala Concentrator. The resolution granted 240 hectares of 
surface land and authorized a throughput of 39,000 Metric Tons/Day.

Based  on  Report  No.  413-97-EM/DGM/DPDM  dated  July  7,  1997  the 
Director  General  of  Mining  authorized  the  expansion  of  the  Toquepala 
Concentrator to a 43,000 Metric Tons/Day throughput.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION

Based  on  Report  N°  547-2002-EM/DGM/DPDM,  dated  November  6, 
2002, the Director General of Mining authorized the expansion of the 
Toquepala Concentrator to a capacity of 60,000 metric tons/day.

2.  Botiflaca Concentrator at Cuajone: Authorized by Directorial Resolu-
tion  No.  150-81-EM/DCM  dated  August  14,  1981,  which  approved 
the operation of the Cuajone Concentrator. The resolution granted 56 
hectares of surface land.

Based on Report No. 266-99-EM/DGM/DPDM dated July 20, 1999 the 
Director  General  of  Mining  authorized  the  expansion  of  the  Cuajone 
Concentrator to a 87,000 metric tons/day throughput.

3. Toquepala Leaching Plant (SX/EW): Authorized by Directorial Resolu-
tion  No.  166-96-EM/DGM  dated  May  7,  1996,  which  approved  the 
operation  of  the  Toquepala  SX/EW  Plant.  The  resolution  granted  60 
hectares of surface land and authorized a throughput of 11,850 met-
ric tons/day. 

Based  on  Report  No.  663-98-EM/DGM/DPDM  dated  November  10, 
1998 the Director General of Mining authorized the expansion of the 
Toquepala SX/EW Plant to a 18,737 metric tons/day throughput.

4.  Cuajone  Leaching  Plant  (LX/EW):  Authorized  by  Directorial  Resolu-
tion  No.155-96-EM/DGM  dated  May  6,  1996,  which  approved  the 
operation of the Cuajone Leaching Plant. The resolution granted 400 
hectares of surface land and authorized a throughput of 2,100 metric 
tons/day.

5.   Ilo  Smelter:  Authorized  by  Directorial  Resolution  No.  0078-69-EM/
DGM dated August 21, 1969, which approved the operation of the Ilo 
Smelter.  The  resolution  authorized  a  production  of  400  Short  Tons/
Day of blister copper.

Based on Report No.204-2000-EM-DGM-DPDM dated June 20, 2000 
the  Director  General  of  Mining  authorized  the  expansion  of  the  Ilo 
Smelter  to  a  3,100  metric  tons/day  throughput  of  copper  concen-
trates.

6.   Ilo Refinery: Authorized by Report No. 056-94-EM/DGM/DRDM dated 

 
 
 
 
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ANNUAL REPORT

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SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION

May 27, 1994 the Director General of Mining authorized the operation 
of the Ilo Copper Refinery at 190,000 metric tons/year throughput of 
blister copper.

Based  on  Report  No.  506-98-EM/DGM/DPDM  dated  September  2, 
1998 the Director General of Mining authorized the expansion of the 
Ilo Copper Refinery to a capacity of 658 metric tons/day throughput of 
blister copper.

Based  on  Report  N°  080-2002-EM-DGM/DPDM,  dated  March  13, 
2002, the Director General of Mining authorized the expansion of the 
Ilo Copper Refinery to a capacity of 800 metric tons/day.

7.   Sulfuric Acid Plant: Authorized by Directorial Resolution No. 024-96-
EM/DGM  dated  January  19,  1996  the  Director  General  of  Mining  au-
thorized the operation of the Sulfuric Acid Plant at a production rate 
of 472 metric tons/day. Based on Report No. 313-98-EM/DGM/DPDM 
dated May 18, 1998 the Director General of Mining authorized the ex-
pansion of the Ilo Sulfuric Acid Plant to a capacity of 300,000 metric 
tons/year production.

8.   Coquina Wash Plant and Sea shell Concentrator authorized to operate 
by Directorial Resolution Nº 110-93-EM/DGM of August 3, 1993. The 
plant processes 2068 metric tons/day of raw material (coquina) recov-
ered  from  nearby  mines.  Seashell  is  produced  separating  sand  and 
other materials from the coquina using sea water washing screens.

Operations in Mexico

La Caridad Mine

La  Caridad  Concentrator  started  operating  in  June  1979,  with  a  milling 
capacity of 72,000 metric tons per day.

La Caridad Concentrator expanded its capacity in 1986, to 90,000 metric 
tons per day. 

The Molybdenum Plant started operating in June 1982, with a capacity to 
produce 2000 metric tons of Copper-Molybdenum Concentrate per day.

 
 
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SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION

The  La  Caridad  SX/EW  Plant  started 
operating in May 1995, with a capacity 
of 60 metric tons per day.

The La Caridad Metallurgic Complex

The  La  Caridad  Smelter  started  oper-
ating  in  July  1986,  with  a  production 
capacity  of  493  metric  tons  of  anode 
per day.

The  La  Caridad  Smelter  expanded  its 
capacity  in  March  1997,  to  932  metric 
tons of anodes per day.

The  La  Caridad  Refinery  started  oper-
ating  in  July  1997,  with  a  production 
capacity of 493 metric tons of cathodic 
copper per day.

The  La  Caridad  Refinery  expanded  its 
capacity in January 1998, to 822 metric 
tons of cathodic copper per day.

The  La  Caridad  Precious  Metals  Plant 
started  operating  in  May  1999,  with  a 
production  capacity  of  43,836  silver 
ounces  per  day,  247  gold  ounces  per 
day, and 342 selenium kg per day.

The La Caridad Wire Rod Plant started 
operating in April 1998, with a produc-
tion capacity of 300 metric tons of wire 
rod per day.

The La Caridad Wire Rod Plant expanded 
its capacity in March 2000 to 411 metric 
tons of wire rod per day.

Cananea Mine

The Cananea Concentrator started operating in September 1986, with a ca-
pacity of 62,500 metric tons per day.

The Cananea Concentrator expanded its capacity in 1988, to 70,000 metric 
tons per day.

The Cananea Concentrator expanded its capacity in 1998, to 76,700 metric 
tons per day.

The Cananea SX/EW I Plant started operating in 1980, with a capacity of 30 
metric tons per day.

The Cananea SX/EW II Plant started operating in 1989, with a capacity of 60 
metric tons per day.

The Cananea SX/EW II Plant expanded its capacity in 2001, to 120 metric 
tons per day.

Underground Mines

1.-  The Santa Barbara Unit has a milling capacity of 6,000 metric tons of ore 

per day.

2.-  The Santa Eulalia Unit has a milling capacity of 1,450 metric tons of ore 

per day.

3.  The San Martin Unit has a milling capacity of 4,400 metric tons of ore per day.

4.-  The Charcas Unit has a milling capacity of 4,000 metric tons of ore per day.

5.-  The Taxco Unit has a milling capacity of 2,000 metric tons per day.

6.-  The Pasta de Conchos Unit has a washing capacity of 3,600 metric tons 

per day.

7.-  The Zinc Refinery has capacity to produce 285 refined zinc metric tons 

per day.

8.-  The San Luis Potosi Copper Smelter has production capacity of 66 blister 

copper metric tons per day. 

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SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION

Description of Operations 
and Development Regarding 
the Issuing Entity

Purpose

The purpose of Southern Copper Corporation (SCC) is to engage in activi-
ties allowed by the laws of the State of Delaware. Its main activity is to 
extract, mill, concentrate, smelt, treat, prepare for market, manufacture, 
sell, exchange and, in general, to produce and negotiate for sales of cop-
per, gold, silver, lead, zinc, iron and any other class of minerals and ma-
terials or other materials, effects and goods of any nature or description; 
as  well  as  to  explore,  exploit,  sample,  examine,  investigate,  recognize, 
locate, appraise, buy, sell, exchange, etc., mining concessions and min-
ing deposits. SCC belongs to the CIUU 1320 group. 

The term of duration of the Company is indefinite.

Brief historical review from the constitution of the Company

The  Company  was  organized  on  December  12,  1952,  according  to  the 
Laws of the State of Delaware of the United States of America, under the 
original denomination of Southern Peru Copper Corporation, which was 
renamed on October 11, 2005, to Southern Copper Corporation (SCC). 

In 1954, SCC established a Branch in Peru to carry out mining activities 
in  this  country.  The  Branch  was  established  under  public  instrument 
certified  by  Public  Notary  from  Lima,  Dr.  Ricardo  Fernandini  Arana,  on 
November 6, 1954.

The Branch is registered in the Electronic Record No. 3025091 of the Ju-
ridical Entities Registry Office of Lima and Callao (before: Entry N° 384 of 
the Record N° 2447 of the Mining Registry of Natural and Juridical Entities 
of the Public Mining Registry).

Actions following company incorporation:

Capital increase:
By Public Deed dated May 31, 1995, signed before the notary public of 
Lima, Dr. Carlos A. Sotomayor Bernos, registered in Card 2447 of the Pub-
lic  Mining  Registry,  the  Branch  capital  increase  was  formalized.  It  was 
made  through  money  contribution  by  the  Company  in  favor  of  its  Peru 
Branch  and  by  the  owners  of  labor  shares,  pursuant  to  Legislative  De-
cree No. 677. The capital contribution made by the Company was aimed 
at increasing the capital allotted to the Branch by the headquarters and 

registered  in  Peru.  The  capital  contri-
bution made by the Labor Shares (to-
day  Investment  Shares)  owners  was 
assigned to the Labor Shares account 
of  the  Branch  for  issuing  new  Labor 
Shares. 

Part  of  the  money  contribution  made 
by the Company in favor of its Branch 
and  by  the  Labor  Shares  owners  was 
applied  as  a  capital  premium  to  the 
Resident  account  as  Additional  Capi-
tal. 

Exchange of Labor Shares for Common 
Shares:
Dated  September  7,  1995,  Southern 
Copper  Holding  Company  was  also 
incorporated  pursuant  to  the  Laws  of 
the State of Delaware,  for the purpose 
of  acting  as  a  holding  company  that 
owner of all Southern Peru Copper Cor-
poration shares, and of performing an 
exchange of the shares that were then 
called Labor Shares (today Investment 
Shares) issued by the branch in Peru, 
and  delivering  to  the  owners  of  labor 
shares  a  certain  number  of  common 
shares  issued  by  SPCC  in  the  United 
States. As a consequence of this share 
exchange,  ex-owners  of  Labor  Shares 
acquired  17.31%  of  SPCC’s  Capital, 
and this company acquired ownership 
of  80.77%  of  Labor  Shares  (today  In-
vestment Shares).

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ANNUAL REPORT

page 41

SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION

On  December  31,  1995,  Southern  Peru 
Copper  Corporation  changed  its  corpo-
rate  name  for  Southern  Peru  Limited, 
and Southern Copper Holding Company 
changed its corporate name to Southern 
Peru Copper Corporation.

As  a  consequence  of  this  corporate 
name  change,  the  mining  activities 
of  the  company  in  Peru  started  being 
performed under the name of Southern 
Peru Limited, Peru Branch (SPL).

On  December  31,  1998,  the  merger 
between  Southern  Peru  Copper  Cor-
poration  and  Southern  Peru  Limited 
was  agreed.  The  first  company  ab-
sorbed  the  second  one  and  assumed 
all its assets and liabilities, including 
the  Branch  in  Peru.  This  merger  did 
not imply any change to the share per-
centage  in  the  corporate  capital  or  in 
the Patrimonial Participation Account 
(investment shares), which were kept 
unchanged. 

As  a  consequence  of  the  merger,  the 
mining  activities  of  the  corporation  in 
Peru  were  again  carried  out  under  the 
name  of  Southern  Peru  Copper  Corpo-
ration, Peru Branch, or the abbreviated 
name of Southern Peru and or the acro-
nym SPCC.

Change of Economic Group:

In  November  1999,  Grupo  Mexico  S.  A.  de  C.  V.,  a  company  incorporated 
pursuant to the Laws of the Republic of Mexico, acquired in the United Stated 
100% of ASARCO, Inc. shares, the main shareholder of Southern Peru Cop-
per Corporation at that time. In this way, SPCC became a subsidiary of Grupo 
Mexico,  which  keeps  its  shareholding  through  American  Mining  Company 
(AMC).

Acquisition of Minera Mexico, S.A. de C.V. (MM) and other corporate 
changes:

SCC  shareholders,  in  a  shareholder  extraordinary  meeting  dated  March 
28, 2005, approved the issuance of Common Shares and required actions 
related  to  the  acquisition  of  MM,  a  company  incorporated  pursuant  to  the 
Laws of the Republic of Mexico. This transaction was approved by more than 
90% of the issued shares of the capital of SCC. To acquire MM, SCC issued 
67,207,640 shares in exchange for MM shares. Once the shares related to 
the  acquisition  were  issued,  Americas  Mining  Corporation  increased  its 
share in SCC from 54.3% to approximately 75.1%.

Change in the Articles of Incorporation Deed:

On  March  28,  2005,  following  Board  of  Directors  recommendations,  SCC 
shareholders approved in an extraordinary meeting the amendments to the 
Certificate  of  Incorporation,  changing  the  composition  and  obligations  of 
some Board committees. 

Special Independent Director:
The changes to the Certificate of Incorporation require the Board to include 
a  certain  number  of  special  independent  directors.  A  special  independent 
director  is  a  person  who  (i)  complies  with  the  independence  standards  of 
the New York Stock Exchange (or any other stock exchange or association in 
which Common Shares are listed) and (ii) is appointed by the Special Nomi-
nation Committee of the Board. A special independent director may only be 
removed from the Board upon a justified cause.

The number of special independent directors on tha Board at any time shall 
equal (a) the total number of directors on the Board multiplied by (b) the per-
centage of Common Shares all the shareholders (that are not Grupo Mexico 
and its affiliates) have, rounding up to the following whole number. Notwith-

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SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION

standing  the  above  mentioned,  the  total  number  of  persons  appointed  as 
special  independent  directors  (not  belonging  to  Grupo  Mexico)  cannot  be 
less than two or more than six.

Special Nominating Committee:
To  appoint  persons  as  candidates  for  the  election  of  special  independent 
directors and cover special independent directors vacancies, the amendment 
to the Certificate of Incorporation requires the Company to appoint a Special 
Nominating Committee. The Special Nominating Committee must be made up 
by three SCC directors, two (2) of which are currently Mr. Luis Miguel Palomino 
and Mr. Carlos Ruiz Sacristan (each one an Initial Director and, together with 
their  successors,  the  Special  Designees)  and  any  other  director,  who  was 
initially Mr. Oscar Gonzalez Rocha and is now Mr Armando Ortega Gomez, as 
appointed by the Board or the Board Designee. The Board Designees will be 
annually selected by the Board. The Special Designees will be annually se-
lected by the member of the Board who are special independent directors or 
Initial Directors. Only the special independent directors can cover vacancies 
in the Special Nominating Committee. Any member of the Special Nominating 
Committee can be removed at any time by the Board with a justified cause. 
The unanimous vote of all the members in the Special Committee will be nec-
essary to adopt any agreement or to take any action. 

Notwithstanding  the  above  mentioned,  the  Special  Nominating  Committe’s 
power to name special independent Directors Designees is subjected to the 
shareholders’ right to appoint directors pursuant to the by-laws. 

The  amendment  provisions  referring  to  the  special  independent  directors 
may be modified only with the favorable vote of the majority of the Common 
Shares owners (calculated without applying qualified majority voting right) 
that are not Grupo Mexico and its affiliates.

Transactions with affiliates:
The amendments to the Certificate also prohibit the Company to undertake 
important  transactions  with  affiliates,  except  if  the  transaction  has  been 
reviewed  by  a  committee  of  at  least  three  Board  members,  each  one  of 
which  will  comply  with  the  New  York  Stock  Exchange  (or  any  other  stock 
exchange  or  association  on  which  Common  Shares  are  listed)  indepen-
dence regulations. An important transaction with affiliates is defined as an 
important transaction, commercial negotiation or financial  participation  in 
any  transaction,  any  series  of  transactions  between  Grupo  Mexico  or  one 
of its affiliates (different from the Company or any of the subsidiaries), on 

the one hand, and the Company or one 
of  the  subsidiaries,  on  the  other  hand, 
comprising a total consideration of more 
than $10,000,000.00.

The  Company  submitted  the  Amend-
ment  of  its  Certificate  of  Incorporation 
to  the  Secretary  of  State  of  the  State 
of Delaware, and it came into effect on 
March 31, 2005 at 11:59 P.M.

Change of corporate name and other 
corporate changes:

On  September  20,  2005,  by  written 
consent  instead  of  an  extraordinary 
shareholder  meeting, 
the  majority 
shareholder  approved  the  corporate 
name  change  of  Southern  Peru  Cop-
per  Corporation  to  Southern  Copper 
Corporation  or  SCC.  The  change  was 
adopted  because  the  new  corporate 
the 
name 
reflects  more  precisely 
Company’s  operations  outside 
the 
Republic  of  Peru  after  its  acquisition 
of  Minera  Mexico  and  SCC’s  presence 
in  the  Republic  of  Chile  through  the 
acquisition of some mining exploration 
concessions. 

Additionally,  on  the  same  date,  the 
majority  shareholder  approved  an 
amendment of our Certificate of Incor-

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SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION

poration  to  remove  other  provisions 
in  our  Certificate  related  to  our  Class 
A  Common  Shares  that  were  formerly 
in  circulation,  which  were  converted 
to  Common  Shares  on  May  19,  2005, 
and to change the number of corporate 
directors from fifteen to a number that 
will  be  regularly  established  follow-
ing  agreement  of  the  majority  Board 
members,  provided  that  the  number 
of directors will not be less than six or 
more than fifteen. 

The  Certificate  amendment  was  sub-
mitted to the Secretary of State of the 
State of Delaware, and came into effect 
on October 11, 2005.

Peru Branch Name:

Generally,  the  change  of  corporate 
name of the parent should comprise the 
corresponding  change  of  name  of  the 
ancillary  organizations  linked  to  it,  as 
is the case of the Peru Branch through 
which the Corporation develops its min-
ing activities in Peru.

After  consulting  with  Peruvian  lawyers, 
the  Board  of  Directors,  taking  into  con-
sideration  the  net  worth  and  assets 
importance  of  the  Branch,  the  need  to 

continue acknowledging the position of the Peruvian Branch with its local and 
international copper clients, the need to preserve its prestige and its position 
and good name in the copper market, and the need to prevent any possible cli-
ent loss, as well as to guarantee the revenue flow from sales, its financial and 
economic revenues and its solvency, the Board of Directors agreed to maintain 
the original corporate name of the Peru Branch, that is, Southern Peru Copper 
Corporation, Peru Branch, or the abbreviated name Southern Peru and/or the 
acronym SPCC.

Changes in the Certificate of Articles of Incorporation and By-laws:

Dated January 26, 2006, the Board approved amendment to Southern Cop-
per Corporation’s by-laws aiming at removing the provisions related to Class 
A Common Shares, among other changes. These changes will be submitted 
to approval by the shareholders at the annual shareholder meeting to take 
place in April 2006.

SCC  is,  indirectly,  part  of  Grupo  Mexico  S.A.  de  C.V.  who  owns  100%  of 
Americas  Mining  Corporation  (AMC)  shareholding,  owner  of  75.1%  of  SCC 
shares.

Information about plans and investment policies

See Expansion and Modernization Program on page 9.

Relationship between the Issuer and the Government

On November 20, 1996, SCC and the Peruvian Government (Ministry of En-
ergy  and  Mines)  signed  a  contract  that  will  remain  effective  until  the  year 
2010 which guarantees the tax stability and the availability of exchange to 
foreign currency of the Branch’s earnings related to the operation of the SX/
EW plant at Toquepala and at the Solvent Extraction (SX) operation in Cua-
jone. Also, on April 18th, 1995, SCC and the Peruvian Government (CONITE) 
signed a contract that guarantees the availability of foreign currencies, free 
remittance of dividends outside Peru, among other guarantees related to the 
acid plant of the Ilo Smelter. 

SCC obtains revenues for tax credits in Peru for the general sales tax (IGV) 
paid in connection with the acquisition of capital goods and other goods and 
services used in its operations, counting these credits as a paid expense in 
advance. By virtue of this refund, SCC is entitled to credit the amount of the 
IGV against its Peruvian tax obligations or to receive a refund.

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SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION

Optimizing  Control  System  (OCS), 
as well as, 6 WEMCO-130 Flotation 
Cells,  4  OK-100  Flotation  Cells,  3 
OK-50  Flotation  Cells,  5  WEMCO-
60 Flotation Cells, 15 Column Cells 
and  24  WEMCO  42.5m3  Flotation 
Cells,  72  Agitair  1.13  m3  Cells,  2 
Larox Filter Presses (PF60 & PF96), 
5  Middling  Thickeners,  2  Tailings 
Thickeners,  3  High-Rate  Tailings,  1 
Tripper Car, 1 Track tractor CAT D10-
R and a recycled water pipe line.

3.   8  trucks  Komatsu  930E,  each  one 
with a capacity of 290 tm, 5 trucks 
CAT 793C each one with a capacity 
of 231 tm, 18 trucks Komatsu 830E 
each one with a capacity of 218 tm, 
9 trucks Titan 2200 each one with a 
capacity of 181 tm, 1 truck Dresser 
445E with a capacity of 109 tm.

4.  3 P&H 4100A shovels with a capac-
ity of 73 tm (43 m3 ), 3 P&H 2100BL 
shovels  with  a  capacity  of  23  tons 
(11.4  m3),  1  Bucyrus  495BI  shovel 
with a capacity of 73 tons (43 m3), 
1  P&H  120A  electric  drill,  2  P&H 
100XP  electric  drills,  2  Bucyrus 
49RIII  rotary  drill,  1  Le  Tourneau 
1400 front-end loader of 21.4 m3.

Mining Safety:

Peruvian Operations

In 2005, the open pit operations at the mines of Toquepala and Cuajone, 
as well as operations performed at the Ilo metallurgical complex which in-
cludes our Smelter and refinery, were awarded a prize by the Mining Safety 
Institute  -      Instituto  de  Seguridad  Minera  (ISEM),  in  recognition  for  our 
excellent statistical results in obtaining a reduction of personal accidents 
and  consequently  in  the  Indexes  of  Frequency  Safety,  Severity  and  Acci-
dents.  

Mexican Operations

The  Mexican  Mining  Chamber  (CAMIMEX),  which  recognizes  those  en-
terprises  with  a  low  accident  level,  in  2005,  granted  our  metallurgical 
complex of La Caridad the highest award for safety in the mining industry, 
which is the Silver Helmet.  Likewise, as during the past three years, the 
concentrator mine of La Caridad obtained the Silver Helmet, this prize was 
awarded in definitive manner. The mining units Santa Eulalia and Cananea 
were awarded a diploma for safety for reducing accidents to at least 25%.  

Generic Description of Main Assets

Operations in Peru

TOQUEPALA
1.   The Toquepala Production Unit comprises three Economic Administra-
tive  Units:  TOQUEPALA  1  comprising  30  mining  claims  over  a  6,698 
hectare  surface.  SIMARRONA  including  12  mining  claims  over  5,800 
hectares,  and  TOTORAL  with  18  mining  claims  distributed  over  5,620 
hectares.  In  addition,  the  Toquepala  Production  Unit  owns  33  mining 
claims over 22,699 hectares outside the above Economic Administra-
tive Units.

  Overall  the  Toquepala  Production  Unit  holds  93  mining  claims  over 

40,817 hectares.

2.  Toquepala  Concentrator  Beneficiation  Plant,  with  Milling  capacity 
of  60,000  tons  per  day,  consists  of  1  Primary  Crusher,  3  Secondary 
Crushers, 6 Tertiary Crushers, 8 Bar Mills, 24 Ball Mills, 8 Ball Mills for 
Re-crushing, 1 Ball Mill 9500 HP, 1 distribute control system (DCS), 1 

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SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION

CUAJONE 

1.  The  Cuajone  Production  Unit  com-
prises two Economic Administrative 
Units:  CUAJONE  1,  comprising  23 
mining  claims  over  6,690  hectares; 
and COCOTEA with 15 mining claims 
over 7,711 hectares. Additionally the 
Cuajone  Production  Unit  with  12 
mining  claims  over  8,433  hectares 
outside  the  above  two  Economic 
Administrative Units.

  Overall, the Cuajone Production Unit 
comprises  50  mining  claims  over  a 
total 22,234 hectare surface.

2.  Cuajone Concentrator Beneficiation 
Plant with Milling capacity of 87,000 
tons per day, consisting of 1 primary 
crushers,  3  secondary  crushers,  7 
tertiary  crushers,  10  primary  ball 
mills, 4 ball mills for re-crushing, 1 
vertical  mill,  as  well  as  4  flotation 
cells  OK-160,  30  OK-100  flotation 
cells,  8  column  cells,  28  WEMCO 
flotation  cells,  48  Denver  flotation 
cells,  1  Larox  Filter  Press  PF96, 
2  Middling  Thickeners,  3  Tailings 
Thickeners,  1  High-Rate  Tailings, 
1 truck Volvo FM12, recycled water 
pipe line.

3.   3 trucks Komatsu 930E each one with a capacity of 290 metric tons, 18 
trucks Dresser 830E each one with a capacity of 240 metric tons and 8 
trucks  CAT  793C  trucks  each  one  with  a  capacity  of  218  metric  tons  4 
Wabco trucks each one with a capacity of 109 metric tons. 

4.   2  P&H  4100A  Shovels  with  a  capacity  of  73  metric  tons  (43  m3),  1 
Bucyrus  electric  shovel  495BII  with  a  capacity  of  73  metric  tons  (43 
m3), 1 P&H 2800XPB shovel with a capacity of 54 metric tons, 1 P&H 
2100BL Shovel with a capacity of 23 metric tons (11.4 m3), 1 Le Tourneau 
1800 front end loader with a capacity of 42 metric tons, 2 electric drills 
P&H  120A,  1  P&H  100XP  electric  drill,  1  Bucyrus  49R  electric  drill,  4 
front  end  loaders  CAT  966  of  3.8  m3  of  capacity,  3  front  end  loaders 
CAT 950 of 3.1 m3 of capacity, 3 front end loaders CAT 988 of 6.1 m3 
of capacity, 1 wheel tractor Komatsu.

OTHERS

One SX/EW plant in Toquepala and one SX plant in Cuajone. The SX Cuajone 
Plant has 1 primary jaw crusher and 1 secondary cone crusher with a capac-
ity  of  4,170  metric  tons  per  day,  to  process  Cuajone’s  oxides.  In  addition, 
1  agglomeration  mill,  1  front  end  loader,  3  trucks  each  with  a  capacity  of 
109  metric  tons  for  agglomerated  ore  hauling  to  the  leach  dumps.  Copper 
in solution produced in Cuajone is sent to Toquepala through an 8 pipe laid 
alongside the Cuajone - Toquepala railroad track. 

The Toquepala Plant has 2 spray systems, 1 for the south dump and 1 for 
the  northwest  dump,  4  pregnant  solution  (PLS)  ponds,  each  with  its  own 
pumping system to send the solution to the SX/EW Plant. The plant has 3 
lines of SX, each with a nominal capacity of 1,068 m3/hr of pregnant solu-
tion  an  162  electrowinning  cells  arranged  in  two  lines,  one  with  122  cell 
and the other with 40. 

ILO
1.   Ilo Smelter with a smelting capacity of 1,120,000 tons of concentrate per 
year. It has 2 reverberatory furnaces, 7 Peirce-Smith converters, 1 El Te-
niente Modified Converter and 2 casting wheels. 

2.  Ilo  Refinery  –  Anode  Plant:  2  Basculant  Maerz  Ovens  each  with  a  400 
MT capacity, 1 casting wheel (70 MT / hour) – Electrolitic Plant: with a 
280,000  MT  /  year  capacity  (Cathodes),  926  commercial  cells  and  52 

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SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION

starting cells. – Precious Metals Plant: with 1 Wenmec Selenium Reac-
tor,  2  copella  furnace,  22  silver  refining  cells  and  1  hydrometallurgical 
system for gold recovery.

3.  Sulfuric Acid Plant with production capacity of 300,000 metric tons per 

year. (Average 1,000 x day).

4.  Oxygen Plant with a production capacity of 100,000 metric tons per year 

(Average 272 x day).

5.  Coquina Plant with a production capacity of 200,000 metric tons per year 

of seashells.

6.  Lime Plant with a capacity of 80,000 metric tons per year.

OTHERS

Industrial  railroad  to  haul  concentrates  and  supplies  between  Toque-
pala, Cuajone and Ilo with 30 Locomotives, 264 dump cars, 91 flat cars, 
254  boxcars,  8  closed  boxcars,  11  closed  hopper-type  cars,  34  open 
hopper-type  cars,  36  various  tank  wagons,  24  sulfuric  acid  tanks,  5 
patrol cars. 

Operations in Mexico

CANANEA

1. The Cananea production unit has 46 mining concession titles with a total 

area of 13,282 hectares.

2. The Cananea Concentrator Plant, with a milling capacity of 76,700 met-
ric tons per day, consists of 2 Primary Crushers, 4 Secondary Crushers, 
10 Tertiary Crushers, 10 Primary Mills, a Distributed Control System, 5 
Mills for Re-grinding, 103 Primary Flotation Cells, 10 Column Cells, 70 
Exhaustion Flotation Cells, 7 Thickener, and 2 Drum Filters.

3. There  are  41  Trucks  for  ore  hauling  with  individual  capacities  that  go 

from 240 to 360 metric tons.

4. For  ore  loading  there  are  8  Shovels  with  individual  capacities  that  go 

from 39 to 70 metric tons. 

5. The  mine  auxiliary  equipment  has 
9  Drillers,  3  Front  Loaders,  5  Motor 
Graders and 25 Tractors.

6. In the Solvents Extraction and Elec-
trowinning (SX-EW) I and II Plants of 
Cananea, the crushing system No.1 
has  a  capacity  of  10,000  tons  per 
day and an apron feeder, a conveyor 
belt feeder, a system of 7 conveyor 
belts  and a distributor car. System 
No.2 has a capacity of 15,000 tons 
per  day  and  has  one  crusher,  a 
conveyor  belt  feeder,  system  of  3 
conveyor belts and distributing car. 
There  are  4  irrigation  systems  for 
the  dumps,  and  6  dams  for    Preg-
nant  Leach  Solution  (PLS).  Plant  I 
has 3 solvent extraction tanks with 
a nominal capacity of 960 m3/hr of 
PLS,  and  46  electrowinning  cells. 
Plant I has a daily production capac-
ity  of  30  tons  of  copper  cathodes 
with 99.999% purity. Plant II has 5 
trains  of  solvent  extraction  with  a 
nominal capacity of 3,300 m3/hr of 
PLS and 176 cells distributed in two 
bays. Plant II has a daily production 
capacity of 120 tons of copper cath-
odes with 99.999% purity.

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SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION

La Caridad

1. La  Caridad  Production  Unit  has  244 
mining  concession  titles  with  a  total 
area of 55,085 hectares.

2. La  Caridad  Concentrator  Plant  with 
a  milling  capacity  of  90,000  metric 
tons  per  day  consists  of  2  Primary 
Crushers,  6  Secondary  Crushers,  12 
Tertiary  Crushers,  12  Ball  Mills,  a 
Master  Milling  Control  System,  168 
Primary Flotation Cells, 4 Re-grinding 
Mills,  60  Cleaning  Flotation  Cells,  6 
Thickener and 6 Drum Filters.

3. There  are  33  trucks  for  ore  hauling 
with individual capacity that go from 
170 to 240 metric tons.

4. For  ore  loading  there  are  8  Shovels 
with  individual  capacities  that  go 
from 22 to 52 metric tons. 

5. As for mine auxiliary equipment there 
are 6 Drillers, 3 Front Loaders, 4 Mo-
tor Grader and 21 Tractors.

6. La  Caridad  Solvent  Extraction  and 
Electrowinning  (SX-EW)  Plant  has  9 
irrigation systems for the dumps and 
2 dams of rich copper solution (PLS), 
a  container  of  heads  that  permits  to 

combine the solutions of both dams and feed the Solvent Extraction plant 
with a more homogenous concentration. The plant has 3 trains of solvent 
extraction with a nominal capacity of 2,070 m3/hr, and 94 electrowinning 
cells distributed in one single electrolytic bay. The plant has a daily pro-
duction capacity of 62 copper cathodes metric tons with 99.999% purity.

7.  Lime Plant, located near the Aguaprieta city in the State of Sonora, with a 

production capacity of 132,000 metric tons per year. 

La Caridad Metallurgic Complex

1. La Caridad Copper Smelter Beneficiation Plant, with a fusion capacity of 
1,000,000 tons of concentrate per year. It has a flash type Concentrates 
Drier,  a  Steam  Drier  ,  an  Outokumpu  Flash  Furnace,  and  El  Teniente 
Modified Converted Furnace, 2 Electric Furnaces for the cleaning of slag, 3 
Peirce Smith type Converters, 3 raffinate Furnaces and 2 Casting Wheels.

2. La  Caridad  Copper  Refinery  Beneficiation  Plant,  is  an  electrolytic  plant 
with  a  production  capacity  of  300,000  annual  tons  of  copper  cathodes 
with 99.999% percent of purity. It has an Anode Preparation Machine, an 
Electrolytic Cell House with 1,115 Cells and 32 Releaser Cells, 2 Cathode 
Stripping Machines, and a Worn Anode Washing Machine.

3. La Caridad Precious Metal Refinery Beneficiation Plant has a Hydromet-
allurgic Stage and a Pyrometallurgic Stage, besides a Steam Drier, Dore 
Molding System Kaldo Furnace, 20 Electrolytic Cells in the silver refinery, 
1 Induction Furnace for Silver, 1 Silver Ingot Molding System, 2 Reactors 
for obtaining fine Gold.

4. La  Caridad  Wire  Rod  Transformation  Plant  has  a  production  capacity  of 
150,000 annual metric tons of copper wire rod. It consists of an  ASARCO 
Vertical Furnace, 1 Retention Furnace, 1 Molding Machine, 1 Laminating 
Machine, 1 Coiling Machine and 1 Coil Compacter.

5. Two Sulfuric Acid Plants, the first with an annual capacity of 2,625 metric 
tons sulfuric acid production at 100%, and the second one with a 2,135  
metric tons sulfuric acid production capacity at 100%.

6. Three Oxygen plants, two with a production capacity of 200,000 metric tons 
per year and the third one with a capacity of 100,000 metric tons per year.

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SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION

7.  Two power Turbogenerators that use the kiln residual heat from the fur-
nace, the first with a 11.5 Mw capacity and the second with a 25 Mw ca-
pacity.

Underground Mines (IMMSA)

1. The  Underground  Mines  (IMMSA)  Production  Unit  consists  of  6  mining 
economic units: Santa Barbara, Santa Eulalia, San Martin, Charcas, Taxco 
and Pasta de Conchos. In total, the Underground Mines (IMMSA) Produc-
tion Unit has 244 mining concession titles with a total area of 35,194 hect-
ares.

2. The Santa Barbara Mining Unit has 12 Jumbo drilling equipments, and 2 
Simba drilling equipments, 33 Scoop Tram types equipment for mucking 
and loading, 9 Trucks and 6 Locomotives for internal ore haulage, 5 Trucks 
for external haulage and 6 hoists. For treating the ore, there are 4 Primary 
jaw crushers, one Secondary and 2 Tertiary, 3 Mills and 3 Flotation Cir-
cuits. The unit’s concentrator plant has a milling capacity of 6,000 tons of 
ore per day.

3. The Charcas Unit works with 9 Jumbo type drilling equipments, 16 Scoop 
Tram type equipments for mucking and loading, 5 Trucks and 4 Locomo-
tive for internal ore haulage and 3 hoists. For treating the ore, there are 
2 Primary Crushers, one Secondary, one Tertiary, 4 Mills and 3 Flotation 
Circuits. The Unit’s concentrator plant has a milling capacity of 4000 ore 
metric tons daily.

4. In  the  San  Martin  Mining  Unit,  there  are  11  Jumbo  type  drilling  equip-
ments,  and  one  Simba  type  drilling  equipment,  14  Scoop  Tram  type 
equipments for mucking and loading, 13 Trucks for internal ore Haulage 
and 3 Malacates. For treating the ore, there are 3 Primary jaw crushers, 1 
Secondary and 2 Tertiary, 2 Mills and 3 Flotation Circuits. The unit’s con-
centrator plant has a milling capacity of 4,400 tons of ore per day.

5. The  Taxco  Unit  has  5  Jumbo  type  drilling  equipments,  12  Scoop  Tram 
type equipment for mucking and loading, 6 Trucks and 4 Locomotives for 
internal ore haulage and 3 hoists. For treating the ore, there are 2 Primary 
Crushers, 3 Secondary, 3 Mills and 2 Flotation Circuits. The unit’s concen-
trator plant has a milling capacity of 2,000 metric tons of ore per day.

6. In  the  Santa  Eulalia  Unit,  there  are 
3  Jumbo  type  drilling  equipment, 
9  Scoop  Tram  type  equipment  for 
mucking  and  loading,  3  Trucks  and, 
4  hoists,  2  Primary  Crushers,  2  mill 
Crushers,  1  Mill  and  2  Flotation  Cir-
cuits.  The  unit’s  concentrator  plant 
has  a  milling  capacity  of  1,450  tons 
of ore per day.

7.  In the Pasta de Conchos Mining Unit 
within  the  mine  there  are  5  continu-
ous  mining  equipment,  6  Transport-
ing Cars, 2 Locomotives, 1 Long Wall 
Equipment  and  a  Cutting  Machine. 
There  is  also  a  hoist  to  transport 
materials  inside  the  unit.  There  is  a 
BRADFORD  Breaker  in  the  surface  to 
feed the Washing Plant. There is a Set 
of 21 Coke Ovens, with a capacity of 
100,000 Coke tons per year. There is 
a by-product Plant to clean the coke 
gas in which Tar, Ammonium Sulfate 
and  Light  Crude  Oil  are  recovered. 
There are also two Boilers to produce 
80,000  steam  pounds  that  are  used 
in the by-products Plant. 

8. The  Electrolytic  Zinc  Refinery  works 
with  a  Roaster  with  a  capacity  of  85 
m2 of roasting area, a Steam Recov-
ery  Boiler  and  an  acid  Plant.  There 
is  a  Calcines  Processing  Area  with  5 

 
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SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION

leaching  stages:  Neutral,  Hot  Acid, 
Intermediate  Acid,  Acid,  Purified 
Fourth  and  Jarosite,  as  well  as  two 
stages  for  Solution  Purifying.  There 
is a Cell House, with two Electrowin-
ning Circuits, to finally obtain Metal-
lic Zinc. There is an Alloy and Molding 
area  with  2  Induction  Furnaces  and 
four  Molding  Systems,  two  of  them 
with chains to produce 25 kilograms 
ingots  and  two  Casting  Wheels  to 
manufacture  one  ton  Jumbo  pieces. 
This refinery has a production capac-
ity of 104,000 tons of refined zinc per 
year.

9. San Luis Potosi Copper Smelter works 
with 2 yard locomotives, 2 Traxcavos, 
20 Dump Cars, and 6 Mechanic Front 
Loaders  for  the  furnace  charge  mix-
ing.  For  smelting  and  conversion  it 
has 3 Blast Furnaces, 2 Pierce Smith 
Converter  Furnaces,  2  Molding  Fur-
naces,  6  Electric  Front  Loaders,  6 
Towing Units, 3 Narrow Way Locomo-
tives,  2  Bridge  Cranes,  two  7-tons 
Cranes and 3 Hoists. For the Venting 
System it has 9 Fans with different ca-
pacities  and  2  Filtering  Bag  Houses. 
This  plant  has  a  smelting  capacity 
of  24,000  tons  of  blister  copper  per 
year. 

Employees: At December 31
Operations in Peru:

At December 31 
Staff 
Employees 
Workers 
Total  

2005 
756 
1,079 
1,730 
3,565 

2004 
723 
1,081 
1,740 
3,544 

2003 
726 
1,089 
1,751 
3,566 

2002 
724 
1,075 
1,776 
3,575 

2001
765
1,116
1,845
3,726

Employees: At December 31
Operations in Mexico

At December 31 
Employees 
Workers 
Total 

2005 
2,264 
7,049 
9,313 

2004 
2,255 
6,985 
9,240 

2003 
2,328 
6,819 
9,147 

2002 
2,353 
6,786 
9,139 

2001
2,814
7,780
10,594

Employees: At December 31
Operations in Chile

At December 31 
Total 

2005 
10 

2004 
10 

2003 
0 

2002 
0 

2001
0

Total employees in SCC:

Total Peru 
Total Mexico 
Total Chile 
Total SCC  

3,565 
9,313 
10 
12,888 

3,544 
9,240 
10 
12,794 

3,566 
9,147 
0 
12,713 

3,575 
9,139 
0 
12,714 

3,726
10,594
0
14,320

Investment shares or labor shares 

Participation  
Less than 1% 
Between 1% - 5% 
Between 5% - 10% 
More than 10% 
Total 

Shareholders  
2,360 
- 
- 
2 
2,362 

Percent of Shares
4.1%
0.0%
0.0%
95.9%
100.0%

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SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION

common are listed shares listed on the 
New York Stock Exchange and the Lima 
Stock Exchange and are entitled to one 
vote per share. 

Along  with  the  exchange  of 
labor 
shares  the  holders  of  common  shares 
of the Company exchanged their shares 
for  class  A  common  shares,  with  the 
right to five votes per share. 

In  connection  with  the  Minera  Mexico 
acquisition (April 1, 2005), 67,207,640 
new  common  shares  were  issued  and 
class A common shares of the Company 
were converted to common shares, and 
preferential  votes  were  eliminated.  On 
June  9,  2005,  Cerro  Trading  Company, 
Inc., SPC Investors L.L.C., Phelps Dodge 
Overseas  Capital  Corporation  and  Cli-
max  Molybdenum  B.V.,  subsidiaries 
of two of SCC’s founding shareholders 
and affiliates, sold their share in SCC.

Consequently,  as  of  December  31, 
2005,  147,228,025  common  shares  of 
the  Company  are  outstanding,  with  a 
nominal value of $0.01 per share.

Principles of Good Corporate
Governance

I.  General Management
  Resolutions CONASEV
  Nº 096-2003-EF/94.11 and
  N° 140-2005-EF/94.11

The  information  relating  to  both  resolutions  will  be  submitted  to  the 
National  Commission  for  the  Supervision  of  Corporations  and  Securities 
(CONASEV) of the Republic of Peru, together with the Annual Report.

Economic relations with other companies due to loans that commit 
more than 10% of the stockholders’ equity of the issuing entity.

To  date,  there  are  no  loans  with  other  companies  that  compromise  more 
than 10% of SCC’s stockholders’ equity.

ADMINISTRATIVE JUDICIAL OR ARBITRATION PROCESSES

Litigation: See Note to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Changes of those responsible for the preparation and revision of the 
financial information

Jose N. Chirinos continues to act as Director of Comptroller and Finance and 
Marco A. Garcia as Finance Manager.

Information related to the stock entered in the Stock Market Public 
Registry

Common Stock:

On November 29, 1995 the Company offered to exchange the recently is-
sued common shares (investment shares now) for all and any labor shares 
of the Peruvian Branch of the Company, at a ratio of one common share per 
four S-1 shares and one common share per five S-2 shares. The exchange 
expired  on  December  29,  1995,  with  80.8%  of  the  total  labor  shares  in 
circulation  exchange  for  11,479,667  common  are  listed  shares.  These 

 
page 50
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SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION

Corporate Bonds:

On  July  27,  2005  SCC  issued  $200  million  6.375%  Notes  due  2015  and 
$600 million 7.5% Notes due 2035.  The notes are senior unsecured obli-
gations of the Company.  The net proceeds from the issuance and sale of 
the  notes  were  used  to  repay  outstanding  indebtedness  of  our  Peruvian 
and Mexican Operations, under its $200 million and $600 million ($480 
million outstanding) credit facilities, respectively, and the balance will be 
used for general corporate purposes.  SCC filed a Registration Statement 
on Form S-4 with respect to these Notes on October 28, 2005.  On Janu-
ary  3,  2006  the  Company  completed  an  exchange  offer  for  $200  million, 
6.375% Notes due 2015 and $600 million, 7.5% Notes due 2035.  In the 
exchange  offer,  $197.4  million  of  the  6.375%  old  notes  due  2015  were 
tendered  in  exchange  for  an  equivalent  amount  of  new  notes  and  an  ag-
gregate of $590.5 million of the 7.5% old notes due 2035 were tendered 
in exchange for an equivalent amount of new notes.  The new notes have 
been registered under the U.S. securities law.  The indentures relating to 
the notes contain certain covenants, including limitations on liens, limita-
tions on sale and leaseback transactions, rights of the holders of the notes 
upon the occurrence of a change of control triggering event, limitations on 
subsidiary indebtedness and limitations on consolidations, mergers, sales 
or conveyances.  All of these limitations and restrictions are subject to a 
number of significant exceptions, and some of these covenants will cease 
to be applicable before the notes mature if the notes attain an investment 
grade rating.  At December 31, 2005, we are in compliance with these cov-
enants.

In January 2005, the Company signed a $200 million credit facility with a 
group of banks led by Citibank, N.A.  Proceeds of this credit facility were 
used to prepay $199 million the outstanding bonds of the Company’s Pe-
ruvian bond program.  On July 28, 2005, a portion of the proceeds from the 
July 27, 2005 financing, noted above, were used to repay this facility.

In 1998, Minera México issued $500 million of unsecured debt, which we 
refer to as its Yankee bonds.  The Yankee bonds were offered in two series: 
Series A for $375 million, with an interest rate of 8.25% and a 2008 matu-
rity date, and Series B for $125 million, with an interest rate of 9.25% and 

page 50

ANNUAL REPORT

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SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION

a 2028 maturity date.  During 2005, the Company repurchased $143.0 mil-
lion of the Series A bonds.  The bonds contain a covenant requiring Minera 
Mexico to maintain a ratio of EBITDA to interest expense of not less than 
2.5 to 1.0, as such terms are defined by the bonds.  At December 31, 2005, 
Minera Mexico is in compliance with this covenant.

In 1999, the Company established a $100 million credit facility with Mitsui 
& Co.  The facility has a 15-year term with an interest rate of Japanese LIBO 
plus 1.25% (Japanese LIBO for this loan was 4.67% at December 31, 2005).  
The facility is collateralized by the assignment of copper sales receivables 
of 31,000 tons of copper per year and requires an escrow account to fund 
scheduled  payments.  The  facility  requires  that  we  maintain  a  minimum 
stockholders’ equity of $750 million and a ratio of debt to equity no greater 
than 0.5 to 1.0, all as such terms are defined by the facility.  Reduction of 
Grupo  México’s  direct  or  indirect  voting  interest  in  our  Company  to  less 
than a majority would constitute an event of default under the facility.  At 
December 31, 2005, we are in compliance with these covenants.

On October 29, 2004, Minera Mexico borrowed $600 million pursuant to a 
facility with a final maturity date in 2009.  The credit facility bore interest 
at LIBOR plus 200 basis points.  The proceeds from the credit facility were 
used to repay in full the amounts outstanding under a common agreement 
with holders of Minera Mexico’s secured export notes and other financial 
institutions.  The loan was secured by a pledge of Minera Mexico’s princi-
pal properties and was guaranteed by its principal subsidiaries.  In 2005, 
the Company prepaid the total amount of this financing, using in part pro-
ceeds from the July 27, 2005 Note issuance.

While  we  recently  prepaid  all  amounts  outstanding  under  our  Peruvian 
bond program, we are authorized by Peru’s Comisión Nacional Supervisora 
de Empresas y Valores (CONASEV) to issue additional bonds.

We expect that we will meet our cash requirements for 2006 and beyond 
from internally generated funds, cash on hand and from additional exter-
nal financing if required.

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SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION

Common Shares Monthly Stock Prices 2005
Lima Stock Exchange
ISIM Code: US8436111046
Symbol: PCU

  Period   
  200501 
  200502 
  200503 
  200504 
  200505 
  200506 
  200507 
  200508 
  200509 
  200510  
  200511 
  200512 

Open   
$  46.34 
$  47.15 
$  62.00 
$  56.00 
$  51.00 
$  46.70 
$  42.90 
$  51.50 
$  49.70 
$  54.82 
$  55.00 
$  64.00 

Close   
$  46.75 
$  63.00 
$  55.90 
$  51.00 
$  46.70 
$  43.00 
$  51.00 
$  48.70 
$  55.50 
$  54.51 
$  63.21 
$  67.00 

Low   
$  43.00 
$  47.00 
$  52.50 
$  50.2 0 
$  43.67 
$  41.70 
$  42.40 
$  47.60 
$  47.51 
$  49.98 
$  53.90 
$  64.00 

High   
$  47.00 
$  64.30 
$  65.00 
$  59.50 
$  53.00 
$  49.50 
$ 
51.11 
$  54.35 
$  56.00 
$  60.60 
$  63.56 
$  71.00 

Average
$  44.64
$  52.71
$  59.46
$  56.86
$  46.59
$  42.18
$  46.38
$  50.32
$  50.85
$  53.68
$  58.80
$  68.95

Common Shares Monthly Stock Prices 2005
New York Stock Exchange
Symbol: PCU

  Period 
  200501 
  200502 
  200503 
  200504 
  200505 
  200506 
  200507 
  200508 
  200509 
  200510  
  200511 
  200512 

Open 
$  46.20 
$  47.36 
$  61.28 
$  55.89 
$  51.15 
$  46.62 
$  42.88 
$  52.52 
$  49.87 
$  55.74 
$  54.75 
$  67.20 

 Close 
$  47.09 
$  62.91 
$  55.46 
$  51.14 
$  46.46 
$  42.84 
$  51.20 
$  48.98 
$  55.96 
$  55.24 
$  63.61 
$  66.98 

 Low 
$  43.17 
$  46.25 
$  52.50 
$  51.14 
$  44.26 
$  41.63 
$  42.88 
$  47.44 
$  47.85 
$  50.20 
$  54.26 
$  66.55 

High 
$  47.09 
$  62.91 
$  64.20 
$  59.20 
$  53.13 
$  49.25 
$  51.80 
$  54.25 
$  55.96 
$  58.92 
$  63.61 
$  70.60 

Average
$  44.59
$  51.16
$  58.56
$  55.23
$  47.96
$  44.66
$  47.72
$  50.74
$  50.59
$  53.96
$  59.10
$  68.27

 
 
page 52

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page 53
SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION

Common Shares Monthly Stock Prices 2005
Lima Stock Exchange
Acciones de Inversion 
Symbol: SPCCPl1

  Period 
  200501 
  200502 
  200503 
  200504 
  200505 
  200506 
  200507 
  200508 
  200509 
  200510  
  200511 
  200512 

Open 
S/.24.20 
30.00 
38.00 
37.00 
32.00 
27.15 
31.50 
33.90 
33.00 
35.95 
39.00 
40.60 

 Close 
S/.27.90 
37.00 
37.00 
38.00 
27.02 
31.50 
35.50 
33.00 
35.95 
38.00 
39.10 
40.00 

 Low 
S/.22.96 
29.50 
 36.00 
 35.50 
 27.00 
 27.15 
 31.00 
 31.90 
 31.50 
 35.95 
 38.36 
 40.00 

High 
S/.27.90 
37.50 
42.00 
38.00 
32.00 
31.70 
35.50 
33.90 
35.95 
39.00 
41.00 
45.00 

Average
S/.25.23
31.10
39.08
36.82
29.68
30.06
32.47
32.61
32.40
38.27
39.63
43.51 

Common Shares Monthly Stock Prices 2005
Lima Stock Exchange
Acciones de Inversion 
Symbol: SPCCPl2

  Period 
  200501 
  200502 
  200503 
  200504 
  200505 
  200506 
  200507 
  200508 
  200509 
  200510  
  200511 
  200512 

Open 
S/. - 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
S/.30.05 
32.51 
- 
- 

 Close 
S/. - 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
 S/.30.05 
32.51 
- 
- 

 Low 
S/.  
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
S/.30.05 
32.51 
- 
- 

High 
S/. -  
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
S/.30.05 
32.51 
- 
- 

Average
S/. -
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
S/.30.05
32.51
-
-

page 54
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page 55

SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION

Members of the Board of 
Directors at December 31, 
2005

Board of
Directors

German Larrea Mota-Velasco, Director. Mr. Larrea has been Chairman of the 
Board since December 1999, Chief Executive Officer from December 1999 to 
October 2004, and a director of the Company since November 1999. He has 
been Chairman of the Board of Directors, President and Chief Executive Of-
ficer of Grupo Mexico (holding) since 1994. Mr. Larrea is also the Chairman 
and Chief Executive Officer of Americas Mining Corporation (AMC) (mining 
division) since 2003.

Mr. Larrea has been Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive 
Officer of Grupo Minero Mexico (mining division) since 1994, and of Grupo 
Ferroviario Mexicano (railroad division) since 1997. Mr. Larrea was previous-
ly Executive Vice Chairman of Grupo Mexico, and has been member of the 
Board of Directors since 1981. He is also Chairman of the Board of Directors 
and Chief Executive Officer of Empresarios Industriales de Mexico (holding); 
Perforadora Mexico (drilling company), Mexico Compañia Constructora (con-
struction company), Fondo Inmobiliario (real estate company), since 1992. 
He  founded  Grupo  Impresa,  a  printing  and  publishing  company  in  1978, 
remaining as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer until 1989 when the 
company was sold. He is also a director of Grupo Financiero Banamex, (Citi-
group) S.A. de C.V., Banco Nacional de Mexico, S.A., Consejo Mexicano de 
Hombres de Negocios, and Grupo Televisa, S.A. de C.V. He and Mr. Genaro 
Larrea Mota-Velasco are brothers.

Oscar  Gonzalez  Rocha,  Director.  Mr. Oscar  Gonzalez  Rocha  has  been  our 
Chief Executive Officer since October 21, 2004 and its President since De-
cember 1999. He has been a director of the Company since November 1999. 
Previously,  he  was  our  General  Director  and  Chief  Operating  Officer  from 
December  1999  to  October  20,  2004.  Mr.  Gonzalez has  been  a  director  of 
Grupo Mexico from 2002 to present and Managing Director of Mexicana de 
Cobre, S.A. de C.V. from 1986 to 1999 and of Mexicana de Cananea, S.A. de 
C.V. from 1990 to 1999. He has been an alternate director of Grupo Mexico 
from 1988 to April 2002.

Emilio  Carrillo  Gamboa,  Director.  Mr.  Emilio  Carrillo  Gamboa  has  been  a 
director  of  the  Company  since  May 30,  2003  and  is  our  fifth    independent 
director nominee. Mr. Carrillo Gamboa is a prominent lawyer in Mexico and 
has been a partner of the law firm Bufete Carrillo Gamboa, S. C., a law firm 
specializing in corporate, financial, commercial, and public utility issues, for 
the last five years. Mr. Carrillo Gamboa has extensive business experience 
and  currently  serves  on  the  boards  of  many  prestigious  international  and 

page 54

ANNUAL REPORT

page 55
SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION

Mexican  corporations  as  well  as  charitable  organizations.  Since  March  9, 
2005 he is Chairman of the Board of the Mexico Fund, Inc. (NYSE — msxf), 
a nondiversified closed-end management investment company.  He is also 
Chairman  of  the  Board  of  Holcim-Apasco,  S.A.  de  C.V.  (cement  company). 
Mr. Carrillo was Director General of Telefonos de Mexico S.A. de C.V. (TEL-
MEX) and from July 1987 to February 1989, he was Mexico’s Ambassador to 
Canada. Mr. Carrillo is a director of the following companies: Grupo Modelo, 
S.A. de C.V. (beer brewing), Kimberly-Clark de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. (consum-
er products), San Luis Corporacion, S.A. de C.V. (automotive parts), Empre-
sas ICA Sociedad Controladora, S.A. de C.V. (construction), Holcim Apasco, 
S.A.  de  C.V.,  The  Mexico  Fund,  Inc.,  Bank  of  Tokyo  –  Mitsubishi  (Mexico), 
S.A., Gasoductos de Chihuahua, S. de R.L. de C.V. and subsidiaries, Innova, 
S. de R.L. de C.V. and subsidiaries, and Grupo Mexico and subsidiaries. He 
is member of the Valuation, Contract Review and Nominating and Corporate 
Governance Committees of the Mexico Fund and a member of the Audit Com-
mittee  of  the  following  companies:  Empresas  ICA  Sociedad  Controladora, 
S.A. de C.V. since 2002, Holcim-Apasco, S.A. de C.V. since 2002, Grupo Mod-
elo,  S.A.  de  C.V.  since  2002,  Kimberly-Clark  de  Mexico,  S.A.  de  C.V.  since 
2002, San Luis Corporacion, S.A. de C.V. since 2002, The Mexico Fund, Inc. 
since 2002, and Grupo Mexico since 2003. Except for Bank of Tokyo – Mit-
subishi  (Mexico),  S.A.,  Gasoductos  de  Chihuahua,  S.  de  R.L.  de  C.V.,  and 
Innova, S. de R.L. de C.V., which are private companies, the rest are public 
companies listed on the Mexican Stock Exchange, and two are listed on the 
NYSE:   The  Mexico  Fund,  Inc.,  and  Empresas  ICA  Sociedad  Controladora, 
S.A. de C.V.  Mr. Carrillo Gamboa has a law degree from the Autonomous Na-
tional University of Mexico, attended a continuous legal education program 
at Georgetown University Law School, and practiced at the World Bank.

Jaime F. Collazo Gonzalez, Director.  Mr. Collazo has been a director of the 
Company  since  April  28,  2004  and  our  Vice  President,  Finance  and  Chief 
Financial Officer from April 28, 2004 to March 10, 2005.  He has been Direc-
tor of Administration, Auditing and Information Technology of Grupo Mexico 
since March 2004.  From 1998 to 2003, Mr. Collazo Gonzalez held the posi-
tion of Managing Partner of Administration and Business Consulting, SC (a 
business consulting firm).  Previously, he held several positions with IBM de 
Mexico, S.A., the last one being Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, 
prior to his retirement in 1998.  He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Administra-
tion from Universidad Tecnologica de Mexico and a Master degree in Busi-
ness Administration from Instituto Tecnologico y de Estudios Superiores de 
Monterrey.

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SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION

Xavier  Garcia  de  Quevedo  Topete, 
Director.  Mr. Garcia  de  Quevedo  has 
been  a  director  of  the  Company  since 
November 1999 and our Executive Vice 
President  and  Chief  Operating  Officer 
since  April  12,  2005.  He  has  been  the 
President  and  Chief  Executive  Officer 
of  Minera  Mexico,  S.  A.  de  C.  V.  from 
September  2001  to  April  2005.  He 
was  Managing  Director  of  Grupo  Fer-
roviario  Mexicano,  S.A.  de  C.V.  and  of 
Ferrocarril Mexicano, S.A. de C.V. from 
December 1997 
to  December 1999, 
and  Director  General  of  Exploration 
and Development of Grupo Mexico from 
1994 to 1997. He has been a Director of 
Grupo Mexico since April 2002. 

J.  Eduardo  Gonzalez  Felix,  Director.  
Mr.  Eduardo  Gonzalez  Felix  has  been  a 
director  of  the  Company  and  our  Vice 
President,  Finance  and  Chief  Financial 
Officer  since  March  11,  2005.   He  has 
been  the  President  and  Chief  Financial  
Officer of Grupo Mexico’s Mining Division 
(Americas  Mining  Corporation  or  AMC) 
from  January  2004  to  March  2005  and 
its  Chief  Financial  Officer  from  1999  to 
March 2003.  Mr. Gonzalez has been the 
Chief Financial Officer of Minera Mexico 
from  mid-2001  to  December  2003.   He 
had  also  headed  Grupo  Mexico’s  Trea-
sury and Investor Relations departments 

from 1999 to 2001.  Prior to joining Grupo Mexico, Mr. Gonzalez was a Senior 
Associate at McKinsey & Company, Inc., heading work for clients in various 
countries  and  industry  sectors.   Mr.  Gonzalez  holds  two  degrees  from  the 
University of Arizona in Economics and Political Science and a Master in Busi-
ness Administration in Finance and International Business from the University 
of Chicago, Graduate School of Business.  He has also concluded extensive 
graduate  studies  and  research  in  Political  Philosophy  and  European  Union 
Economics at the Oxford University in England.  Mr. Gonzalez has also worked 
at the Kimberly-Clark Corporation and at the Chicago Board of Trade.

Harold S. Handelsman, Director. Mr. Handelsman has been a director of the 
Company since August 2002 and is a special independent director nominee. 
Mr. Handelsman  has  been  Executive  Vice  President  and  General  Counsel 
of  The  Pritzker  Organization,  LLC,  a  private  investment  firm,  since  1998. 
Mr. Handelsman has also been a senior executive officer of the Hyatt Corpo-
ration since 1978 and currently serves as Executive Vice President of Global 
Hyatt Corporation, and is a director of a number of private corporations. He 
received a B.A. degree from Amherst College in 1968 and a J.D. degree from 
Columbia University in 1973.

Genaro Larrea Mota-Velasco, Director. Mr. Larrea was our Vice President, 
Commercial  from  December 1999  until  April 25,  2002,  and  has  been  a 
director  since  November 1999.  He  was  Managing  Commercial  Director  of 
Grupo Mexico from 1994 to August 30, 2001, and has been a director of 
Grupo  Mexico  since  1994.  He  and  Mr. German  Larrea  Mota-Velasco  are 
brothers.

Armando Ortega Gomez, Director. Mr. Ortega has been our Vice President-
Legal and Secretary since April 25, 2002 and a director since August 2002. 
He  has  been  our  General  Counsel  since  October 23,  2003.  Previously,  he 
was  our  Assistant  Secretary  from  July 25,  2001  to  April 25,  2002.  He  has 
been General Counsel of Grupo Mexico since May 2001. He is also Assistant 
Secretary of Grupo Mexico. Previously, he headed the Unit on International 
Trade Practices of the Ministry of Economy of Mexico with the rank of Deputy 
Vice Minister from January 1998 to mid-May 2001, and was negotiator for 
international matters for said Ministry from 1988 to May 2001. 

Luis  Miguel  Palomino  Bonilla,  Director.    Mr.  Luis  Miguel  Palomino  Bonilla 
has been a director of the Company since March 19, 2004 and is a special 
independent  director  nominee.  Mr. Palomino  has  been  the  principal  and 
senior consultant of Proconsulta International (a financial consulting firm) 
since  2003.  Previously  he  was  First  Vice  President  and  Chief  Economist, 

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SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION

Latin America for Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith, New York (investment 
banking) from 2000 to 2002. He was Chief Executive Officer, Senior Country 
and Equity Analyst of Merrill Lynch, Peru (investment banking) from 1995 
to 2000. Mr. Palomino has held various positions with banks and financial 
institutions as an economist, financial advisor and analyst.  He has a PhD 
in finance from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Phila-
delphia, and graduated from the Economics Program of the University of the 
Pacific, Lima, Peru.

University  of  Mexico,  Political  Science 
Department  (1984-1985),  and  profes-
sor  of  said  university  (1981-1983). 
Mr. Rebolledo holds a law degree from 
the  National  Autonomous  University 
of  Mexico,  an  MA  in  philosophy  from 
Tulane University, and an LLM from Har-
vard Law School.

Carlos Ruiz Sacristan, Director. Mr. Car-
los Ruiz Sacristan has been a director of 
the  Company  since  February  12,  2004 
and  is  a  special  independent  director 
nominee. Since November 2001, he has 
been  the  owner  and  managing  partner 
of  Proyectos  Estrategicos  Integrales, 
a  Mexican  investment  banking  firm 
specialized  in  agricultural,  transport, 
tourism, and housing projects. Mr. Ruiz 
has  held  various  distinguished  posi-
tions  in  the  Mexican  government,  the 
most  recent  being  that  of  Secretary  of 
Communication  and  Transportation  of 
Mexico from 1995 to 2000. While hold-
ing that position, he was also Chairman 
of  the  Board  of  Directors  of  the  Mexi-
can-owned  companies  in  the  sector, 
and  member  of  the  Board  of  Directors 
of development banks. Mr. Ruiz holds a 
bachelor’s degree in business adminis-
tration  from  the  Anahuac  University  of 
Mexico  City,  and  an  MBA  degree  from 
Northwestern University of Chicago.

Gilberto Perezalonso Cifuentes, Director.  Mr. Gilberto Perezalonso Cifuen-
tes  has  been  a  director  of  the  Company  since  June 2002  and  is  a  special 
independent director nominee. From 1980 until February 1998, Mr. Pereza-
lonso held various positions with Grupo Cifra S.A. de C.V., the most recent 
position being that of General Director of Administration and Finance. From 
1998  until  April 2001,  he  was  Executive  Vice  President  of  Administration 
and Finance of Grupo Televisa, S.A. Mr. Perezalonso was the Chief Execu-
tive Officer of Aeromexico (Aerovias de Mexico, S.A. de C.V.) from 2004 until 
December  2005.    He  is  also  currently  Treasurer  of  the  Asociacion  Vamos 
Mexico  A.C.,  consultant  to  the  Presidency  of  Grupo  Televisa,  S.A.  and  a 
member of its Board and its Executive Committee. He is also a member of 
the investment committee of IBM de Mexico. He is a member of the advisory 
council  of  Banco  Nacional  de  Mexico,  S.A.  de  C.V.,  the  board  and  of  the 
investment committee of Afore Banamex, the board and of the investment 
committee  of  Siefore  Banamex  No. 1,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Boards  of 
Gigante, S.A. de C.V., International Center for Human Development, Costa 
Rica, Masnegocio Co. S. de R.L. de C.V., and Financiera Compartamos, S.A. 
de C.V., SFOL. Mr. Perezalonso is a member of the Audit Committee of Tele-
visa S.A. de C.V. and Cablevision, S.A. de C.V.

Mr. Perezalonso has a law degree from the Iberoamerican University and a 
Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the Business Administra-
tion Graduate School for Central America (INCAE). Mr. Perezalonso has also 
attended the Corporate Finance program at Harvard University.

Juan  Rebolledo  Gout,  Director.  Mr. Rebolledo  has  been  a  director  of  the 
Company  since  May 30,  2003.  Mr. Rebolledo  has  been  International  Vice 
President  of  Grupo  Mexico  since  2001.  He  was  Deputy  Secretary  of  For-
eign Affairs of Mexico from 1994 to 2000 and Deputy Chief of Staff to the 
President of Mexico from 1993 to 1994. Previously, he was Assistant to the 
President of Mexico (1989-1993), director of the National Institute for the 
Historical Studies of the Mexican Revolution of the Secretariat of Govern-
ment (1985-1988), Dean of Graduate Studies at the National Autonomous 

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SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION

Executive Officers

Next of kin

German Larrea Mota-Velasco
Chairman of the Board

Oscar Gonzalez Rocha
President and Chief Executive Officer

Xavier Garcia de Quevedo Topete 
Executive Vice-President and Chief 

Operating Officer

Eduardo Gonzalez Felix
Vice-President, Finance and Chief 

Financial Officer

Mario Vinageras Barroso
Vice-President, Commercial

Vidal Muhech Dip
Vice-President, Projects

Armando Ortega Gomez
Vice-President, Legal, General Counsel 

and Secretary

Jose N. Chirinos Fano
Comptroller

Messrs. German Larrea Mota-Velasco, Chairman of the Board ofthe Company 
and Genaro Larrea Mota-Velasco, a Director of the Company are brothers or 
kindred in second degree of consanguinity. 

A company of which more than 50% of the voting power is held by a single 
entity, a controlled company, need not comply with the requirements of the 
New  York  Stock  Exchange  (NYSE)  corporate  governance  rules  requiring  a 
majority  of  independent  Directors  and  independent  compensation  and 
nomination/corporate governance committees. SCC is a controlled company 
as defined by the rules of the NYSE. Grupo Mexico owns indirectly 75.1% of 
the stock of the Company. The Company has taken advantage of the excep-
tions to comply with the corporate governance rules of the NYSE. The Board 
of Directors of the Company determined that Messrs. Luis Miguel Palomino 
Bonilla, Gilberto Perezalonso, and Emilio Carrillo, the three members of the 
Company’s Audit Committee, are independent of management and financial-
ly literate in accordance with the qualifications of the NYSE and the Securi-
ties and Exchange Commission (SEC), as such qualifications are interpreted 
by the Company’s Board of Directors in its business judgment.

To the best of the Company’s knowledge, no other relationship of affinity and/
or consanguinity exists among the other members of the Board, and between 
them and the Executive Officers of Southern Copper Corporation.

Special Committees of the Board 

SCC’s Board of Directors has organized the following Special Committees:

1)   Executive Committee, comprised of five members who substitute for the 
Board when sessions or decisions are required concerning urgent mat-
ters, or when the Board has expressly delegated its mandate. 

2)  Audit Committee, comprised of three independent Board members who 
are knowledgeable in accounting and financial matters. Its main purpose 
is to (a) assist the Board in monitoring (i) the quality and integrity of the 
Company’s  financial  statements;  (ii)  the  qualifications  and  indepen-

 
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SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION

dence of the independent auditors;(iii) the appropriate performance of 
the internal audit function; and (iv) the Company’s compliance with legal 
and regulatory provisions; and (b) prepare the report for the proxy state-
ment. 

3)   Compensations Committee, comprised of four Board members, its prin-
cipal objective is to evaluate and establish the remunerations of senior 
officials  and  key  employees  at  the  Company  and  its  subsidiaries,  and 
eventual raises in remuneration. 

Administration and Board 
Income

Total  remunerations  of  Board  and  Ad-
ministration members, in relation to the 
Company´s gross income is 0.20%.

Annual Meeting

4)   Stock  Incentive  Plan,  comprised  of  three  independent  Board  members 
who are knowledgeable in accounting and financial matters. Their objec-
tive is to determine compensation schemes for senior officials and key 
employees at the Company through awards of ordinary Company stock 
as a way to improve management of corporate affairs and create a link 
between their interest and that of the shareholders.

The  annual  meeting  of  stockholders  of 
Southern  Copper  Corporation  will  be 
held on Thursday, April 27, 2006 at 17:
00  hours.  Mexico  D.F.  time,  at  Avenue 
Baja California Nº 200, Fith Floor, Colo-
nia Roma Sur, Mexico City, Mexico.

5)   Special Nominating Committee, comprised of two independent directors 
and  one  appointed  by  the  Board.    The  principal  purpose  is  to  propose 
and evaluate candidates to fill the positions of special independent di-
rectors.

6)   Corporate Governance Committee. Its four Board members have as their 
principal  role  to  advise  the  Board  on  its  functions  and  needs,  develop 
and recommend the approval of the Company’s good governance prin-
ciples, and overseeing the evaluation of the Board’s and Management’s 
performance.

7)   Administrative  Committee  Designated  by  the  Board  for  (Employee  Re-
tirement Income Security Act  - ERISA – USA)  Benefit Plans.  ERISA is 
the law that protects employee retirement and other benefit plans.    The 
Vice-President  for  Finance  and  Chief  Financial  Officer  is  the  Board-Ap-
pointed  Trustee  for  the  Company’s  Benefit  Plans  subject  to  US  regula-
tions, including ERISA.  This Officer will appoint an Administrative Com-
mittee  comprised  of  four  management  members  whose  purpose  is  to 
administer and manage those plans and to oversee the performance of 
the trust agents and others charged with investing plans’ funds.

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SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION

Corporate Offices

USA 
2575 E. Camelback Rd.  
Suite 500 
Phoenix, AZ 85016 
U.S.A.  
Phone: +(602) 977-6595  
Fax: +(602) 977-6700 

Peru
Avenue Caminos del Inca No. 171
Chacarilla del Estanque
Santiago de Surco
Lima 33, Peru
Phone: +(511) 372-1414, Ext. 3211
Fax: +(511) 372-0262

Transfer Agent, Registrar and 
Stockholder Services

The Bank of New York
101 Barclay Street
New York, NY 10286
Phone: +(800) 524-4458

Dividend Reinvestment Program

SCC stockholders can have their dividends automatically reinvested in SCC 
common shares. SCC pays all administrative and brokerage fees. This plan 
is administered by The Bank of New York. For more information, contact The 
Bank of New York at +(800) 524-4458.

Stock Exchange Listing

The principal markets for SCC’s Common Stock are the New York Stock Ex-
change and the Lima Stock Exchange. The SCC Common Stock symbol is PCU 
on both the NYSE and on the Lima Stock Exchange.

Others

The  Branch  in  Peru  has  issued,  in  accordance  with  Peruvian  law,  ‘invest-
ment shares’ (formerly named labor shares) that are listed on the Lima Stock 

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SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION

Exchange  under  the  symbols  S-1  and  S-2.  Transfer  Agent,  registrar  and 
stockholders  services  are  provided  by  Banco  de  Credito  of  Peru  at  Avenue 
Centenario 156, La Molina, Lima 12, Peru. Phone +(511) 348-5999, Fax +(511) 
349-0592.

Other Corporate Information

For  other  information  on  the  corporation  or  to  obtain  additional  copies  of 
the annual report, contact the Corporate Communications Department at our 
corporate offices.

Southern Copper Corporation

2575 E. Camelback Rd., Suite 500, Phoenix, AZ 85016, U.S.A., Phone: +(602) 
977-6595, Fax: +(602) 977-6700.
NYSE Symbol: PCU. 

Avenue  Caminos  del  Inca  171  (B-2),  Chacarilla  del  Estanque,  Santiago  de 
Surco – Lima 33 - Peru./ Lima Stock Exchange Symbol: PCU. 

Web Page:
www.southerncoppercorp.com
Email address:
southerncopper@southernperu.com.pe

Form 10-K. Certification required by New York Stock Exchange.

The  enclosed  Form  10-K  contains  which  Management’s  Discussion  and 
Analysis  of  Financial  Condition  and  Results  of  Operations,  Consolidated 
Combined Financial Statements and the accompanying notes are an integral 
part of this Annual Report.

The Company has filed with the NYSE the 2005 certification that the Chief 
Executive Officer is unaware of any violation of the corporate governance 
standards of the NYSE. The Company has also filed with the SEC the certifi-
cations required under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as 
exhibits to the Annual Report on 2005 Form 10-K.  The Company anticipates 
filing on a timely basis, the 2006 NYSE certification.

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SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION

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ANNUAL REPORT

Members of the Board of 
Directors

German Larrea Mota-Velasco
Oscar Gonzalez Rocha
Emilio Carrillo Gamboa 
Jaime Fernando Collazo Gonzalez
Xavier Garcia de Quevedo Topete 
Eduardo Gonzalez Felix
Harold S. Handelsman
Genaro Larrea Mota-Velasco 
Armando Ortega Gomez
Luis Miguel Palomino Bonilla
Gilberto Perezalonso Cifuentes
Juan Rebolledo Gout
Carlos Ruiz Sacristan

Audit Committee

Emilio Carrillo Gamboa, Chairman
Luis Miguel Palomino Bonilla, and
Gilberto Perezalonso Cifuentes

Executive Officers

German Larrea Mota-Velasco
Chairman of the Board

Oscar Gonzalez Rocha
President and Chief Executive Officer

Xavier Garcia de Quevedo Topete
Executive  Vice  President,  Chief  Operating  Of-
ficer

Eduardo Gonzalez Felix
Vice-President,  Finance  and  Chief  Financial 
Officer

Mario Vinageras Barroso
Vice-President Commercial

Vidal Muhech Dip
Vice-President, Projects

Armando Ortega Gomez
Vice-President,  Legal,  General  Counsel  and 
Secretary 

Jose N. Chirinos Fano
Comptroller

Administration of the 
Branch

Oscar Gonzalez Rocha 
President and Chief Executive Officer 

Jose N. Chirinos Fano
General Director of Comptroller and Finance 

Edgard Corrales Aguilar 
Exploration Director

Jose I. De los Heros Ugarte 
Commercial Director

Hans A. Flury Royle 
Legal Director 

Manuel A. Plenge Espinoza 
Director of Logistic 

Mauricio Pero Diez de Medina 
General Director of Operaciones

Elsiario Antunez de Mayolo Remis 
Director of Cuajone Operations

Ezio Buselli Canepa
Director of Environmental Services

Alberto J. Giles Ponce
Human Resources Director

Fernando Mejia Correa
Director of Toquepala Operations

William E. Torres Pino
Director of Ilo Operations

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SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION

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