Overview
Southern Copper Corporation is an integrated copper producer in the metals and mining sector. It mines and processes copper, molybdenum, zinc and silver, and also smelts and refines metals; its operations are centered in Mexico and Peru, with exploration activity in Argentina and Chile.[1][2] The company describes its mission as extracting, transforming and marketing mineral resources while meeting social and environmental responsibilities and creating shareholder value.[3]
Southern Copper was incorporated in 1952, began copper mining in 1960 and adopted its current name following its 2005 merger with Minera Mexico.[1][4][5] Its consolidated net sales were $8.54 billion for the six months ended June 30, 2026; for fiscal 2025, net sales were $13.42 billion and it reported 16,617 employees at year-end.[6][7][8] [1][2][4][6][7][3][5][8]
Products & services
Southern Copper Corporation’s principal product is copper, sold in forms including copper concentrate, blister and anode copper, refined cathodes, SX-EW cathodes and copper rod. In 2025, the company produced 1,348.2 million pounds of refined copper and 346.3 million pounds of copper rod; La Caridad’s rod plant had nominal capacity of 150,000 tonnes per year and produced 157,100 tonnes.[9][10][11]
Other products include molybdenum, zinc, silver, gold and lead, as well as sulfuric acid produced at its Ilo and La Caridad acid plants. In 2025, those plants produced 976,500 tonnes and 1,053,800 tonnes of sulfuric acid, respectively.[4][10] Consolidated 2025 revenue by product was approximately $10,033.8 million from copper (74.8%), $1,405.1 million from molybdenum (10.5%), $973.9 million from silver (7.3%), $529.9 million from zinc (3.9%) and $477.2 million from “Other” (3.6%).[12] [9][10][11][4][12]
Geographic presence
Southern Copper’s producing operations are located in Peru and Mexico. In Peru, its facilities include the Cuajone and Toquepala open-pit mines, Toquepala processing facilities, and the Ilo smelter, refinery, acid plants, and precious-metals refinery. In Mexico, its operations include Buenavista and La Caridad in Sonora and underground mines in Charcas (San Luis Potosí), San Martín (Zacatecas), and Santa Bárbara (Chihuahua); Santa Eulalia, Chihuahua, is listed as suspended.[10]
For 2025, reported net sales totaled $13,420.0 million. Sales by customer geography were reported across the Americas, Europe, and Asia: the Americas accounted for approximately 53.5% of sales, including Mexico ($3,251.9 million), the United States ($1,866.6 million), and Peru ($864.3 million); Europe accounted for approximately 26.9%, including Switzerland ($1,852.5 million), Spain ($665.5 million), Italy ($394.8 million), and other European countries; and Asia accounted for approximately 19.7%, including China ($1,276.9 million), Japan ($985.0 million), and Singapore ($271.5 million). Regional percentages are calculated from the reported country and regional sales amounts.[13]
The company lists its principal executive office in Phoenix, Arizona, and also lists offices in Mexico City and Lima, Peru.[8][14] [10][13][8][14]
Business segments
Southern Copper’s 2025 reporting identifies three reportable segments: Peruvian operations, Mexican open-pit operations, and Mexican underground operations (IMMSA). Peruvian operations include the Toquepala and Cuajone mine complexes and supporting facilities; Mexican open-pit operations include the La Caridad and Buenavista mine complexes and supporting facilities; and IMMSA comprises underground mines and industrial processing facilities, including a zinc refinery.[15][16][17][18]
Based on 2025 net sales to external customers of $13,420.0 million, Mexican open-pit operations contributed $7,574.4 million, or approximately 56% of the total; Peruvian operations contributed $5,247.6 million, or approximately 39%; and IMMSA contributed $598.0 million, or approximately 4%. These percentages are calculated from the reported segment amounts and consolidated total.[19] [15][16][17][18][19][19][19][19]
Company history
Southern Peru Copper Corporation, Southern Copper’s predecessor, was incorporated in Delaware in 1952. Toquepala began operations in 1960, alongside development of the company’s Ilo smelting and transport facilities. In the 1970s, the company developed La Caridad in Mexico and brought the Cuajone mine in Peru into operation.[20][21][22][23]
Grupo Industrial Minera México acquired the Cananea operation in 1990, and the company’s shares began trading on the NYSE and Lima Stock Exchange in 1996. A merger with Minera México closed in 2005; SPCC adopted the name Southern Copper Corporation, combining its Peruvian operations with the Mexican business.[24][25][26][5]
In the following decades, major development milestones included modernization of the Ilo smelter in 2006, expansion projects at Buenavista in Mexico in 2014–2015, and the start of operations at Toquepala’s second concentrator in 2018. In 2026, Leonardo Contreras Lerdo de Tejada was appointed CEO following the death of longtime President and CEO Oscar González Rocha.[27][28][29][30][31] [26][20][21][22][23][24][25][5][27][28][29][30][31]
Sources
- SOUTHERN COPPER CORP/ — Full financial report (2025 Y)
- southerncoppercorp.com[3]
- southerncoppercorp.com[5]
- SOUTHERN COPPER CORP/ — Full financial report (2026 Q 2)[6]
- www.sec.gov[8]
- southerncoppercorp.com[14]
- southerncoppercorp.com[20]
- southerncoppercorp.com[21]
- southerncoppercorp.com[22]
- southerncoppercorp.com[23]
- southerncoppercorp.com[24]
- southerncoppercorp.com[25]
- southerncoppercorp.com[27]
- southerncoppercorp.com[28]
- southerncoppercorp.com[29]
- southerncoppercorp.com[30]
- southerncoppercorp.com[31]
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