Exhibit 15

Arthur Andersen

Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N. W.
Washington, D. C. 20549

We are aware that our report dated October 13, 2000 on our review of the interim
financial information of Southern Peru Copper Corporation and Subsidiaries as of
September 30, 2000 and for the three-month and nine-month periods ended
September 30, 2000 and included in this Form 10-Q for the periods then ended, is
incorporated by reference in the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-8
(File Nos. 333-02736 and 333-40293). Pursuant to Regulation C of the Securities
Act of 1933, that report is not considered a part of the Registration Statement
prepared by our firm or a report prepared or certified by our firm within the
meaning of Sections 7 and 11 of the Act.

Very truly yours,


ARTHUR ANDERSEN, LLP

Lima, Peru. October 13, 2000