Southern Copper (NYSE: SCCO) appoints interim CEO after unexpected death

Filing Impact

(Moderate)

Filing Sentiment

(Neutral)

Form Type

8-K

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Southern Copper Corporation reported the unexpected passing of its President and Chief Executive Officer, Oscar Gonzalez Rocha. The Board has appointed Leonardo Contreras Lerdo de Tejada as interim Chief Executive Officer, effective April 16, 2026, and he will continue serving on the Board.

The Board has not changed Mr. Contreras Lerdo de Tejada’s compensation in connection with this interim role. The company is conducting a search for a permanent Chief Executive Officer under its internal succession planning process, and will amend this report if any material compensatory arrangements are approved.

Positive

None.

Negative

Unexpected CEO death introduces leadership uncertainty as Southern Copper’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Oscar Gonzalez Rocha, has passed away, prompting an interim appointment and a search for a permanent successor.

Insights

Southern Copper faces sudden CEO loss and interim leadership transition.

The company announced the unexpected passing of CEO and President Oscar Gonzalez Rocha, a materially adverse leadership event. The Board appointed Leonardo Contreras Lerdo de Tejada as interim CEO effective April 16, 2026, while he continues as a director.

No changes were made to his compensation upon appointment, suggesting a temporary, continuity-focused move rather than a full renegotiation of terms. The Board is actively seeking a permanent CEO under existing succession planning, so the eventual appointee and any new arrangements will be important for understanding long-term leadership direction once disclosed.

8-K Event Classification

Item 5.02 — Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers

1 item

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers Governance

Key personnel changes including departures, elections, or appointments of directors and executive officers.

Key Terms

interim Chief Executive Officer, Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, Annual Meeting of Stockholders, succession planning, +1 more

5 terms

interim Chief Executive Officer financial

"appointed Leonardo Contreras Lerdo de Tejada to serve as interim Chief Executive Officer of the Company"

Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A regulatory

"including the Company’s Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on April 11, 2025"

Annual Meeting of Stockholders financial

"in connection with the Company’s 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders"

succession planning financial

"seeking a permanent Chief Executive Officer in accordance with the Company’s internal succession planning"

A company’s plan for identifying and preparing people to take over key roles when leaders leave, retire, or are unable to work. Like a sports team’s bench and playbook, it ensures someone ready can step in quickly so operations, strategy and investor confidence aren’t disrupted; investors watch it because solid succession planning reduces the risk of sudden leadership gaps that can hurt performance and stock value.

Item 5.02(e) of Form 8-K regulatory

"as required by Item 5.02(e) of Form 8-K"

Understanding 8-K Material Events →

04/17/2026 - 05:22 PM

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): April 17, 2026 (April 16, 2026)

SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Delaware	1-14066	13-3849074
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification Number)

7310 North 16th St. Suite 135, Phoenix, AZ 85020

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(602) 264-1375

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):


	☐	Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

	☐	Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

	☐	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

	☐	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:


Title of each class:	Trading Symbol	Name of each exchange on which registered:
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share	SCCO	New York Stock Exchange Lima Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

ITEM 5.02            DEPARTURE OF DIRECTORS OR PRINCIPAL OFFICERS; ELECTION OF DIRECTORS; APPOINTMENT OF CERTAIN OFFICERS; COMPENSATORY ARRANGEMENTS OF CERTAIN OFFICERS.

On April 13, 2026, Southern Copper Corporation (the “Company”) announced the unexpected passing of Oscar Gonzalez Rocha, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer.

Effective April 16, 2026, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) appointed Leonardo Contreras Lerdo de Tejada to serve as interim Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Mr. Leonardo Contreras Lerdo de Tejada will continue to serve on the Company’s Board of Directors. Biographical information regarding Mr. Contreras Lerdo de Tejada has been previously disclosed in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and is incorporated herein by reference, including the Company’s Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on April 11, 2025 in connection with the Company’s 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “2025 Proxy Statement”), and the Company’s Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A to be filed in connection with the Company’s 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “2026 Proxy Statement,” and together with the 2025 Proxy Statement, the “Proxy Statements”).

In connection with his appointment as interim Chief Executive Officer, the Board has not approved any changes to Mr. Contreras Lerdo de Tejada’s compensation. If and when the Company enters into or amends any material compensatory arrangement with Mr. Contreras Lerdo de Tejada in connection with his appointment, the Company will file an amendment to this Current Report on Form 8-K to disclose the material terms thereof, as required by Item 5.02(e) of Form 8-K. The Board is in the process of seeking a permanent Chief Executive Officer in accordance with the Company’s internal succession planning.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


	SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION


	By:	/s/ Andres C. Ferrero
	Name:	Andres C. Ferrero
	Title:	General Counsel

Date: April 17, 2026

Source: View Original Filing on SEC EDGAR

FAQ

What leadership change did Southern Copper (SCCO) announce in this 8-K?

Southern Copper announced the unexpected passing of President and CEO Oscar Gonzalez Rocha. The Board appointed Leonardo Contreras Lerdo de Tejada as interim Chief Executive Officer, effective April 16, 2026, while he continues serving on the company’s Board of Directors.

Who is Southern Copper (SCCO) appointing as interim CEO and what is his role?

Southern Copper’s Board appointed Leonardo Contreras Lerdo de Tejada as interim Chief Executive Officer effective April 16, 2026. He will also continue serving on the Board of Directors, maintaining leadership continuity during the company’s search for a permanent Chief Executive Officer.

Did Southern Copper (SCCO) change the interim CEO’s compensation in this filing?

The Board did not approve any changes to Leonardo Contreras Lerdo de Tejada’s compensation in connection with his appointment as interim CEO. Any future material compensatory arrangements related to this role will be disclosed in an amended Form 8-K filing, as required by Item 5.02(e).

How is Southern Copper (SCCO) handling succession after its CEO’s unexpected passing?

Following the unexpected passing of CEO Oscar Gonzalez Rocha, Southern Copper appointed an interim CEO and stated that its Board is seeking a permanent Chief Executive Officer. This search is being conducted in accordance with the company’s internal succession planning process.

Where can investors find background information on Southern Copper’s interim CEO?

Biographical information on interim CEO Leonardo Contreras Lerdo de Tejada has been disclosed in Southern Copper’s Proxy Statements on Schedule 14A, including the 2025 Proxy Statement and the upcoming 2026 Proxy Statement, which are incorporated by reference in this current report.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

3 documents