Southern Copper names new CEO after sudden loss

Southern Copper Corporation reported the unexpected passing of Oscar Gonzalez Rocha, who served as President, Chief Executive Officer, and Board member after a 50-year career in the mining industry.

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Southern Copper Corporation reported the unexpected passing of Oscar Gonzalez Rocha, who served as President, Chief Executive Officer, and Board member after a 50-year career in the mining industry. The company highlighted his visionary leadership and operational contributions.

On April 23, 2026, the Board of Directors appointed Leonardo Contreras Lerdo de Tejada as Chief Executive Officer. He will continue to serve on the Board, and his biographical information is incorporated by reference from prior proxy statements. The Board has not approved any changes to his compensation in connection with this appointment, and any future material compensatory arrangements will be disclosed in an amended Form 8-K.

Positive

• None.

Negative

• Sudden loss of long-tenured CEO: The unexpected passing of President and CEO Oscar Gonzalez Rocha, who had a 50-year career with major influence on the company, introduces leadership transition risk and potential uncertainty around long-term strategic direction.

Insights

Corporate governance analyst

Southern Copper replaces its late CEO with an existing director, limiting disruption but raising succession and execution questions.

The company announced the unexpected death of long-time President and CEO Oscar Gonzalez Rocha, described as a transformative leader over a 50-year career. Sudden loss of such a central figure can affect strategic continuity, stakeholder confidence, and key relationships built over decades.

The Board quickly appointed existing director Leonardo Contreras Lerdo de Tejada as CEO, which supports continuity because he is already familiar with the company and its governance. No compensation changes were approved at appointment, signaling a focus on rapid leadership stability; any future material pay arrangements will require additional disclosure in an amended Form 8-K.

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

Emerging growth company, Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, Annual Meeting of Stockholders

3 terms

Emerging growth company regulatory

"Emerging growth company"

An emerging growth company is a recently public or smaller public firm that qualifies for temporary, lighter regulatory and disclosure rules to reduce the cost and effort of being public. For investors, it means the company may provide less historical financial detail and face fewer reporting requirements than larger firms, so it can grow more quickly but also carries higher uncertainty—like buying a promising early-stage product with fewer user reviews.

Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A regulatory

"Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on April 11, 2025"

A proxy statement on Schedule 14A is the official, regulator-filed packet of information companies send to shareholders before a vote, like a mailed agenda and background materials for a town-hall meeting. It explains who is running for the board, items up for approval, key executive pay and risks, and how to vote — details investors use to judge leadership, governance and potential changes that can affect share value.

Annual Meeting of Stockholders financial

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

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

What major leadership change did Southern Copper (SCCO) report in this Form 8-K?

Southern Copper disclosed the unexpected passing of its President and CEO, Oscar Gonzalez Rocha. He also served on the Board of Directors and had a 50-year career with the company, making this a significant leadership transition for the organization.

Who has been appointed as the new CEO of Southern Copper (SCCO)?

Southern Copper’s Board appointed Leonardo Contreras Lerdo de Tejada as Chief Executive Officer. He will also continue serving as a member of the Board of Directors, providing continuity in leadership and governance following the prior CEO’s unexpected passing.

Did Southern Copper (SCCO) change the new CEO’s compensation in connection with his appointment?

The Board did not approve any changes to Leonardo Contreras Lerdo de Tejada’s compensation upon his appointment as CEO. The company stated it will file an amended Form 8-K later if it enters into or amends any material compensatory arrangement related to this role.

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

Biographical details for Leonardo Contreras Lerdo de Tejada are incorporated by reference from prior proxy statements. These include the company’s Schedule 14A filings for the 2025 and 2026 Annual Meetings of Stockholders, which contain his background and qualifications.

Does the Form 8-K mention whether the new CEO remains on Southern Copper’s Board?

Yes, the filing states that Leonardo Contreras Lerdo de Tejada will continue serving on the Board of Directors. This dual role as Chief Executive Officer and director is intended to maintain continuity in both management and board-level oversight.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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Accepted by SEC EDGAR 04/29/2026 - 05:10 PM Learn about SEC filing dates

0001001838false00010018382026-04-232026-04-23

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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 29, 2026 (April 23, 2026)

SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

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

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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):

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	☐	Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
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​	☐	Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
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​	☐	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
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​	☐	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

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

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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

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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. ☐

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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 with deep regret the unexpected passing of Oscar Gonzalez Rocha, the Company’s President, Chief Executive Officer, and Board member. A titan of the mining industry, Oscar’s 50-year career was defined by a visionary leadership and operational excellence that transformed the Company into a global leader. We are profoundly grateful for his enduring contributions and will miss him deeply.

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On April 23, 2026, the Company’s Board of Directors appointed Mr. Leonardo Contreras Lerdo de Tejada as 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 filed on April 17, 2026 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 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.

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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.

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​	SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION
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​	By:	/s/ Andres C. Ferrero
​	Name:	Andres C. Ferrero
​	Title:	General Counsel

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Date: April 29, 2026

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Filing Exhibits & Attachments

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Other Documents

• EX-101 EX-101.SCH 2.6 KB
• EX-101 EX-101.LAB 15.6 KB
• EX-101 EX-101.PRE 10.0 KB