[7] In the early 1950s, Brinckerhoff was offered to join Southern Peru Copper Corporation as general manager and president.
In 1958, Brinckerhoff was promoted president of the parent organization, Anaconda Copper, and in 1964 its chief executive officer.
[8] In 1956, the Chilean government bestowed upon him the Order of Bernardo O'Higgins, the highest award Chile makes to non-nationals for distinguished service to the country.
[10] Brinckerhoff was also the recipient of the William Lawrence Saunders Gold Medal in 1968, bestowed by the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum Engineers for "outstanding administrative and technical ability, and for discerning foresight and leadership in the minerals industry.
"[3] In 1979, he was awarded the Hoover Medal for being a "distinguished mining and metallurgical engineer; leader in converting world resources into metals needed by man; expander of the base of higher education; exponent of improved human relations as the basis for industrial advancement; friend of developing countries; diplomat; humanitarian".