DEBT (Details) | Sep. 30, 2018 | Mar. 31, 2018 | Sep. 30, 2017 | Nov. 30, 2013USD ($) | May 31, 2013USD ($) | Mar. 30, 2013USD ($) | Feb. 29, 2012USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)payment | Dec. 31, 2015USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2014USD ($) | Dec. 30, 2016USD ($) | May 31, 2016USD ($) | Nov. 30, 2014USD ($) | May 31, 2014USD ($) | Mar. 31, 2013USD ($) | Mar. 07, 2013USD ($) | Feb. 28, 2012USD ($) |
Debt Instruments [Line Items] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Liabilities, Fair Value Adjustment | | | | | | | | | | $ 179,000,000 | $ 210,000,000 | | | | | | | | |
Long-term Debt | | | | | | | | | | | | | $ 2,228,000,000 | | | | | | |
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations, Including Current Maturities | | | | | | | | | | 16,027,000,000 | 20,324,000,000 | | | | | | | | |
Less current portion of long-term debt and short-term borrownings | | | | | | | | | | (1,232,000,000) | (649,000,000) | | | | | | | | |
Long-term debt | | | | | | | | | | 14,795,000,000 | 19,675,000,000 | | | | | | | | |
Cerro Verde [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Extinguishment of Debt, Principal Amount | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2,342,000,000 | | | | | | |
Senior Notes Issued by FCX [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Principal Amount of Senior Notes Tendered | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2,091,000,000 | | | | | | |
Exchanges and Early Extinguishment of Debt [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Issuance Costs, Gross | | | | | | | | | | 100,000,000 | 129,000,000 | | | | | | | | |
Net gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt | | | | | | | | | | (26,000,000) | 0 | $ (73,000,000) | | | | | | | |
Long-term Debt, by Maturity [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Next Twelve Months | | | | | | | | | | 1,200,000,000 | | | | | | | | | |
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Two | | | | | | | | | | 2,300,000,000 | | | | | | | | | |
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Three | | | | | | | | | | 1,100,000,000 | | | | | | | | | |
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Four | | | | | | | | | | 1,600,000,000 | | | | | | | | | |
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Five | | | | | | | | | | 862,000,000 | | | | | | | | | |
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Rolling after Year Five | | | | | | | | | | 8,800,000,000 | | | | | | | | | |
Bank Term Loan [Member] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Instruments [Line Items] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Long-term Debt | | | | | | | | | | 0 | 3,032,000,000 | | | | | | | | |
Bank Term Loan [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Borrowings from Shareholder Loan | | | | | | | | | | | | 4,000,000,000 | | | | | | | |
Cerro Verde [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Extinguishment of Debt, Principal Amount | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | $ 4,000,000,000 | | |
Senior Notes [Member] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Instruments [Line Items] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Liabilities, Fair Value Adjustment | | | | | | | | | | 151,000,000 | | | | | | | | | |
Cerro Verde [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Extinguishment of Debt, Principal Amount | | | | | | | | | | $ 407,000,000 | | 4,208,000,000 | | | | | | $ 6,500,000,000 | |
Senior Notes Issued by FCX [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Percentage of FM O&G LLC senior notes tendered for new FCX senior notes | | | | | | | | | | 89.00% | | | | | | | | | |
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt | | | | $ 2,970,000,000 | | $ 6,400,000,000 | $ 2,470,000,000 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash | | | | | | | | | | $ 14,000,000 | | | | | | | | | |
Exchanges and Early Extinguishment of Debt [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Issuance Costs, Gross | | | | | | | | | | 4,000,000 | | | | | | | | | |
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount | | | | | | | | | | 403,000,000 | | 4,572,000,000 | | | | | | | |
Extinguishment Of Debt, Redemption Value | | | | | | | | | | 349,000,000 | | 4,495,000,000 | | | | | | | |
Net gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt | | | | | | | | | | (54,000,000) | | | | | | | | | |
Losses related to deferred debt issuance costs and senior note exchange offer | | | | | | | | | | 28,000,000 | | | | | | | | | |
Extinguishment of Debt, Purchase Accounting Adjustments | | | | | | | | | | | | 364,000,000 | | | | | | | |
Other Debt, Including Capital Leases and Short Term Borrowings [Member] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Instruments [Line Items] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations, Including Current Maturities | | | | | | | | | | $ 5,000,000 | 4,000,000 | | | | | | | | |
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Exchanges and Early Extinguishment of Debt [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt | | | | | | | | | | | | (77,000,000) | | | | | | | |
Losses primarily associated with modification of credit facility | | | | | | | | | | | | 4,000,000 | | | | | | | |
6.125% Senior Notes due 2019 [Member] [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Instruments [Line Items] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Long-term Debt | | | | | | | | | | | | | 186,000,000 | | | | | | |
Cerro Verde [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Extinguishment of Debt, Principal Amount | | | | | | | | | | | | | 237,000,000 | | | | | | |
Senior Notes Issued by FCX [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Principal Amount of Senior Notes Tendered | | | | | | | | | | | | | 179,000,000 | | | | | | |
Senior Notes Due 2015 1 Point 40 Percent [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cerro Verde [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Extinguishment of Debt, Principal Amount | | | | | | | | | | | | 500,000,000 | | | | | | | |
Senior Notes Issued by FCX [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | | | | | | | | | | 1.40% | | | | | | | | | |
Exchanges and Early Extinguishment of Debt [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount | | | | | | | | | | | | 500,000,000 | | | | | | | |
Extinguishment Of Debt, Redemption Value | | | | | | | | | | | | 501,000,000 | | | | | | | |
Net gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt | | | | | | | | | | | | 1,000,000 | | | | | | | |
Extinguishment of Debt, Purchase Accounting Adjustments | | | | | | | | | | | | 0 | | | | | | | |
2.15% Senior Notes due 2017 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Instruments [Line Items] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Long-term Debt | | | | | | | | | | $ 500,000,000 | 499,000,000 | | | | | | | | |
Cerro Verde [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Extinguishment of Debt, Principal Amount | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | $ 500,000,000 |
Senior Notes Issued by FCX [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | | | | | | | | | | 2.15% | | | | | | | | | 2.15% |
2.30% Senior Notes due 2017 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Instruments [Line Items] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Long-term Debt | | | | | | | | | | $ 728,000,000 | 747,000,000 | | | | | | | | |
Cerro Verde [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Extinguishment of Debt, Principal Amount | | | | | | | | | | $ 20,000,000 | | | | | $ 750,000,000 | | | | |
Senior Notes Issued by FCX [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | | | | | | | | | | 2.30% | | | | | 2.30% | | | | |
Exchanges and Early Extinguishment of Debt [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Issuance Costs, Gross | | | | | | | | | | $ 0 | | | | | | | | | |
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount | | | | | | | | | | 20,000,000 | | | | | | | | | |
Extinguishment Of Debt, Redemption Value | | | | | | | | | | 20,000,000 | | | | | | | | | |
Net gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt | | | | | | | | | | 0 | | | | | | | | | |
2.375% Senior Notes due March 2018 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Instruments [Line Items] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Long-term Debt | | | | | | | | | | 1,480,000,000 | 1,495,000,000 | | | | | | | | |
Cerro Verde [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Extinguishment of Debt, Principal Amount | | | | | | | | | | $ 18,000,000 | | | | | | | | $ 1,500,000,000 | |
Senior Notes Issued by FCX [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | | | | | | | | | | 2.375% | | | | | | | | 2.375% | |
Exchanges and Early Extinguishment of Debt [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Issuance Costs, Gross | | | | | | | | | | $ 0 | | | | | | | | | |
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount | | | | | | | | | | 18,000,000 | | | | | | | | | |
Extinguishment Of Debt, Redemption Value | | | | | | | | | | 18,000,000 | | | | | | | | | |
Net gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt | | | | | | | | | | 0 | | | | | | | | | |
6.125% Senior Notes due 2019 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Instruments [Line Items] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Long-term Debt | | | | | | | | | | 186,000,000 | 0 | | | | | | | | |
Cerro Verde [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Extinguishment of Debt, Principal Amount | | | | | | | | | | | | 513,000,000 | | | | | | | |
Exchanges and Early Extinguishment of Debt [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount | | | | | | | | | | | | 553,000,000 | | | | | | | |
Extinguishment Of Debt, Redemption Value | | | | | | | | | | | | 555,000,000 | | | | | | | |
Net gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt | | | | | | | | | | | | 2,000,000 | | | | | | | |
Extinguishment of Debt, Purchase Accounting Adjustments | | | | | | | | | | | | 40,000,000 | | | | | | | |
3.100% Senior Notes due March 2020 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Instruments [Line Items] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Long-term Debt | | | | | | | | | | $ 996,000,000 | 995,000,000 | | 242,000,000 | | | | | | |
Cerro Verde [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Extinguishment of Debt, Principal Amount | | | | | | | | | | | | | 261,000,000 | | | | | $ 1,000,000,000 | |
Senior Notes Issued by FCX [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | | | | | | | | | | 3.10% | | | | | | | | 3.10% | |
Principal Amount of Senior Notes Tendered | | | | | | | | | | | | | 228,000,000 | | | | | | |
6.5% Senior Notes due 2020 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Instruments [Line Items] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Long-term Debt | | | | | | | | | | $ 583,000,000 | 0 | | 583,000,000 | | | | | | |
Cerro Verde [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Extinguishment of Debt, Principal Amount | | | | | | | | | | | | 883,000,000 | 617,000,000 | | | | | | |
Senior Notes Issued by FCX [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Principal Amount of Senior Notes Tendered | | | | | | | | | | | | | 552,000,000 | | | | | | |
Exchanges and Early Extinguishment of Debt [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount | | | | | | | | | | | | 962,000,000 | | | | | | | |
Extinguishment Of Debt, Redemption Value | | | | | | | | | | | | 952,000,000 | | | | | | | |
Net gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt | | | | | | | | | | | | (10,000,000) | | | | | | | |
Extinguishment of Debt, Purchase Accounting Adjustments | | | | | | | | | | | | 79,000,000 | | | | | | | |
6.625% Senior Notes due 2021 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Instruments [Line Items] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Long-term Debt | | | | | | | | | | 242,000,000 | 0 | | | | | | | | |
Cerro Verde [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Extinguishment of Debt, Principal Amount | | | | | | | | | | | | 339,000,000 | | | | | | | |
Exchanges and Early Extinguishment of Debt [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount | | | | | | | | | | | | 370,000,000 | | | | | | | |
Extinguishment Of Debt, Redemption Value | | | | | | | | | | | | 367,000,000 | | | | | | | |
Net gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt | | | | | | | | | | | | (3,000,000) | | | | | | | |
Extinguishment of Debt, Purchase Accounting Adjustments | | | | | | | | | | | | 31,000,000 | | | | | | | |
4.00% Senior Notes due 2021 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Instruments [Line Items] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Long-term Debt | | | | | | | | | | $ 595,000,000 | 594,000,000 | | | | | | | | |
Cerro Verde [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Extinguishment of Debt, Principal Amount | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | $ 600,000,000 | | | | |
Senior Notes Issued by FCX [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | | | | | | | | | | 4.00% | | | | | 4.00% | | | | |
6.75% Senior Notes due 2022 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Instruments [Line Items] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Long-term Debt | | | | | | | | | | $ 432,000,000 | 0 | | 432,000,000 | | | | | | |
Cerro Verde [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Extinguishment of Debt, Principal Amount | | | | | | | | | | | | 551,000,000 | 449,000,000 | | | | | | |
Senior Notes Issued by FCX [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Principal Amount of Senior Notes Tendered | | | | | | | | | | | | | 404,000,000 | | | | | | |
Exchanges and Early Extinguishment of Debt [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount | | | | | | | | | | | | 608,000,000 | | | | | | | |
Extinguishment Of Debt, Redemption Value | | | | | | | | | | | | 600,000,000 | | | | | | | |
Net gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt | | | | | | | | | | | | (8,000,000) | | | | | | | |
Extinguishment of Debt, Purchase Accounting Adjustments | | | | | | | | | | | | 57,000,000 | | | | | | | |
3.55% Senior Notes due 2022 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Instruments [Line Items] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Long-term Debt | | | | | | | | | | 1,882,000,000 | 1,987,000,000 | | | | | | | | |
Cerro Verde [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Extinguishment of Debt, Principal Amount | | | | | | | | | | $ 108,000,000 | | | | | | | | | $ 2,000,000,000 |
Senior Notes Issued by FCX [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | | | | | | | | | | 3.55% | | | | | | | | | 3.55% |
Exchanges and Early Extinguishment of Debt [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Issuance Costs, Gross | | | | | | | | | | $ 1,000,000 | | | | | | | | | |
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount | | | | | | | | | | 107,000,000 | | | | | | | | | |
Extinguishment Of Debt, Redemption Value | | | | | | | | | | 96,000,000 | | | | | | | | | |
Net gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt | | | | | | | | | | (11,000,000) | | | | | | | | | |
6.875% Senior Notes due 2023 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Instruments [Line Items] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Long-term Debt | | | | | | | | | | 784,000,000 | 0 | | 785,000,000 | | | | | | |
Cerro Verde [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Extinguishment of Debt, Principal Amount | | | | | | | | | | | | 722,000,000 | 778,000,000 | | | | | | |
Senior Notes Issued by FCX [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Principal Amount of Senior Notes Tendered | | | | | | | | | | | | | $ 728,000,000 | | | | | | |
Exchanges and Early Extinguishment of Debt [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount | | | | | | | | | | | | 806,000,000 | | | | | | | |
Extinguishment Of Debt, Redemption Value | | | | | | | | | | | | 785,000,000 | | | | | | | |
Net gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt | | | | | | | | | | | | (21,000,000) | | | | | | | |
Extinguishment of Debt, Purchase Accounting Adjustments | | | | | | | | | | | | 84,000,000 | | | | | | | |
3.875% Senior Notes due March 2023 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Instruments [Line Items] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Long-term Debt | | | | | | | | | | 1,912,000,000 | 1,987,000,000 | | | | | | | | |
Cerro Verde [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Extinguishment of Debt, Principal Amount | | | | | | | | | | $ 77,000,000 | | | | | | | | $ 2,000,000,000 | |
Senior Notes Issued by FCX [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | | | | | | | | | | 3.875% | | | | | | | | 3.875% | |
Exchanges and Early Extinguishment of Debt [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Issuance Costs, Gross | | | | | | | | | | $ 0 | | | | | | | | | |
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount | | | | | | | | | | 77,000,000 | | | | | | | | | |
Extinguishment Of Debt, Redemption Value | | | | | | | | | | 68,000,000 | | | | | | | | | |
Net gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt | | | | | | | | | | (9,000,000) | | | | | | | | | |
4.55% Senior Notes due 2024 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Instruments [Line Items] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Long-term Debt | | | | | | | | | | $ 844,000,000 | 843,000,000 | | | | | | | | |
Cerro Verde [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Extinguishment of Debt, Principal Amount | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | $ 850,000,000 | | | | |
Senior Notes Issued by FCX [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | | | | | | | | | | 4.55% | | | | | 4.55% | | | | |
5.40% Senior Notes due 2034 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Instruments [Line Items] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Long-term Debt | | | | | | | | | | $ 739,000,000 | 788,000,000 | | | | | | | | |
Cerro Verde [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Extinguishment of Debt, Principal Amount | | | | | | | | | | $ 50,000,000 | | | | | $ 800,000,000 | | | | |
Senior Notes Issued by FCX [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | | | | | | | | | | 5.40% | | | | | 5.40% | | | | |
Exchanges and Early Extinguishment of Debt [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Issuance Costs, Gross | | | | | | | | | | $ 1,000,000 | | | | | | | | | |
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount | | | | | | | | | | 49,000,000 | | | | | | | | | |
Extinguishment Of Debt, Redemption Value | | | | | | | | | | 41,000,000 | | | | | | | | | |
Net gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt | | | | | | | | | | (8,000,000) | | | | | | | | | |
5.450% Senior Notes due March 2043 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Instruments [Line Items] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Long-term Debt | | | | | | | | | | 1,842,000,000 | 1,973,000,000 | | | | | | | | |
Cerro Verde [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Extinguishment of Debt, Principal Amount | | | | | | | | | | $ 134,000,000 | | | | | | | | $ 2,000,000,000 | |
Senior Notes Issued by FCX [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | | | | | | | | | | 5.45% | | | | | | | | 5.45% | |
Exchanges and Early Extinguishment of Debt [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Issuance Costs, Gross | | | | | | | | | | $ 2,000,000 | | | | | | | | | |
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount | | | | | | | | | | 132,000,000 | | | | | | | | | |
Extinguishment Of Debt, Redemption Value | | | | | | | | | | 106,000,000 | | | | | | | | | |
Net gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt | | | | | | | | | | $ (26,000,000) | | | | | | | | | |
7.125% Debentures due 2027 [Member] | Debentures [Member] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Senior Notes Issued by FCX [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | | | | | | | | | | 7.125% | | | | | | | | | |
9.5% Senior Notes due 2031 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Senior Notes Issued by FCX [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | | | | | | | | | | 9.50% | | | | | | | | | |
6.125% Senior Notes due 2034 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Senior Notes Issued by FCX [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | | | | | | | | | | 6.125% | | | | | | | | | |
8.625% Senior Notes due 2019 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cerro Verde [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Extinguishment of Debt, Principal Amount | | | | | | | | | | | | 400,000,000 | | | | | | | |
Exchanges and Early Extinguishment of Debt [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount | | | | | | | | | | | | 441,000,000 | | | | | | | |
Extinguishment Of Debt, Redemption Value | | | | | | | | | | | | 417,000,000 | | | | | | | |
Net gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt | | | | | | | | | | | | (24,000,000) | | | | | | | |
Extinguishment of Debt, Purchase Accounting Adjustments | | | | | | | | | | | | 41,000,000 | | | | | | | |
7.625% Senior Notes due 2020 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cerro Verde [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Extinguishment of Debt, Principal Amount | | | | | | | | | | | | 300,000,000 | | | | | | | |
Exchanges and Early Extinguishment of Debt [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount | | | | | | | | | | | | 332,000,000 | | | | | | | |
Extinguishment Of Debt, Redemption Value | | | | | | | | | | | | 318,000,000 | | | | | | | |
Net gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt | | | | | | | | | | | | (14,000,000) | | | | | | | |
Extinguishment of Debt, Purchase Accounting Adjustments | | | | | | | | | | | | 32,000,000 | | | | | | | |
Cerro Verde | Shareholder Loan [Member] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Instruments [Line Items] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Long-term Debt | | | | | | | | | | $ 261,000,000 | 259,000,000 | | | | | | | | |
Cerro Verde [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate | | | | | | | | | | 3.10% | | | | | | | | | |
Extinguishment of Debt, Principal Amount | | | | | | | | | | $ 800,000,000 | | | | | | | | | |
Freeport-McMoRan Oil & Gas | Senior Notes [Member] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Instruments [Line Items] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Liabilities, Fair Value Adjustment | | | | | $ 716,000,000 | | | | | 16,000,000 | | | | | | | | | |
Cerro Verde [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Extinguishment of Debt, Principal Amount | | | | | 6,400,000,000 | | | | | 251,000,000 | | | | | | | | | |
Freeport-McMoRan Oil & Gas | 6.125% Senior Notes due 2019 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Instruments [Line Items] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Long-term Debt | | | | | | | | | | 60,000,000 | 251,000,000 | | | | | | | | |
Freeport-McMoRan Oil & Gas | 6.5% Senior Notes due 2020 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Instruments [Line Items] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Long-term Debt | | | | | | | | | | 69,000,000 | 662,000,000 | | | | | | | | |
Freeport-McMoRan Oil & Gas | 6.625% Senior Notes due 2021 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Instruments [Line Items] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Long-term Debt | | | | | | | | | | 35,000,000 | 281,000,000 | | | | | | | | |
Freeport-McMoRan Oil & Gas | 6.75% Senior Notes due 2022 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Instruments [Line Items] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Long-term Debt | | | | | | | | | | 48,000,000 | 488,000,000 | | | | | | | | |
Freeport-McMoRan Oil & Gas | 6.875% Senior Notes due 2023 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Instruments [Line Items] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Long-term Debt | | | | | | | | | | 55,000,000 | 857,000,000 | | | | | | | | |
Freeport McMoRan Corporation [Member] | 7.125% Debentures due 2027 [Member] | Debentures [Member] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Instruments [Line Items] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Long-term Debt | | | | | | | | | | 115,000,000 | 115,000,000 | | | | | | | | |
Freeport McMoRan Corporation [Member] | 9.5% Senior Notes due 2031 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Instruments [Line Items] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Long-term Debt | | | | | | | | | | 128,000,000 | 128,000,000 | | | | | | | | |
Freeport McMoRan Corporation [Member] | 6.125% Senior Notes due 2034 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Instruments [Line Items] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Long-term Debt | | | | | | | | | | $ 116,000,000 | 116,000,000 | | | | | | | | |
Plains Exploration & Production Company [Member] | 6.125% Senior Notes due 2019 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Senior Notes Issued by FCX [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | | | | | | | | | | 6.125% | | | | | | | | | |
Plains Exploration & Production Company [Member] | 6.5% Senior Notes due 2020 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Senior Notes Issued by FCX [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | | | | | | | | | | 6.50% | | | | | | | | | |
Plains Exploration & Production Company [Member] | 6.625% Senior Notes due 2021 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Senior Notes Issued by FCX [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | | | | | | | | | | 6.625% | | | | | | | | | |
Plains Exploration & Production Company [Member] | 6.75% Senior Notes due 2022 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Senior Notes Issued by FCX [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | | | | | | | | | | 6.75% | | | | | | | | | |
Plains Exploration & Production Company [Member] | 6.875% Senior Notes due 2023 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Senior Notes Issued by FCX [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | | | | | | | | | | 6.875% | | | | | | | | | |
Plains Exploration & Production Company [Member] | 7.625% Senior Notes due 2018 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Senior Notes Issued by FCX [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | | | | | | | | | | 7.625% | | | | | | | | | |
Plains Exploration & Production Company [Member] | 8.625% Senior Notes due 2019 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Senior Notes Issued by FCX [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | | | | | | | | | | 8.625% | | | | | | | | | |
Plains Exploration & Production Company [Member] | 7.625% Senior Notes due 2020 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Senior Notes Issued by FCX [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | | | | | | | | | | 7.625% | | | | | | | | | |
McMoRan Exploration Co [Member] | 11.875% Senior Notes due 2014 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Senior Notes Issued by FCX [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | | | | | | | | | | 11.875% | | | | | | | | | |
McMoRan Exploration Co [Member] | 4% Convertible Senior Notes due 2017 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Senior Notes Issued by FCX [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | | | | | | | | | | 4.00% | | | | | | | | | |
LIBOR Plus Spread [Member] | Cerro Verde | Shareholder Loan [Member] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cerro Verde [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Instrument, Additional Rate, Above Basis Spread on Variable Rate | | | | | | | | | | 0.50% | | | | | | | | | |
Line of Credit [Member] | Line of Credit [Member] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Instruments [Line Items] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Long-term Debt | | | | | | | | | | $ 0 | 442,000,000 | | | | | | | | |
Line of Credit [Member] | Cerro Verde | Line of Credit [Member] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Instruments [Line Items] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Long-term Debt | | | | | | | | | | 1,390,000,000 | 1,781,000,000 | | | | | | | | |
Revolving Credit Facility [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Revolving Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity | | | | | | | | | | $ 1,800,000,000 | | | | | | | | | |
Cerro Verde [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Term of Debt Agreement | | | | | | | | | | 5 years | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage | | | | | | | | | | 2.67% | | | | | | | | | |
Number of Installment Payments under Installment Program | payment | | | | | | | | | | 4 | | | | | | | | | |
Line of Credit [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | Cerro Verde | Line of Credit [Member] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Revolving Credit Facility [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate | | | | | | | | | | 1.90% | | | | | | | | | |
Letter of Credit [Member] | Line of Credit [Member] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Revolving Credit Facility [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Long-term Line of Credit | | | | | | | | | | $ 43,000,000 | | | | | | | | | |
Revolving Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity | | | | | | | | | | 1,500,000,000 | | | | | | | | | |
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Line of Credit [Member] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Instruments [Line Items] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Long-term Debt | | | | | | | | | | 0 | 0 | | | | | | | | |
Revolving Credit Facility [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Revolving Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity | | | | | $ 3,000,000,000 | | | | | 3,500,000,000 | | | | | | $ 4,000,000,000 | | | |
Revolving Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity | | | | | | | | | | $ 3,500,000,000 | | | | | | | | | |
Amount of revolving credit facility available to PT Freeport Indonesia | | | | | | | | | | | | | | $ 500,000,000 | | | | | |
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | Line of Credit [Member] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Revolving Credit Facility [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate | | | | | | | | | | 2.50% | | | | | | | | | |
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Base Rate [Member] | Line of Credit [Member] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Revolving Credit Facility [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate | | | | | | | | | | 1.50% | | | | | | | | | |
Eliminations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Instruments [Line Items] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Long-term debt | | | | | | | | | | $ (15,081,000,000) | $ (12,433,000,000) | | | | | | | | |
Exchanges and Early Extinguishment of Debt [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt | | | | | | | | | | 0 | | $ 0 | | | | | | | |
Eliminations | Cerro Verde | Shareholder Loan [Member] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Senior Notes Issued by FCX [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt | | | | | | | | | | $ 345,000,000 | | | | | | | | | |
Scenario, Forecast [Member] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Exchanges and Early Extinguishment of Debt [Abstract] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Instrument, Leverage Ratio | | | | | | | | 3.75 | 4.25 | | | | | | | | | | |
Scenario, Forecast [Member] | Line of Credit [Member] | Cerro Verde | Line of Credit [Member] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Instruments [Line Items] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity, Percentage | | 70.00% | 85.00% | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Scenario, Forecast [Member] | Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Three [Member] | Line of Credit [Member] | Cerro Verde | Cerro Verde Credit Facility [Member] | Line of Credit [Member] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Instruments [Line Items] | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity, Percentage | 35.00% | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |