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v2.4.1.9

CONTINGENCIES (Details) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended |  | 1 Months Ended |  | 3 Months Ended |  |  |  |  |  | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2012 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2014 Cerro Verde [Member] USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2014 Cerro Verde [Member] Minimum [Member] | Dec. 31, 2014 Cerro Verde [Member] Maximum [Member] | Dec. 31, 2014 PT Freeport Indonesia [Member] USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2014 Tax Years 2002 To 2005 [Member] Cerro Verde [Member] USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2014 Tax Year 2005 [Member] PT Freeport Indonesia [Member] USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2014 Tax Year 2006 [Member] Cerro Verde [Member] USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2014 Tax Year 2006 [Member] PT Freeport Indonesia [Member] USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2014 Tax Year 2007 [Member] Cerro Verde [Member] USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2014 Tax Year 2007 [Member] PT Freeport Indonesia [Member] USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2014 Tax Year 2008 [Member] Cerro Verde [Member] USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2014 Tax Year 2008 [Member] PT Freeport Indonesia [Member] USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2014 Tax Year 2009 [Member] Cerro Verde [Member] USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2014 Tax Year 2010 [Member] Cerro Verde [Member] USD ($) | Jul. 31, 2013 Tax Year 2011 [Member] PT Freeport Indonesia [Member] USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2014 Tax Year 2011 [Member] PT Freeport Indonesia [Member] USD ($) | Jun. 30, 2014 Tax Year 2012 [Member] PT Freeport Indonesia [Member] USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2014 Tax Year 2012 [Member] PT Freeport Indonesia [Member] USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2014 Tax Year 2014 [Member] Cerro Verde [Member] USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2014 Tax Year 2014 [Member] PT Freeport Indonesia [Member] USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2014 Relating To 2005 and 2007 [Member] PT Freeport Indonesia [Member] USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2014 Relating to the Period October 2006 through December 2008 [Member] Cerro Verde [Member] USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2014 Relating to the Period October 2006 through December 2008 [Member] Cerro Verde [Member] PEN | Dec. 31, 2014 Tax Assessment [Member] Cerro Verde [Member] USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2014 Tax Assessment [Member] PT Freeport Indonesia [Member] USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2014 Tax Assessment [Member] Tax Years 2002 To 2005 [Member] Cerro Verde [Member] USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2014 Tax Assessment [Member] Tax Year 2005 [Member] PT Freeport Indonesia [Member] USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2014 Tax Assessment [Member] Tax Year 2006 [Member] Cerro Verde [Member] USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2014 Tax Assessment [Member] Tax Year 2006 [Member] PT Freeport Indonesia [Member] USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2014 Tax Assessment [Member] Tax Year 2007 [Member] Cerro Verde [Member] USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2014 Tax Assessment [Member] Tax Year 2007 [Member] PT Freeport Indonesia [Member] USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2014 Tax Assessment [Member] Tax Year 2008 [Member] Cerro Verde [Member] USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2014 Tax Assessment [Member] Tax Year 2008 [Member] PT Freeport Indonesia [Member] USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2014 Tax Assessment [Member] Tax Year 2009 [Member] Cerro Verde [Member] USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2014 Tax Assessment [Member] Tax Year 2010 [Member] Cerro Verde [Member] USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2014 Tax Assessment [Member] Tax Year 2011 [Member] PT Freeport Indonesia [Member] USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2014 Tax Assessment [Member] Tax Year 2012 [Member] PT Freeport Indonesia [Member] USD ($) | Jun. 30, 2014 Tax Assessment [Member] Tax Year 2012 [Member] PT Freeport Indonesia [Member] USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2014 Tax Assessment [Member] Tax Year 2014 [Member] Cerro Verde [Member] USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2014 Interest and Penalties Assessment [Member] Cerro Verde [Member] USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2014 Interest and Penalties Assessment [Member] PT Freeport Indonesia [Member] USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2014 Interest and Penalties Assessment [Member] Tax Years 2002 To 2005 [Member] Cerro Verde [Member] USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2014 Interest and Penalties Assessment [Member] Tax Year 2005 [Member] PT Freeport Indonesia [Member] USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2014 Interest and Penalties Assessment [Member] Tax Year 2006 [Member] Cerro Verde [Member] USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2014 Interest and Penalties Assessment [Member] Tax Year 2006 [Member] PT Freeport Indonesia [Member] USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2014 Interest and Penalties Assessment [Member] Tax Year 2007 [Member] Cerro Verde [Member] USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2014 Interest and Penalties Assessment [Member] Tax Year 2007 [Member] PT Freeport Indonesia [Member] USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2014 Interest and Penalties Assessment [Member] Tax Year 2008 [Member] Cerro Verde [Member] USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2014 Interest and Penalties Assessment [Member] Tax Year 2008 [Member] PT Freeport Indonesia [Member] USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2014 Interest and Penalties Assessment [Member] Tax Year 2009 [Member] Cerro Verde [Member] USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2014 Interest and Penalties Assessment [Member] Tax Year 2010 [Member] Cerro Verde [Member] USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2014 Interest and Penalties Assessment [Member] Tax Year 2011 [Member] PT Freeport Indonesia [Member] USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2014 Interest and Penalties Assessment [Member] Tax Year 2012 [Member] PT Freeport Indonesia [Member] USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2014 Interest and Penalties Assessment [Member] Tax Year 2014 [Member] Cerro Verde [Member] USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2014 Interest and Penalties Assessment [Member] Relating to the Period October 2006 through December 2008 [Member] Cerro Verde [Member] USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2014 Royalty Tax [Member] Tax Year 2009 [Member] Cerro Verde [Member] USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2014 Royalty Tax [Member] Tax Year 2009 [Member] Cerro Verde [Member] PEN | Jun. 30, 2014 Other Assessments [Member] Tax Year 2012 [Member] PT Freeport Indonesia [Member] USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2014 Other Assets [Member] Cerro Verde [Member] USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2014 Other Assets [Member] PT Freeport Indonesia [Member] USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2014 Other Assets [Member] Royalty Tax [Member] Cerro Verde [Member] USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2014 Other Assets [Member] Royalty Tax [Member] Cerro Verde [Member] PEN | Dec. 31, 2015 Subsequent Event [Member] USD ($)
Site Contingency [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Minimum number of active remediation projects in the United States (in number of projects) | 100 fcx_MinimumNumberOfActiveRemediationProjectsInUnitedStates |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Approximate number of states with active remediation projects (in number of states) | 27 fcx_ApproximateNumberOfStatesHavingActiveRemediationProjects |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Proceeds from Legal Settlements |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 115 us-gaap_ProceedsFromLegalSettlements / us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis = us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
Payments for Legal Settlements |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 22.5 us-gaap_PaymentsForLegalSettlements / us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis = us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
Reasonably Possible Interest Penalties |  |  |  |  | 7.00%fcx_ReasonablyPossibleInterestPenalties / dei_LegalEntityAxis = fcx_CerroVerdeMember / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MinimumMember | 18.00%fcx_ReasonablyPossibleInterestPenalties / dei_LegalEntityAxis = fcx_CerroVerdeMember / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MaximumMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Assessment By Foreign Government of Alleged Obligations, Expressed in Foreign Currency |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 492 fcx_AssessmentByForeignGovernmentofAllegedObligationsExpressedinForeignCurrency / fcx_IncomeTaxYearAxis = fcx_RelatingtothePeriodOctober2006throughDecember2008Member / dei_LegalEntityAxis = fcx_CerroVerdeMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 226 fcx_AssessmentByForeignGovernmentofAllegedObligationsExpressedinForeignCurrency / fcx_IncomeTaxYearAxis = us-gaap_TaxYear2009Member / dei_LegalEntityAxis = fcx_CerroVerdeMember / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = fcx_RoyaltyTaxMember |  |  |  |  |  |
Assessment By Foreign Government Of Alleged Obligations |  |  |  | 442 fcx_AssessmentByForeignGovernmentOfAllegedObligations / dei_LegalEntityAxis = fcx_CerroVerdeMember |  |  | 639 fcx_AssessmentByForeignGovernmentOfAllegedObligations / dei_LegalEntityAxis = fcx_PtFreeportIndonesiaMember | 65 fcx_AssessmentByForeignGovernmentOfAllegedObligations / fcx_IncomeTaxYearAxis = fcx_Relatingto2002to2005Member / dei_LegalEntityAxis = fcx_CerroVerdeMember | 152 fcx_AssessmentByForeignGovernmentOfAllegedObligations / fcx_IncomeTaxYearAxis = fcx_RelatingTo2005Member / dei_LegalEntityAxis = fcx_PtFreeportIndonesiaMember | 52 fcx_AssessmentByForeignGovernmentOfAllegedObligations / fcx_IncomeTaxYearAxis = us-gaap_TaxYear2006Member / dei_LegalEntityAxis = fcx_CerroVerdeMember | 32 fcx_AssessmentByForeignGovernmentOfAllegedObligations / fcx_IncomeTaxYearAxis = us-gaap_TaxYear2006Member / dei_LegalEntityAxis = fcx_PtFreeportIndonesiaMember | 30 fcx_AssessmentByForeignGovernmentOfAllegedObligations / fcx_IncomeTaxYearAxis = us-gaap_TaxYear2007Member / dei_LegalEntityAxis = fcx_CerroVerdeMember | 135 fcx_AssessmentByForeignGovernmentOfAllegedObligations / fcx_IncomeTaxYearAxis = us-gaap_TaxYear2007Member / dei_LegalEntityAxis = fcx_PtFreeportIndonesiaMember | 34 fcx_AssessmentByForeignGovernmentOfAllegedObligations / fcx_IncomeTaxYearAxis = us-gaap_TaxYear2008Member / dei_LegalEntityAxis = fcx_CerroVerdeMember | 114 fcx_AssessmentByForeignGovernmentOfAllegedObligations / fcx_IncomeTaxYearAxis = us-gaap_TaxYear2008Member / dei_LegalEntityAxis = fcx_PtFreeportIndonesiaMember | 108 fcx_AssessmentByForeignGovernmentOfAllegedObligations / fcx_IncomeTaxYearAxis = us-gaap_TaxYear2009Member / dei_LegalEntityAxis = fcx_CerroVerdeMember | 148 fcx_AssessmentByForeignGovernmentOfAllegedObligations / fcx_IncomeTaxYearAxis = us-gaap_TaxYear2010Member / dei_LegalEntityAxis = fcx_CerroVerdeMember | [1] |  | 69 fcx_AssessmentByForeignGovernmentOfAllegedObligations / fcx_IncomeTaxYearAxis = us-gaap_TaxYear2011Member / dei_LegalEntityAxis = fcx_PtFreeportIndonesiaMember |  | 137 fcx_AssessmentByForeignGovernmentOfAllegedObligations / fcx_IncomeTaxYearAxis = us-gaap_TaxYear2012Member / dei_LegalEntityAxis = fcx_PtFreeportIndonesiaMember | 5 fcx_AssessmentByForeignGovernmentOfAllegedObligations / fcx_IncomeTaxYearAxis = us-gaap_LatestTaxYearMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = fcx_CerroVerdeMember |  |  | 165 fcx_AssessmentByForeignGovernmentOfAllegedObligations / fcx_IncomeTaxYearAxis = fcx_RelatingtothePeriodOctober2006throughDecember2008Member / dei_LegalEntityAxis = fcx_CerroVerdeMember |  | 183 fcx_AssessmentByForeignGovernmentOfAllegedObligations / dei_LegalEntityAxis = fcx_CerroVerdeMember / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = fcx_TaxAssessmentMember | 471 fcx_AssessmentByForeignGovernmentOfAllegedObligations / dei_LegalEntityAxis = fcx_PtFreeportIndonesiaMember / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = fcx_TaxAssessmentMember | 16 fcx_AssessmentByForeignGovernmentOfAllegedObligations / fcx_IncomeTaxYearAxis = fcx_Relatingto2002to2005Member / dei_LegalEntityAxis = fcx_CerroVerdeMember / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = fcx_TaxAssessmentMember | 103 fcx_AssessmentByForeignGovernmentOfAllegedObligations / fcx_IncomeTaxYearAxis = fcx_RelatingTo2005Member / dei_LegalEntityAxis = fcx_PtFreeportIndonesiaMember / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = fcx_TaxAssessmentMember | 7 fcx_AssessmentByForeignGovernmentOfAllegedObligations / fcx_IncomeTaxYearAxis = us-gaap_TaxYear2006Member / dei_LegalEntityAxis = fcx_CerroVerdeMember / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = fcx_TaxAssessmentMember | 22 fcx_AssessmentByForeignGovernmentOfAllegedObligations / fcx_IncomeTaxYearAxis = us-gaap_TaxYear2006Member / dei_LegalEntityAxis = fcx_PtFreeportIndonesiaMember / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = fcx_TaxAssessmentMember | 12 fcx_AssessmentByForeignGovernmentOfAllegedObligations / fcx_IncomeTaxYearAxis = us-gaap_TaxYear2007Member / dei_LegalEntityAxis = fcx_CerroVerdeMember / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = fcx_TaxAssessmentMember | 91 fcx_AssessmentByForeignGovernmentOfAllegedObligations / fcx_IncomeTaxYearAxis = us-gaap_TaxYear2007Member / dei_LegalEntityAxis = fcx_PtFreeportIndonesiaMember / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = fcx_TaxAssessmentMember | 21 fcx_AssessmentByForeignGovernmentOfAllegedObligations / fcx_IncomeTaxYearAxis = us-gaap_TaxYear2008Member / dei_LegalEntityAxis = fcx_CerroVerdeMember / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = fcx_TaxAssessmentMember | 62 fcx_AssessmentByForeignGovernmentOfAllegedObligations / fcx_IncomeTaxYearAxis = us-gaap_TaxYear2008Member / dei_LegalEntityAxis = fcx_PtFreeportIndonesiaMember / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = fcx_TaxAssessmentMember | 59 fcx_AssessmentByForeignGovernmentOfAllegedObligations / fcx_IncomeTaxYearAxis = us-gaap_TaxYear2009Member / dei_LegalEntityAxis = fcx_CerroVerdeMember / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = fcx_TaxAssessmentMember | 63 fcx_AssessmentByForeignGovernmentOfAllegedObligations / fcx_IncomeTaxYearAxis = us-gaap_TaxYear2010Member / dei_LegalEntityAxis = fcx_CerroVerdeMember / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = fcx_TaxAssessmentMember | 56 fcx_AssessmentByForeignGovernmentOfAllegedObligations / fcx_IncomeTaxYearAxis = us-gaap_TaxYear2011Member / dei_LegalEntityAxis = fcx_PtFreeportIndonesiaMember / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = fcx_TaxAssessmentMember | 137 fcx_AssessmentByForeignGovernmentOfAllegedObligations / fcx_IncomeTaxYearAxis = us-gaap_TaxYear2012Member / dei_LegalEntityAxis = fcx_PtFreeportIndonesiaMember / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = fcx_TaxAssessmentMember | 137 fcx_AssessmentByForeignGovernmentOfAllegedObligations / fcx_IncomeTaxYearAxis = us-gaap_TaxYear2012Member / dei_LegalEntityAxis = fcx_PtFreeportIndonesiaMember / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = fcx_TaxAssessmentMember | 5 fcx_AssessmentByForeignGovernmentOfAllegedObligations / fcx_IncomeTaxYearAxis = us-gaap_LatestTaxYearMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = fcx_CerroVerdeMember / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = fcx_TaxAssessmentMember | 259 fcx_AssessmentByForeignGovernmentOfAllegedObligations / dei_LegalEntityAxis = fcx_CerroVerdeMember / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = fcx_InterestAssessmentMember | 168 fcx_AssessmentByForeignGovernmentOfAllegedObligations / dei_LegalEntityAxis = fcx_PtFreeportIndonesiaMember / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = fcx_InterestAssessmentMember | 49 fcx_AssessmentByForeignGovernmentOfAllegedObligations / fcx_IncomeTaxYearAxis = fcx_Relatingto2002to2005Member / dei_LegalEntityAxis = fcx_CerroVerdeMember / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = fcx_InterestAssessmentMember | 49 fcx_AssessmentByForeignGovernmentOfAllegedObligations / fcx_IncomeTaxYearAxis = fcx_RelatingTo2005Member / dei_LegalEntityAxis = fcx_PtFreeportIndonesiaMember / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = fcx_InterestAssessmentMember | 45 fcx_AssessmentByForeignGovernmentOfAllegedObligations / fcx_IncomeTaxYearAxis = us-gaap_TaxYear2006Member / dei_LegalEntityAxis = fcx_CerroVerdeMember / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = fcx_InterestAssessmentMember | 10 fcx_AssessmentByForeignGovernmentOfAllegedObligations / fcx_IncomeTaxYearAxis = us-gaap_TaxYear2006Member / dei_LegalEntityAxis = fcx_PtFreeportIndonesiaMember / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = fcx_InterestAssessmentMember | 18 fcx_AssessmentByForeignGovernmentOfAllegedObligations / fcx_IncomeTaxYearAxis = us-gaap_TaxYear2007Member / dei_LegalEntityAxis = fcx_CerroVerdeMember / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = fcx_InterestAssessmentMember | 44 fcx_AssessmentByForeignGovernmentOfAllegedObligations / fcx_IncomeTaxYearAxis = us-gaap_TaxYear2007Member / dei_LegalEntityAxis = fcx_PtFreeportIndonesiaMember / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = fcx_InterestAssessmentMember | 13 fcx_AssessmentByForeignGovernmentOfAllegedObligations / fcx_IncomeTaxYearAxis = us-gaap_TaxYear2008Member / dei_LegalEntityAxis = fcx_CerroVerdeMember / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = fcx_InterestAssessmentMember | 52 fcx_AssessmentByForeignGovernmentOfAllegedObligations / fcx_IncomeTaxYearAxis = us-gaap_TaxYear2008Member / dei_LegalEntityAxis = fcx_PtFreeportIndonesiaMember / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = fcx_InterestAssessmentMember | 49 fcx_AssessmentByForeignGovernmentOfAllegedObligations / fcx_IncomeTaxYearAxis = us-gaap_TaxYear2009Member / dei_LegalEntityAxis = fcx_CerroVerdeMember / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = fcx_InterestAssessmentMember | 85 fcx_AssessmentByForeignGovernmentOfAllegedObligations / fcx_IncomeTaxYearAxis = us-gaap_TaxYear2010Member / dei_LegalEntityAxis = fcx_CerroVerdeMember / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = fcx_InterestAssessmentMember | 13 fcx_AssessmentByForeignGovernmentOfAllegedObligations / fcx_IncomeTaxYearAxis = us-gaap_TaxYear2011Member / dei_LegalEntityAxis = fcx_PtFreeportIndonesiaMember / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = fcx_InterestAssessmentMember | 0 fcx_AssessmentByForeignGovernmentOfAllegedObligations / fcx_IncomeTaxYearAxis = us-gaap_TaxYear2012Member / dei_LegalEntityAxis = fcx_PtFreeportIndonesiaMember / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = fcx_InterestAssessmentMember | 0 fcx_AssessmentByForeignGovernmentOfAllegedObligations / fcx_IncomeTaxYearAxis = us-gaap_LatestTaxYearMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = fcx_CerroVerdeMember / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = fcx_InterestAssessmentMember | 97 fcx_AssessmentByForeignGovernmentOfAllegedObligations / fcx_IncomeTaxYearAxis = fcx_RelatingtothePeriodOctober2006throughDecember2008Member / dei_LegalEntityAxis = fcx_CerroVerdeMember / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = fcx_InterestAssessmentMember | 76 fcx_AssessmentByForeignGovernmentOfAllegedObligations / fcx_IncomeTaxYearAxis = us-gaap_TaxYear2009Member / dei_LegalEntityAxis = fcx_CerroVerdeMember / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = fcx_RoyaltyTaxMember |  | 15 fcx_AssessmentByForeignGovernmentOfAllegedObligations / fcx_IncomeTaxYearAxis = us-gaap_TaxYear2012Member / dei_LegalEntityAxis = fcx_PtFreeportIndonesiaMember / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = fcx_OtherAssessmentsMember |  |  |  |  |
Assessment By Foreign Government Of Alleged Obligations, Net of Noncontrolling Interest |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 88 fcx_AssessmentByForeignGovernmentOfAllegedObligationsNetofNoncontrollingInterest / fcx_IncomeTaxYearAxis = fcx_RelatingtothePeriodOctober2006throughDecember2008Member / dei_LegalEntityAxis = fcx_CerroVerdeMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 41 fcx_AssessmentByForeignGovernmentOfAllegedObligationsNetofNoncontrollingInterest / fcx_IncomeTaxYearAxis = us-gaap_TaxYear2009Member / dei_LegalEntityAxis = fcx_CerroVerdeMember / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = fcx_RoyaltyTaxMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Duration of Deferred Payment under Installment Program |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 6 months | 6 months |
Number of Installment Payments under Installment Program |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 66 fcx_NumberofInstallmentPaymentsunderInstallmentProgram / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = us-gaap_OtherAssetsMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = fcx_CerroVerdeMember / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = fcx_RoyaltyTaxMember | 66 fcx_NumberofInstallmentPaymentsunderInstallmentProgram / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = us-gaap_OtherAssetsMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = fcx_CerroVerdeMember / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = fcx_RoyaltyTaxMember |
Disputed Tax Assessments Receivable |  |  |  |  |  |  | 359 fcx_DisputedTaxAssessmentsReceivable / dei_LegalEntityAxis = fcx_PtFreeportIndonesiaMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 22 fcx_DisputedTaxAssessmentsReceivable / fcx_IncomeTaxYearAxis = us-gaap_TaxYear2011Member / dei_LegalEntityAxis = fcx_PtFreeportIndonesiaMember |  |  |  |  | 126 fcx_DisputedTaxAssessmentsReceivable / fcx_IncomeTaxYearAxis = fcx_RelatingTo2005and2007Member / dei_LegalEntityAxis = fcx_PtFreeportIndonesiaMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 192 fcx_DisputedTaxAssessmentsReceivable / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = us-gaap_OtherAssetsMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = fcx_CerroVerdeMember | 279 fcx_DisputedTaxAssessmentsReceivable / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = us-gaap_OtherAssetsMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = fcx_PtFreeportIndonesiaMember | 40 fcx_DisputedTaxAssessmentsReceivable / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = us-gaap_OtherAssetsMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = fcx_CerroVerdeMember / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = fcx_RoyaltyTaxMember |  |
Disputed Tax Assessments Receivable, Expressed in Foreign Currency |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 113 fcx_DisputedTaxAssessmentsReceivableExpressedinForeignCurrency / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = us-gaap_OtherAssetsMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = fcx_CerroVerdeMember / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = fcx_RoyaltyTaxMember |
Tax Overpayment, Amount Agreed to by Tax Authority |  |  |  |  |  |  | 291 fcx_TaxOverpaymentAmountAgreedtobyTaxAuthority / dei_LegalEntityAxis = fcx_PtFreeportIndonesiaMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Tax Overpayment |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 313 fcx_TaxOverpayment / fcx_IncomeTaxYearAxis = us-gaap_TaxYear2011Member / dei_LegalEntityAxis = fcx_PtFreeportIndonesiaMember |  | 303 fcx_TaxOverpayment / fcx_IncomeTaxYearAxis = us-gaap_TaxYear2012Member / dei_LegalEntityAxis = fcx_PtFreeportIndonesiaMember |  | 267 fcx_TaxOverpayment / fcx_IncomeTaxYearAxis = us-gaap_LatestTaxYearMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = fcx_PtFreeportIndonesiaMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Proceeds from Income Tax Refunds | 257 us-gaap_ProceedsFromIncomeTaxRefunds | 270 us-gaap_ProceedsFromIncomeTaxRefunds | 69 us-gaap_ProceedsFromIncomeTaxRefunds |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 165 us-gaap_ProceedsFromIncomeTaxRefunds / fcx_IncomeTaxYearAxis = us-gaap_TaxYear2011Member / dei_LegalEntityAxis = fcx_PtFreeportIndonesiaMember |  | 151 us-gaap_ProceedsFromIncomeTaxRefunds / fcx_IncomeTaxYearAxis = us-gaap_TaxYear2012Member / dei_LegalEntityAxis = fcx_PtFreeportIndonesiaMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Value Added Tax Receivable |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 269 us-gaap_ValueAddedTaxReceivable / dei_LegalEntityAxis = fcx_PtFreeportIndonesiaMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
[1] | The tax assessment for the year 2010 was issued in February 2015.

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