Name:	fcx_OtherContingenciesByLocationLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	fcx_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Amount of other surety bonds as of the balance sheet date.

No definition available.

Name:	fcx_OtherSuretyBonds
Namespace Prefix:	fcx_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Outstanding stand-by letters of credit as of the balance sheet date, primarily for reclamation and environmental obligations and workers; compensation insurance program.

No definition available.

Name:	fcx_OutstandingStandbyLettersOfCredit
Namespace Prefix:	fcx_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Outstanding surety bonds as of the balance sheet date, primarily for reclamation and environmental obligations and workers; compensation insurance program.

No definition available.

Name:	fcx_OutstandingSuretyBondsTotal
Namespace Prefix:	fcx_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Portion of outstanding surety bonds related to reclamation and environmental obligations.

No definition available.

Name:	fcx_PortionOfSuretyBondsRelatedToReclamationAndClosingCosts
Namespace Prefix:	fcx_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Portion of outstanding surety bonds related to workers compensation self-insurance.

No definition available.

Name:	fcx_PortionOfSuretyBondsRelatedToWorkersCompensationSelfInsurance
Namespace Prefix:	fcx_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Carrying amount (including both current and noncurrent portions) of accrued known and estimated losses incurred as of the balance sheet date for which no insurance coverage exists, and for which a claim has been made or is probable of being asserted, typically arising from workmen's compensation-type of incidents and personal injury to nonemployees from accidents on the entity's property.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.24)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Name:	us-gaap_SelfInsuranceReserve
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Carrying amount of accrued known and estimated losses incurred as of the balance sheet date for which no insurance coverage exists, and for which a claim has been made or is probable of being asserted, typically arising from workmen's compensation-type of incidents and personal injury to nonemployees from accidents on the entity's property that are expected to be paid within one year (or the normal operating cycle, if longer).

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_SelfInsuranceReserveCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Carrying amount of accrued known and estimated losses incurred as of the balance sheet date for which no insurance coverage exists, and for which a claim has been made or is probable of being asserted, typically arising from workmen's compensation-type of incidents and personal injury to nonemployees from accidents on the entity's property that are expected to be paid after one year (or the normal operating cycle, if longer).

No definition available.