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DEBT (Details) |  |  |  | 1 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended |  |  |  |  |  |  |
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Sep. 30, 2018 | Mar. 31, 2018 | Sep. 30, 2017 | Nov. 30, 2013 USD ($) | May 31, 2013 USD ($) | Mar. 30, 2013 USD ($) | Feb. 29, 2012 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) payment | Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($) | Dec. 30, 2016 USD ($) | May 31, 2016 USD ($) | Nov. 30, 2014 USD ($) | May 31, 2014 USD ($) | Mar. 31, 2013 USD ($) | Mar. 07, 2013 USD ($) | Feb. 28, 2012 USD ($)
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 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 4,000,000,000.0 |  |
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 |  |  |  |  |  | $ 6,500,000,000.0 |
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 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 1,500,000,000.0 |
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 |  |  |  |  | $ 1,000,000,000.0 |
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 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 2,000,000,000.0 |
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 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 2,000,000,000.0 |
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 |  |  |  |  | 6,400,000,000.0 |  |  |  |  | 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 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 1,800,000,000.0 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
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 |  |  |  |  | $ 3,000,000,000.0 |  |  |  |  | 3,500,000,000.0 |  |  |  |  |  | $ 4,000,000,000.0 |  |  |
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% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |

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- Definition Amount of borrowing capacity currently available under the credit facility considering any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed (for example, borrowings may be limited by the amount of current assets), but without considering any amounts currently outstanding under the facility, expressed as a percentage of the maximum borrowing capacity. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Amount of currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. Includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits. Excludes cash and cash equivalents within disposal group and discontinued operation. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Cash -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6506951 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
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