XML 64 R47.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.8.0.1

Contingencies and Commitments (Unaudited) (Details) |  | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | 45 Months Ended
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Jan. 01, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($) site | Jun. 30, 2017 USD ($) | Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($) site | Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($) | Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($) site
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Stability Agreement, Term | 15 years |  |  |  |  |
Payments for Legal Settlements |  |  |  | $ 32,000,000 | $ 20,000,000 |
Progressive Export Duty on Copper Concentrates, Lower Threshold, Percent |  |  |  | 5.00% |  |
PT Freeport Indonesia [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Income Tax Examination, Penalties and Interest Accrued |  | $ 0 |  | $ 0 |  | $ 0
Tax Authority, In Papau, Indonesia [Member] | Relating to 2011 through 2015 [Member] | PT Freeport Indonesia [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingency, Estimate of Possible Loss |  | 402,000,000 |  | 402,000,000 |  | 402,000,000
Tax Authority, In Papau, Indonesia [Member] | Relating to 2016 through nine-months 2017 [Member] [Member] | PT Freeport Indonesia [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingency, Estimate of Possible Loss |  | 114,000,000 |  | 114,000,000 |  | 114,000,000
Tax Authority, In Papau, Indonesia [Member] | Relating to 2011 through 2017 [Member] | PT Freeport Indonesia [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingency, Estimate of Possible Loss |  | 516,000,000 |  | $ 516,000,000 |  | $ 516,000,000
Borough of Carteret [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies, Charges to Expense for New Losses |  | $ 59,000,000 |  |  |  |
Uranium Mining Sites on Tribal Land [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Site Contingency, Number Of Sites | site |  | 94 |  | 94 |  | 94
Environmental accrual, revision in estimate |  |  | $ (41,000,000) |  |  |
Cerro Verde Royalty Dispute [Member] | Pending Litigation [Member] | Tax Year 2009 to Tax Year 2013 [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingency, Estimate of Possible Loss |  | $ 360,000,000 |  | $ 360,000,000 |  | $ 360,000,000
Unfavorable Regulatory Action [Member] | Cerro Verde Royalty Dispute [Member] | Judicial Ruling [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingency, Loss in Period |  | 357,000,000 |  |  |  |
Loss Contingency, Loss In Period, Attributable To Parent |  | 188,000,000 |  |  |  |
Loss Contingency, Loss in Period, Including Tax Charges |  | 359,000,000 |  |  |  |
Royalty Assessments [Member] | October 2011 to Tax Year 2013 [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingency, Loss in Period |  | 0 |  |  |  |
Royalty Assessments [Member] | Cerro Verde Royalty Dispute [Member] | Judicial Ruling [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingency, Loss in Period |  | 240,000,000 |  |  |  |
Royalty Assessments [Member] | Cerro Verde Royalty Dispute [Member] | Judicial Ruling [Member] | Tax Year 2006 To Tax Year 2008 [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Payments for Legal Settlements |  |  |  |  |  | 135,000,000
Royalty Assessments, Penalties And Interests [Member] | Cerro Verde Royalty Dispute [Member] | Judicial Ruling [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingency, Loss in Period |  | 147,000,000 |  |  |  |
Royalty Assessments, Taxes [Member] | Cerro Verde Royalty Dispute [Member] | Judicial Ruling [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingency, Loss in Period |  | 97,000,000 |  |  |  |
Penalties [Member] | Tax Authority, In Papau, Indonesia [Member] | Relating to 2011 through 2015 [Member] | PT Freeport Indonesia [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingency, Estimate of Possible Loss |  | 240,000,000 |  | 240,000,000 |  | 240,000,000
Parent Company [Member] | Cerro Verde Royalty Dispute [Member] | Pending Litigation [Member] | Tax Year 2009 to Tax Year 2013 [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingency, Estimate of Possible Loss |  | $ 193,000,000 |  | $ 193,000,000 |  | $ 193,000,000

X
- Definition Loss Contingency, Loss In Period, Attributable To Parent + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | fcx_LossContingencyLossInPeriodAttributableToParent
Namespace Prefix: | fcx_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Loss Contingency, Loss in Period, Including Tax Charges + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | fcx_LossContingencyLossinPeriodIncludingTaxCharges
Namespace Prefix: | fcx_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Progressive Export Duty on Copper Concentrates, Lower Threshold, Percent + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | fcx_ProgressiveExportDutyonCopperConcentratesLowerThresholdPercent
Namespace Prefix: | fcx_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Site Contingency, Number Of Sites + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | fcx_SiteContingencyNumberOfSites
Namespace Prefix: | fcx_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Stability Agreement, Term + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | fcx_StabilityAgreementTerm
Namespace Prefix: | fcx_
Data Type: | xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of expense for newly incurred environmental loss contingencies. Includes, but is not limited to, remediation expense and interest accretion. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 5.Y.Q2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011672&loc=d3e149879-122751 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingenciesChargesToExpenseForNewLosses
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of expense (reversal of expense) which increases (decreases) the accrual for environmental loss contingencies from revisions in estimates to existing obligations. Excludes changes related to business acquisitions, divestitures, or currency movement. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 5.Y.Q2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011672&loc=d3e149879-122751 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingenciesIncreaseDecreaseForRevisionInEstimates
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount of estimated penalties and interest accrued as of the balance sheet date arising from income tax examinations. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 15 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84230637&loc=d3e32718-109319 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_IncomeTaxExaminationPenaltiesAndInterestAccrued
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Reflects the estimated amount of loss from the specified contingency as of the balance sheet date. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82911808&loc=d3e14435-108349 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 9 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82911808&loc=d3e14557-108349 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingencyEstimateOfPossibleLoss
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The amount of loss pertaining to the specified contingency that was charged against earnings in the period, including the effects of revisions in previously reported estimates. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82911808&loc=d3e14326-108349 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingencyLossInPeriod
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount of cash paid for the settlement of litigation or for other legal issues during the period. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 25 -Subparagraph (g) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98514028&loc=d3e3536-108585 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_PaymentsForLegalSettlements
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | dei_LegalEntityAxis=fcx_PtFreeportIndonesiaMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityAxis=fcx_TaxAuthorityInPapauIndonesiaMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_TaxPeriodAxis=fcx_Relatingto2011through2015Member
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_TaxPeriodAxis=fcx_RelatingtoJanuary2016throughSeptember2017Member
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_TaxPeriodAxis=fcx_Relatingto2011through2017Member
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_EnvironmentalRemediationSiteAxis=fcx_BoroughofCarteretMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_EnvironmentalRemediationSiteAxis=fcx_UraniumMiningSitesonTribalLandMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis=fcx_CerroVerdeRoyaltyDisputeMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_LitigationStatusAxis=us-gaap_PendingLitigationMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_TaxPeriodAxis=fcx_TaxYear2009toTaxYear2013Member
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis=us-gaap_UnfavorableRegulatoryActionMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_LitigationStatusAxis=us-gaap_JudicialRulingMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis=fcx_RoyaltyAssessmentsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_TaxPeriodAxis=fcx_October2011toTaxYear2013Member
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_TaxPeriodAxis=fcx_TaxYear2006ToTaxYear2008Member
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis=fcx_RoyaltyAssessmentsPenaltiesAndInterestsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis=fcx_RoyaltyAssessmentsTaxesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis=fcx_PenaltiesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis=us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |