Stockpiles and Ore on Leach Pads - by location (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Stockpiles And Ore On Leach Pads
Current stockpiles and ore on leach pads	$ 782	$ 666
Long-term stockpiles and ore on leach pads	3,014	2,820
Stockpiles and ore on leach pads	3,796	3,486
Stockpiles
Stockpiles And Ore On Leach Pads
Current stockpiles and ore on leach pads	520	445
Long-term stockpiles and ore on leach pads	2,619	2,599
Ore on Leach Pads
Stockpiles And Ore On Leach Pads
Current stockpiles and ore on leach pads	262	221
Long-term stockpiles and ore on leach pads	395	221
Operating Segments | Carlin
Stockpiles And Ore On Leach Pads
Stockpiles and ore on leach pads	408	399
Operating Segments | Phoenix
Stockpiles And Ore On Leach Pads
Stockpiles and ore on leach pads	104	103
Operating Segments | Twin Creeks
Stockpiles And Ore On Leach Pads
Stockpiles and ore on leach pads	308	285
Operating Segments | Cripple Creek & Victor mine
Stockpiles And Ore On Leach Pads
Stockpiles and ore on leach pads	220
Operating Segments | Yanacocha
Stockpiles And Ore On Leach Pads
Stockpiles and ore on leach pads	480	459
Operating Segments | Boddington
Stockpiles And Ore On Leach Pads
Stockpiles and ore on leach pads	391	390
Operating Segments | Tanami
Stockpiles And Ore On Leach Pads
Stockpiles and ore on leach pads	8	14
Operating Segments | Waihi
Stockpiles And Ore On Leach Pads
Stockpiles and ore on leach pads	1	2
Operating Segments | Kalgoorlie
Stockpiles And Ore On Leach Pads
Stockpiles and ore on leach pads	109	116
Operating Segments | Batu Hijau
Stockpiles And Ore On Leach Pads
Stockpiles and ore on leach pads	1,215	1,242
Operating Segments | Ahafo
Stockpiles And Ore On Leach Pads
Stockpiles and ore on leach pads	433	376
Operating Segments | Akyem
Stockpiles And Ore On Leach Pads
Stockpiles and ore on leach pads	116	$ 100
Corporate and other
Stockpiles And Ore On Leach Pads
Stockpiles and ore on leach pads	$ 3