Debt Instrument, Redemption Date

Name:	fcx_DebtInstrumentRedemptionDate
Namespace Prefix:	fcx
Data Type:	xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Per share impact of the gain or loss on the extinguishment of debt, net of applicable taxes.

+ Details

Name:	fcx_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebtEffectOnDilutedEarningsPerShare
Namespace Prefix:	fcx
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The difference between the reacquisition price and the net carrying amount of the extinguished debt recognized currently as a component of income in the period of extinguishment, net of tax.

+ Details

Name:	fcx_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebtEffectOnNetIncome
Namespace Prefix:	fcx
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The percentage by which the principal balance is multiplied to calculate the redemption price of the outstanding note.

+ Details

Name:	fcx_RedemptionPricePercentageToPrincipalAmount
Namespace Prefix:	fcx
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Interest rate stated in the contractual debt agreement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 22
-Article 5

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 210.5-02.22(a)(1))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The cash outflow for the extinguishment of long-term borrowing, with the highest claim on the assets of the entity in case of bankruptcy or liquidation, before its maturity.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 15
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3291-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 18
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 20
-Subparagraph b
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Financing Activities
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6513228

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EarlyRepaymentOfSeniorDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Gross amount of debt extinguished.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- 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.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount represents the difference between the fair value of the payments made and the carrying amount of the debt at the time of its extinguishment.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 50
-Section 40
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6850294&loc=d3e12355-112629

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)
-Number 26
-Paragraph 20, 21
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 50
-Section 40
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6850294&loc=d3e12317-112629

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Debt and Equity Transactions (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Extinguishment of Debt [Line Items]
Losses on early extinguishment of debt	$ 61	$ 50	$ 68	$ 77
Long-term Debt [Member]
Extinguishment of Debt [Line Items]
Losses on early extinguishment of debt		28		55
Loss on early extinguishment of debt, effect on net income attributable to common stockholders		23		46
Loss on early extinguishment of debt, effect on net income per diluted share (in dollars per share)		$ 0.03		$ 0.05
Long-term Debt [Member] \| Senior Notes Due 2031 [Member]
Extinguishment of Debt [Line Items]
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount	35
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate (in hundredths)	9.50%		9.50%
Early Repayment Of Senior Debt	49
Losses on early extinguishment of debt	6		6
Loss on early extinguishment of debt, effect on net income attributable to common stockholders	5		5
Loss on early extinguishment of debt, effect on net income per diluted share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01		$ 0.01
Long-term Debt [Member] \| Senior Notes Due 2015 [Member]
Extinguishment of Debt [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Date	Apr. 01, 2011
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount	1,100	85		218
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate (in hundredths)	8.25%		8.25%
Early Repayment Of Senior Debt		92		237
Redemption price percentage to principal amount (in hundredths)	104.125%
Losses on early extinguishment of debt	55		55
Loss on early extinguishment of debt, effect on net income attributable to common stockholders	49		49
Loss on early extinguishment of debt, effect on net income per diluted share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.05		$ 0.05
Long-term Debt [Member] \| Senior Notes Due 2017 [Member]
Extinguishment of Debt [Line Items]
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount		193		329
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate (in hundredths)	8.375%		8.375%
Early Repayment Of Senior Debt		210		358
Long-term Debt [Member] \| Senior Floating Rates Notes Due 2015 [Member]
Extinguishment of Debt [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Date		Apr. 01, 2010
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount		1,000
Redemption price percentage to principal amount (in hundredths)		101.00%
Losses on early extinguishment of debt		22		22
Loss on early extinguishment of debt, effect on net income attributable to common stockholders		19		19
Loss on early extinguishment of debt, effect on net income per diluted share (in dollars per share)		$ 0.02		$ 0.02
Line of Credit [Member]
Extinguishment of Debt [Line Items]
Losses on early extinguishment of debt			7
Loss on early extinguishment of debt, effect on net income attributable to common stockholders			$ 6
Loss on early extinguishment of debt, effect on net income per diluted share (in dollars per share)			$ 0.01