CONTINGENCIES (Asset Retirement Obligations) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Asset Retirement Obligation, Roll Forward Analysis [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of year	$ 921		$ 856		$ 731
Liabilities incurred	6		9		5
Revisions to cash flow estimates	211	[1]	48	[1]	105	[1]
Accretion expense	55		58		54
Spending	(47)		(49)		(38)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	0		(1)		(1)
Balance at beginning of year	1,146		921		856
Less current portion	(55)		(31)		(69)
Long-term portion	1,091		890		787
Financial Assurance Obligations Associated With Closure And Reclamation Costs	970
Financial Assurance Obligations Associated With Closure And Reclamation Costs In Form Of Parent Company Guarantees And Financial Capability Demonstrations	601
Legally Restricted Funds For Asset Retirement Obligations	161		151
Outstanding Standby Letters Of Credit	98
New Mexico environmental and reclamation programs [Member]
Asset Retirement Obligation, Roll Forward Analysis [Roll Forward]
Accrued reclamation and closure costs	476
Arizona environmental and reclamation programs [Member]
Asset Retirement Obligation, Roll Forward Analysis [Roll Forward]
Accrued reclamation and closure costs	240
Colorado Environmental And Reclamation Programs [Member]
Asset Retirement Obligation, Roll Forward Analysis [Roll Forward]
Accrued reclamation and closure costs	47
Chile environmental and reclamation programs [Member]
Asset Retirement Obligation, Roll Forward Analysis [Roll Forward]
Accrued reclamation and closure costs	54
Peru Environmental and Reclamation Programs [Member]
Asset Retirement Obligation, Roll Forward Analysis [Roll Forward]
Accrued reclamation and closure costs	89
Outstanding Standby Letters Of Credit	9
PT Freeport Indonesia environmental and reclamation programs [Member]
Asset Retirement Obligation, Roll Forward Analysis [Roll Forward]
Accrued reclamation and closure costs	195
Estimated years the mining activities are expected to continue (in years)	30 years
Long-term receivable held in long-term receivables for joint venture partner's share of reclamation and closure costs	18
Current cash balance of reclamation fund	16
Scenario, Forecast [Member] | Minimum [Member] | PT Freeport Indonesia environmental and reclamation programs [Member]
Asset Retirement Obligation, Roll Forward Analysis [Roll Forward]
Current cash balance of reclamation fund	$ 100

[1] Revisions to cash flow estimates were primarily related to updated closure plans that included revised cost estimates and accelerated timing of certain closure activities.