COMMITMENTS AND GUARANTEES (Mining Contracts) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Contractual obligations mining contracts [line items]
Number of Extention Periods Available Under Mining Contract	2
PT Freeport Indonesia [Member]
Contractual obligations mining contracts [line items]
Period For Option To Extend Mining Contract	10 years
Number Of Years Working With Foreign Government	40 years
Gold And Silver Sales Royalty Rate (in hundredths)	1.00%
Quantity of ore produced subject to additional royalties	200,000
Royalty Expense	$ 93	$ 137	$ 156
Tenke Fungurume [Member]
Contractual obligations mining contracts [line items]
Royalty Expense	25	24	20
Royalty Rate Payable Under Amended And Restated Mining Convention (in hundredths)	2.00%
Percentage of mining property owned by the company	56.00%	57.75%
Conversion of intercompany loans	$ 50
Minimum [Member] | PT Freeport Indonesia [Member]
Contractual obligations mining contracts [line items]
Copper Royalty Rate Payable (in hundredths)	1.50%
Price Of Copper Per Pound	0.90
Maximum [Member] | PT Freeport Indonesia [Member]
Contractual obligations mining contracts [line items]
Copper Royalty Rate Payable (in hundredths)	3.50%
Price Of Copper Per Pound	1.10