COMMITMENTS AND GUARANTEES (Community Development Programs) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012 PT Freeport Indonesia [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 PT Freeport Indonesia [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 PT Freeport Indonesia [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Peru [Member]	Dec. 31, 2006 Peru [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Tenke Fungurume [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Tenke Fungurume [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Tenke Fungurume [Member]
Contractual obligations community development programs [line items]
Percentage of annual revenue committed for the development of the local people in the area of operations	1.00%
Amount charged to cost of sales for the commitment	$ 39	$ 50	$ 64	$ 41		$ 4	$ 4	$ 3
Period companies will make contributions to local development					5 years
Percentage of after-tax profits for the contributions				3.75%
Percentage of after-tax profits contributed to a local mining fund				2.75%
Percentage of after-tax profits contributed to a regional mining fund				1.00%
Percentage of net sales revenue from production to community development fund to assist the local communities with development of local infrastructure and related services						0.30%