Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Cash flow from operating activities:
Net income	$ 2,482	$ 3,035
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	1,778	856
Net losses on oil and gas derivative contracts	205	0
Gain on investment in McMoRan Exploration Co. (MMR)	(128)	0
Stock-based compensation	94	77
Pension plans contributions	(62)	(114)
Net charges for reclamation and environmental obligations, including accretion	98	64
Payments for reclamation and environmental obligations	(166)	(148)
Losses on early extinguishment of debt	45	168
Deferred income taxes	169	223
Increase in long-term mill and leach stockpiles	(348)	(184)
Other, net	65	71
(Increases) decreases in working capital and other tax payments, excluding amounts from acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	51	(603)
Inventories	(66)	(581)
Other current assets	162	(33)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(596)	78
Accrued income taxes and other tax payments	(40)	(400)
Net cash provided by operating activities	3,743	2,509
Capital expenditures:
North America copper mines	(795)	(568)
South America	(734)	(659)
Indonesia	(720)	(624)
Africa	(155)	(428)
Molybdenum mines	(128)	(189)
Oil and gas operations	(928)	0
Other	(163)	(50)
Acquisition of Plains Exploration & Production Company, net of cash acquired	(3,465)	0
Acquisition of MMR, net of cash acquired	(1,628)	0
Acquisition of cobalt chemical business, net of cash acquired	(348)	0
Restricted cash and other, net	(24)	(19)
Net cash used in investing activities	(9,088)	(2,537)
Cash flow from financing activities:
Proceeds from debt	11,229	3,023
Repayments of debt	(4,816)	(3,179)
Redemption of MMR preferred stock	(227)	0
Cash dividends and distributions paid:
Common stock	(1,957)	(832)
Noncontrolling interests	(157)	(76)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	0	15
Debt financing costs	(113)	(22)
Net payments for stock-based awards	(101)	(3)
Excess tax benefit from stock-based awards	1	7
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	3,859	(1,067)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(1,486)	(1,095)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	3,705	4,822
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 2,219	$ 3,727