COMMITMENTS AND GUARANTEES	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Guarantees [Abstract]
Commitments and Guarantees	COMMITMENTS AND GUARANTEES Operating Leases. FCX leases various types of properties, including offices, aircraft and equipment. Future minimum rentals under non-cancelable leases at December 31, 2014, total $44 million in 2015, $44 million in 2016, $42 million in 2017, $36 million in 2018, $23 million in 2019 and $165 million thereafter. Minimum payments under operating leases have not been reduced by aggregate minimum sublease rentals, which are minimal. Total aggregate rental expense under operating leases was $96 million in 2014, $96 million in 2013 and $77 million in 2012. Contractual Obligations. Based on applicable prices at December 31, 2014, FCX has unconditional purchase obligations of $4.3 billion, primarily comprising minimum commitments for deepwater drillships to be utilized in the GOM drilling campaign ($1.8 billion), transportation services ($732 million), the procurement of copper concentrates ($572 million), electricity ($316 million) and deferred premium costs and future interest on crude oil derivative contracts ($231 million), which is expected to be paid once the options settle (refer to Note 14 for further discussion of the amounts recorded at December 31, 2014). Some of FCX’s unconditional purchase obligations are settled based on the prevailing market rate for the service or commodity purchased. In some cases, the amount of the actual obligation may change over time because of market conditions. Drillship obligations provide for an operating rate over the contractual term upon delivery of the drillship. Transportation obligations are primarily for South America contracted ocean freight and FM O&G contracted gathering. Obligations for copper concentrates provide for deliveries of specified volumes to Atlantic Copper at market-based prices. Electricity obligations are primarily for contractual minimum demand at the South America mines. FCX’s future commitments associated with unconditional purchase obligations total $2.1 billion in 2015, $1.0 billion in 2016, $707 million in 2017, $111 million in 2018, $119 million in 2019 and $204 million thereafter, of which $210 million was accrued at December 31, 2014, related to deferred premiums and interest on crude oil derivative contracts. During the three-year period ended December 31, 2014, FCX fulfilled its minimum contractual purchase obligations. Mining Contracts — Indonesia. FCX is entitled to mine in Indonesia under the COW between PT-FI and the Government of Indonesia. The original COW was entered into in 1967 and was replaced with the current COW in 1991. The initial term of the current COW expires in 2021 but can be extended by PT-FI for two 10-year periods subject to Indonesian government approval, which pursuant to the COW cannot be withheld or delayed unreasonably. PT-FI is currently engaged in discussions with the Indonesian government related to the amendment and extension of its contractual and operating rights for the two ten-year extension periods. The copper royalty rate payable by PT-FI under its COW, prior to modifications discussed below as a result of a recent Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) entered into with the Indonesian government, varied from 1.5 percent of copper net revenue at a copper price of $0.90 or less per pound to 3.5 percent at a copper price of $1.10 or more per pound. The COW royalty rate for gold and silver sales was at a fixed rate of 1.0 percent. A large part of the mineral royalties under Indonesian government regulations is designated to the provinces from which the minerals are extracted. In connection with its fourth concentrator mill expansion completed in 1998, PT-FI agreed to pay the Government of Indonesia additional royalties (royalties not required by the COW) to provide further support to the local governments and the people of the Indonesian province of Papua. The additional royalties, prior to modifications discussed below as a result of a recent MOU, were paid on production exceeding specified annual amounts of copper, gold and silver generated when PT-FI’s milling facilities operated above 200,000 metric tons of ore per day. The additional royalty for copper equaled the COW royalty rate, and for gold and silver equaled twice the COW royalty rates. Therefore, PT-FI’s royalty rate on copper net revenues from production above the agreed levels was double the COW royalty rate, and the royalty rates on gold and silver sales from production above the agreed levels were triple the COW royalty rates. In 2009, Indonesia enacted a mining law (2009 Mining Law), which operates under a licensing system that is less protective of licensees than the contract of work system that governs PT-FI. The 2009 Mining Law and the regulations issued pursuant to that law provide that contracts of work would continue to be honored until their expiration. However, the regulations, including those issued in January 2014 as discussed below, attempt to apply certain provisions of the 2009 Mining Law and regulations to existing contracts of work and seek to apply the licensing system to any extension periods of contracts of work. In January 2012, the President of Indonesia issued a decree calling for the creation of a team of Ministers to evaluate contracts of work for adjustment to the 2009 Mining Law and to take steps to assess and determine the Indonesian government's position on reduction to the size of contract concessions, increasing government revenues and domestic processing of minerals. In January 2014, the Indonesian government published regulations providing that holders of contracts of work with existing processing facilities in Indonesia may continue to export product through January 12, 2017, but established new requirements for the continued export of copper concentrates, including the imposition of a progressive export duty on copper concentrates in the amount of 25 percent in 2014, rising to 60 percent by mid-2016. PT-FI’s COW authorizes it to export concentrates and specifies the taxes and other fiscal terms available to its operations. The COW states that PT-FI shall not be subject to taxes, duties or fees subsequently imposed or approved by the Indonesian government except as expressly provided in the COW. Additionally, PT-FI complied with the requirements of its COW for local processing by arranging for the construction and commissioning of Indonesia's only copper smelter and refinery, which is owned by PT Smelting (refer to Note 6). On July 25, 2014, PT-FI entered into a MOU with the Indonesian government under which PT-FI and the government agreed to negotiate an amended COW to address provisions related to the size of PT-FI’s concession area, royalties and taxes, domestic processing and refining, divestment, local content, and continuation of operations post-2021. Execution of the MOU enabled the resumption of concentrate exports in August 2014, which had been suspended since January 2014. The MOU has been extended to July 25, 2015. PT-FI is engaged in active discussions with the Indonesian government regarding an amended COW. Provisions being addressed include the development of new copper smelting and refining capacity in Indonesia, provisions for divestment to the Indonesian government and/or Indonesian nationals of up to a 30 percent interest (an additional 20.64 percent interest) in PT-FI at fair value, and timely granting rights for the continuation of operations from 2022 through 2041. Negotiations are taking into consideration PT-FI’s need for assurance of legal and fiscal terms post-2021 for PT-FI to continue with its large-scale investment program for the development of its underground reserves. Effective with the signing of the MOU, PT-FI provided a $115 million assurance bond to support its commitment for smelter development, agreed to increase royalties to 4.0 percent for copper and 3.75 percent for gold from the previous rates of 3.5 percent for copper and 1.0 percent for gold, and to pay export duties as set forth in a new regulation. PT-FI's royalties totaled $115 million in 2014, $109 million in 2013 and $93 million in 2012. The Indonesian government revised its January 2014 regulations regarding export duties, which are now set at 7.5 percent, declining to 5.0 percent when smelter development progress exceeds 7.5 percent and are eliminated when development progress exceeds 30 percent. PT-FI's export duties totaled $77 million in 2014. Under the MOU, no terms of the COW other than those relating to the export duties, smelter bond and royalties described previously will be changed until the completion of an amended COW. PT-FI is advancing plans for the construction of new smelter capacity in parallel with completing negotiations of its long-term operating rights and will also discuss the possibility of expanding industrial activities in Papua in connection with its long-term development plans. PT-FI has identified a site adjacent to the existing PT Smelting site in Gresik, Indonesia, for the construction of additional smelter capacity. PT-FI is required to apply for renewal of export permits at six-month intervals. In January 2015, PT-FI obtained a renewal of its export license through July 25, 2015. Mining Contracts — Africa. FCX is entitled to mine in the DRC under an Amended and Restated Mining Convention (ARMC) between TFM and the Government of the DRC. The original Mining Convention was entered into in 1996, was replaced with the ARMC in 2005 and was further amended in 2010 (approved in 2011). The current ARMC will remain in effect for as long as the Tenke concession is exploitable. The royalty rate payable by TFM under the ARMC is two percent of net revenue. These mining royalties totaled $29 million in 2014, $29 million in 2013 and $25 million in 2012. Effective March 26, 2012, the DRC government issued a Presidential Decree approving the modifications to TFM's bylaws following a review (completed in 2010) of TFM's existing mining contracts. Among other changes to the amended ARMC, FCX's effective ownership interest in TFM was reduced from 57.75 percent to 56 percent and $50 million of TFM's stockholder loan payable to a subsidiary of FMC was converted to equity. Community Development Programs. FCX has adopted policies that govern its working relationships with the communities where it operates. These policies are designed to guide its practices and programs in a manner that respects basic human rights and the culture of the local people impacted by FCX’s operations. FCX continues to make significant expenditures on community development, education, training and cultural programs. In 1996, PT-FI established the Freeport Partnership Fund for Community Development (Partnership Fund) through which PT-FI has made available funding and technical assistance to support community development initiatives in the area of health, education and economic development of the area. PT-FI has committed through 2016 to provide one percent of its annual revenue for the development of the local people in its area of operations through the Partnership Fund. PT-FI charged $31 million in 2014, $41 million in 2013 and $39 million in 2012 to cost of sales for this commitment. TFM has committed to assist the communities living within its concession area in the Katanga province of the DRC. TFM will contribute 0.3 percent of net sales revenue from production to a community development fund to assist the local communities with development of local infrastructure and related services, such as those pertaining to health, education and economic development. TFM charged $4 million in each of the years 2014, 2013 and 2012 to cost of sales for this commitment. Guarantees. FCX provides certain financial guarantees (including indirect guarantees of the indebtedness of others) and indemnities. FCX's venture agreement with Sumitomo at its Morenci mine in Arizona (refer to Note 3 for further discussion) includes a put and call option guarantee clause. FCX holds an 85 percent undivided interest in the Morenci complex. Under certain conditions defined in the venture agreement, Sumitomo has the right to sell its 15 percent share to FCX. Likewise, under certain conditions, FCX has the right to purchase Sumitomo’s share of the venture. At December 31, 2014, the maximum potential payment FCX is obligated to make to Sumitomo upon exercise of the put option (or FCX’s exercise of its call option) totaled approximately $354 million based on calculations defined in the venture agreement. At December 31, 2014, FCX had not recorded any liability in its consolidated financial statements in connection with this guarantee as FCX does not believe, based on information available, that it is probable that any amounts will be paid under this guarantee as the fair value of Sumitomo’s 15 percent share is in excess of the exercise price. Prior to its acquisition by FCX, FMC and its subsidiaries have, as part of merger, acquisition, divestiture and other transactions, from time to time, indemnified certain sellers, buyers or other parties related to the transaction from and against certain liabilities associated with conditions in existence (or claims associated with actions taken) prior to the closing date of the transaction. As part of these transactions, FMC indemnified the counterparty from and against certain excluded or retained liabilities existing at the time of sale that would otherwise have been transferred to the party at closing. These indemnity provisions generally now require FCX to indemnify the party against certain liabilities that may arise in the future from the pre-closing activities of FMC for assets sold or purchased. The indemnity classifications include environmental, tax and certain operating liabilities, claims or litigation existing at closing and various excluded liabilities or obligations. Most of these indemnity obligations arise from transactions that closed many years ago, and given the nature of these indemnity obligations, it is not possible to estimate the maximum potential exposure. Except as described in the following sentence, FCX does not consider any of such obligations as having a probable likelihood of payment that is reasonably estimable, and accordingly, has not recorded any obligations associated with these indemnities. With respect to FCX’s environmental indemnity obligations, any expected costs from these guarantees are accrued when potential environmental obligations are considered by management to be probable and the costs can be reasonably estimated.

COMMITMENTS AND GUARANTEES

Operating Leases. FCX leases various types of properties, including offices, aircraft and equipment. Future minimum rentals under non-cancelable leases at December 31, 2014, total $44 million in 2015, $44 million in 2016, $42 million in 2017, $36 million in 2018, $23 million in 2019 and $165 million thereafter. Minimum payments under operating leases have not been reduced by aggregate minimum sublease rentals, which are minimal. Total aggregate rental expense under operating leases was $96 million in 2014, $96 million in 2013 and $77 million in 2012.

Contractual Obligations. Based on applicable prices at December 31, 2014, FCX has unconditional purchase obligations of $4.3 billion, primarily comprising minimum commitments for deepwater drillships to be utilized in the GOM drilling campaign ($1.8 billion), transportation services ($732 million), the procurement of copper concentrates ($572 million), electricity ($316 million) and deferred premium costs and future interest on crude oil derivative contracts ($231 million), which is expected to be paid once the options settle (refer to Note 14 for further discussion of the amounts recorded at December 31, 2014). Some of FCX’s unconditional purchase obligations are settled based on the prevailing market rate for the service or commodity purchased. In some cases, the amount of the actual obligation may change over time because of market conditions. Drillship obligations provide for an operating rate over the contractual term upon delivery of the drillship. Transportation obligations are primarily for South America contracted ocean freight and FM O&G contracted gathering. Obligations for copper concentrates provide for deliveries of specified volumes to Atlantic Copper at market-based prices. Electricity obligations are primarily for contractual minimum demand at the South America mines.

FCX’s future commitments associated with unconditional purchase obligations total $2.1 billion in 2015, $1.0 billion in 2016, $707 million in 2017, $111 million in 2018, $119 million in 2019 and $204 million thereafter, of which $210 million was accrued at December 31, 2014, related to deferred premiums and interest on crude oil derivative contracts. During the three-year period ended December 31, 2014, FCX fulfilled its minimum contractual purchase obligations.

Mining Contracts — Indonesia. FCX is entitled to mine in Indonesia under the COW between PT-FI and the Government of Indonesia. The original COW was entered into in 1967 and was replaced with the current COW in 1991. The initial term of the current COW expires in 2021 but can be extended by PT-FI for two 10-year periods subject to Indonesian government approval, which pursuant to the COW cannot be withheld or delayed unreasonably. PT-FI is currently engaged in discussions with the Indonesian government related to the amendment and extension of its contractual and operating rights for the two ten-year extension periods.

The copper royalty rate payable by PT-FI under its COW, prior to modifications discussed below as a result of a recent Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) entered into with the Indonesian government, varied from 1.5 percent of copper net revenue at a copper price of $0.90 or less per pound to 3.5 percent at a copper price of $1.10 or more per pound. The COW royalty rate for gold and silver sales was at a fixed rate of 1.0 percent.

A large part of the mineral royalties under Indonesian government regulations is designated to the provinces from which the minerals are extracted. In connection with its fourth concentrator mill expansion completed in 1998, PT-FI agreed to pay the Government of Indonesia additional royalties (royalties not required by the COW) to provide further support to the local governments and the people of the Indonesian province of Papua. The additional royalties, prior to modifications discussed below as a result of a recent MOU, were paid on production exceeding specified annual amounts of copper, gold and silver generated when PT-FI’s milling facilities operated above 200,000 metric tons of ore per day. The additional royalty for copper equaled the COW royalty rate, and for gold and silver equaled twice the COW royalty rates. Therefore, PT-FI’s royalty rate on copper net revenues from production above the agreed levels was double the COW royalty rate, and the royalty rates on gold and silver sales from production above the agreed levels were triple the COW royalty rates.

In 2009, Indonesia enacted a mining law (2009 Mining Law), which operates under a licensing system that is less protective of licensees than the contract of work system that governs PT-FI. The 2009 Mining Law and the regulations issued pursuant to that law provide that contracts of work would continue to be honored until their expiration. However, the regulations, including those issued in January 2014 as discussed below, attempt to apply certain provisions of the 2009 Mining Law and regulations to existing contracts of work and seek to apply the licensing system to any extension periods of contracts of work.

In January 2012, the President of Indonesia issued a decree calling for the creation of a team of Ministers to evaluate contracts of work for adjustment to the 2009 Mining Law and to take steps to assess and determine the Indonesian government's position on reduction to the size of contract concessions, increasing government revenues and domestic processing of minerals.

In January 2014, the Indonesian government published regulations providing that holders of contracts of work with existing processing facilities in Indonesia may continue to export product through January 12, 2017, but established new requirements for the continued export of copper concentrates, including the imposition of a progressive export duty on copper concentrates in the amount of 25 percent in 2014, rising to 60 percent by mid-2016. PT-FI’s COW authorizes it to export concentrates and specifies the taxes and other fiscal terms available to its operations. The COW states that PT-FI shall not be subject to taxes, duties or fees subsequently imposed or approved by the Indonesian government except as expressly provided in the COW. Additionally, PT-FI complied with the requirements of its COW for local processing by arranging for the construction and commissioning of Indonesia's only copper smelter and refinery, which is owned by PT Smelting (refer to Note 6).

On July 25, 2014, PT-FI entered into a MOU with the Indonesian government under which PT-FI and the government agreed to negotiate an amended COW to address provisions related to the size of PT-FI’s concession area, royalties and taxes, domestic processing and refining, divestment, local content, and continuation of operations post-2021. Execution of the MOU enabled the resumption of concentrate exports in August 2014, which had been suspended since January 2014. The MOU has been extended to July 25, 2015. PT-FI is engaged in active discussions with the Indonesian government regarding an amended COW.

Provisions being addressed include the development of new copper smelting and refining capacity in Indonesia, provisions for divestment to the Indonesian government and/or Indonesian nationals of up to a 30 percent interest (an additional 20.64 percent interest) in PT-FI at fair value, and timely granting rights for the continuation of operations from 2022 through 2041. Negotiations are taking into consideration PT-FI’s need for assurance of legal and fiscal terms post-2021 for PT-FI to continue with its large-scale investment program for the development of its underground reserves.

Effective with the signing of the MOU, PT-FI provided a $115 million assurance bond to support its commitment for smelter development, agreed to increase royalties to 4.0 percent for copper and 3.75 percent for gold from the previous rates of 3.5 percent for copper and 1.0 percent for gold, and to pay export duties as set forth in a new regulation. PT-FI's royalties totaled $115 million in 2014, $109 million in 2013 and $93 million in 2012. The Indonesian government revised its January 2014 regulations regarding export duties, which are now set at 7.5 percent, declining to 5.0 percent when smelter development progress exceeds 7.5 percent and are eliminated when development progress exceeds 30 percent. PT-FI's export duties totaled $77 million in 2014.

Under the MOU, no terms of the COW other than those relating to the export duties, smelter bond and royalties described previously will be changed until the completion of an amended COW.

PT-FI is advancing plans for the construction of new smelter capacity in parallel with completing negotiations of its long-term operating rights and will also discuss the possibility of expanding industrial activities in Papua in connection with its long-term development plans. PT-FI has identified a site adjacent to the existing PT Smelting site in Gresik, Indonesia, for the construction of additional smelter capacity.

PT-FI is required to apply for renewal of export permits at six-month intervals. In January 2015, PT-FI obtained a renewal of its export license through July 25, 2015.

Mining Contracts — Africa. FCX is entitled to mine in the DRC under an Amended and Restated Mining Convention (ARMC) between TFM and the Government of the DRC. The original Mining Convention was entered into in 1996, was replaced with the ARMC in 2005 and was further amended in 2010 (approved in 2011). The current ARMC will remain in effect for as long as the Tenke concession is exploitable. The royalty rate payable by TFM under the ARMC is two percent of net revenue. These mining royalties totaled $29 million in 2014, $29 million in 2013 and $25 million in 2012.

Effective March 26, 2012, the DRC government issued a Presidential Decree approving the modifications to TFM's bylaws following a review (completed in 2010) of TFM's existing mining contracts. Among other changes to the amended ARMC, FCX's effective ownership interest in TFM was reduced from 57.75 percent to 56 percent and $50 million of TFM's stockholder loan payable to a subsidiary of FMC was converted to equity.

Community Development Programs. FCX has adopted policies that govern its working relationships with the communities where it operates. These policies are designed to guide its practices and programs in a manner that respects basic human rights and the culture of the local people impacted by FCX’s operations. FCX continues to make significant expenditures on community development, education, training and cultural programs.

In 1996, PT-FI established the Freeport Partnership Fund for Community Development (Partnership Fund) through which PT-FI has made available funding and technical assistance to support community development initiatives in the area of health, education and economic development of the area. PT-FI has committed through 2016 to provide one percent of its annual revenue for the development of the local people in its area of operations through the Partnership Fund. PT-FI charged $31 million in 2014, $41 million in 2013 and $39 million in 2012 to cost of sales for this commitment.

TFM has committed to assist the communities living within its concession area in the Katanga province of the DRC. TFM will contribute 0.3 percent of net sales revenue from production to a community development fund to assist the local communities with development of local infrastructure and related services, such as those pertaining to health, education and economic development. TFM charged $4 million in each of the years 2014, 2013 and 2012 to cost of sales for this commitment.

Guarantees. FCX provides certain financial guarantees (including indirect guarantees of the indebtedness of others) and indemnities.

FCX's venture agreement with Sumitomo at its Morenci mine in Arizona (refer to Note 3 for further discussion) includes a put and call option guarantee clause. FCX holds an 85 percent undivided interest in the Morenci complex. Under certain conditions defined in the venture agreement, Sumitomo has the right to sell its 15 percent share to FCX. Likewise, under certain conditions, FCX has the right to purchase Sumitomo’s share of the venture. At December 31, 2014, the maximum potential payment FCX is obligated to make to Sumitomo upon exercise of the put option (or FCX’s exercise of its call option) totaled approximately $354 million based on calculations defined in the venture agreement. At December 31, 2014, FCX had not recorded any liability in its consolidated financial statements in connection with this guarantee as FCX does not believe, based on information available, that it is probable that any amounts will be paid under this guarantee as the fair value of Sumitomo’s 15 percent share is in excess of the exercise price.

Prior to its acquisition by FCX, FMC and its subsidiaries have, as part of merger, acquisition, divestiture and other transactions, from time to time, indemnified certain sellers, buyers or other parties related to the transaction from and against certain liabilities associated with conditions in existence (or claims associated with actions taken) prior to the closing date of the transaction. As part of these transactions, FMC indemnified the counterparty from and against certain excluded or retained liabilities existing at the time of sale that would otherwise have been transferred to the party at closing. These indemnity provisions generally now require FCX to indemnify the party against certain liabilities that may arise in the future from the pre-closing activities of FMC for assets sold or purchased. The indemnity classifications include environmental, tax and certain operating liabilities, claims or litigation existing at closing and various excluded liabilities or obligations. Most of these indemnity obligations arise from transactions that closed many years ago, and given the nature of these indemnity obligations, it is not possible to estimate the maximum potential exposure. Except as described in the following sentence, FCX does not consider any of such obligations as having a probable likelihood of payment that is reasonably estimable, and accordingly, has not recorded any obligations associated with these indemnities. With respect to FCX’s environmental indemnity obligations, any expected costs from these guarantees are accrued when potential environmental obligations are considered by management to be probable and the costs can be reasonably estimated.