XML 154 R64.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
DEBT (Details) (USD $)
12 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 121 Months Ended 1 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2013
Nov. 30, 2014
May 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2015
Jun. 03, 2013
Feb. 14, 2013
Mar. 07, 2013
Feb. 28, 2012
Feb. 27, 2015
Debt Instruments [Line Items]                        
Liabilities, Fair Value Adjustment $ 226,000,000us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueAdjustment $ 653,000,000us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueAdjustment                    
Long-term Debt, Gross 18,970,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount 20,706,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount   20,706,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount                
Less current portion of long-term debt and short-term borrownings (478,000,000)us-gaap_DebtCurrent (312,000,000)us-gaap_DebtCurrent   (312,000,000)us-gaap_DebtCurrent                
Long-term debt 18,492,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent 20,394,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent   20,394,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent                
Payments for Repurchase of Preferred Stock and Preference Stock 0us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfPreferredStockAndPreferenceStock 228,000,000us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfPreferredStockAndPreferenceStock 0us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfPreferredStockAndPreferenceStock                  
Royalty Trust Units Issued, Conversion of Debt or Equity Instrument   17,700,000fcx_RoyaltyTrustUnitsIssuedConversionofDebtorEquityInstrument                    
Royalty Trust Units, Fair Value Disclosure               31,000,000fcx_RoyaltyTrustUnitsFairValueDisclosure        
Net gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt (73,000,000)us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt 35,000,000us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt 168,000,000us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt                  
Long-term Debt, by Maturity [Abstract]                        
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Next Twelve Months 478,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInNextTwelveMonths                      
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Two 651,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearTwo                      
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Three 1,500,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearThree                      
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Four 3,700,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFour                      
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Five 662,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFive                      
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal after Year Five 11,800,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalAfterYearFive                      
Bridge Loan [Member]                        
Debt Instruments [Line Items]                        
Net gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt   45,000,000us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_BridgeLoanMember
                   
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount   9,500,000,000us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_BridgeLoanMember
                   
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]                        
Debt Instruments [Line Items]                        
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount 45,000,000us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
                     
Revolving Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity 4,000,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
                     
Remaining borrowing capacity available for letters of credit at period end 1,455,000,000fcx_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacityAvailableForLettersOfCredit
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
                     
Line of Credit [Member]                        
Debt Instruments [Line Items]                        
Long-term Debt, Gross 474,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
                     
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage 1.29%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
                     
Bank Term Loan [Member]                        
Debt Instruments [Line Items]                        
Long-term Debt, Gross 3,050,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= fcx_BankTermLoanMember
4,000,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= fcx_BankTermLoanMember
  4,000,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= fcx_BankTermLoanMember
               
Repayments of Debt         750,000,000us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= fcx_BankTermLoanMember
             
Debt Instrument, Face Amount 4,000,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= fcx_BankTermLoanMember
              4,000,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= fcx_BankTermLoanMember
     
Debt Instrument Maturity Date May 31, 2018                      
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage 1.67%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= fcx_BankTermLoanMember
                     
Term of Debt Agreement       5 years                
Long-term Debt, by Maturity [Abstract]                        
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Two 650,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearTwo
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= fcx_BankTermLoanMember
                     
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Three 200,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearThree
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= fcx_BankTermLoanMember
                     
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Four 2,200,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFour
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= fcx_BankTermLoanMember
                     
Senior Notes [Member]                        
Debt Instruments [Line Items]                        
Debt Instrument, Face Amount                   6,500,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
   
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt 2,970,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfLongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
6,400,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfLongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
2,970,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfLongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                 
Net gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt 77,000,000us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                     
Extinguishment of Debt, Principal Amount 4,208,000,000fcx_ExtinguishmentofDebtPrincipalAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                     
Extinguishment of Debt, Purchase Accounting Adjustments 364,000,000fcx_ExtinguishmentofDebtPurchaseAccountingAdjustments
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                     
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount 4,572,000,000us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                     
Other debt (including equipment capital leases and short-term borrowings) [Member]                        
Debt Instruments [Line Items]                        
Long-term Debt, Gross 115,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_NotesPayableOtherPayablesMember
158,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_NotesPayableOtherPayablesMember
  158,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_NotesPayableOtherPayablesMember
               
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Credit Facility [Domain]                        
Debt Instruments [Line Items]                        
Long-term Debt, Gross 0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain
0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain
  0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain
               
Revolving Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity 4,000,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain
3,000,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain
  3,000,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain
               
Revolving Credit Facility, Expiration Date May 31, 2019                      
Amount of revolving credit facility available to PT Freeport Indonesia 500,000,000fcx_AmountOfRevolvingCreditFacilityAvailableToSubsidiary
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain
                     
Net gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt (4,000,000)us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain
                     
Line of Credit [Member]                        
Debt Instruments [Line Items]                        
Long-term Debt, Gross   0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
  0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
               
1.40% Senior Notes due 2015 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member]                        
Debt Instruments [Line Items]                        
Long-term Debt, Gross 0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_SeniorNotesDue20151Point40PercentMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
500,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_SeniorNotesDue20151Point40PercentMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
  500,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_SeniorNotesDue20151Point40PercentMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
               
Debt Instrument, Face Amount                     500,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_SeniorNotesDue20151Point40PercentMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
 
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage 1.40%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_SeniorNotesDue20151Point40PercentMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                  1.40%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_SeniorNotesDue20151Point40PercentMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
 
Net gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt (1,000,000)us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_SeniorNotesDue20151Point40PercentMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                     
Extinguishment of Debt, Principal Amount 500,000,000fcx_ExtinguishmentofDebtPrincipalAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_SeniorNotesDue20151Point40PercentMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                     
Extinguishment of Debt, Purchase Accounting Adjustments 0fcx_ExtinguishmentofDebtPurchaseAccountingAdjustments
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_SeniorNotesDue20151Point40PercentMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                     
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount 500,000,000us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_SeniorNotesDue20151Point40PercentMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                     
2.15% Senior Notes due 2017 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member]                        
Debt Instruments [Line Items]                        
Long-term Debt, Gross 500,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_SeniorNotesDue20172Point15PercentMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
500,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_SeniorNotesDue20172Point15PercentMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
  500,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_SeniorNotesDue20172Point15PercentMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
               
Debt Instrument, Face Amount                     500,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_SeniorNotesDue20172Point15PercentMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
 
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage 2.15%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_SeniorNotesDue20172Point15PercentMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                  2.15%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_SeniorNotesDue20172Point15PercentMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
 
2.30% Senior Notes due 2017 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member]                        
Debt Instruments [Line Items]                        
Long-term Debt, Gross 749,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_SeniorNotesdue20172point3percentMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_SeniorNotesdue20172point3percentMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
  0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_SeniorNotesdue20172point3percentMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
               
Debt Instrument, Face Amount 750,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_SeniorNotesdue20172point3percentMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                     
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage 2.30%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_SeniorNotesdue20172point3percentMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                     
2.375% Senior Notes due March 2018 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member]                        
Debt Instruments [Line Items]                        
Long-term Debt, Gross 1,500,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A2375SeniorNotesDueMarch2018Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
1,500,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A2375SeniorNotesDueMarch2018Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
  1,500,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A2375SeniorNotesDueMarch2018Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
               
Debt Instrument, Face Amount 1,500,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A2375SeniorNotesDueMarch2018Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                     
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage 2.375%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A2375SeniorNotesDueMarch2018Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                     
3.100% Senior Notes due March 2020 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member]                        
Debt Instruments [Line Items]                        
Long-term Debt, Gross 1,000,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A3100SeniorNotesDueMarch2020Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
999,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A3100SeniorNotesDueMarch2020Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
  999,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A3100SeniorNotesDueMarch2020Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
               
Debt Instrument, Face Amount 1,000,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A3100SeniorNotesDueMarch2020Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                     
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage 3.10%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A3100SeniorNotesDueMarch2020Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                     
4.00% Senior Notes due 2021 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member]                        
Debt Instruments [Line Items]                        
Long-term Debt, Gross 598,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_SeniorNotesdue20214percentMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_SeniorNotesdue20214percentMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
  0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_SeniorNotesdue20214percentMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
               
Debt Instrument, Face Amount 600,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_SeniorNotesdue20214percentMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                     
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage 4.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_SeniorNotesdue20214percentMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                     
3.55% Senior Notes due 2022 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member]                        
Debt Instruments [Line Items]                        
Long-term Debt, Gross 1,996,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A355SeniorNotesDue2022Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
1,996,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A355SeniorNotesDue2022Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
  1,996,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A355SeniorNotesDue2022Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
               
Debt Instrument, Face Amount                     2,000,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A355SeniorNotesDue2022Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
 
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage 3.55%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A355SeniorNotesDue2022Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                  3.55%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A355SeniorNotesDue2022Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
 
Debt Instrument, Redemption Period, Start Date Dec. 01, 2021                      
Redemption to Principal Amount, Percent 100.00%fcx_RedemptiontoPrincipalAmountPercent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A355SeniorNotesDue2022Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                     
3.875% Senior Notes due March 2023 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member]                        
Debt Instruments [Line Items]                        
Long-term Debt, Gross 1,999,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A3875SeniorNotesDueMarch2023Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
1,999,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A3875SeniorNotesDueMarch2023Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
  1,999,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A3875SeniorNotesDueMarch2023Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
               
Debt Instrument, Face Amount 2,000,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A3875SeniorNotesDueMarch2023Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                     
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage 3.875%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A3875SeniorNotesDueMarch2023Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                     
Debt Instrument, Redemption Period, Start Date Dec. 15, 2022                      
Redemption to Principal Amount, Percent 100.00%fcx_RedemptiontoPrincipalAmountPercent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A3875SeniorNotesDueMarch2023Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                     
4.55% Senior Notes due 2024 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member]                        
Debt Instruments [Line Items]                        
Long-term Debt, Gross 849,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_SeniorNotesdue20244point55percentMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_SeniorNotesdue20244point55percentMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
  0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_SeniorNotesdue20244point55percentMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
               
Debt Instrument, Face Amount 850,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_SeniorNotesdue20244point55percentMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                     
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage 4.55%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_SeniorNotesdue20244point55percentMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                     
Debt Instrument, Redemption Period, Start Date Aug. 14, 2024                      
Redemption to Principal Amount, Percent 100.00%fcx_RedemptiontoPrincipalAmountPercent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_SeniorNotesdue20244point55percentMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                     
5.40% Senior Notes due 2034 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member]                        
Debt Instruments [Line Items]                        
Long-term Debt, Gross 796,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_SeniorNotesdue20345point4percentMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_SeniorNotesdue20345point4percentMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
  0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_SeniorNotesdue20345point4percentMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
               
Debt Instrument, Face Amount 800,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_SeniorNotesdue20345point4percentMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                     
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage 5.40%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_SeniorNotesdue20345point4percentMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                     
Debt Instrument, Redemption Period, Start Date May 14, 2034                      
Redemption to Principal Amount, Percent 100.00%fcx_RedemptiontoPrincipalAmountPercent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_SeniorNotesdue20345point4percentMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                     
5.450% Senior Notes due March 2043 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member]                        
Debt Instruments [Line Items]                        
Long-term Debt, Gross 1,991,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A5450SeniorNotesDueMarch2043Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
1,991,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A5450SeniorNotesDueMarch2043Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
  1,991,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A5450SeniorNotesDueMarch2043Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
               
Debt Instrument, Face Amount 2,000,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A5450SeniorNotesDueMarch2043Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                     
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage 5.45%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A5450SeniorNotesDueMarch2043Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                     
Debt Instrument, Redemption Period, Start Date Sep. 15, 2042                      
Redemption to Principal Amount, Percent 100.00%fcx_RedemptiontoPrincipalAmountPercent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A5450SeniorNotesDueMarch2043Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                     
6.125% Senior Notes due 2019 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member]                        
Debt Instruments [Line Items]                        
Net gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt (2,000,000)us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A6.125SeniorNotesdue2019Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                     
Extinguishment of Debt, Principal Amount 513,000,000fcx_ExtinguishmentofDebtPrincipalAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A6.125SeniorNotesdue2019Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                     
Extinguishment of Debt, Purchase Accounting Adjustments 40,000,000fcx_ExtinguishmentofDebtPurchaseAccountingAdjustments
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A6.125SeniorNotesdue2019Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                     
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount 553,000,000us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A6.125SeniorNotesdue2019Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                     
8.625% Senior Notes due 2019 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member]                        
Debt Instruments [Line Items]                        
Net gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt 24,000,000us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A8.625SeniorNotesdue2019Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                     
Extinguishment of Debt, Principal Amount 400,000,000fcx_ExtinguishmentofDebtPrincipalAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A8.625SeniorNotesdue2019Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                     
Extinguishment of Debt, Purchase Accounting Adjustments 41,000,000fcx_ExtinguishmentofDebtPurchaseAccountingAdjustments
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A8.625SeniorNotesdue2019Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                     
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount 441,000,000us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A8.625SeniorNotesdue2019Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                     
7.625% Senior Notes due 2020 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member]                        
Debt Instruments [Line Items]                        
Net gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt 14,000,000us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A7.625SeniorNotesdue2020Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                     
Extinguishment of Debt, Principal Amount 300,000,000fcx_ExtinguishmentofDebtPrincipalAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A7.625SeniorNotesdue2020Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                     
Extinguishment of Debt, Purchase Accounting Adjustments 32,000,000fcx_ExtinguishmentofDebtPurchaseAccountingAdjustments
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A7.625SeniorNotesdue2020Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                     
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount 332,000,000us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A7.625SeniorNotesdue2020Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                     
6.5% Senior Notes due 2020 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member]                        
Debt Instruments [Line Items]                        
Net gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt 10,000,000us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A6.5SeniorNotesdue2020Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                     
Extinguishment of Debt, Principal Amount 883,000,000fcx_ExtinguishmentofDebtPrincipalAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A6.5SeniorNotesdue2020Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                     
Extinguishment of Debt, Purchase Accounting Adjustments 79,000,000fcx_ExtinguishmentofDebtPurchaseAccountingAdjustments
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A6.5SeniorNotesdue2020Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                     
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount 962,000,000us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A6.5SeniorNotesdue2020Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                     
6.625% Senior Notes due 2021 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member]                        
Debt Instruments [Line Items]                        
Net gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt 3,000,000us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A6.625SeniorNotesdue2021Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                     
Extinguishment of Debt, Principal Amount 339,000,000fcx_ExtinguishmentofDebtPrincipalAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A6.625SeniorNotesdue2021Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                     
Extinguishment of Debt, Purchase Accounting Adjustments 31,000,000fcx_ExtinguishmentofDebtPurchaseAccountingAdjustments
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A6.625SeniorNotesdue2021Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                     
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount 370,000,000us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A6.625SeniorNotesdue2021Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                     
6.75% Senior Notes due 2022 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member]                        
Debt Instruments [Line Items]                        
Net gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt 8,000,000us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A6.75SeniorNotesdue2022Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                     
Extinguishment of Debt, Principal Amount 551,000,000fcx_ExtinguishmentofDebtPrincipalAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A6.75SeniorNotesdue2022Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                     
Extinguishment of Debt, Purchase Accounting Adjustments 57,000,000fcx_ExtinguishmentofDebtPurchaseAccountingAdjustments
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A6.75SeniorNotesdue2022Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                     
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount 608,000,000us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A6.75SeniorNotesdue2022Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                     
6.875% Senior Notes due 2023 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member]                        
Debt Instruments [Line Items]                        
Net gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt 21,000,000us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A6.875SeniorNotesdue2023Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                     
Extinguishment of Debt, Principal Amount 722,000,000fcx_ExtinguishmentofDebtPrincipalAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A6.875SeniorNotesdue2023Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                     
Extinguishment of Debt, Purchase Accounting Adjustments 84,000,000fcx_ExtinguishmentofDebtPurchaseAccountingAdjustments
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A6.875SeniorNotesdue2023Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                     
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount 806,000,000us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A6.875SeniorNotesdue2023Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                     
7.125% Debentures due 2027 [Member] | Debentures [Member]                        
Debt Instruments [Line Items]                        
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage 7.125%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_DebenturesDue2027Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubordinatedDebtMember
                     
9.5% Senior Notes due 2031 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member]                        
Debt Instruments [Line Items]                        
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage 9.50%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_SeniorNotesDue2031Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                     
6.125% Senior Notes due 2034 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member]                        
Debt Instruments [Line Items]                        
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage 6.125%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_SeniorNotesDue2034Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                     
8.375% Senior Notes Due 2017 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member]                        
Debt Instruments [Line Items]                        
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage     8.375%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_SeniorNotesDue2017Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                 
Redemption to Principal Amount, Percent     104.553%fcx_RedemptiontoPrincipalAmountPercent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_SeniorNotesDue2017Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                 
Net gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt     168,000,000us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_SeniorNotesDue2017Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                 
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount     3,000,000,000us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_SeniorNotesDue2017Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                 
4% Convertible Senior Notes due 2017 [Member]                        
Debt Instruments [Line Items]                        
Convertible Debt, Fair Value Disclosures               306,000,000us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtFairValueDisclosures
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A4ConvertibleSeniorNotesdue2017Member
       
Payments for Repurchase of Preferred Stock and Preference Stock   270,000,000us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfPreferredStockAndPreferenceStock
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A4ConvertibleSeniorNotesdue2017Member
                   
Royalty Trust Units Issued, Conversion of Debt or Equity Instrument   21,000,000fcx_RoyaltyTrustUnitsIssuedConversionofDebtorEquityInstrument
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A4ConvertibleSeniorNotesdue2017Member
                   
Royalty Trust Units, Fair Value Disclosure               36,000,000fcx_RoyaltyTrustUnitsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A4ConvertibleSeniorNotesdue2017Member
       
Cerro Verde [Member] | Credit Facility [Domain]                        
Debt Instruments [Line Items]                        
Long-term Debt, Gross 425,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fcx_CerroVerdeMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain
0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fcx_CerroVerdeMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain
  0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fcx_CerroVerdeMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain
               
Revolving Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity 1,800,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fcx_CerroVerdeMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain
                     
Revolving Credit Facility, Expiration Date Mar. 10, 2019                      
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount 0us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fcx_CerroVerdeMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain
                     
Remaining borrowing capacity available for letters of credit at period end 500,000,000fcx_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacityAvailableForLettersOfCredit
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fcx_CerroVerdeMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain
                     
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis LIBOR                      
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate 1.90%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fcx_CerroVerdeMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain
                     
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage 2.07%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fcx_CerroVerdeMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain
                     
Term of Debt Agreement 5 years                      
Long-term Debt, by Maturity [Abstract]                        
Term When Funds Are Available to be Drawn on Debt Agreement 2 years                      
McMoRan Exploration Co [Member]                        
Debt Instruments [Line Items]                        
Liabilities, Fair Value Adjustment   62,000,000us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueAdjustment
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fcx_McmoranExplorationCoMember
                   
Debt Instrument, Face Amount               558,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fcx_McmoranExplorationCoMember
       
McMoRan Exploration Co [Member] | 11.875% Senior Notes due 2014 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member]                        
Debt Instruments [Line Items]                        
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage 11.875%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A11.875SeniorNotesdue2014Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fcx_McmoranExplorationCoMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                     
Net gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt   (10,000,000)us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A11.875SeniorNotesdue2014Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fcx_McmoranExplorationCoMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                   
Repayments of Assumed Debt   299,000,000us-gaap_RepaymentsOfAssumedDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A11.875SeniorNotesdue2014Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fcx_McmoranExplorationCoMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                   
McMoRan Exploration Co [Member] | 4% Convertible Senior Notes due 2017 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member]                        
Debt Instruments [Line Items]                        
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage 4.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A4ConvertibleSeniorNotesdue2017Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fcx_McmoranExplorationCoMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                     
Plains Exploration & Production Company [Member]                        
Debt Instruments [Line Items]                        
Business Acquisition, Effective Date of Acquisition   May 31, 2013                    
Plains Exploration & Production Company [Member] | Credit Facility [Domain]                        
Debt Instruments [Line Items]                        
Repayments of Assumed Debt   3,900,000,000us-gaap_RepaymentsOfAssumedDebt
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fcx_PlainsExplorationProductionCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain
                   
Plains Exploration & Production Company [Member] | Senior Notes [Member]                        
Debt Instruments [Line Items]                        
Liabilities, Fair Value Adjustment           716,000,000us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueAdjustment
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fcx_PlainsExplorationProductionCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
           
Debt Instrument, Face Amount           6,400,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fcx_PlainsExplorationProductionCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
           
Plains Exploration & Production Company [Member] | 6.125% Senior Notes due 2019 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member]                        
Debt Instruments [Line Items]                        
Long-term Debt, Gross 255,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A6.125SeniorNotesdue2019Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fcx_PlainsExplorationProductionCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
817,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A6.125SeniorNotesdue2019Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fcx_PlainsExplorationProductionCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
  817,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A6.125SeniorNotesdue2019Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fcx_PlainsExplorationProductionCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
               
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage 6.125%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A6.125SeniorNotesdue2019Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fcx_PlainsExplorationProductionCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                     
Debt Conversion, Converted Instrument, Expiration or Due Date Jun. 15, 2016                      
Plains Exploration & Production Company [Member] | 8.625% Senior Notes due 2019 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member]                        
Debt Instruments [Line Items]                        
Long-term Debt, Gross 0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A8.625SeniorNotesdue2019Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fcx_PlainsExplorationProductionCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
447,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A8.625SeniorNotesdue2019Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fcx_PlainsExplorationProductionCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
  447,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A8.625SeniorNotesdue2019Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fcx_PlainsExplorationProductionCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
               
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage 8.625%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A8.625SeniorNotesdue2019Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fcx_PlainsExplorationProductionCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                     
Plains Exploration & Production Company [Member] | 7.625% Senior Notes due 2020 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member]                        
Debt Instruments [Line Items]                        
Long-term Debt, Gross 0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A7.625SeniorNotesdue2020Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fcx_PlainsExplorationProductionCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
336,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A7.625SeniorNotesdue2020Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fcx_PlainsExplorationProductionCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
  336,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A7.625SeniorNotesdue2020Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fcx_PlainsExplorationProductionCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
               
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage 7.625%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A7.625SeniorNotesdue2020Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fcx_PlainsExplorationProductionCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                     
Plains Exploration & Production Company [Member] | 6.5% Senior Notes due 2020 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member]                        
Debt Instruments [Line Items]                        
Long-term Debt, Gross 670,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A6.5SeniorNotesdue2020Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fcx_PlainsExplorationProductionCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
1,647,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A6.5SeniorNotesdue2020Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fcx_PlainsExplorationProductionCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
  1,647,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A6.5SeniorNotesdue2020Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fcx_PlainsExplorationProductionCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
               
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage 6.50%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A6.5SeniorNotesdue2020Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fcx_PlainsExplorationProductionCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                     
Debt Conversion, Converted Instrument, Expiration or Due Date Nov. 15, 2015                      
Plains Exploration & Production Company [Member] | 6.625% Senior Notes due 2021 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member]                        
Debt Instruments [Line Items]                        
Long-term Debt, Gross 284,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A6.625SeniorNotesdue2021Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fcx_PlainsExplorationProductionCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
659,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A6.625SeniorNotesdue2021Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fcx_PlainsExplorationProductionCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
  659,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A6.625SeniorNotesdue2021Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fcx_PlainsExplorationProductionCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
               
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage 6.625%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A6.625SeniorNotesdue2021Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fcx_PlainsExplorationProductionCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                     
Debt Conversion, Converted Instrument, Expiration or Due Date May 01, 2016                      
Plains Exploration & Production Company [Member] | 6.75% Senior Notes due 2022 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member]                        
Debt Instruments [Line Items]                        
Long-term Debt, Gross 493,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A6.75SeniorNotesdue2022Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fcx_PlainsExplorationProductionCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
1,111,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A6.75SeniorNotesdue2022Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fcx_PlainsExplorationProductionCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
  1,111,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A6.75SeniorNotesdue2022Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fcx_PlainsExplorationProductionCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
               
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage 6.75%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A6.75SeniorNotesdue2022Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fcx_PlainsExplorationProductionCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                     
Debt Conversion, Converted Instrument, Expiration or Due Date Feb. 01, 2017                      
Plains Exploration & Production Company [Member] | 6.875% Senior Notes due 2023 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member]                        
Debt Instruments [Line Items]                        
Long-term Debt, Gross 866,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A6.875SeniorNotesdue2023Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fcx_PlainsExplorationProductionCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
1,686,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A6.875SeniorNotesdue2023Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fcx_PlainsExplorationProductionCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
  1,686,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A6.875SeniorNotesdue2023Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fcx_PlainsExplorationProductionCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
               
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage 6.875%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A6.875SeniorNotesdue2023Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fcx_PlainsExplorationProductionCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                     
Debt Conversion, Converted Instrument, Expiration or Due Date Feb. 15, 2018                      
Plains Exploration & Production Company [Member] | 7.625% Senior Notes due 2018 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member]                        
Debt Instruments [Line Items]                        
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage 7.625%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A7.625SeniorNotesdue2018Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fcx_PlainsExplorationProductionCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                     
Repayments of Assumed Debt   415,000,000us-gaap_RepaymentsOfAssumedDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_A7.625SeniorNotesdue2018Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fcx_PlainsExplorationProductionCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                   
Freeport McMoRan Corporation [Member] | 7.125% Debentures due 2027 [Member] | Debentures [Member]                        
Debt Instruments [Line Items]                        
Long-term Debt, Gross 115,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_DebenturesDue2027Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fcx_FreeportMcmoranCorporationMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubordinatedDebtMember
115,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_DebenturesDue2027Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fcx_FreeportMcmoranCorporationMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubordinatedDebtMember
  115,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_DebenturesDue2027Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fcx_FreeportMcmoranCorporationMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubordinatedDebtMember
               
Freeport McMoRan Corporation [Member] | 9.5% Senior Notes due 2031 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member]                        
Debt Instruments [Line Items]                        
Long-term Debt, Gross 129,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_SeniorNotesDue2031Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fcx_FreeportMcmoranCorporationMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
130,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_SeniorNotesDue2031Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fcx_FreeportMcmoranCorporationMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
  130,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_SeniorNotesDue2031Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fcx_FreeportMcmoranCorporationMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
               
Freeport McMoRan Corporation [Member] | 6.125% Senior Notes due 2034 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member]                        
Debt Instruments [Line Items]                        
Long-term Debt, Gross 116,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_SeniorNotesDue2034Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fcx_FreeportMcmoranCorporationMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
115,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_SeniorNotesDue2034Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fcx_FreeportMcmoranCorporationMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
  115,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= fcx_SeniorNotesDue2034Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fcx_FreeportMcmoranCorporationMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
               
Option 1 [Member] | Bank Term Loan [Member]                        
Debt Instruments [Line Items]                        
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis LIBOR                      
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate 1.50%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= fcx_BankTermLoanMember
/ fcx_SupplementalDataAxis
= fcx_Option1Member
                     
Option 1 [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Credit Facility [Domain]                        
Debt Instruments [Line Items]                        
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis LIBOR                      
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate 1.50%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain
/ fcx_SupplementalDataAxis
= fcx_Option1Member
                     
Option 2 [Member] | Bank Term Loan [Member]                        
Debt Instruments [Line Items]                        
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis ABR                      
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate 0.50%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= fcx_BankTermLoanMember
/ fcx_SupplementalDataAxis
= fcx_Option2Member
                     
Option 2 [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Credit Facility [Domain]                        
Debt Instruments [Line Items]                        
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis ABR                      
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate 0.50%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain
/ fcx_SupplementalDataAxis
= fcx_Option2Member
                     
Tranche 1 [Member] | Cerro Verde [Member] | Credit Facility [Domain]                        
Debt Instruments [Line Items]                        
Revolving Credit Facility, Expiration Date Sep. 30, 2017                      
Long-term Debt, by Maturity [Abstract]                        
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity, Percentage 85.00%fcx_LineofCreditFacilityCurrentBorrowingCapacityPercentage
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fcx_CerroVerdeMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain
/ fcx_SupplementalDataAxis
= fcx_Tranche1Member
                     
Tranche 2 [Member] | Cerro Verde [Member] | Credit Facility [Domain]                        
Debt Instruments [Line Items]                        
Revolving Credit Facility, Expiration Date Mar. 31, 2018                      
Long-term Debt, by Maturity [Abstract]                        
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity, Percentage 70.00%fcx_LineofCreditFacilityCurrentBorrowingCapacityPercentage
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fcx_CerroVerdeMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain
/ fcx_SupplementalDataAxis
= fcx_Tranche2Member
                     
Tranche 3 [Member] | Cerro Verde [Member] | Credit Facility [Domain]                        
Debt Instruments [Line Items]                        
Revolving Credit Facility, Expiration Date Sep. 30, 2018                      
Long-term Debt, by Maturity [Abstract]                        
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity, Percentage 35.00%fcx_LineofCreditFacilityCurrentBorrowingCapacityPercentage
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fcx_CerroVerdeMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain
/ fcx_SupplementalDataAxis
= fcx_Tranche3Member
                     
Fourth-Quarter 2014 [Member] | Bank Term Loan [Member]                        
Debt Instruments [Line Items]                        
Repayments of Debt         100,000,000us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt
/ us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtAxis
= fcx_FourthQuarter2014Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= fcx_BankTermLoanMember
             
2015 [Member] | Bank Term Loan [Member]                        
Debt Instruments [Line Items]                        
Repayments of Debt         550,000,000us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt
/ us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtAxis
= fcx_A2015Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= fcx_BankTermLoanMember
             
First-Quarter 2016 [Member] | Bank Term Loan [Member]                        
Debt Instruments [Line Items]                        
Repayments of Debt         100,000,000us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt
/ us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtAxis
= fcx_FirstQuarter2016Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= fcx_BankTermLoanMember
             
Subsequent Event [Member] | Bank Term Loan [Member]                        
Long-term Debt, by Maturity [Abstract]                        
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Two                       225,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearTwo
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= fcx_BankTermLoanMember
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Three                       269,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearThree
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= fcx_BankTermLoanMember
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Four                       1,100,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFour
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= fcx_BankTermLoanMember
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Five                       299,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFive
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= fcx_BankTermLoanMember
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal after Year Five                       $ 1,200,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalAfterYearFive
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= fcx_BankTermLoanMember
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
Subsequent Event [Member] | Option 1 [Member] | Bank Term Loan [Member]                        
Debt Instruments [Line Items]                        
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis             LIBOR          
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate             1.75%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= fcx_BankTermLoanMember
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
/ fcx_SupplementalDataAxis
= fcx_Option1Member
         
Subsequent Event [Member] | Option 1 [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Credit Facility [Domain]                        
Debt Instruments [Line Items]                        
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis             LIBOR          
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate             1.75%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
/ fcx_SupplementalDataAxis
= fcx_Option1Member
         
Subsequent Event [Member] | Option 2 [Member] | Bank Term Loan [Member]                        
Debt Instruments [Line Items]                        
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis             ABR          
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate             0.75%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= fcx_BankTermLoanMember
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
/ fcx_SupplementalDataAxis
= fcx_Option2Member
         
Subsequent Event [Member] | Option 2 [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Credit Facility [Domain]                        
Debt Instruments [Line Items]                        
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis             ABR          
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate             0.75%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
/ fcx_SupplementalDataAxis
= fcx_Option2Member