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INCOME TAXES (Details) (USD $)
 3 Months Ended 7 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 1 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 10 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Sep. 30, 2014
Jun. 30, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Jun. 30, 2013
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Jul. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2019
Nov. 03, 2014
Income before income taxes and equity in affiliated companies' net earnings [Abstract]                        
United States             $ (2,997,000,000)us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesDomestic $ 1,104,000,000us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesDomestic $ 1,539,000,000us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesDomestic      
Foreign             2,573,000,000us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesForeign 3,809,000,000us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesForeign 3,948,000,000us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesForeign      
Total             (424,000,000)us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments 4,913,000,000us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments 5,487,000,000us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments      
Current income taxes:                        
Federal             281,000,000us-gaap_CurrentFederalTaxExpenseBenefit 203,000,000us-gaap_CurrentFederalTaxExpenseBenefit 238,000,000us-gaap_CurrentFederalTaxExpenseBenefit      
State             35,000,000us-gaap_CurrentStateAndLocalTaxExpenseBenefit 9,000,000us-gaap_CurrentStateAndLocalTaxExpenseBenefit 7,000,000us-gaap_CurrentStateAndLocalTaxExpenseBenefit      
Foreign             1,128,000,000us-gaap_CurrentForeignTaxExpenseBenefit 1,081,000,000us-gaap_CurrentForeignTaxExpenseBenefit 1,002,000,000us-gaap_CurrentForeignTaxExpenseBenefit      
Total current             1,444,000,000us-gaap_CurrentIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit 1,293,000,000us-gaap_CurrentIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit 1,247,000,000us-gaap_CurrentIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit      
Deferred income taxes (benefits):                        
Federal             (606,000,000)us-gaap_DeferredFederalIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit 234,000,000us-gaap_DeferredFederalIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit 87,000,000us-gaap_DeferredFederalIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit      
State             (214,000,000)us-gaap_DeferredStateAndLocalIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit (35,000,000)us-gaap_DeferredStateAndLocalIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit 18,000,000us-gaap_DeferredStateAndLocalIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit      
Foreign             33,000,000us-gaap_DeferredForeignIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit 346,000,000us-gaap_DeferredForeignIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit 363,000,000us-gaap_DeferredForeignIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit      
Total deferred             (787,000,000)us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit 545,000,000us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit 468,000,000us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit      
Adjustments       (16,000,000)fcx_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitAdjustments (183,000,000)fcx_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitAdjustments   0fcx_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitAdjustments (199,000,000)fcx_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitAdjustments [1] (205,000,000)fcx_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitAdjustments [2],[3]      
Federal operating loss carryforwards             (333,000,000)us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitContinuingOperationsAdjustmentOfDeferredTaxAssetLiability [4] (164,000,000)us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitContinuingOperationsAdjustmentOfDeferredTaxAssetLiability [4] 0us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitContinuingOperationsAdjustmentOfDeferredTaxAssetLiability      
Provision for income taxes             324,000,000us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit [5],[6] 1,475,000,000us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit [7] 1,510,000,000us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit [8]      
Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Changes in Deferred Tax Liabilities and Deferred Tax Asset Valuation Allowances (22,000,000)fcx_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitChangesinDeferredTaxLiabilitiesandDeferredTaxAssetValuationAllowances (5,000,000)fcx_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitChangesinDeferredTaxLiabilitiesandDeferredTaxAssetValuationAllowances (57,000,000)fcx_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitChangesinDeferredTaxLiabilitiesandDeferredTaxAssetValuationAllowances       (84,000,000)fcx_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitChangesinDeferredTaxLiabilitiesandDeferredTaxAssetValuationAllowances 190,000,000fcx_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitChangesinDeferredTaxLiabilitiesandDeferredTaxAssetValuationAllowances        
Deferred Other Tax Expense (Benefit)               16,000,000us-gaap_DeferredOtherTaxExpenseBenefit        
Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations, Adjustment of Deferred Tax (Asset) Liability, Environmental Matters               (76,000,000)fcx_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitContinuingOperationsAdjustmentofDeferredTaxAssetLiabilityEnvironmentalMatters        
Effective Date, Stability Agreement             Jan. 01, 2014          
Income tax expense (benefit), reconciliation [Abstract]                        
U.S. federal statutory tax rate             (149,000,000)us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationIncomeTaxExpenseBenefitAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate 1,720,000,000us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationIncomeTaxExpenseBenefitAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate 1,920,000,000us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationIncomeTaxExpenseBenefitAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate      
Foreign tax credit limitation             167,000,000us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationTaxCreditsForeign 117,000,000us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationTaxCreditsForeign 110,000,000us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationTaxCreditsForeign      
Percentage depletion             (263,000,000)us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationNondeductibleExpenseDepletion [9] (223,000,000)us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationNondeductibleExpenseDepletion (263,000,000)us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationNondeductibleExpenseDepletion      
Withholding and other impacts on foreign earnings             161,000,000us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationRepatriationOfForeignEarnings 306,000,000us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationRepatriationOfForeignEarnings (17,000,000)us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationRepatriationOfForeignEarnings      
Effect of foreign rates different than the U.S. federal statutory rate             (135,000,000)us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationForeignIncomeTaxRateDifferential (223,000,000)us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationForeignIncomeTaxRateDifferential (204,000,000)us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationForeignIncomeTaxRateDifferential      
Valuation allowance on minimum tax credits             0us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationChangeInDeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance (190,000,000)us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationChangeInDeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance (9,000,000)us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationChangeInDeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance      
Goodwill impairment             601,000,000us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationNondeductibleExpenseImpairmentLosses 0us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationNondeductibleExpenseImpairmentLosses 0us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationNondeductibleExpenseImpairmentLosses      
Goodwill transferred to full cost pool             77,000,000fcx_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationChangeinDeferredTaxLiabilitiesAmount 0fcx_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationChangeinDeferredTaxLiabilitiesAmount 0fcx_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationChangeinDeferredTaxLiabilitiesAmount      
State income taxes             (115,000,000)us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationStateAndLocalIncomeTaxes (43,000,000)us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationStateAndLocalIncomeTaxes 17,000,000us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationStateAndLocalIncomeTaxes      
Other items, net             (20,000,000)us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationOtherReconcilingItems 11,000,000us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationOtherReconcilingItems (44,000,000)us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationOtherReconcilingItems      
Provision for income taxes             324,000,000us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit [5],[6] 1,475,000,000us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit [7] 1,510,000,000us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit [8]      
Effective income tax rate, reconciliation [Abstract]                        
U.S. federal statutory tax rate           35.00%us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate 35.00%us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate 35.00%us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate 35.00%us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate      
Foreign tax credit limitation             (39.00%)us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationTaxCreditsForeign 2.00%us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationTaxCreditsForeign 2.00%us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationTaxCreditsForeign      
Percentage depletion             62.00%us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationNondeductibleExpenseDepletion (5.00%)us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationNondeductibleExpenseDepletion (5.00%)us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationNondeductibleExpenseDepletion      
Withholding and other impacts on foreign earnings             (38.00%)us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationRepatriationOfForeignEarnings 7.00%us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationRepatriationOfForeignEarnings 0.00%us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationRepatriationOfForeignEarnings      
Effect of foreign rates different than the U.S. federal statutory rate             32.00%us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationForeignIncomeTaxRateDifferential (5.00%)us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationForeignIncomeTaxRateDifferential (4.00%)us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationForeignIncomeTaxRateDifferential      
Valuation allowance on minimum tax credits             0.00%us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationChangeInDeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance (4.00%)us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationChangeInDeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance 0.00%us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationChangeInDeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance      
Goodwill impairment             (142.00%)us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationNondeductibleExpenseImpairmentLosses 0.00%us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationNondeductibleExpenseImpairmentLosses 0.00%us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationNondeductibleExpenseImpairmentLosses      
Goodwill transferred to full cost pool             (18.00%)fcx_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationChangeinDeferredTaxLiabilitiesPercent 0.00%fcx_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationChangeinDeferredTaxLiabilitiesPercent 0.00%fcx_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationChangeinDeferredTaxLiabilitiesPercent      
State income taxes           3.00%us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationStateAndLocalIncomeTaxes 27.00%us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationStateAndLocalIncomeTaxes 0.00%us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationStateAndLocalIncomeTaxes 0.00%us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationStateAndLocalIncomeTaxes      
Other items, net             5.00%us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationOtherAdjustments 0.00%us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationOtherAdjustments 0.00%us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationOtherAdjustments      
Provision for income taxes             (76.00%)us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperations 30.00%us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperations 28.00%us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperations      
Tax charge related to change in U.S. federal income tax regulations             (16,000,000)us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationNondeductibleExpenseOther          
Total income taxes paid to all jurisdictions             1,500,000,000us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaid 1,300,000,000us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaid 1,800,000,000us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaid      
Tax refunds received from all jurisdictions             257,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromIncomeTaxRefunds 270,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromIncomeTaxRefunds 69,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromIncomeTaxRefunds      
Deferred tax assets:                        
Foreign tax credits 2,306,000,000us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsTaxCreditCarryforwardsForeign     2,144,000,000us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsTaxCreditCarryforwardsForeign   2,144,000,000us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsTaxCreditCarryforwardsForeign 2,306,000,000us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsTaxCreditCarryforwardsForeign 2,144,000,000us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsTaxCreditCarryforwardsForeign        
Accrued expenses 1,047,000,000us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsTaxDeferredExpenseReservesAndAccruals     1,098,000,000us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsTaxDeferredExpenseReservesAndAccruals   1,098,000,000us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsTaxDeferredExpenseReservesAndAccruals 1,047,000,000us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsTaxDeferredExpenseReservesAndAccruals 1,098,000,000us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsTaxDeferredExpenseReservesAndAccruals        
Minimum tax credits 737,000,000us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsTaxCreditCarryforwardsAlternativeMinimumTax     603,000,000us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsTaxCreditCarryforwardsAlternativeMinimumTax   603,000,000us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsTaxCreditCarryforwardsAlternativeMinimumTax 737,000,000us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsTaxCreditCarryforwardsAlternativeMinimumTax 603,000,000us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsTaxCreditCarryforwardsAlternativeMinimumTax        
Net operating loss carryforwards 590,000,000us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsOperatingLossCarryforwardsDomestic     925,000,000us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsOperatingLossCarryforwardsDomestic   925,000,000us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsOperatingLossCarryforwardsDomestic 590,000,000us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsOperatingLossCarryforwardsDomestic 925,000,000us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsOperatingLossCarryforwardsDomestic        
Employee benefit plans 422,000,000us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsTaxDeferredExpenseCompensationAndBenefitsEmployeeBenefits     443,000,000us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsTaxDeferredExpenseCompensationAndBenefitsEmployeeBenefits   443,000,000us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsTaxDeferredExpenseCompensationAndBenefitsEmployeeBenefits 422,000,000us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsTaxDeferredExpenseCompensationAndBenefitsEmployeeBenefits 443,000,000us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsTaxDeferredExpenseCompensationAndBenefitsEmployeeBenefits        
Other 734,000,000us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsOther     557,000,000us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsOther   557,000,000us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsOther 734,000,000us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsOther 557,000,000us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsOther        
Deferred tax assets 5,836,000,000us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsGross     5,770,000,000us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsGross   5,770,000,000us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsGross 5,836,000,000us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsGross 5,770,000,000us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsGross        
Valuation allowances (2,434,000,000)us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance     (2,487,000,000)us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance   (2,487,000,000)us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance (2,434,000,000)us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance (2,487,000,000)us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance        
Net deferred tax assets 3,402,000,000us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsNet     3,283,000,000us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsNet   3,283,000,000us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsNet 3,402,000,000us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsNet 3,283,000,000us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsNet        
Deferred tax liabilities:                        
Property, plant, equipment and development costs (5,331,000,000)us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesPropertyPlantAndEquipment     (4,887,000,000)us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesPropertyPlantAndEquipment   (4,887,000,000)us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesPropertyPlantAndEquipment (5,331,000,000)us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesPropertyPlantAndEquipment (4,887,000,000)us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesPropertyPlantAndEquipment        
Oil and gas properties (3,392,000,000)fcx_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesOilandGasProperties     (4,708,000,000)fcx_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesOilandGasProperties   (4,708,000,000)fcx_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesOilandGasProperties (3,392,000,000)fcx_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesOilandGasProperties (4,708,000,000)fcx_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesOilandGasProperties        
Undistributed earnings (807,000,000)us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesUndistributedForeignEarnings     (936,000,000)us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesUndistributedForeignEarnings   (936,000,000)us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesUndistributedForeignEarnings (807,000,000)us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesUndistributedForeignEarnings (936,000,000)us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesUndistributedForeignEarnings        
Other (185,000,000)us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesOther     (34,000,000)us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesOther   (34,000,000)us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesOther (185,000,000)us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesOther (34,000,000)us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesOther        
Total deferred tax liabilities (9,715,000,000)us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilities     (10,565,000,000)us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilities   (10,565,000,000)us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilities (9,715,000,000)us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilities (10,565,000,000)us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilities        
Net deferred tax liabilities (6,313,000,000)us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsLiabilitiesNet     (7,282,000,000)us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsLiabilitiesNet   (7,282,000,000)us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsLiabilitiesNet (6,313,000,000)us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsLiabilitiesNet (7,282,000,000)us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsLiabilitiesNet        
Valuation allowance on deferred tax asset increase (decrease) during period             (53,000,000)us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceDeferredTaxAssetChangeInAmount          
McMoRan Exploration Co [Member]                        
Deferred income taxes (benefits):                        
Deferred Other Tax Expense (Benefit)               69,000,000us-gaap_DeferredOtherTaxExpenseBenefit
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fcx_McmoranExplorationCoMember		        
Cerro Verde [Member]                        
Deferred income taxes (benefits):                        
Term of Stability Agreement                   15 years    
Foreign Income Tax Rate Under Old Stability Agreement                   30.00%fcx_ForeignIncomeTaxRate
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fcx_CerroVerdeMember		    
Foreign Income Tax Rate Under New Stability Agreegment             32.00%fcx_ForeignIncomeTaxRateUnderNewStabilityAgreegment
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fcx_CerroVerdeMember		     32.00%fcx_ForeignIncomeTaxRateUnderNewStabilityAgreegment
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fcx_CerroVerdeMember		    
Deferred Foreign Income Tax Expense from New Stability Agreement                 29,000,000fcx_DeferredForeignIncomeTaxExpenseFromNewStabilityAgreement
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fcx_CerroVerdeMember		      
Deferred Foreign Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Associated with Foreign Reinvested Profits                 234,000,000fcx_DeferredForeignIncomeTaxExpenseBenefitAssociatedWithForeignReinvestedProfits
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fcx_CerroVerdeMember		      
Chile [Member]                        
Deferred income taxes (benefits):                        
Adjustments             54,000,000fcx_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitAdjustments
/ us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityAxis
= country_CL		          
Foreign Income Tax Rate Under Old Stability Agreement             35.00%fcx_ForeignIncomeTaxRate
/ us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityAxis
= country_CL		          
Peru [Member]                        
Deferred income taxes (benefits):                        
Adjustments             24,000,000fcx_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitAdjustments
/ us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityAxis
= country_PE		          
Foreign Income Tax Rate Under Old Stability Agreement             30.00%fcx_ForeignIncomeTaxRate
/ us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityAxis
= country_PE		       26.00%fcx_ForeignIncomeTaxRate
/ us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityAxis
= country_PE		  
Candelaria and Ojos del Salado Mining Complex [Member]                        
Income before income taxes and equity in affiliated companies' net earnings [Abstract]                        
Total               689,000,000us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis
= fcx_CandelariaandOjosdelSaladoMiningComplexMember		 547,000,000us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis
= fcx_CandelariaandOjosdelSaladoMiningComplexMember		     270,000,000us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis
= fcx_CandelariaandOjosdelSaladoMiningComplexMember
Effective income tax rate, reconciliation [Abstract]                        
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals, Gain (Loss) on Sale or Disposal, Tax Provision (Benefit)                       $ 221,000,000fcx_SignificantAcquisitionsandDisposalsGainLossonSaleorDisposalTaxProvisionBenefit
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis
= fcx_CandelariaandOjosdelSaladoMiningComplexMember
[1] As a result of the oil and gas acquisitions, FCX recognized a net tax benefit of $199 million consisting of income tax benefits of $190 million associated with net reductions in FCX's valuation allowances, $69 million related to the release of the deferred tax liability on PXP's investment in MMR common stock and $16 million associated with the revaluation of state deferred tax liabilities, partially offset by income tax expense of $76 million associated with the write off of deferred tax assets related to environmental liabilities.
[2] Cerro Verde previously recorded deferred Peruvian income tax liabilities for income taxes that would become payable if the reinvested profits used to fund the initial Cerro Verde sulfide expansion were distributed prior to the expiration of Cerro Verde's 1998 stability agreement on December 31, 2013. Because reinvested profits at Cerro Verde were not expected to be distributed prior to December 31, 2013, a net deferred income tax liability of $234 million was reversed and recognized as an income tax benefit in 2012.
[3] In 2012, Cerro Verde signed a new 15-year mining stability agreement with the Peruvian government, which became effective January 1, 2014. In connection with the new mining stability agreement, Cerro Verde's income tax rate increased from 30 percent to 32 percent, and FCX recognized additional deferred tax expense of $29 million.
[4] Benefit from the use of federal operating loss carryforwards acquired as part of the oil and gas acquisitions.
[5] Includes charges related to changes in Chilean and Peruvian tax rules of $54 million and $24 million, respectively.
[6] Includes a net charge of $221 million related to the sale of Candelaria/Ojos.
[7] Includes a net tax benefit of $199 million as a result of the oil and gas acquisitions.
[8] Includes the reversal of Cerro Verde's deferred income tax liability of $234 million.
[9] Includes a net charge of $16 million related to a change in U.S. federal income tax law.