COMMITMENTS AND GUARANTEES (Financial Guarantees) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014
Morenci [Member]
Financial guarantees [line items]
Percentage of undivided interest in the Morenci complex	85.00%
Maximum potential payment the company is obligated to make to Sumitomo upon exercise of the put option	$ 354
Sumitomo's Share in Joint Venture [Member]
Financial guarantees [line items]
Percentage of undivided interest owned by third party	15.00%

Maximum potential amount of future payments (undiscounted) the guarantor could be required to make under the guarantee or each group of similar guarantees before reduction for potential recoveries under recourse or collateralization provisions.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 460

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-Subparagraph (b)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6851643&loc=d3e12069-110248

Name:	us-gaap_GuaranteeObligationsMaximumExposure
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant