Financial Instruments (Unaudited) Unsettled Derivatives (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset		$ 48	$ 14
Derivative Liability		8	86
Paid to brokers associated with margin requirements			10
Trade Accounts Receivable [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset		48	9
Derivative Liability		4	51
Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset		0	5
Derivative Liability		4	35
Commodity Contract [Member] | Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Asset position		50	20
Liability position		10	92
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Liability		2	6
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Asset		2	6
Derivative Asset		48	14
Derivative Liability		8	86
Commodity Contract [Member] | Copper Derivatives [Member] | Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Asset position		3	1
Liability position		1	11
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Liability		1	1
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Asset		1	1
Derivative Asset		2	0
Derivative Liability		0	10
Commodity Contract [Member] | Copper futures and swap contracts [Member] | Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Asset position	[1]	3	1
Liability position	[1]	1	11
Commodity Contract [Member] | Embedded derivatives in provisional sales/purchases contracts [Member] | Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Asset position		47	19
Liability position		9	81
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Liability		1	5
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Asset		1	5
Derivative Asset		46	14
Derivative Liability		$ 8	$ 76

[1] FCX had paid a minimal amount to brokers at September 30, 2016, and $10 million at December 31, 2015, for margin requirements (recorded in other current assets).