CONTINGENCIES (Environmental and Reclamation Programs) (Details) $ in Millions		12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2017 USD ($) divisions	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Site Contingency [Line Items]
ARO, change in estimate		$ 529	$ (66)	$ 56
New Mexico Environmental And Reclamation Programs
Site Contingency [Line Items]
Accrued reclamation and closure costs		471
Arizona Environmental And Reclamation Programs
Site Contingency [Line Items]
Accrued reclamation and closure costs		316
Colorado Environmental And Reclamation Programs
Site Contingency [Line Items]
Accrued reclamation and closure costs		66
El Abra
Site Contingency [Line Items]
Accrued reclamation and closure costs		55
Cerro Verde
Site Contingency [Line Items]
Accrued reclamation and closure costs		114
Pt Freeport Indonesia Environmental And Reclamation Programs
Site Contingency [Line Items]
Accrued reclamation and closure costs		$ 998
Estimated years the mining activities are expected to continue		25 years
ARO, change in estimate		$ 372		$ 403
Current cash balance of reclamation fund		$ 22
Subsequent Event [Member]
Site Contingency [Line Items]
Environmental Loss Contingency, Number of Uranium Sites on Tribal Lands | divisions	94
Value of Consent Decree, Uranium Mines on Tribal Lands	$ 600
Remediation work related to Uranium mines, amount to be contributed by the U.S. Government	$ 335
Uranium mine remediation work, program term, in years	20 years