Cerro Verde [Abstract]

No definition available.

Name:	fcx_CerroVerdeAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	fcx_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of installment payments under installment program.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	fcx_DebtInstrumentNumberofInstallmentPayments
Namespace Prefix:	fcx_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Exchanges and Early Extinguishment of Debt [Abstract]

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	fcx_ExchangesandEarlyExtinguishmentofDebtAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	fcx_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Gross redemption value of debt extinguished.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	fcx_ExtinguishmentOfDebtRedemptionValue
Namespace Prefix:	fcx_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Gains (losses) primarily associated with modification of credit facility

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	fcx_Gainslossesprimarilyassociatedwithmodificationofcreditfacility
Namespace Prefix:	fcx_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Revolving Credit Facility [Abstract]

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	fcx_RevolvingCreditFacilityAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	fcx_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Senior Notes Issued by FCX [Abstract]

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	fcx_SeniorNotesIssuedbyFCXAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	fcx_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of short-term debt and current maturity of long-term debt and capital lease obligations due within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount, before unamortized (discount) premium and debt issuance costs, of long-term debt. Includes, but is not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, commercial loans, mortgage loans, convertible debt, subordinated debt and other types of debt.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(22))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

+ Details

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

- Definition

Face (par) amount of debt instrument at time of issuance.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 55
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930739&loc=d3e28878-108400

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930785&loc=d3e28551-108399

+ Details

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

- Definition

Effective interest rate for the funds borrowed under the debt agreement considering interest compounding and original issue discount or premium.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of unamortized debt discount (premium) and debt issuance costs.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumAndDebtIssuanceCostsNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount, after accumulated amortization, of debt issuance costs. Includes, but is not limited to, legal, accounting, underwriting, printing, and registration costs.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930785&loc=d3e28555-108399

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.17)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Gross amount of debt extinguished.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Difference between the fair value of payments made and the carrying amount of debt which is extinguished prior to maturity.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 50
-Section 40
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=49170532&loc=d3e12317-112629

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98514028&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 50
-Section 40
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=49170532&loc=d3e12355-112629

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of interest capitalized during the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6450988&loc=d3e26243-108391

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_InterestCostsCapitalized
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Total interest costs incurred during the period and either capitalized or charged against earnings.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6450988&loc=d3e26243-108391

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_InterestCostsIncurred
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of addition (reduction) to the amount at which a liability could be incurred (settled) in a current transaction between willing parties.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueAdjustment
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the current and noncurrent portions of long-term obligations drawn from a line of credit, which is a bank's commitment to make loans up to a specific amount. Examples of items that might be included in the application of this element may consist of letters of credit, standby letters of credit, and revolving credit arrangements, under which borrowings can be made up to a maximum amount as of any point in time conditional on satisfaction of specified terms before, as of and after the date of drawdowns on the line. Includes short-term obligations that would normally be classified as current liabilities but for which (a) postbalance sheet date issuance of a long term obligation to refinance the short term obligation on a long term basis, or (b) the enterprise has entered into a financing agreement that clearly permits the enterprise to refinance the short-term obligation on a long term basis and the following conditions are met (1) the agreement does not expire within 1 year and is not cancelable by the lender except for violation of an objectively determinable provision, (2) no violation exists at the BS date, and (3) the lender has entered into the financing agreement is expected to be financially capable of honoring the agreement.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of increase (decrease) of the credit facility.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(f))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityIncreaseDecreaseForPeriodNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of the required periodic payments of both interest and principal.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityPeriodicPayment
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of borrowing capacity currently available under the credit facility (current borrowing capacity less the amount of borrowings outstanding).

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount, after unamortized (discount) premium and debt issuance costs, of long-term debt. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(a)(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(22))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of long-term debt and capital lease obligations including current maturities.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount after unamortized (discount) premium and debt issuance costs of long-term debt classified as noncurrent and excluding amounts to be repaid within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

The cash outflow during the period from the repayment of aggregate short-term and long-term debt. Excludes payment of capital lease obligations.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis=us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=fcx_OilAndGasOperationsSegmentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis=us-gaap_OilAndGasPropertiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=fcx_CerroVerdeMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodAxis=us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodThreeMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis=us-gaap_ScenarioForecastMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=fcx_CerroVerdeCreditFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=fcx_ShareholderLoanMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=fcx_A6.625SeniorNotesdue2021Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=fcx_A6.125SeniorNotesdue2019Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=fcx_A2.15SeniorNotesDue2017Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=fcx_FcxMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=fcx_FreeportMcMoRanOilGasMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=fcx_A6.75SeniorNotesdue2022Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=us-gaap_SubordinatedDebtMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=fcx_FreeportMcmoranCorporationMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=fcx_OtherDebtIncludingCapitalLeasesandShortTermBorrowingsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Debt (Details)						1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
Debt (Details)	Dec. 31, 2021 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2021 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($) years	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)
Debt Instruments [Line Items]
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations, Including Current Maturities				$ 14,782,000,000	$ 16,027,000,000		$ 14,782,000,000			$ 14,782,000,000
Less current portion of long-term debt and short-term borrownings				(2,215,000,000)	(1,232,000,000)		(2,215,000,000)			(2,215,000,000)
Long-term debt				12,567,000,000	14,795,000,000		12,567,000,000			12,567,000,000
Liabilities, Fair Value Adjustment				131,000,000	179,000,000
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount (Premium) and Debt Issuance Costs, Net				92,000,000	100,000,000		92,000,000			92,000,000
Exchanges and Early Extinguishment of Debt [Abstract]
Net loss (gain) on exchanges and early extinguishment of debt							11,000,000		$ 15,000,000	8,000,000	$ 51,000,000
Interest Costs Incurred							196,000,000		211,000,000	583,000,000	647,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Exchanges and Early Extinguishment of Debt [Abstract]
Losses primarily associated with modification of credit facility											(3,000,000)
Property, Plant and Equipment [Member]
Exchanges and Early Extinguishment of Debt [Abstract]
Interest Costs Capitalized							33,000,000		24,000,000	91,000,000	66,000,000
Oil and Gas Operations Segment [Member] \| Oil and Gas Properties [Member]
Exchanges and Early Extinguishment of Debt [Abstract]
Interest Costs Capitalized							0		$ 0	0	7,000,000
Line of Credit [Member] \| Line of Credit [Member] \| Cerro Verde [Member]
Debt Instruments [Line Items]
Long-term Debt				$ 1,486,000,000	1,390,000,000		$ 1,486,000,000			$ 1,486,000,000
Cerro Verde [Abstract]
Line of Credit Facility, Increase (Decrease), Net						$ 225,000,000
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity						$ 1,500,000,000.0
Debt Instrument, Number of Installment Payments \| years										4
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage				3.14%			3.14%			3.14%
Line of Credit [Member] \| Letter of Credit [Member]
Revolving Credit Facility [Abstract]
Long-term Line of Credit				$ 36,000,000			$ 36,000,000			$ 36,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity				1,500,000,000			1,500,000,000			1,500,000,000
Line of Credit [Member] \| Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instruments [Line Items]
Long-term Debt				0			0			0
Revolving Credit Facility [Abstract]
Revolving Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity				3,500,000,000			3,500,000,000			3,500,000,000
Line of Credit [Member] \| Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Three [Member] \| Scenario, Forecast [Member] \| Line of Credit [Member] \| Cerro Verde [Member] \| Cerro Verde Credit Facility [Member]
Cerro Verde [Abstract]
Line of Credit Facility, Periodic Payment	$ 525,000,000	$ 225,000,000	$ 225,000,000
Shareholder Loan [Member] \| Cerro Verde [Member]
Debt Instruments [Line Items]
Long-term Debt				0	261,000,000		0			0
Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instruments [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount				543,000,000			543,000,000			543,000,000
Exchanges and Early Extinguishment of Debt [Abstract]
Debt Issuance Costs, Net				23,000,000			23,000,000			23,000,000
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount							566,000,000
Extinguishment Of Debt, Redemption Value							555,000,000
Net loss (gain) on exchanges and early extinguishment of debt							11,000,000				$ 54,000,000
Losses primarily associated with modification of credit facility							(3,000,000)
Senior Notes [Member] \| 6.625% Senior Notes due 2021 [Member]
Debt Instruments [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount				228,000,000			228,000,000			228,000,000
Exchanges and Early Extinguishment of Debt [Abstract]
Debt Issuance Costs, Net				12,000,000			12,000,000			12,000,000
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount							240
Extinguishment Of Debt, Redemption Value							234,000,000
Net loss (gain) on exchanges and early extinguishment of debt							6,000,000
Senior Notes [Member] \| 6.125% Senior Notes due 2019 [Member]
Debt Instruments [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount				179,000,000			179,000,000			179,000,000
Exchanges and Early Extinguishment of Debt [Abstract]
Debt Issuance Costs, Net				5,000,000			5,000,000			5,000,000
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount							184
Extinguishment Of Debt, Redemption Value							182,000,000
Net loss (gain) on exchanges and early extinguishment of debt							2,000,000
Senior Notes [Member] \| 2.15% Senior Notes Due 2017 [Member]
Senior Notes Issued by FCX [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage								2.15%
Repayments of Debt								$ 500,000,000
Senior Notes [Member] \| FCX [Member]
Debt Instruments [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Gross				12,811,000,000	13,745,000,000		12,811,000,000			12,811,000,000
Senior Notes [Member] \| Freeport-McMoRan Oil & Gas
Debt Instruments [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Gross				122,000,000	267,000,000		122,000,000			122,000,000
Senior Notes [Member] \| Freeport-McMoRan Oil & Gas \| 6.625% Senior Notes due 2021 [Member]
Debt Instruments [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount				33,000,000			33,000,000			33,000,000
Exchanges and Early Extinguishment of Debt [Abstract]
Debt Issuance Costs, Net				2,000,000			2,000,000			2,000,000
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount							35
Extinguishment Of Debt, Redemption Value							34,000,000
Net loss (gain) on exchanges and early extinguishment of debt							1,000,000
Senior Notes [Member] \| Freeport-McMoRan Oil & Gas \| 6.125% Senior Notes due 2019 [Member]
Debt Instruments [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount				58,000,000			58,000,000			58,000,000
Exchanges and Early Extinguishment of Debt [Abstract]
Debt Issuance Costs, Net				2,000,000			2,000,000			2,000,000
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount							60
Extinguishment Of Debt, Redemption Value							59,000,000
Net loss (gain) on exchanges and early extinguishment of debt							1,000,000
Senior Notes [Member] \| Freeport-McMoRan Oil & Gas \| 6.75% Senior Notes due 2022 [Member]
Debt Instruments [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount				45,000,000			45,000,000			45,000,000
Exchanges and Early Extinguishment of Debt [Abstract]
Debt Issuance Costs, Net				2,000,000			2,000,000			2,000,000
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount							47
Extinguishment Of Debt, Redemption Value							46,000,000
Net loss (gain) on exchanges and early extinguishment of debt							1,000,000
Debentures [Member] \| Freeport McMoRan Corporation [Member]
Debt Instruments [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Gross				358,000,000	359,000,000		358,000,000			358,000,000
Other Debt, Including Capital Leases and Short Term Borrowings [Member]
Debt Instruments [Line Items]
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations, Including Current Maturities				$ 5,000,000	$ 5,000,000		$ 5,000,000			$ 5,000,000