Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Cash flow from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 886	$ (4,225)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	1,257	2,017
Net charges for Cerro Verde royalty dispute	359	0
Payments for Cerro Verde royalty dispute	32	20
Impairment of oil and gas properties	0	4,317
Gain (Loss) on Contract Termination	33	(705)
Net gain on sales of assets	(66)	(762)
Net charges for environmental and asset retirement obligations, including accretion	196	149
Payments for environmental and asset retirement obligations	85	190
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Expense (Reversal of Expense), Noncash	95	78
Payment for Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits	(152)	(44)
Net loss (gain) on exchanges and early extinguishment of debt	8	51
Deferred income taxes	77	(22)
Gain on disposal of discontinued operations	41	(182)
Decrease (increase) in long term mill and leach stockpiles	181	(84)
Oil and gas contract settlement payments	70	0
Other, net	59	61
Changes in working capital and other tax payments, excluding amounts from dispositions:
Accounts receivable	420	257
Inventories	(314)	251
Other current assets	(17)	(120)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(93)	(80)
Accrued income taxes and changes in other tax payments	399	175
Net cash provided by operating activities	3,018	2,594
Cash flow from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	1,020	2,309
Proceeds from Sale of Other Assets, Investing Activities	68	410
Other, net	(22)	9
Net cash used in investing activities	(974)	(894)
Cash flow from financing activities:
Proceeds from debt	795	3,463
Repayments of debt	(1,991)	(4,539)
Net proceeds from sale of common stock	0	442
Cash dividends paid:
Common stock	(2)	(5)
Noncontrolling interests	67	87
Stock-based awards net payments	(10)	(5)
Debt financing costs and other, net	(12)	(17)
Net cash used in financing activities	(1,287)	(748)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	757	952
Increase in cash and cash equivalents in assets held for sale	(45)	(43)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	4,245	177
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	4,957	1,086
North America Copper Mines Segment [Member]
Cash flow from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	106	87
South America Mines Segment [Member]
Cash flow from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	65	332
Grasberg Segment [Member]
Cash flow from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	663	706
Molybdenum [Member]
Cash flow from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	4	2
Other Segments [Member]
Cash flow from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	182	1,182
Morenci [Member]
Cash flow from investing activities:
Proceeds from Divestiture of Businesses and Interests in Affiliates	$ 0	$ 996