COMMITMENTS AND GUARANTEES (Mining Contracts) (Details) T in Millions, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) T $ / lb	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2014
Contractual Obligations Mining Contracts [Line Items]
Progressive Export Duty on Copper Concentrates, Change, Percent	2.50%
Surety Bond
Contractual Obligations Mining Contracts [Line Items]
Assurance Bond, Smelter Development	$ 326
PT-FI
Contractual Obligations Mining Contracts [Line Items]
Number of Extention Periods Available Under Mining Contract	2
Period For Option To Extend Mining Contract	10 years
Gold And Silver Sales Royalty Rate	1.00%
Ore Delivery Commitments and Contracts Daily Production, Per Day | T	0.2
Progressive Export Duty on Copper Concentrates, Lower Threshold, Percent	5.00%			5.00%
Progressive Export Duty on Copper Concentrates, Higher Threshold, Percent	7.50%			7.50%
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	$ 38
Smelter Development Progress, Lower Threshold, Percent	7.50%
Smelter Development Progress, Higher Threshold, Percent	30.00%
Royalty Expense	$ 173	$ 131	$ 114
Export Duties Expense	$ 115	$ 95	$ 109
Incremental Percent of Undivided Interest Owned by Third Party	20.64%
PT-FI | Copper
Contractual Obligations Mining Contracts [Line Items]
Royalty Interest in Future Production	4.00%				3.50%
PT-FI | Gold and silver [Member]
Contractual Obligations Mining Contracts [Line Items]
Royalty Interest in Future Production	3.75%				1.00%
PT-FI | Construction Contracts | Surety Bond
Contractual Obligations Mining Contracts [Line Items]
Assurance Bond, Smelter Development	$ 115
PT-FI | Minimum
Contractual Obligations Mining Contracts [Line Items]
Copper Royalty Rate Payable	1.50%
Price Of Copper Per Pound | $ / lb	0.90
PT-FI | Maximum
Contractual Obligations Mining Contracts [Line Items]
Copper Royalty Rate Payable	3.50%
Price Of Copper Per Pound | $ / lb	1.10
Other Current Assets [Member] | PT-FI
Contractual Obligations Mining Contracts [Line Items]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	$ 22
Other Noncurrent Assets [Member] | PT-FI
Contractual Obligations Mining Contracts [Line Items]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	$ 16
PT-FI
Contractual Obligations Mining Contracts [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	81.28%
PT-FI | PT Indocopper Investama [Member]
Contractual Obligations Mining Contracts [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	9.36%