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Carrying amount (lower of cost or market) as of the balance sheet date of long-term mill stockpile inventories less all valuation and other allowances.

No definition available.

Name:	fcx_InventoryMillStockpilesNoncurrent
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Carrying amount (lower of cost or market) as of the balance sheet date of stockpile inventories less all valuation and other allowances. Excludes noncurrent inventory balances (expected to remain on hand past one year or operating cycle, if longer).

No definition available.

Name:	fcx_InventoryMillandStockpilesonLeachPadsCurrent
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Carrying amount (lower of cost or market) as of the balance sheet date of mill stockpile inventories less all valuation and other allowances.

No definition available.

Name:	fcx_InventoryOreStockpilesinMillsCurrent
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Amount before last-in-first-out (LIFO) and valuation reserves of noncurrent ore stockpile material contained on a leach pad, for example, but not limited to, copper or gold ore.

No definition available.

Name:	fcx_InventoryOreStockpilesonLeachPadsNoncurrent
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Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date, including unprocessed items to be consumed in the production process; goods which are partially completed, and which require further materials, labor and overhead to be converted into finished goods; and goods held by the company that are readily available for sale.

No definition available.

Name:	fcx_Product
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Amount before valuation and LIFO reserves of completed merchandise or goods expected to be sold within one year or operating cycle, if longer.

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Inventories not expected to be converted to cash, sold or exchanged within the normal operating cycle.

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Amount before last-in first-out (LIFO) and valuation reserves of ore stockpile material contained on a leach pad, for example, but not limited to, copper or gold ore.

No definition available.

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Amount before valuation and LIFO reserves of raw materials expected to be sold, or consumed within one year or operating cycle, if longer.

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Aggregated amount of unprocessed materials to be used in manufacturing or production process and supplies that will be consumed. This amount is net of valuation reserves and adjustments.

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(6)(a)(4))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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Period Type:	instant

Amount of valuation reserve for inventory.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 330
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
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Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Balance Type:	credit
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Amount before valuation and LIFO reserves of merchandise or goods in the production process expected to be completed within one year or operating cycle, if longer.

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

Amount of loss from reductions in inventory due to subsequent measurement adjustments, including, but not limited to, physical deterioration, obsolescence, or changes in price levels.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 330
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Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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