PROPERTY, PLANT, EQUIPMENT AND MINING DEVELOPMENT COSTS, NET (Schedule of PPE) (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 30, 2008	Dec. 31, 2007
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant, equipment and mining development costs	$ 37,082,000,000	$ 35,956,000,000
Accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization	(14,246,000,000)	(12,737,000,000)
Property, plant, equipment and mining development costs, net	22,836,000,000	23,219,000,000
Proven and probable reserves [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant, equipment and mining development costs	3,974,000,000	3,863,000,000
Transfer From Value Beyond Proven And Probable Reserves To Proven And Probable Reserves	112,000,000	0		$ 640,000,000
Value beyond proven and probable reserves (VBPP) [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Payments to Acquire Mineral Rights						$ 1,600,000,000
Property, plant, equipment and mining development costs	447,000,000	559,000,000
Property, Plant and Equipment, Transfers and Changes					$ 485,000,000
Mine development and other
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant, equipment and mining development costs	6,212,000,000	5,755,000,000
Buildings and infrastructure
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant, equipment and mining development costs	7,520,000,000	7,479,000,000
Machinery and equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant, equipment and mining development costs	12,201,000,000	11,744,000,000
Mobile equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant, equipment and mining development costs	3,764,000,000	3,725,000,000
Construction in progress
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant, equipment and mining development costs	2,964,000,000	2,831,000,000
Discontinued Operations
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Payments to Acquire Mineral Rights						$ 634,000,000
Mining Operations [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Capitalized interest	$ 121,000,000	$ 92,000,000	$ 157,000,000