Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Metals inventory adjustments	$ 92	$ 100
Cash flow from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	7	(232)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	1,093	1,021
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Assets	(13)	13
Stock-based compensation	60	52
Net charges for environmental and asset retirement obligations, including accretion	166	160
Payments for environmental and asset retirement obligations	(162)	(164)
Net charges for defined pension and postretirement plans	59	79
Pension plan contributions	(30)	(58)
Net loss on early extinguishment of debt	100	27
Deferred income taxes	119	71
Proceeds from Dividends Received	3	33
Payments for Environmental Liabilities	(14)	0
Other, net	(23)	20
Changes in working capital and other:
Accounts receivable	132	210
Inventories	59	224
Other current assets	(17)	15
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	40	(45)
Accrued income taxes and timing of other tax payments	105	(130)
Net cash provided by operating activities	1,690	1,312
Cash flow from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(1,573)	(1,917)
Proceeds from Sale of Other Assets, Investing Activities	146	102
Other, net	(6)	(10)
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,433)	(1,825)
Cash flow from financing activities:
Proceeds from debt	3,236	1,681
Repayments of debt	(3,105)	(2,917)
Cash dividends and distributions paid:
Common stock	(73)	(218)
Noncontrolling interests	0	(79)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	115	133
Stock-based awards net payments	(2)	(7)
Payments of Financing Costs	(51)	(23)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	120	(1,430)
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease), Including Exchange Rate Effect	377	(1,943)
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents at beginning of year	2,278	4,455
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents at end of period	2,655	2,512
North America Copper Mines Segment [Member]
Cash flow from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(398)	(641)
South America Mines Segment [Member]
Cash flow from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(156)	(176)
Grasberg Segment [Member]
Cash flow from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(959)	(992)
Molybdenum
Cash flow from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(14)	(11)
Other Segments [Member]
Cash flow from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(46)	(97)
Surface Water Taxes, Papua, Indonesia [Member]
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Charges for Cerro Verde royalty dispute	(19)	28
Cerro Verde Royalty Dispute
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Charges for Cerro Verde royalty dispute	26	40
Payments for Cerro Verde royalty dispute	$ (119)	$ (126)