CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 603	$ 670
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities, net of $23 and $(28) tax benefit (expense), respectively	(40)	168
Foreign currency translation adjustments	10	89
Change in pension and other post-retirement benefits, net of $2 and $1 tax benefit, respectively	4	4
Change in fair value of cash flow hedge instruments, net of $26 and $11 tax expense, respectively
Net change from periodic revaluations	69	55
Net amount reclassified to income	(35)	(33)
Net unrecognized gain on derivatives	34	22
Other comprehensive income	8	283
Comprehensive income	611	953
Comprehensive income attributable to:
Newmont stockholders	496	795
Noncontrolling interests	115	158
Comprehensive income	$ 611	$ 953