INCOME TAXES (Mining Royalty Taxes) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011 Peruvian Royalty and Mining Tax New Legislation [Member]	Dec. 31, 2023 Chilean Mine Current Tax Legislation [Member]	Dec. 31, 2022 Chilean Mine Current Tax Legislation [Member]	Dec. 31, 2021 Chilean Mine Current Tax Legislation [Member]	Dec. 31, 2020 Chilean Mine Current Tax Legislation [Member]	Dec. 31, 2019 Chilean Mine Current Tax Legislation [Member]	Dec. 31, 2018 Chilean Mine Current Tax Legislation [Member]	Dec. 31, 2017 Chilean Mine Current Tax Legislation [Member]	Dec. 31, 2016 Chilean Mine Current Tax Legislation [Member]	Dec. 31, 2015 Chilean Mine Current Tax Legislation [Member]	Dec. 31, 2014 Chilean Mine Current Tax Legislation [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Chilean Mine Current Tax Legislation [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Chilean Mine Current Tax Legislation [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Chilean Mine Current Tax Legislation [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Chilean Mine Current Tax Legislation [Member]	Dec. 31, 2017 Chilean Mine New Tax Legislation [Member]	Dec. 31, 2016 Chilean Mine New Tax Legislation [Member]	Dec. 31, 2015 Chilean Mine New Tax Legislation [Member]	Dec. 31, 2014 Chilean Mine New Tax Legislation [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Chilean Mine New Tax Legislation [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Chilean Mine New Tax Legislation [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Chilean Mine New Tax Legislation [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Chilean Mine New Tax Legislation [Member]
Mining royalty taxes by location [Line Items]
Special Mining Burden Maximum Effective Tax Rate			8.79%
Mining royalty tax rate (in hundredths)										4.00%	4.00%	4.00%	4.00%	4.00%	4.00%	4.00%	4.00%	4.00%	4.00%	4.00%	4.00%	4.00%
Mining royalty sliding scale rate low end of range (in hundredths)			4.00%	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%														4.00%	4.00%	4.00%
Mining royalty sliding scale rate high end of range (in hundredths)			13.00%	14.00%	14.00%	14.00%	14.00%	14.00%	14.00%														9.00%	9.00%	9.00%
Additional tax expense from new legislation on mining royalties	$ 57	$ 53	$ 53
Additional tax expense from new legislation on mining royalties, net of noncontrolling interests	$ 50	$ 49	$ 49