COMMITMENTS AND GUARANTEES (Community Development Programs) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2006
Indonesia [Member]
Contractual obligations community development programs [line items]
Percentage of annual revenue committed for the development of the local people in the area of operations (in hundredths)	1.00%
Amount charged to cost of sales for the commitment	50	$ 64	$ 59
Peru [Member]
Contractual obligations community development programs [line items]
Period companies will make contributions to local development				five-year period
Percentage of after-tax profits for the contributions (in hundredths)	3.75%
Percentage of after-tax profits contributed to a local mining fund (in hundredths)	2.75%
Percentage of after-tax profits contributed to a regional mining fund (in hundredths)	1.00%
Charge to cost of sales for the local mining fund contributions		41	28
Tenke [Member]
Contractual obligations community development programs [line items]
Percentage of net sales revenue from production to community development fund to assist the local communities with development of local infrastructure and related services. (in hundredths)	0.30%
Charge to cost of sales for contributions to community development fund to assist the local communities with development of local infrastructure and related services	4	$ 3	$ 1