DOCUMENT AND ENTITY INFORMATION DOCUMENT AND ENTITY INFORMATION (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Feb. 15, 2013	Jun. 29, 2012
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	FREEPORT MCMORAN COPPER & GOLD INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000831259
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 32,100,000,000
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		949,530,599
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2012