CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Cash flow from operating activities:
Net income	$ 3,980	[1]	$ 5,747	$ 5,544
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	1,179		1,022	1,036
Stock-based compensation	100		117	121
Pension plan contributions	(140)		(46)	(22)
Net charges for reclamation and environmental obligations, including accretion	22		208	167
Payments for reclamation and environmental obligations	(246)		(170)	(196)
Losses on early extinguishment of debt	168		68	81
Deferred income taxes	269		523	286
Increase in long-term mill and leach stockpiles	(269)		(262)	(103)
Other, net	128		(126)	193
(Increases) decreases in working capital and other tax payments:
Accounts receivable	(365)		1,246	(680)
Inventories	(729)		(431)	(593)
Other current assets	(76)		(57)	(24)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	209		(387)	331
Accrued income taxes and other tax payments	(456)		(832)	132
Net cash provided by operating activities	3,774		6,620	6,273
Capital expenditures:
North America copper mines	(827)		(495)	(233)
South America	(931)		(603)	(470)
Indonesia	(843)		(648)	(436)
Africa	(539)		(193)	(100)
Molybdenum	(258)		(461)	(89)
Other	(96)		(134)	(84)
Investment in McMoRan Exploration Co.	29		25	(500)
Other, net	2		(26)	43
Net cash used in investing activities	(3,463)		(2,535)	(1,869)
Cash flow from financing activities:
Repayments of debt	(3,186)		(1,313)	(1,724)
Proceeds from debt	3,029		48	70
Cash dividends paid:
Common stock	(1,129)		(1,423)	(885)
Preferred Stock	0		0	(95)
Noncontrolling interests	(113)		(391)	(816)
Debt financing costs	(51)		(10)	0
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	15		62	28
Net (payments for) proceeds from stock-based awards	(1)		3	81
Excess tax benefit from stock-based awards	8		23	19
Net cash used in financing activities	(1,428)		(3,001)	(3,322)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(1,117)		1,084	1,082
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	4,822		3,738	2,656
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$ 3,705		$ 4,822	$ 3,738

[1] Included a net tax benefit of $208 million ($108 million attributable to noncontrolling interests and $100 million to net income attributable to FCX common stockholders or $0.11 per share) in the third quarter and $205 million ($107 million attributable to noncontrolling interests and $98 million to net income attributable to FCX common stockholders or $0.11 per share) for the year associated with adjustments to Cerro Verde's deferred income taxes. Refer to Note 12 for further discussion.