General Information (Unaudited)	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2013
General Information [Abstract]
General Information	GENERAL INFORMATION The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and do not include all information and disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) in the United States (U.S.). Therefore, this information should be read in conjunction with Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc.’s (FCX) consolidated financial statements and notes contained in its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012. The information furnished herein reflects all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods reported. With the exception of certain adjustments associated with the acquisition of Plains Exploration & Production Company (PXP) and McMoRan Exploration Co. (MMR), collectively known as Freeport-McMoRan Oil & Gas LLC (FM O&G), all such adjustments are, in the opinion of management, of a normal recurring nature. Operating results for the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2013, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2013. As further discussed in Note 2, FCX completed its acquisition of PXP on May 31, 2013, and MMR on June 3, 2013. The financial results for second-quarter 2013 and the six months ended June 30, 2013, include PXP's results beginning June 1, 2013, and MMR's results beginning June 4, 2013.

GENERAL INFORMATION

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and do not include all information and disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) in the United States (U.S.). Therefore, this information should be read in conjunction with Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc.’s (FCX) consolidated financial statements and notes contained in its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012. The information furnished herein reflects all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods reported. With the exception of certain adjustments associated with the acquisition of Plains Exploration & Production Company (PXP) and McMoRan Exploration Co. (MMR), collectively known as Freeport-McMoRan Oil & Gas LLC (FM O&G), all such adjustments are, in the opinion of management, of a normal recurring nature. Operating results for the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2013, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2013.

As further discussed in Note 2, FCX completed its acquisition of PXP on May 31, 2013, and MMR on June 3, 2013. The financial results for second-quarter 2013 and the six months ended June 30, 2013, include PXP's results beginning June 1, 2013, and MMR's results beginning June 4, 2013.