Cap for indemnity obligations provided in terms of sale agreement related to former subsidiary.

No definition available.

Name:	fcx_CapForIndemnityObligationsProvidedUponSaleAgreementRelatedToFormerSubsidiary
Namespace Prefix:	fcx_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	fcx_OtherContingenciesByLocationLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	fcx_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of other surety bonds as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	fcx_OtherSuretyBonds
Namespace Prefix:	fcx_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Outstanding stand-by letters of credit as of the balance sheet date, primarily for reclamation and environmental obligations and workers; compensation insurance program.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	fcx_OutstandingStandbyLettersOfCredit
Namespace Prefix:	fcx_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Outstanding surety bonds as of the balance sheet date, primarily for reclamation and environmental obligations and workers; compensation insurance program.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	fcx_OutstandingSuretyBondsTotal
Namespace Prefix:	fcx_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Portion of outstanding surety bonds related to reclamation and environmental obligations.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	fcx_PortionOfSuretyBondsRelatedToReclamationAndClosingCosts
Namespace Prefix:	fcx_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Portion of outstanding surety bonds related to workers compensation self-insurance.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	fcx_PortionOfSuretyBondsRelatedToWorkersCompensationSelfInsurance
Namespace Prefix:	fcx_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of amounts expected to be recovered under the terms of insurance contracts.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.17)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 17

-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EstimatedInsuranceRecoveries
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount recovered from insurance. These recoveries reduce costs and losses that are reported as a separate line item under operating expenses.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_InsuranceRecoveries
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Carrying amount (including both current and noncurrent portions) of accrued known and estimated losses incurred as of the balance sheet date for which no insurance coverage exists, and for which a claim has been made or is probable of being asserted, typically arising from workmen's compensation-type of incidents and personal injury to nonemployees from accidents on the entity's property.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SelfInsuranceReserve
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Carrying amount of accrued known and estimated losses incurred as of the balance sheet date for which no insurance coverage exists, and for which a claim has been made or is probable of being asserted, typically arising from workmen's compensation-type of incidents and personal injury to nonemployees from accidents on the entity's property that are expected to be paid within one year (or the normal operating cycle, if longer).

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SelfInsuranceReserveCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Carrying amount of accrued known and estimated losses incurred as of the balance sheet date for which no insurance coverage exists, and for which a claim has been made or is probable of being asserted, typically arising from workmen's compensation-type of incidents and personal injury to nonemployees from accidents on the entity's property that are expected to be paid after one year (or the normal operating cycle, if longer).

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SelfInsuranceReserveNoncurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

CONTINGENCIES (Other Contingencies) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012 PT Freeport Indonesia [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 PT Freeport Indonesia [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 PT Freeport Indonesia [Member]
Other contingencies by location [Line Items]
Cap For Indemnity Obligations Provided Upon Sale Agreement Related To Former Subsidiary	$ 107
Outstanding Standby Letters Of Credit	326
Outstanding Surety Bonds Total	331
Portion Of Surety Bonds Related To Reclamation And Closing Costs	268
Portion Of Surety Bonds Related To Workers Compensation Self Insurance	21
Other Surety Bonds	42
Self Insurance Reserve	52
Self Insurance Reserve, Current	8
Self Insurance Reserve, Noncurrent	44
Estimated Insurance Recoveries					63
Gain on insurance settlement	$ 0	$ 59	$ 0	$ 59	$ 59	$ 59