Cumulative asset impairment charges recorded for an asset or group of assets as of the balance sheet date.

No definition available.

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

- Definition

Amount of value beyond proven and probable reserves transferred to proven and probable reserves in the reporting period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	fcx_TransferFromValueBeyondProvenAndProbableReservesToProvenAndProbableReserves
Namespace Prefix:	fcx_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of interest capitalized during the period.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Allowance for Funds Used during Construction

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6504829

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6450988&loc=d3e26243-108391

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_InterestCostsCapitalized
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cash outflow from the acquisition of a mineral right which is the right to extract a mineral from the earth or to receive payment, in the form of royalty, for the extraction of minerals.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Investing Activities

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 13

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3213-108585

+ Details

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

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=fcx_MiningOperationsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

PROPERTY, PLANT, EQUIPMENT AND MINING DEVELOPMENT COSTS, NET (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2007	Dec. 31, 2008
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
VBPP recorded in connection with the Phelps Dodge acquisition				$ 2,200,000,000us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireMineralRights
VBPP transferred to proven and probable reserves	2,000,000	22,000,000	762,000,000
Cumulative impairments of VBPP					482,000,000fcx_CumulativeAssetImpairmentCharges
Mining Operations [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Capitalized interest total	$ 148,000,000	$ 105,000,000	$ 81,000,000