BUSINESS SEGMENTS (Product Revenue) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended															12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014		Sep. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2014		Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Sep. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2013		Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Product revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 5,235	[1]	$ 5,696	[1]	$ 5,522	[1]	$ 4,985	[1]	$ 5,885	[2]	$ 6,165	[2]	$ 4,288	[2]	$ 4,583	$ 21,438	[1],[3]	$ 20,921	[2],[3]	$ 18,010	[3]
Treatment and refining charges included in copper concentrates revenues																374		400		311
Refined Copper Products [Member]
Product revenue [Line Items]
Revenues																9,451		9,178		9,699
Copper in concentrates [Member]
Product revenue [Line Items]
Revenues																3,366	[4]	5,328	[4]	4,589	[4]
Gold [Member]
Product revenue [Line Items]
Revenues																1,584		1,656		1,741
Molybdenum [Member]
Product revenue [Line Items]
Revenues																1,207		1,110		1,187
Oil [Member]
Product revenue [Line Items]
Revenues																4,233		2,310		0
Other [Member]
Product revenue [Line Items]
Revenues																$ 1,597		$ 1,339		$ 794

[1] Includes credits (charges) of $15 million ($9 million to net income attributable to common stockholders or $0.01 per share) in the first quarter, $(7) million ($(4) million to net income attributable to common stockholders) in the second quarter, $122 million ($76 million to net income attributable to common stockholders or $0.07 per share) in the third quarter, $497 million ($309 million to net loss attributable to common stockholders or $0.30 per share) in the fourth quarter and $627 million ($389 million to net loss attributable to common stockholders or $0.37 per share) for the year for net unrealized and noncash realized gains (losses) on crude oil and natural gas derivative contracts.

[2] Includes charges of $36 million ($23 million to net income attributable to common stockholders or $0.02 per share) in the second quarter, $158 million ($98 million to net income attributable to common stockholders or $0.09 per share) in the third quarter, $118 million ($73 million to net income attributable to common stockholders or $0.07 per share) in the fourth quarter and $312 million ($194 million to net income attributable to common stockholders or $0.19 per share) for the year (reflecting the seven-month period from June 1, 2013, to December 31, 2013) for unrealized and noncash realized losses on crude oil and natural gas derivative contracts.

[3] Revenues are attributed to countries based on the location of the customer.

[4] Amounts are net of treatment and refining charges totaling $374 million for 2014, $400 million for 2013 and $311 million for 2012.