DISPOSITIONS AND ACQUISITIONS (Candelaria and Ojos del Salado) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended									10 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Nov. 03, 2014	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Net gain on sales of assets											$ 649	$ 39	$ 717
Net income before taxes											(3,472)	(14,128)	(800)
Net (loss) income attributable to common stockholders	$ 292	$ 217	$ (479)	$ (4,184)	$ (4,081)	$ (3,830)	$ (1,851)	$ (2,474)			(4,154)	(12,236)	(1,308)
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Unclassified Balance Sheet Disclosures [Abstract]
Current assets	344				920						344	920
Long-term assets	0				4,386				$ 4,300		0	4,386	$ 4,300
Liabilities held for sale	205				131						205	131
Long-term liabilities	0				865						0	865
Noncontrolling interests	$ 3,206				$ 4,216						$ 3,206	$ 4,216
Candelaria and Ojos del Salado mines
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Ownership percentage										80.00%
Proceeds from divestiture, net									1,800
Amount of contingent liabilities remaining										$ 200
Net tax proceeds from divestiture									1,500
Net gain on sales of assets									$ 671
Net income before taxes										270
Net (loss) income attributable to common stockholders										144
Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations | Candelaria and Ojos del Salado mines
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Unclassified Balance Sheet Disclosures [Abstract]
Current assets										482
Long-term assets										1,155
Liabilities held for sale										129
Long-term liabilities										89
Noncontrolling interests										$ 243