INVENTORIES, INCLUDING LONG-TERM MILL AND LEACH STOCKPILES (Components of Inventories) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 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, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Components of Inventories [Line Items]
Total materials and supplies, net	$ 1,306				$ 1,575				$ 1,306	$ 1,575
Mill stockpiles	259				137				259	137
Leach stockpiles	1,079				1,402				1,079	1,402
Total current mill and leach stockpiles	1,338				1,539				1,338	1,539
Raw materials (primarily concentrate)	255				220				255	220
Work-in-process	114				108				114	108
Finished goods	629				633				629	633
Total product inventories	998				961				998	961
Mill stockpiles	487				480				487	480
Leach stockpiles	1,146				1,183				1,146	1,183
Total long-term inventoriesb	1,633				1,663				1,633	1,663
Inventory obsolescence reserves	29				26				29	26
Metals inventory adjustments	$ 9	$ 20	$ 2	$ 5	$ 184	$ 91	$ 59	$ 4	$ 36	338	$ 6
Molybdenum
Components of Inventories [Line Items]
Metals inventory adjustments										123
Copper
Components of Inventories [Line Items]
Metals inventory adjustments										$ 215