Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Cash flow from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 306	$ (4,101)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	389	722
Impairment of oil and gas properties	0	3,787
Net gain on sales of assets	(23)	0
Stock-based compensation	34	30
Net charges for environmental and asset retirement obligations, including accretion	71	57
Payments for environmental and asset retirement obligations	33	90
Deferred income taxes	20	152
Gain on disposal of discontinued operations	32	0
Decrease (increase) in long term mill and leach stockpiles	8	(53)
Oil and gas contract settlement payments	70	0
Other, net	(56)	48
Changes in working capital and other tax payments, excluding amounts from dispositions:
Accounts receivable	623	93
Inventories	(135)	114
Other current assets	(13)	(68)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(433)	9
Accrued income taxes and changes in other tax payments	136	40
Net cash provided by operating activities	792	740
Cash flow from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	344	982
Other, net	(21)	2
Net cash used in investing activities	(365)	(980)
Cash flow from financing activities:
Proceeds from debt	157	1,796
Repayments of debt	(815)	(1,442)
Net proceeds from sale of common stock	0	32
Cash dividends paid:
Common stock	(1)	(4)
Noncontrolling interests	15	18
Stock-based awards net payments	(5)	(4)
Debt financing costs and other, net	0	13
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(679)	347
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(252)	107
Decrease (increase) in cash and cash equivalents in assets held for sale	8	(53)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	4,245	177
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	4,001	231
North America Copper Mines Segment [Member]
Cash flow from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	28	34
South America Mines Segment [Member]
Cash flow from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	15	157
Grasberg Segment [Member]
Cash flow from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	244	222
Molybdenum [Member]
Cash flow from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	1	1
Other Segments [Member]
Cash flow from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	$ 56	$ 568