Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Cash flow from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 641	$ (4,511)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	839	1,374
Impairment of oil and gas properties	0	4,078
Gain (Loss) on Contract Termination	33	(694)
Net gain on sales of assets	(33)	(749)
Stock-based compensation	44	42
Net charges for environmental and asset retirement obligations, including accretion	87	107
Payments for environmental and asset retirement obligations	59	116
Net loss (gain) on exchanges and early extinguishment of debt	(3)	36
Deferred income taxes	55	169
Gain on disposal of discontinued operations	38	(177)
Decrease (increase) in long term mill and leach stockpiles	80	(99)
Oil and gas contract settlement payments	70	0
Other, net	(9)	18
Changes in working capital and other tax payments, excluding amounts from dispositions:
Accounts receivable	589	259
Inventories	(101)	190
Other current assets	(2)	(53)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(267)	44
Accrued income taxes and changes in other tax payments	103	26
Net cash provided by operating activities	1,829	1,614
Cash flow from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	706	1,815
Proceeds from Divestiture of Businesses and Interests in Affiliates	0	996
Proceeds from Sale of Other Assets, Investing Activities	4	290
Other, net	(8)	(6)
Net cash used in investing activities	(710)	(535)
Cash flow from financing activities:
Proceeds from debt	606	2,811
Repayments of debt	(1,250)	(3,649)
Net proceeds from sale of common stock	0	32
Cash dividends paid:
Common stock	(2)	(5)
Noncontrolling interests	39	39
Stock-based awards net payments	(8)	(5)
Debt financing costs and other, net	(11)	(18)
Net cash used in financing activities	(704)	(873)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	415	206
Decrease (increase) in cash and cash equivalents in assets held for sale	7	(53)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	4,245	177
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	4,667	330
North America Copper Mines Segment [Member]
Cash flow from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	67	76
South America Mines Segment [Member]
Cash flow from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	45	293
Grasberg Segment [Member]
Cash flow from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	457	453
Molybdenum [Member]
Cash flow from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	2	1
Other Segments [Member]
Cash flow from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	$ 135	$ 992