Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Cash flow from operating activities:
Net (loss) income	$ (232)	$ 2,516
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	1,021	1,351
Metals inventory adjustments	100	2
Stock-based compensation	52	70
Net charges for environmental and asset retirement obligations, including accretion	160	206
Payments for environmental and asset retirement obligations	(164)	(179)
Net charges for defined pension and postretirement plans	79	59
Pension plan contributions	(58)	(60)
Net loss (gain) on early extinguishment of debt	27	(8)
Deferred income taxes	71	202
(Income) loss on disposal of discontinued operations	(2)	19
Dividends received from PT Smelting		0
Change in long-term mill and leach stockpiles	(5)	54
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Assets	13	126
Other, net	22	5
Changes in working capital and other tax payments:
Accounts receivable	210	321
Inventories	229	(326)
Other current assets	15	(16)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(45)	(2)
Accrued income taxes and timing of other tax payments	(285)	(131)
Net cash provided by operating activities	1,312	3,925
Cash flow from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(1,917)	(1,391)
Proceeds from Sale of Other Assets, Investing Activities	102	10
Intangible water rights and other, net	(10)	(91)
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,825)	(1,472)
Cash flow from financing activities:
Proceeds from debt	1,681	475
Repayments of debt	(2,917)	(2,410)
Cash dividends and distributions paid:
Common stock	(218)	(145)
Noncontrolling interests	(79)	(241)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	133	0
Stock-based awards net (payments) proceeds	(7)	4
Debt financing costs and other, net	(23)	(23)
Net cash used in financing activities	(1,430)	(2,340)
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease), Including Exchange Rate Effect	(1,943)	113
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents at beginning of year	4,455	4,710
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents at end of period	2,512	4,823
North America Copper Mines Segment [Member]
Cash flow from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(641)	(413)
South America Mines Segment [Member]
Cash flow from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(176)	(188)
Grasberg Segment [Member]
Cash flow from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(992)	(695)
Molybdenum [Member]
Cash flow from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(11)	(6)
Other Segments [Member]
Cash flow from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(97)	(89)
Surface Water Taxes, Papua, Indonesia
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Charges for Cerro Verde royalty dispute	28	0
PT Freeport Indonesia Export Duty Dispute [Member]
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Charges for Cerro Verde royalty dispute	155	0
Cerro Verde Royalty Dispute
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Charges for Cerro Verde royalty dispute	40	0
Payments for Cerro Verde royalty dispute	(126)	$ (32)
PT Smelting
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Dividends received from PT Smelting	$ 33

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