EX-12.1 2 ex12-1.htm EXHIBIT 12.1 ex12-1.htm

Exhibit 12.1
 
   
FREEPORT-McMoRan COPPER & GOLD INC.
 
   
COMPUTATION OF RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
 
(in millions except ratios)
   
     
 
For the years ended December 31,
 
 
2010
 
2009
 
2008
 
2007a
 
2006
 
     
Income (loss) from continuing operations before
                             
income taxes and equity in affiliated
                             
companies' net earnings
$
8,512
 
$
5,816
 
$
(13,309
)
$
6,111
 
$
2,820
 
Amortization of previously capitalized interest
 
34
   
31
   
25
   
17
   
18
 
Less: capitalized interest
 
(66
)
 
(78
)
 
(122
)
 
(147
)
 
(11
)
                               
Earnings (losses) from continuing operations
                             
before fixed charges
$
8,480
 
$
5,769
 
$
(13,406
)
$
5,981
 
$
2,827
 
                               
Fixed charges:
                             
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest
 
448
   
568
   
567
   
496
   
71
 
Capitalized interest
 
66
   
78
   
122
   
147
   
11
 
Amortization of debt expenses, premiums and
                             
discounts
 
14
   
18
   
17
   
17
   
5
 
Interest portion of rental expense
 
26
   
32
   
18
   
12
   
1
 
                               
Total fixed charges
 
554
   
696
   
724
   
672
   
88
 
                               
Adjusted earnings (losses)
$
9,034
 
$
6,465
 
$
(12,682
)
$
6,653
 
$
2,915
 
                               
Ratio of earnings to fixed chargesa
 
16.3
   
9.3
   
-
b
 
9.9
   
33.1
 
                               
Preferred dividend requirements:
                             
Total fixed charges
$
554
 
$
696
 
$
724
 
$
672
 
$
88
 
Preferred stock dividends
 
96
   
370
   
347
   
340
   
116
 
Combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends
$
650
 
$
1,066
 
$
1,071
 
$
1,012
 
$
204
 
                               
Ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred
                             
stock dividendsa
 
13.9
   
6.1
   
-
c
 
6.6
   
14.3
 
                               
                               
a.   For purposes of computing the consolidated ratio of earnings to fixed charges, earnings consist of income (loss) from continuing
operations before income taxes, equity in affiliated companies' net earnings and cumulative effect of accounting changes.
Noncontrolling interests were not deducted from earnings as all such subsidiaries had fixed charges. Fixed charges from
continuing operations consist of interest (including capitalized interest) of all indebtedness; amortization of debt discounts,
premiums and expenses; and that portion of rental expense that FCX believes to be representative of interest. For purposes of
calculating the ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends, the preferred stock dividend
requirements were assumed to be equal to the pre-tax earnings that would be required to cover such dividend requirements.
The amount of pre-tax earnings required to cover such preferred stock dividends was computed using the effective tax rate for
each applicable year.
 
b.   As a result of the loss recorded in 2008, the ratio coverage was less than 1:1.  FCX would have needed to generate additional
earnings of $13.4 billion to achieve coverage of 1:1 in 2008.
 
c.   As a result of the loss recorded in 2008, the ratio coverage was less than 1:1.  FCX would have needed to generate additional
earnings of $13.8 billion to achieve coverage of 1:1 in 2008.