10-K 1 a2012form10-k.htm FCX 2012 FORM 10-K 2012 Form 10-K
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-K
 
(Mark One)
[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012
OR
[  ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from
 
to
Commission File Number: 001-11307-01
Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
74-2480931
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
 
333 North Central Avenue
 
Phoenix, Arizona
85004-2189
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
 
(602) 366-8100
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
 
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.10 per share
 
New York Stock Exchange

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:  None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act  þ Yes ¨ No
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. ¨ Yes þ No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.   þ Yes ¨ No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).           þ Yes ¨ No
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.   þ
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.   þ Large accelerated filer ¨ Accelerated filer ¨ Non-accelerated filer ¨ Smaller reporting company
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).                             ¨ Yes þ No
The aggregate market value of common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $33.0 billion on February 15, 2013, and $32.1 billion on June 29, 2012.
Common stock issued and outstanding was 949,530,599 shares on February 15, 2013, and 949,186,881 shares on June 29, 2012.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of our proxy statement for our 2013 annual meeting of stockholders are incorporated by reference into Part III (Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14) of this report.



FREEPORT-McMoRan COPPER & GOLD INC.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
 
Page
 61
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



i


PART I
Items 1. and 2. Business and Properties.

All of our periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, are available, free of charge, through our website, www.fcx.com, including our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to those reports. These reports and amendments are available through our website as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file or furnish such material to the SEC.

References to “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. (FCX) and its consolidated subsidiaries. References to “Notes” refer to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein (refer to Item 8), and references to “MD&A” refer to Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included herein (refer to Item 7).

PROPOSED ACQUISTIONS

In December 2012, FCX announced definitive merger agreements to acquire, in separate transactions, Plains Exploration & Production Company (PXP) and McMoRan Exploration Co. (MMR). Completion of each transaction is subject to receipt of PXP and MMR shareholder approval of their respective transactions, regulatory approvals (including United States (U.S.) antitrust clearance under the Hart-Scott Rodino Act) and other customary conditions. On December 26, 2012, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission granted early termination of the Hart-Scott Rodino waiting period with respect to both transactions. The PXP transaction is not conditioned on the closing of the MMR transaction, and the MMR transaction is not conditioned on the closing of the PXP transaction. PXP and MMR shareholder meetings to approve the respective transactions will be scheduled upon the effectiveness of the respective registration statements filed with the SEC. The transactions are expected to close in second-quarter 2013, subject to satisfaction of all conditions to closing.

Additionally in January 2013, FCX, through a newly formed joint venture, entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a cobalt chemical refinery in Kokkola, Finland, and the related sales and marketing business. The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals, and is expected to close in second-quarter 2013.

The information contained in this Form 10-K does not reflect the impact of us acquiring PXP, MMR or the cobalt chemical business. Refer to Notes 1 and 20 for further discussion of these proposed acquisitions.

GENERAL

We are a leading international mining company with headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona, and incorporated under the laws of the state of Delaware on November 10, 1987. We are one of the world’s largest copper, gold and molybdenum mining companies in terms of reserves and production. Our portfolio of assets includes the Grasberg minerals district in Indonesia, significant mining operations in North and South America, and the Tenke Fungurume minerals district in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The Grasberg minerals district contains one of the largest copper and gold reserves in the world based on the latest available reserve data provided by third-party industry consultants.

We have significant reserves, resources and future development opportunities within our portfolio of assets. At December 31, 2012, consolidated recoverable proven and probable reserves totaled 116.5 billion pounds of copper, 32.5 million ounces of gold, 3.42 billion pounds of molybdenum, 321.4 million ounces of silver and 0.84 billion pounds of cobalt. Approximately 33 percent of our copper reserves are in North America, 33 percent are in South America, 27 percent are in Indonesia and 7 percent are in Africa. Approximately 95 percent of our gold reserves are in Indonesia, with our remaining gold reserves primarily in South America. Approximately 79 percent of our molybdenum reserves are in North America, with our remaining molybdenum reserves in South America. Refer to “Ore Reserves” for further discussion.


1


In North America, we currently operate seven copper mines – Morenci, Bagdad, Safford, Sierrita and Miami in Arizona, and Tyrone and Chino in New Mexico, and two molybdenum mines – Henderson and Climax in Colorado. Certain of our North America copper mines (Sierrita, Bagdad, Morenci and Chino) also produce molybdenum concentrates.

In South America, we operate four copper mines – Cerro Verde in Peru, and El Abra, Candelaria and Ojos del Salado in Chile. In addition to copper, the Cerro Verde mine also produces molybdenum concentrates, and the Candelaria and Ojos del Salado mines produce gold and silver.

In Indonesia, PT Freeport Indonesia operates the mines in the Grasberg minerals district. In addition to copper, the Grasberg minerals district also produces significant quantities of gold and silver.

In Africa, Tenke Fungurume Mining S.A.R.L. (TFM) operates the mines in the Tenke Fungurume minerals district (the Tenke mines). In addition to copper, Tenke produces cobalt hydroxide.

A summary of our consolidated copper, gold and molybdenum production for the year 2012 by geographic location follows:

 
Copper
 
Gold
 
Molybdenum
 
North America
37
%
 
1
%
 
91
%
a 
South America
34
%
 
9
%
 
9
%
 
Indonesia
19
%
 
90
%
 
N/A

 
Africa
10
%
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
a. For the year 2012, 53 percent of our consolidated molybdenum production in North America was from the Henderson and Climax primary molybdenum mines. The Climax molybdenum mine began commercial production in May 2012.

Refer to "Production Data" for further information.

The locations of our operating mines are shown on the map below. For information about our operating segments and financial data by geographic area refer to Note 17.


2


The diagram below shows our ownership interest in our operating mines at December 31, 2012.

COPPER, GOLD AND MOLYBDENUM

A brief discussion of our primary metals appears below. For further discussion of historical market prices of these metals refer to MD&A.

Copper
Copper is an internationally traded commodity, and its prices are determined by the major metals exchanges – the London Metal Exchange (LME), New York Mercantile Exchange (COMEX) and Shanghai Futures Exchange (SHFE). Prices on these exchanges generally reflect the worldwide balance of copper supply and demand, and can be volatile and cyclical. During 2012, LME spot copper prices ranged from a low of $3.29 per pound to a high of $3.93 per pound, averaged $3.61 per pound and closed at $3.59 per pound on December 31, 2012.

In general, demand for copper reflects the rate of underlying world economic growth, particularly in industrial production and construction. According to Wood Mackenzie, a widely followed independent metals market consultant, copper’s end-use markets (and their estimated shares of total consumption) are:
Electrical applications
34
%
Construction
31
%
Industrial machinery
13
%
Transportation
13
%
Consumer products
9
%

Gold
Gold is used for jewelry, coinage and bullion as well as various industrial and electronic applications. Gold can be readily sold on numerous markets throughout the world. Benchmark prices are generally based on London Bullion Market Association (London) quotations. During 2012, London PM gold prices ranged from a low of $1,540 per ounce to a high of $1,792 per ounce, averaged $1,669 per ounce and closed at $1,658 per ounce on December 31, 2012.

Molybdenum
Molybdenum is a key alloying element in steel and the raw material for several chemical-grade products used in catalysts, lubrication, smoke suppression, corrosion inhibition and pigmentation. Molybdenum, as a high-purity metal, is also used in electronics such as flat-panel displays and in super alloys used in aerospace. Molybdenum’s

3


end-use markets (and their estimated shares of total consumption) according to the International Molybdenum Association are:
Construction steel
40
%
Stainless steel
20
%
Chemicals
14
%
Tool and high-speed steel
10
%
Cast iron
7
%
Molybdenum metal
5
%
Superalloys
4
%

Reference prices for molybdenum are available in several publications, including Metals Week, Ryan’s Notes and Metal Bulletin. During 2012, the weekly average price of molybdenum quoted by Metals Week ranged from a low of $10.90 per pound to a high of $14.80 per pound, averaged $12.74 per pound and was $11.60 per pound on December 31, 2012.

PRODUCTS AND SALES

FCX’s consolidated revenues for 2012 primarily included sales of copper (79 percent), gold (10 percent) and molybdenum (7 percent). PT Freeport Indonesia’s sales to PT Smelting (PT Freeport Indonesia's 25 percent owned copper smelter and refinery in Indonesia - refer to "Smelting Facilities" for further discussion) represented 11 percent of our consolidated revenues in 2012 and 2011, and 12 percent in 2010. No other customer accounted for more than 10 percent of our consolidated revenues in any of the past three years.

Refer to Note 17 for a summary of our consolidated revenues and operating income by business segment and geographic area.

Copper Products
We are one of the world’s leading producers of copper concentrate, cathode and continuous cast copper rod. During 2012, 46 percent of our mined copper was sold in concentrate, 28 percent as cathode and 26 percent as rod from our North America operations.

Our copper ores are generally processed either by smelting and refining or by solution extraction and electrowinning (SX/EW). Before being subject to the smelting and refining process, ore is crushed and treated to produce a copper concentrate with copper content of approximately 20 to 30 percent. Copper concentrate is then smelted (i.e., subjected to extreme heat) to produce copper anodes, which weigh between 800 and 900 pounds each and have an average copper content of 99.5 percent. The anodes are further treated by electrolytic refining to produce copper cathodes, which weigh between 100 and 350 pounds each and have an average copper content of 99.99 percent. Our copper cathodes are used as the raw material input for copper rod, brass mill products and for other uses. For ore subject to the SX/EW process, copper is extracted from the ore by dissolving it with a weak sulphuric acid solution. The copper content of the solution is increased in two additional solution-extraction stages and then the copper-bearing solution undergoes an electrowinning process to produce cathode that is 99.99 percent copper.

Copper Concentrate.  We produce copper concentrate at eight of our mines, of which PT Freeport Indonesia is our largest producer. In North America, copper concentrate is produced at our Morenci, Bagdad, Sierrita and Chino mines, and is generally shipped to our Miami smelter in Arizona. In South America, we produce copper concentrate at our Cerro Verde, Candelaria and Ojos del Salado mines.

Copper Cathode.  We produce copper cathode at our electrolytic refinery located in El Paso, Texas, and at 10 of our mines. In North America, SX/EW cathode is produced from our Morenci, Bagdad, Safford, Sierrita, Miami, Tyrone and Chino mines; in South America from our Cerro Verde and El Abra mines; and from our Tenke mines in Africa. Atlantic Copper S.L.U. (Atlantic Copper, our wholly owned copper smelting and refining unit in Spain - refer to "Smelting Facilities" for further discussion) and PT Smelting also produce copper cathode.

Continuous Cast Copper Rod.  We manufacture continuous cast copper rod at our facilities in El Paso, Texas; Norwich, Connecticut; and Miami, Arizona, primarily using copper cathode produced at our North America copper mines.


4


Other Copper Products.  We produce specialty copper products at our Bayway operations in Elizabeth, New Jersey. These products include specialty copper alloys in the forms of rod, bar and strip. We manufacture electrode wire for use in welding steel cans at our Norwich, Connecticut, and El Paso, Texas, facilities. We also produce copper sulfate pentahydrate for use in agricultural and industrial applications at our facility in Sierrita, Arizona. These facilities primarily use copper cathode produced at our North America mines to manufacture their end products.

Copper Sales
North America.  The majority of the copper produced at our North America copper mines and refined in our El Paso, Texas, refinery is consumed at our rod plants. The remainder of our North America copper production is sold in the form of copper cathode or copper concentrate under U.S. dollar-denominated annual contracts. Cathode and rod contract prices are generally based on the prevailing COMEX monthly average spot price for the month of shipment and include a premium. Generally, copper rod is sold to wire and cable manufacturers, while cathode is sold to rod, brass or tube fabricators. Additionally, during 2012 six percent of our North America mines' copper sales volumes were shipped to Atlantic Copper.

South America.  Production from our South America mines is sold as copper concentrate or copper cathode under U.S. dollar-denominated, annual and multi-year contracts. Our South America mines generally sell approximately 60 to 70 percent of their copper production in concentrate and the rest as cathode. During 2012, 15 percent of our South America mines' copper sales volumes were shipped to Atlantic Copper.

Substantially all of South America’s copper concentrate and cathode sales contracts provide final copper pricing in a specified future month (generally one to four months from the shipment date) primarily based on quoted LME monthly average spot copper prices. Revenues from South America’s concentrate sales are recorded net of treatment and refining charges (i.e., fees paid to smelters and refiners that are generally negotiated annually), including any applicable price participation charges that are based on the market price of copper. In addition, because a portion of the metals contained in copper concentrates is unrecoverable from the smelting process, revenues from South America’s concentrate sales are also recorded net of allowances for unrecoverable metals, which are a negotiated term of the contracts and vary by customer.

Indonesia.  PT Freeport Indonesia sells its production in the form of copper concentrate, which contains significant quantities of gold and silver, under U.S. dollar-denominated, long-term contracts.  PT Freeport Indonesia also sells a small amount of copper concentrates in the spot market.

A summary of PT Freeport Indonesia’s aggregate percentage concentrate sales to PT Smelting, Atlantic Copper and to third parties for the last three years follows:
 
2012
 
2011
 
2010
PT Smelting
52
%
 
44
%
 
36
%
Atlantic Copper
11
%
 
10
%
 
21
%
Third parties
37
%
 
46
%
 
43
%
 
100
%
 
100
%
 
100
%

Substantially all of PT Freeport Indonesia's concentrate sales contracts provide final copper pricing in a specified future month (generally one to four months from the shipment date) primarily based on quoted LME monthly average spot copper prices. Revenues from PT Freeport Indonesia's concentrate sales are recorded net of royalties, treatment and refining charges, and allowances for unrecoverable metals.

Africa.  TFM sells its production in the form of copper cathode under U.S. dollar-denominated contracts. Substantially all of TFM's cathode sales provide final copper pricing in the month after the shipment date based on quoted LME monthly average spot copper prices. Revenues from TFM's cathode sales are recorded net of royalties and also include adjustments for point-of-sale transportation costs that are negotiated in customer contracts.

Europe.  Atlantic Copper sells copper cathode directly to rod and brass mills, primarily located in Europe. Atlantic Copper has occasionally sold copper cathode to merchants. Copper cathode is generally sold under annual contracts and priced based on the LME monthly average spot price for the month of arrival at the buyer’s facilities.

Our copper mining operations provide Atlantic Copper with at least half of its concentrate requirements at market prices.

5


Following is a summary of Atlantic Copper's concentrate purchases from our copper mining operations and third parties for the last three years:
 
2012
 
2011
 
2010
North America copper mines
16
%
 
2
%
 
%
South America mining
31
%
 
30
%
 
25
%
Indonesia mining
10
%
 
17
%
 
28
%
Third parties
43
%
 
51
%
 
47
%
 
100
%
 
100
%
 
100
%

Gold Products and Sales
We also produce gold, primarily from the Grasberg minerals district. Gold is primarily sold as a component of our copper concentrate or in slimes, which are a product of the smelting and refining process. Gold generally is priced at the average London price for a specified month near the month of shipment. Revenues from gold sold as a component of our copper concentrate are recorded net of treatment and refining charges. Revenues from gold sold in slimes are recorded net of refining charges.

Molybdenum Products and Sales
We are the world’s largest producer of molybdenum and molybdenum-based chemicals. In addition to production from our Henderson and Climax molybdenum mines, we produce molybdenum concentrate at certain of our North America copper mines, and at our Cerro Verde copper mine in Peru.

The majority of our molybdenum concentrates are processed in our own conversion facilities. Technical-grade oxide is produced from molybdenum concentrates in Sierrita, Arizona; Fort Madison, Iowa; and Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Ferromolybdenum is produced from technical-grade oxide in Stowmarket, United Kingdom, through a metallothermic reduction process. High-quality molybdenum concentrates are converted into molybdenum chemicals at Fort Madison and Rotterdam. Molybdenum generally is priced based on the average Metals Week price for the month prior to the month of shipment.

Cobalt, Silver and Other Products and Sales
We produce cobalt hydroxide at the Tenke mines. Cobalt hydroxide is priced at a discount to the average monthly low price published by Metal Bulletin for a specified month near the month of shipment. We produce silver as a component of our copper concentrate or in slimes. Silver generally is priced at the average London Bullion Market Association price for a specified month near the month of shipment. Sales of cobalt hydroxide, silver and other
metals, such as rhenium and magnetite, do not represent a significant component of our total consolidated revenues.

MINES

Following are maps and descriptions of our mining operations in North America (including both copper and molybdenum operations), South America, Indonesia and Africa.

North America
In the U.S., most of the land occupied by our copper and molybdenum mines, concentrators, SX/EW facilities, smelter, refinery, rod mills, molybdenum roasters and processing facilities is generally owned by us or is located on unpatented mining claims owned by us. Certain portions of our Bagdad, Sierrita, Miami, Tyrone, Chino, Cobre, Henderson and Climax operations are located on government-owned land and are operated under a Mine Plan of Operations or other use permit. Various federal and state permits or leases on government land are held for purposes incidental to mine operations.
 

6


Morenci
 

We own an 85 percent undivided interest in Morenci, with the remaining 15 percent owned by affiliates of Sumitomo Corporation. Each partner takes in kind its share of Morenci’s production.

Morenci is an open-pit copper mining complex that has been in continuous operation since 1939 and previously was mined through underground workings. Morenci is located in Greenlee County, Arizona, approximately 50 miles northeast of Safford on U.S. Highway 191. The site is accessible by a paved highway and a railway spur.

The Morenci mine is a porphyry copper deposit that has oxide and secondary sulfide mineralization, and primary sulfide mineralization. The predominant oxide copper mineral is chrysocolla. Chalcocite is the most important secondary copper sulfide mineral with chalcopyrite as the dominant primary copper sulfide.

The Morenci operation consists of a 50,000 metric ton-per-day concentrator, that produces copper and molybdenum concentrates; a 68,000 metric ton-per-day crushed-ore leach pad and stacking system; a low-grade run-of-mine (ROM) leaching system; four SX plants; and three EW tank houses that produce copper cathode. Total EW tank house capacity is approximately 900 million pounds of copper per year. Morenci’s concentrate leach, direct-electrowinning facility was commissioned in third-quarter 2007 and processed copper concentrate until early 2009 when it was placed on care-and-maintenance status. The available mining fleet consists of one hundred and three 236-metric ton and nine 363-metric ton haul trucks loaded by 12 shovels with bucket sizes ranging from 47 to 57 cubic meters, which are capable of moving over 800,000 metric tons of material per day.

During 2011, we completed the ramp up of Morenci's mining rates to 635,000 metric tons of ore per day and milling rates to approximately 50,000 metric tons of ore per day. We are currently engaged in a project to expand mining and milling capacity at Morenci to process additional sulfide ore identified through exploratory drilling. The project is targeting incremental annual production of approximately 225 million pounds of copper in 2014 (an approximate 40 percent increase from 2012) through increases in mining rates to 815,000 metric tons of ore per day and milling rates to 115,000 metric tons of ore per day. Refer to “Development Projects and Exploration” for further discussion.

Morenci’s production, including our joint venture partner’s share, totaled 632 million pounds of copper and 3 million pounds of molybdenum in 2012, 614 million pounds of copper and 2 million pounds of molybdenum in 2011 and 514 million pounds of copper in 2010.

Morenci is located in a desert environment with rainfall averaging 13 inches per year. The highest bench elevation is 2,000 meters above sea level and the ultimate pit bottom is expected to have an elevation of 840 meters above sea level. The Morenci operation encompasses approximately 64,750 acres, comprising approximately 50,800 acres of patented mining claims and other fee lands, approximately 10,900 acres of unpatented mining claims and approximately 3,050 acres of land held by state or federal permits, easements and rights-of-way.

The Morenci operation's electrical power is primarily sourced from Tucson Electric Power Company, Arizona Public Service Company and the Luna Energy facility (in which we own a one-third interest) in Deming, New Mexico. Although we believe the Morenci operation has sufficient water sources to support current operations, we are a party to litigation that may impact our water rights claims or rights to continued use of currently available water supplies, which could adversely affect our water supply for the Morenci operation. Refer to Item 1A. "Risk Factors" and Item 3. “Legal Proceedings,” for further discussion.

7


Bagdad

Our wholly owned Bagdad mine is an open-pit copper and molybdenum mining complex located in Yavapai County in west-central Arizona. It is approximately 60 miles west of Prescott and 100 miles northwest of Phoenix. The property can be reached by Arizona Highway 96, which ends at the town of Bagdad. The closest railroad is at Hillside, Arizona, approximately 24 miles southeast on Arizona Highway 96. The open-pit mining operation has been ongoing since 1945, and prior mining was conducted through underground workings.

The Bagdad mine is a porphyry copper deposit containing both sulfide and oxide mineralization. Chalcopyrite and molybdenite are the dominant primary sulfides and are the primary economic minerals in the mine. Chalcocite is the most common secondary copper sulfide mineral, and the predominant oxide copper minerals are chrysocolla, malachite and azurite.

The Bagdad operation consists of a 75,000 metric ton-per-day concentrator that produces copper and molybdenum concentrates, an SX/EW plant that can produce up to 25 million pounds per year of copper cathode from solution generated by low-grade stockpile leaching, and a pressure leach plant to process molybdenum concentrates. The available mining fleet consists of thirty 235-metric ton haul trucks loaded by five shovels with bucket sizes ranging from 40 to 56 cubic meters, which are capable of moving over 200,000 metric tons of material per day.

Bagdad’s production totaled 197 million pounds of copper and 10 million pounds of molybdenum in 2012, 194 million pounds of copper and 10 million pounds of molybdenum in 2011, and 203 million pounds of copper and 7 million pounds of molybdenum in 2010.

Bagdad is located in a desert environment with rainfall averaging 15 inches per year. The highest bench elevation is 1,200 meters above sea level and the ultimate pit bottom is expected to be 310 meters above sea level. The Bagdad operation encompasses approximately 21,750 acres, comprising approximately 21,150 acres of patented mining claims and other fee lands, and approximately 600 acres of unpatented mining claims.

Bagdad receives electrical power from Arizona Public Service Company. Although we believe the Bagdad operation has sufficient water sources to support current operations, we are a party to litigation that may set legal precedents, which could adversely affect our water rights at Bagdad and at our other properties in Arizona. Refer to Item 1A. "Risk Factors" and Item 3. “Legal Proceedings,” for further discussion.


8


Safford
 

Our wholly owned Safford mine has been in operation since 2007 and is an open-pit copper mining complex located in Graham County, Arizona, approximately eight miles north of the town of Safford and 170 miles east of Phoenix. The site is accessible by paved county road off U.S. Highway 70.

The Safford mine includes two copper deposits that have oxide mineralization overlaying primary copper sulfide mineralization. The predominant oxide copper minerals are chrysocolla and copper-bearing iron oxides with the predominant copper sulfide material being chalcopyrite.

The property is a mine-for-leach project and produces copper cathodes. The operation consists of two open pits feeding a crushing facility with a capacity of 103,000 metric tons per day. The crushed ore is delivered to a single leach pad by a series of overland and portable conveyors. Leach solutions feed a SX/EW facility with a capacity of 240 million pounds of copper per year. A sulphur burner plant is also in operation at Safford, providing a cost-effective source of sulphuric acid used in SX/EW operations. The available mining fleet consists of twenty 235-metric ton haul trucks loaded by four shovels with bucket sizes ranging from 31 to 34 cubic meters, which are capable of moving an average of 225,000 metric tons of material per day.

Safford’s copper production totaled 175 million pounds in 2012, 151 million pounds in 2011 and 143 million pounds in 2010.

Safford is located in a desert environment with rainfall averaging 10 inches per year. The highest bench elevation is 1,250 meters above sea level and the ultimate pit bottom is expected to have an elevation of 750 meters above sea level. The Safford operation encompasses approximately 25,000 acres, comprising approximately 21,000 acres of patented lands, approximately 3,950 acres of unpatented lands, and approximately 50 acres of land held by federal permit.

The Safford operation’s electrical power is primarily sourced from Tucson Electric Power Company, Arizona Public Service Company and the Luna Energy facility. Although we believe the Safford operation has sufficient water sources to support current operations, we are a party to litigation that may impact our water right claims or rights to continued use of currently available water supplies, which could adversely affect our water supply for the Safford operation. Refer to Item 1A. "Risk Factors" and Item 3. “Legal Proceedings,” for further discussion.


9


Sierrita

Our wholly owned Sierrita mine has been in operation since 1959 and is an open-pit copper and molybdenum mining complex located in Pima County, Arizona, approximately 20 miles southwest of Tucson and seven miles west of the town of Green Valley and Interstate Highway 19. The site is accessible by a paved highway and by rail.

The Sierrita mine is a porphyry copper deposit that has oxide and secondary sulfide mineralization, and primary sulfide mineralization. The predominant oxide copper minerals are malachite, azurite and chrysocolla. Chalcocite is the most important secondary copper sulfide mineral, and chalcopyrite and molybdenite are the dominant primary sulfides.

The Sierrita operation includes a 102,000 metric ton-per-day concentrator that produces copper and molybdenum concentrates. Sierrita also produces copper from a ROM oxide-leaching system. Cathode copper is plated at the Twin Buttes EW facility, which has a design capacity of approximately 50 million pounds of copper per year. In 2004, a copper sulfate crystal plant began production, which has the capacity to produce 40 million pounds of copper sulfate per year. The Sierrita operation also has molybdenum facilities consisting of a leaching circuit, two molybdenum roasters and a packaging facility. The molybdenum facilities process molybdenum concentrate produced by Sierrita, from our other mines and from third-party sources. The available mining fleet consists of twenty-five 235-metric ton haul trucks loaded by four shovels with bucket sizes ranging from 34 to 56 cubic meters, which are capable of moving an average of 200,000 metric tons of material per day.

Sierrita’s production totaled 157 million pounds of copper and 21 million pounds of molybdenum in 2012, 177 million pounds of copper and 23 million pounds of molybdenum in 2011, and 147 million pounds of copper and 18 million pounds of molybdenum in 2010.

Sierrita is located in a desert environment with rainfall averaging 12 inches per year. The highest bench elevation is 1,160 meters above sea level and the ultimate pit bottom is expected to be 440 meters above sea level. The Sierrita operation, including the adjacent Twin Buttes site (refer to "Development Projects and Exploration" for further discussion), encompasses approximately 37,650 acres, comprising approximately 13,300 acres of patented mining claims, and approximately 24,350 acres of split-estate lands.

Sierrita receives electrical power through long-term contracts with the Tucson Electric Power Company. Although we believe the Sierrita operation has sufficient water sources to support current operations, we are a party to litigation that may impact our water rights claims or rights to continued use of currently available water supplies, which could adversely affect our water supply for the Sierrita operation. Refer to Item 1A. "Risk Factors" and Item 3. “Legal Proceedings,” for further discussion.


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Miami

Our wholly owned Miami mine is an open-pit copper mining complex located in Gila County, Arizona, approximately 90 miles east of Phoenix and six miles west of the city of Globe on U.S. Highway 60. The site is accessible by a paved highway and by rail.

The Miami mine is a porphyry copper deposit that has leachable oxide and secondary sulfide mineralization. The predominant oxide copper minerals are chrysocolla, copper-bearing clays, malachite and azurite. Chalcocite and covellite are the most important secondary copper sulfide minerals.

Since about 1915, the Miami mining operation had processed copper ore using both flotation and leaching technologies. Current operations include leaching by the SX/EW process. The design capacity of the SX/EW plant is 200 million pounds of copper per year. The available mining fleet consists of twenty 227-metric ton haul trucks loaded by three shovels with bucket sizes ranging from 31 to 34 cubic meters, which are capable of moving an average of 93,000 metric tons of material per day.

Miami’s copper production totaled 66 million pounds in both 2012 and 2011, and 18 million pounds in 2010.

Miami is located in a desert environment with rainfall averaging 18 inches per year. The highest bench elevation is 1,390 meters above sea level, and the ultimate pit bottom will have an elevation of 810 meters above sea level. The Miami operation encompasses approximately 9,100 acres, comprising approximately 8,750 acres of patented mining claims and other fee lands, and approximately 350 acres of unpatented mining claims.

Miami receives electrical power through long-term contracts with the Salt River Project and natural gas through long-term contracts with El Paso Natural Gas as the transporter. Although we believe the Miami operation has sufficient water sources to support current operations, we are a party to litigation that may impact our water right claims or rights to continued use of currently available water supplies, which could adversely affect our water supply for the Miami operation. Refer to Item 1A. "Risk Factors" and Item 3. “Legal Proceedings,” for further discussion.


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Tyrone and Chino

Tyrone
Our wholly owned Tyrone mine is an open-pit copper mining complex which has been in operation since 1967. It is located in southwestern New Mexico in Grant County, approximately 10 miles south of Silver City, New Mexico, along State Highway 90. The site is accessible by paved road and rail.

The Tyrone mine is a porphyry copper deposit. Mineralization is predominantly secondary sulfide consisting of chalcocite with leachable oxide mineralization consisting of chrysocolla.

Copper processing facilities consist of a SX/EW operation with a maximum capacity of approximately 100 million pounds of copper cathodes per year. The available mining fleet consists of twenty-one 240-metric ton haul trucks loaded by three shovels with bucket sizes ranging from 17 to 47 cubic meters, which are capable of moving an average of 136,000 metric tons of material per day.

Tyrone’s copper production totaled 83 million pounds in 2012, 76 million pounds in 2011 and 82 million pounds in 2010.

Tyrone is located in a desert environment with rainfall averaging 16 inches per year. The highest bench elevation is 2,000 meters above sea level and the ultimate pit bottom is expected to have an elevation of 1,500 meters above sea level. The Tyrone operation encompasses approximately 35,200 acres, comprising 18,750 acres of patented mining claims and other fee lands, and 16,450 acres of unpatented mining claims.

Tyrone receives electrical power from the Luna Energy facility and from the open market. We believe the Tyrone operation has sufficient water resources to support current operations.

Chino
Our wholly owned Chino mine is an open-pit copper mining complex located in southwestern New Mexico in Grant County, approximately 15 miles east of the town of Silver City off of State Highway 180. The mine is accessible by paved roads and by rail. Chino has been in operation since 1910.

The Chino mine is a porphyry copper deposit with adjacent copper skarn deposits. There is leachable oxide and secondary sulfide mineralization, and millable primary sulfide mineralization. The predominant oxide copper minerals are chrysocolla and azurite. Chalcocite is the most important secondary copper sulfide mineral, and chalcopyrite and molybdenite the dominant primary sulfides.

The Chino operation consists of a 36,000 metric ton-per-day concentrator that produces copper and molybdenum concentrates, and a 150 million pound-per-year SX/EW plant that produces copper cathode from solution generated by ROM leaching. The available mining fleet consists of thirty-four 240-metric ton haul trucks loaded by four shovels with bucket sizes ranging from 42 to 48 cubic meters, which are capable of moving an average of 218,000 metric tons of material per day.

During 2011, we restarted mining and milling activities at the Chino mine. Ramp up activities at Chino are continuing, with production of approximately 250 million pounds of copper per year targeted in 2014. Chino's production totaled 144 million pounds of copper and 2 million pounds of molybdenum in 2012, 69 million pounds of copper in 2011 and 34 million pounds of copper in 2010 from residual leaching operations.

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Chino is located in a desert environment with rainfall averaging 16 inches per year. The highest bench elevation is 2,250 meters above sea level, and the ultimate pit bottom is expected to be 1,500 meters above sea level. The Chino operation encompasses approximately 118,600 acres, comprising approximately 113,200 acres of patented mining claims and other fee lands, and approximately 5,400 acres of unpatented mining claims.

Chino receives power from the Luna Energy facility and from the open market. We believe Chino has sufficient water resources to support current operations.

Henderson and Climax

Henderson
Our wholly owned Henderson molybdenum mine has been in operation since 1976 and is located approximately 42 miles west of Denver, Colorado, off U.S. Highway 40. Nearby communities include the towns of Empire, Georgetown and Idaho Springs. The Henderson mill site is located approximately 15 miles west of the mine and is accessible from Colorado State Highway 9. The Henderson mine and mill are connected by a 10-mile conveyor tunnel under the Continental Divide and an additional five-mile surface conveyor. The tunnel portal is located five miles east of the mill.

The Henderson mine is a porphyry molybdenum deposit with molybdenite as the primary sulfide mineral.

The Henderson operation consists of a large block-cave underground mining complex feeding a concentrator with a current capacity of approximately 32,000 metric tons per day. Henderson has the capacity to produce approximately 40 million pounds of molybdenum per year. The majority of the molybdenum concentrate produced is shipped to our Fort Madison, Iowa, processing facility. The available underground mining equipment fleet consists of thirteen 9-metric ton load-haul-dump (LHD) units and six 73-metric ton haul trucks, which deliver ore to a gyratory crusher feeding a series of three overland conveyors to the mill stockpiles.

Henderson’s molybdenum production totaled 34 million pounds in 2012, 38 million pounds in 2011 and 40 million pounds in 2010.

The Henderson mine is located in a mountain region with the main access shaft at 3,180 meters above sea level. The main production levels are currently at elevations of 2,200 and 2,350 meters above sea level. This region experiences significant snowfall during the winter months.

The Henderson mine and mill operations encompass approximately 11,900 acres, comprising approximately 11,850 acres of patented mining claims and other fee lands, and an approximate 50-acre easement with the U.S. Forest Service for the surface portion of the conveyor corridor.

Henderson operations receive electrical power through long-term contracts with Xcel Energy and natural gas through long-term contracts with Anadarko Energy Services Company (and effective March 1, 2013, Seminole Energy Services Company) with Xcel Energy as the transporter. We believe the Henderson operation has sufficient water resources to support current operations.





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Climax
Our wholly owned Climax mine is located 13 miles northeast of Leadville, Colorado, off Colorado State Highway 91 at the top of Fremont Pass. The mine is accessible by paved roads.

The Climax ore body is a porphyry molybdenum deposit with molybdenite as the primary sulfide mineral.

The Climax open-pit mine, which was commissioned in second-quarter 2012, includes a 25,000 metric ton-per-day mill facility. Molybdenum production from Climax totaled 7 million pounds in 2012 and is targeted to produce 20 million pounds for 2013, with the potential to produce 30 million pounds per year, depending on market conditions. The fleet consists of two hydraulic shovels and seven 177-metric ton haul trucks.

The Climax mine is located in a mountain region with snowfall averaging 23 feet per year. The highest bench elevation is approximately 4,050 meters above sea level, and the ultimate pit bottom is expected to have an elevation of approximately 3,100 meters above sea level. The operations encompass approximately 14,350 acres.

Climax operations receive electrical power through long-term contracts with Xcel Energy and natural gas through long-term contracts with Anadarko Energy Services Company (and effective March 1, 2013, Seminole Energy Services Company), with Xcel Energy as the transporter. We believe the Climax operation has sufficient water resources to support current operations.

Other North America Mines

In addition to the currently operating mines described above, we have four non-operating copper mines – Ajo, Bisbee and Tohono in Arizona, and Cobre in New Mexico – that have been on care-and-maintenance status for several years and would require additional capital investment, which could be significant, to return them to operating status.

We also own the Twin Buttes copper mine, which ceased operations in 1994 and is adjacent to our Sierrita mine in Arizona. Refer to "Development Projects and Exploration" for further discussion.

South America

At our operations in South America, mine properties and facilities are controlled through mining claims or concessions under the general mining laws of the relevant country. The claims or concessions are owned or controlled by the operating companies in which we or our subsidiaries have a controlling ownership interest. Roads, power lines and aqueducts are controlled by easements.

Cerro Verde

We have a 53.56 percent ownership interest in Cerro Verde, with the remaining 46.44 percent held by SMM Cerro Verde Netherlands B.V. (21.0 percent), Compañia de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. (19.58 percent) and other stockholders whose shares are publicly traded on the Lima Stock Exchange (5.86 percent).

Cerro Verde is an open-pit copper and molybdenum mining complex that has been in operation since 1976 and is located 20 miles southwest of Arequipa, Peru. The site is accessible by paved highway. A majority of Cerro Verde’s

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copper cathode production is sold locally and the remaining copper cathodes and concentrate production are transported approximately 70 miles by truck and rail to the Port of Matarani for shipment to international markets.

The Cerro Verde mine is a porphyry copper deposit that has oxide and secondary sulfide mineralization, and primary sulfide mineralization. The predominant oxide copper minerals are brochantite, chrysocolla, malachite and copper “pitch.” Chalcocite and covellite are the most important secondary copper sulfide minerals. Chalcopyrite and molybdenite are the dominant primary sulfides.

Cerro Verde’s current operation consists of an open-pit copper mine, a 120,000 metric ton-per-day concentrator and SX/EW leaching facilities. Leach copper production is derived from a 39,000 metric ton-per-day crushed leach facility and a ROM leach system. This leaching operation has a capacity of approximately 200 million pounds of copper per year. The available fleet consists of thirty-two 230-metric ton haul trucks loaded by four electric shovels with bucket sizes ranging in size from 33 to 53 cubic meters and one hydraulic shovel with a bucket size of 21 cubic meters, which are capable of moving an average of 337,000 metric tons of material per day.

Cerro Verde’s production totaled 595 million pounds of copper and 8 million pounds of molybdenum in 2012, 647 million pounds of copper and 10 million pounds of molybdenum in 2011, and 668 million pounds of copper and 7 million pounds of molybdenum in 2010.

Refer to “Development Projects and Exploration” for further discussion of the large-scale expansion at Cerro Verde that would expand the concentrator facilities to 360,000 metric tons of ore per day and provide incremental annual production of approximately 600 million pounds of copper and 15 million pounds of molybdenum beginning in 2016.

Cerro Verde is located in a desert environment with rainfall averaging 1.5 inches per year and is in an active seismic zone. The highest bench elevation is 2,753 meters above sea level and the ultimate pit bottom is expected to be 1,568 meters above sea level. Cerro Verde has a mining concession covering approximately 157,000 acres plus approximately 25 acres of owned property, and approximately 80 acres of rights-of-way outside the mining concession area.

Cerro Verde receives electrical power under long-term contracts with Kallpa Generación SA and Empresa de Generación Eléctrica de Arequipa. Water for our Cerro Verde processing operations comes from renewable sources through a series of storage reservoirs on the Rio Chili watershed that collect water primarily from seasonal precipitation. Cerro Verde’s participation in the Pillones Reservoir Project has secured water rights that we believe will be sufficient to support Cerro Verde’s current operations.

Cerro Verde has also reached an agreement with the Regional Government of Arequipa, the National Government, Servicio de Agua Potable y Alcantarillado de Arequipa S.A. (SEDAPAR) and other local institutions to allow it to finance the engineering and construction of a wastewater treatment plant for Arequipa, should Cerro Verde proceed with plans for a large-scale expansion. Once Cerro Verde obtains a license for the treated water, it would be used to supplement its existing water supplies to support the potential concentrator expansion.

For further discussion of risks associated with the availability of water, see Item 1A. “Risk Factors.”

El Abra


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We own a 51 percent interest in El Abra, and the remaining 49 percent interest is held by the state-owned copper enterprise Corporación Nacional del Cobre de Chile (CODELCO).

El Abra is an open-pit copper mining complex that has been in operation since 1996 and is located 47 miles north of Calama in Chile’s El Loa province, Region II. The site is accessible by paved highway and by rail.

The El Abra mine is a porphyry copper deposit that has sulfide and oxide mineralization. The predominant primary sulfide copper minerals are bornite and chalcopyrite. There is a minor amount of secondary sulfide mineralization
as chalcocite. The oxide copper minerals are chrysocolla and pseudomalachite. There are lesser amounts of copper-bearing clays and tenorite.

The El Abra operation consists of an open-pit copper mine and a SX/EW facility with a capacity of 500 million pounds of copper cathode per year from a 125,000 metric ton-per-day crushed leach circuit and a similar-sized ROM leaching operation. The available fleet consists of forty 220-metric ton haul trucks loaded by four shovels with buckets ranging in size from 26 to 41 cubic meters, which are capable of moving an average of 223,000 metric tons of material per day.

During 2011, we commenced production from El Abra’s sulfide ores. Production from the sulfide ore is replacing the depleting oxide copper production. El Abra’s copper production totaled 338 million pounds in 2012, 274 million pounds in 2011 and 320 million pounds in 2010.

We are also engaged in pre-feasibility studies for a potential large-scale milling operation at El Abra to process additional sulfide material and to achieve higher recoveries. Exploration results at El Abra have identified a significant sulfide resource.

El Abra is located in a desert environment with rainfall averaging less than one inch per year and is in an active seismic zone. The highest bench elevation is 4,180 meters above sea level and the ultimate pit bottom is expected to be 3,430 meters above sea level. El Abra controls a total of approximately 151,300 acres of mining claims covering the ore deposit, stockpiles, process plant, and water wellfield and pipeline. In addition, El Abra has land surface rights for the road between the processing plant and the mine, the water wellfield, power transmission lines and for the water pipeline from the Salar de Ascotán aquifer.

El Abra currently receives electrical power under a long-term contract with Electroandina. Water for our El Abra processing operations comes from pumping of groundwater from the Salar de Ascotán aquifer pursuant to regulatory approval. We believe El Abra has sufficient water rights to support current operations. For a discussion of risks associated with the availability of water, see Item 1A. “Risk Factors.”

Candelaria and Ojos del Salado

Candelaria
We have an 80 percent ownership interest in Candelaria, with the remaining 20 percent interest owned by affiliates of Sumitomo Corporation.

Candelaria’s open-pit copper mine has been in operation since 1993 and the underground mine has been in operation since 2005. The Candelaria copper mining complex is located approximately 12 miles south of Copiapó in northern Chile’s Atacama province, Region III. The site is accessible by two maintained dirt roads, one coming

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through the Tierra Amarilla community and the other off of Route 5 of the International Pan-American Highway. Copper concentrates are transported by truck to the Punta Padrones port facility located in Caldera, approximately 50 miles northwest of the mine.

The Candelaria mine is an iron oxide, copper and gold deposit. Primary sulfide mineralization consists of chalcopyrite.

The Candelaria operation consists of an open-pit copper mine and a 6,000 metric ton-per-day underground copper mine, which is mined by sublevel stoping, feeding a 75,000 metric ton-per-day concentrator.  The available fleet consists of forty-eight 225-metric ton haul trucks loaded by six shovels with bucket sizes ranging from 28 to 43 cubic meters, which are capable of moving 250,000 metric tons of material per day.

Candelaria’s production totaled 271 million pounds of copper and 69 thousand ounces of gold in 2012, 327 million pounds of copper and 85 thousand ounces of gold in 2011, and 300 million pounds of copper and 76 thousand ounces of gold in 2010.

Candelaria is located in a desert environment with rainfall averaging less than one inch per year and is in an active seismic zone. The highest bench elevation is 675 meters above sea level and the ultimate pit bottom is expected to be 32 meters below sea level. The Candelaria property encompasses approximately 13,400 acres, including approximately 125 acres for the port facility in Caldera. The remaining property consists of mineral rights owned by us in which the surface is not owned but is controlled by us, which is consistent with Chilean law.

Candelaria receives electrical power through long-term contracts with AES Gener S.A., a local energy company. Candelaria’s water supply comes from well fields in the area of Tierra Amarilla and Copiapó that draw water from the Copiapó River aquifer. Because of rapid depletion of that aquifer in recent years, Candelaria is expanding its sources of water supply. During 2010, we completed construction of a pipeline to bring water from a nearby water treatment facility. In addition, we have substantially completed the construction of a desalination plant and pipeline that will supply Candelaria’s longer term water needs. For further discussion of risks associated with the availability of water, see Item 1A. “Risk Factors.”

Ojos del Salado
We have an 80 percent ownership interest in Ojos del Salado, with the remaining 20 percent interest owned by affiliates of Sumitomo Corporation.

The Ojos del Salado operation began commercial production in 1929 and consists of two underground copper mines (Santos and Alcaparrosa) and a 3,800 metric ton-per-day concentrator. The operation is located approximately 10 miles east of Copiapó in northern Chile’s Atacama province, Region III, and is accessible by paved highway. The Ojos del Salado mines are iron oxide and copper and gold deposits. Primary sulfide mineralization consists of chalcopyrite.

The Ojos del Salado operation has a capacity of 3,800 metric tons per day of ore from the Santos underground mine and 4,000 metric tons of ore per day from the Alcaparrosa underground mine. The ore from both mines is mined by sublevel stoping since both the ore and enclosing rocks are competent. The broken ore is removed from the stopes using scoops and loaded into an available fleet of twenty-six 28-metric ton trucks, which transport the ore to the surface. The ore from the Santos mine is hauled directly to the Ojos del Salado mill for processing, and the ore from the Alcaparrosa mine is reloaded into six 54-metric ton trucks and hauled seven miles to the Candelaria mill for processing. The Ojos del Salado concentrator has the capacity to produce over 30 million pounds of copper and 9 thousand ounces of gold per year. Tailings from the Ojos del Salado mill are pumped to the Candelaria tailings facility for final deposition. The Candelaria facility has sufficient capacity for the remaining Ojos del Salado tailings.

Ojos del Salado’s production totaled 53 million pounds of copper and 14 thousand ounces of gold in 2012, 58 million pounds of copper and 16 thousand ounces of gold in 2011, and 66 million pounds of copper and 17 thousand ounces of gold in 2010.

Ojos del Salado is located in a desert environment with rainfall averaging less than one inch per year and is in an active seismic zone. The highest underground level is at an elevation of 500 meters above sea level, with the lowest underground level at 150 meters above sea level. The Ojos del Salado mineral rights encompass approximately 15,800 acres, which includes approximately 6,800 acres of owned land in and around the Ojos del

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Salado underground mines and plant site. The remaining property consists of mineral rights owned by us in which the surface is not owned but is controlled by us, which is consistent with Chilean law.

Ojos del Salado receives electrical power through long-term contracts with AES Gener S.A. Ojos del Salado’s water supply comes from well fields in the area of Tierra Amarilla and Copiapó that draw water from the Copiapó River aquifer. For a discussion of risks associated with the availability of water, see Item 1A. “Risk Factors.”

Indonesia

Ownership. PT Freeport Indonesia is a limited liability company organized under the laws of the Republic of Indonesia and incorporated in Delaware. We directly own 81.28 percent of the outstanding common stock of PT Freeport Indonesia and indirectly own 9.36 percent through our wholly owned subsidiary, PT Indocopper Investama; the Indonesian government owns the remaining 9.36 percent.

We have established certain unincorporated joint ventures with Rio Tinto plc (Rio Tinto), under which Rio Tinto has a 40 percent interest in certain assets and future production exceeding specified annual amounts of copper, gold and silver. Refer to Note 2 for further discussion of our joint ventures with Rio Tinto.

We also conduct exploration activities in Papua through two other entities: PT Irja Eastern Minerals (Eastern Minerals), of which we own 100 percent, and PT Nabire Bakti Mining (PTNBM).

Contracts of Work. PT Freeport Indonesia conducts its current exploration and mining operations in Indonesia through a Contract of Work (COW) with the Indonesian government. The COW governs our rights and obligations relating to taxes, exchange controls, royalties, repatriation and other matters, and was concluded pursuant to the 1967 Foreign Capital Investment Law, which expresses Indonesia’s foreign investment policy and provides basic guarantees of remittance rights and protection against nationalization, a framework for economic incentives and basic rules regarding other rights and obligations of foreign investors. Specifically, the COW provides that the Indonesian government will not nationalize or expropriate PT Freeport Indonesia’s mining operations. Any disputes regarding the provisions of the COW are subject to international arbitration. We have experienced no disputes requiring arbitration during the more than 40 years we have operated in Indonesia.

PT Freeport Indonesia’s original COW was entered into in 1967 and was replaced by a new COW in 1991. The initial term of the current COW expires in 2021, but can be extended for two 10-year periods subject to Indonesian government approval, which pursuant to the COW cannot be withheld or delayed unreasonably. The COW allows us to conduct exploration, mining and production activities in the 24,700-acre Block A area, which is where all of PT Freeport Indonesia’s proven and probable mineral reserves and current mining operations are located. Under the COW, PT Freeport Indonesia also conducts exploration activities in the Block B area. We expect the Block B area to be reduced to approximately 413,000 acres once the Department of Energy and Mineral Resources (DEMR)

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formally accepts PT Freeport Indonesia's relinquishment of approximately 89,000 acres. Further relinquishments may result from the COW evaluation process discussed below and in Note 14.

PT Freeport Indonesia pays royalties on copper, gold and silver under its COW, and has agreed to pay additional royalties to the Indonesian government that are not required under its COW. The additional royalties provide further support to the local governments and to the people of the Indonesian province of Papua. PT Freeport Indonesia’s share of the combined royalties totaled $93 million in 2012, $137 million in 2011 and $156 million in 2010.

Eastern Minerals is allowed to conduct exploration in Papua through a joint venture agreement under a separate COW. We expect Eastern Minerals' exploration area to be reduced to approximately 183,000 acres once the DEMR formally accepts Eastern Minerals' relinquishment of approximately 264,000 acres, and further relinquishments may result from the COW evaluation process discussed below and in Note 14. We have requested suspension of activities for the COW from the DEMR while awaiting receipt of permits from the Indonesian government's Department of Forestry that would allow Eastern Minerals to resume exploration activities. We have not received a response to this request from the DEMR.

Under a joint venture agreement through PTNBM, we are allowed to conduct exploration activities under a separate COW in an area in three parcels contiguous to PT Freeport Indonesia’s Block B and one of Eastern Minerals’ blocks. We expect PTNBM's exploration area to be reduced to approximately 200,000 acres once the DEMR formally accepts PTNBM's relinquishment of approximately 293,000 acres, and further relinquishments may result from the COW evaluation process discussed below and in Note 14. We have also requested suspension of activities for the COW from the DEMR while awaiting receipt of permits from the Indonesian government's Department of Forestry that would allow us to resume exploration activities. We have not received a response to this request from the DEMR.

In 2009, Indonesia enacted a new mining law, which will operate under a licensing system as opposed to the contract of work system that applies to PT Freeport Indonesia, Eastern Minerals and PTNBM. In 2011 and 2010, the Indonesian government promulgated regulations under the 2009 mining law and certain provisions that address existing contracts of work. The laws and regulations provide that contracts of work will continue to be honored until their expiration. However, the regulations attempt to apply certain provisions of the new law to existing contracts of work and may seek to apply the licensing system to any extension periods of contracts of work, even though the terms of PT Freeport Indonesia's COW provide for two 10-year extension periods subject to Indonesian government approval, which pursuant to the COW cannot be withheld or delayed unreasonably. In February 2012, a new regulation was adopted that would require mining companies in Indonesia to process all minerals domestically and possibly ban export of concentrates and other unrefined minerals. PT Freeport Indonesia's COW includes specific provisions providing the right of PT Freeport Indonesia to export product, subject to giving priority to domestic smelting facilities, on a market basis. In connection with the obligations under its COW, in 1995, PT Freeport Indonesia constructed the only copper smelter and refinery in Indonesia, which is owned and operated by PT Smelting (refer to "Smelting Facilities" for further discussion).

In January 2012, the President of Indonesia issued a decree calling for the creation of a team of Ministers to evaluate contracts of work for adjustment to the 2009 Mining Law, and accordingly, to take steps to assess and negotiate size of work areas, government revenues and domestic processing of minerals. We have had discussions with officials of the Indonesian government and are working cooperatively to complete this evaluation process and to obtain an extension of the COW beyond 2021, as provided under the terms of the COW. The COW can only be modified by mutual agreement between PT Freeport Indonesia and the Indonesian government.

Grasberg Minerals District.  PT Freeport Indonesia operates in the remote highlands of the Sudirman Mountain Range in the province of Papua, Indonesia, which is on the western half of the island of New Guinea. We and our predecessors have been the only operator of exploration and mining activities in Block A since 1967.

The Grasberg minerals district currently has three mines in operation: the Grasberg open pit, the Deep Ore Zone (DOZ) underground mine and the Big Gossan underground mine. We also have several projects in progress in the Grasberg minerals district, primarily related to the development of the large-scale, high-grade underground ore bodies located beneath and nearby the Grasberg open pit. In aggregate, these underground ore bodies are expected to ramp up over several years to approximately 240,000 metric tons of ore per day following the currently anticipated transition from the Grasberg open pit in 2017. Refer to “Development Projects and Exploration” for further discussion.


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PT Freeport Indonesia’s production, including our joint venture partner’s share, totaled 695 million pounds of copper and 862 thousand ounces of gold in 2012, 882 million pounds of copper and 1.4 million ounces of gold in 2011 and 1.3 billion pounds of copper and 2.0 million ounces of gold in 2010.

Our principal source of power for all our Indonesian operations is a coal-fired power plant that we built in 1998. Diesel generators supply peaking and backup electrical power generating capacity. A combination of naturally occurring mountain streams and water derived from our underground operations provides water for our operations. Our Indonesian operations are in an active seismic zone and experience average annual rainfall of approximately 200 inches.

Grasberg Open Pit  
We began open-pit mining of the Grasberg ore body in 1990. Open-pit operations are expected to continue through 2016. Production in the open pit is currently at the 3,190- to 3,940- meter elevation level and totaled 43 million metric tons of ore in 2012, which provided 72 percent of PT Freeport Indonesia's 2012 mill feed.

The current equipment fleet consists of over 500 units. The larger mining equipment directly associated with production includes an available fleet of 157 haul trucks with payloads ranging from 218 to 330 metric tons and 16 shovels with bucket sizes ranging from 30 to 42 cubic meters, which mined an average of 399,000 metric tons of material per day during 2012, 486,000 metric tons per day in 2011 and 701,000 metric tons per day in 2010.

Grasberg crushing and conveying systems are integral to the mine and provide the capacity to transport up to 250,000 metric tons per day of Grasberg ore to the mill and 150,000 metric tons per day of overburden to the overburden stockpiles. The remaining overburden is moved by haul trucks.

DOZ underground mine
The DOZ ore body lies vertically below the now depleted Intermediate Ore Zone. We began production from the DOZ ore body in 1989 using open stope mining methods, but suspended production in 1991 in favor of production from the Grasberg open pit. Production resumed in September 2000 using the block-cave method and is at the 3,110-meter elevation level. Production from the DOZ mine averaged 44,600 metric tons of ore per day for the year 2012 (51,200 metric tons of ore per day in fourth-quarter 2012) and is expected to ramp up to the design rate of 80,000 metric tons of ore per day in 2013, following completion of ongoing panel repairs, resulting from the temporary shutdown and suspension of operations in fourth-quarter 2011 and early 2012. Production at the DOZ mine is expected to continue through 2019.

The DOZ mine fleet consists of over 200 pieces of mobile heavy equipment, which is capable of mining an average of 80,000 metric tons of material per day. The primary mining equipment directly associated with production and development includes an available fleet of 44 LHD units and 20 haul trucks. Each production LHD unit typically carry approximately 11 metric tons of ore. Using ore passes and chutes, the LHD units transfer ore into 55-metric ton capacity haul trucks. The trucks dump into two gyratory crushers and the ore is then conveyed to the surface stockpiles for processing.

During 2012, we completed over 1,600 meters of development drifting in support of the block-cave mining method for the DOZ mine. The success of the development of the DOZ mine, one of the world’s largest underground mines, provides confidence in the future development of PT Freeport Indonesia’s large-scale undeveloped underground ore bodies.

Big Gossan underground mine
The Big Gossan mine lies underground and adjacent to the current mill site. It is a tabular, near vertical ore body with approximate dimensions of 1,200 meters along strike and 800 meters down dip with varying thicknesses from 20 meters to 120 meters. The mine utilizes a blasthole stoping method with delayed paste backfill. Stopes of varying sizes are mined and the ore dropped down passes to a truck haulage level. Trucks are chute loaded and transport the ore to a jaw crusher. The crushed ore is then hoisted vertically via a two-skip production shaft to a level where it is loaded onto a conveyor belt. The belt carries the ore to one of the main underground conveyors where the ore is transferred and conveyed to the surface stockpiles for processing.

The Big Gossan mine averaged 1,600 metric tons of ore per day for the year 2012 (2,100 metric tons of ore per day in fourth-quarter 2012) and is expected to ramp up to full rates of 7,000 metric tons of ore per day in 2014.


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Big Gossan has over 70 pieces of mobile heavy equipment, which includes 11 loaders and 8 trucks used in development and production activities.

Description of Ore Bodies. Our Indonesia ore bodies are located within and around two main igneous intrusions, the Grasberg monzodiorite and the Ertsberg diorite. The host rocks of these ore bodies include both carbonate and clastic rocks that form the ridge crests and upper flanks of the Sudirman Range, and the igneous rocks of monzonitic to dioritic composition that intrude them. The igneous-hosted ore bodies (the Grasberg open pit and block cave, and portions of the DOZ block cave) occur as vein stockworks and disseminations of copper sulfides, dominated by chalcopyrite and, to a lesser extent, bornite. The sedimentary-rock hosted ore bodies (portions of the DOZ and all of the Big Gossan) occur as “magnetite-rich, calcium/magnesian skarn” replacements, whose location and orientation are strongly influenced by major faults and by the chemistry of the carbonate rocks along the margins of the intrusions.

The copper mineralization in these skarn deposits is dominated by chalcopyrite, but higher bornite concentrations are common. Moreover, gold occurs in significant concentrations in all of the district’s ore bodies, though rarely visible to the naked eye. These gold concentrations usually occur as inclusions within the copper sulfide minerals, though, in some deposits, these concentrations can also be strongly associated with pyrite.

The following diagram indicates the relative elevations (in meters) of our reported ore bodies.

21


The following map, which encompasses an area of approximately 42 square kilometers (approximately 16 square miles), indicates the relative positions and sizes of our reported ore bodies and their locations.

Africa

TFM is organized under the laws of the DRC. We own an effective 56 percent interest in TFM, with the remaining ownership interests held by Lundin Mining Corporation (Lundin) (an effective 24 percent interest) and La Générale des Carrières et des Mines (Gécamines), which is wholly owned by the DRC government (a 20 percent non-dilutable interest).

TFM is entitled to mine in the DRC under an Amended and Restated Mining Convention (ARMC) with the DRC government. The original Mining Convention was entered into in 1996 and was replaced with the ARMC in 2005 and further amended in 2010 (approved in 2011). The current ARMC will remain in effect for as long as the Tenke concessions are exploitable.

Effective March 26, 2012, the DRC government issued a Presidential Decree approving modifications to TFM's bylaws following a review (completed in 2010) of TFM's existing mining contracts. Among other changes to the amended ARMC, FCX's effective ownership in TFM was reduced from 57.75 percent to 56 percent.


22


TFM pays a royalty of 2 percent of net revenues under the ARMC, which totaled $25 million in 2012, $24 million in 2011 and $20 million in 2010.

The Tenke Fungurume deposits are located in the Katanga province of the DRC approximately 110 miles northwest of Lubumbashi and are accessible by partially paved roads and by rail. The deposits are sediment-hosted copper and cobalt deposits with oxide, mixed oxide-sulfide and sulfide mineralization. The dominant oxide minerals are malachite, pseudomalachite and heterogenite. Important sulfide minerals consist of bornite, carrollite, chalcocite and chalcopyrite.

Initial copper production commenced at the Tenke mines in late March 2009; targeted copper production rates were achieved in September 2009; and the cobalt and sulphuric acid plants were commissioned in third-quarter 2009. Copper and cobalt are recovered through an agitation-leach plant. An expansion of the project to optimize the current plant and increase capacity was substantially completed in fourth-quarter 2012. The expanded mill is capable of throughput of 14,000 metric tons of ore per day, and expanded processing facilities will enable the addition of approximately 150 million pounds of copper production per year. The expansion project included mill upgrades, additional mining equipment, a new tankhouse and an additional sulphuric acid plant (which is expected to be completed in 2015).

The current equipment fleet includes one 10-cubic meter mass excavator, three 17-cubic meter mass excavators, three 12-cubic meter front-end loaders, eleven 7-cubic meter front-end loaders, thirty-two 91-metric ton haul trucks and eighteen 45-metric ton haul trucks.

Production from the Tenke mines totaled 348 million pounds of copper and 26 million pounds of cobalt in 2012, 281 million pounds of copper and 25 million pounds of cobalt in 2011 and 265 million pounds of copper and 20 million pounds of cobalt in 2010.

We continue to engage in drilling activities, exploration analyses and metallurgical testing to evaluate the potential of the highly prospective Tenke Fungurume minerals district. These analyses are being incorporated into future plans to evaluate opportunities for expansion. Future expansions are subject to a number of factors, including economic and market conditions and the business and investment climate in the DRC.

The Tenke Fungurume minerals district is located in a tropical region; however, temperatures are moderated by its higher altitudes. Weather in this region is characterized by a dry season and a wet season, each lasting about six months with average rainfall of 47 inches per year. The highest bench elevation is expected to be 1,518 meters above sea level and the ultimate pit bottom is expected to be 1,110 meters above sea level. The Tenke Fungurume deposits are covered by six exploitation permits totaling approximately 394,450 acres.

TFM has entered into long-term power supply and infrastructure funding agreements with La Société Nationale d’Electricité, the state-owned electric utility company serving the region. The results of a recent water exploration program, as well as the regional geological and hydro-geological conditions, indicate that adequate water is available during the expected life of the operation.


23


PRODUCTION DATA
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
COPPER (millions of recoverable pounds)
2012
 
2011
 
2010
 
2009
 
2008
 
(FCX’s net interest in %)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
North America
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Morenci (85%)a
537

 
522

 
437

 
428

 
626

 
Bagdad (100%)
197

 
194

 
203

 
225

 
227

 
Safford (100%)
175

 
151

 
143

 
184

 
133

 
Sierrita (100%)
157

 
177

 
147

 
170

 
188

 
Miami (100%)
66

 
66

 
18

 
16

 
19

 
Tyrone (100%)
83

 
76

 
82

 
86

 
76

 
Chino (100%)
144

 
69

 
34

 
36

 
155

 
Other (100%)
4

 
3

 
3

 
2

 
6

 
Total North America
1,363

 
1,258

 
1,067

 
1,147

 
1,430

 
South America
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cerro Verde (53.56%)
595

 
647

 
668

 
662

 
694

 
El Abra (51%)
338

 
274

 
320

 
358

 
366

 
Candelaria/Ojos del Salado (80%)
324

 
385

 
366

 
370

 
446

 
Total South America
1,257

 
1,306

 
1,354

 
1,390

 
1,506

 
Indonesia
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Grasberg (90.64%)b
695

 
846

 
1,222

 
1,412

 
1,094

 
Africa
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tenke Fungurume (56%)c
348

 
281

 
265

 
154

 

 
Consolidated
3,663

 
3,691

 
3,908

 
4,103

 
4,030

 
Less noncontrolling interests
723

 
710

 
766

 
754

 
693

 
Net
2,940

 
2,981

 
3,142

 
3,349

 
3,337

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GOLD (thousands of recoverable ounces)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(FCX’s net interest in %)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
North America (100%)a
13

 
10

 
7

 
4

 
14

 
South America (80%)
83

 
101

 
93

 
92

 
114

 
Indonesia (90.64%)b
862

 
1,272

 
1,786

 
2,568

 
1,163

 
Consolidated
958

 
1,383

 
1,886

 
2,664

 
1,291

 
Less noncontrolling interests
98

 
139

 
186

 
258

 
132

 
Net
860

 
1,244

 
1,700

 
2,406

 
1,159

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MOLYBDENUM (millions of recoverable pounds)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(FCX’s net interest in %)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Henderson (100%)
34

 
38

 
40

 
27

 
40

 
Climax (100%)d
7

 

 

 

 

 
North America copper mines (100%)a
36

 
35

 
25

 
25

 
30

 
Cerro Verde (53.56%)
8

 
10

 
7

 
2

 
3

 
Consolidated
85

 
83

 
72

 
54

 
73

 
Less noncontrolling interest
4

 
5

 
3

 
1

 
1

 
Net
81

 
78

 
69

 
53

 
72

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COBALT (millions of contained pounds)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(FCX's net interest in %)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated - Tenke Fungurume (56%)c
26

 
25

 
20

 

 

 
Less noncontrolling interests
11

 
11

 
8

 

 

 
Net
15

 
14

 
12

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
a.
Amounts are net of Morenci’s 15 percent joint venture partner interest.
b.
Amounts are net of Grasberg’s joint venture partner’s interest, which varies in accordance with terms of the joint venture agreement.
c.
Initial copper production commenced at the Tenke mines in March 2009. Effective March 26, 2012, FCX's effective ownership interest in TFM was prospectively reduced from 57.75 percent to 56 percent.
d.
The Climax molybdenum mine began commercial operations in May 2012.

24


SALES DATA
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
COPPER (millions of recoverable pounds)
2012
 
2011
 
2010
 
2009
 
2008
 
(FCX’s net interest in %)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
North America
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Morenci (85%)a
532

 
521

 
434

 
459

 
646

 
Bagdad (100%)
196

 
201

 
206

 
225

 
226

 
Safford (100%)
175

 
147

 
155

 
176

 
107

 
Sierrita (100%)
162

 
175

 
152

 
172

 
184

 
Miami (100%)
68

 
59

 
17

 
16

 
20

 
Tyrone (100%)
82

 
79

 
83

 
85

 
71

 
Chino (100%)
132

 
62

 
35

 
52

 
174

 
Other (100%)
4

 
3

 
3

 
2

 
6

 
Total North America
1,351

 
1,247

 
1,085

 
1,187

 
1,434

 
South America
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cerro Verde (53.56%)
589

 
657

 
654

 
667

 
701

 
El Abra (51%)
338

 
276

 
315

 
361

 
365

 
Candelaria/Ojos del Salado (80%)
318

 
389

 
366

 
366

 
455

 
Total South America
1,245

 
1,322

 
1,335

 
1,394

 
1,521

 
Indonesia
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Grasberg (90.64%)b
716

 
846

 
1,214

 
1,400

 
1,111

 
    Africa
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tenke Fungurume (56%)c
336

 
283

 
262

 
130

 

 
Consolidated sales from mines
3,648

 
3,698

 
3,896

 
4,111

 
4,066

 
Less noncontrolling interests
717

 
717

 
756

 
746

 
699

 
Net
2,931

 
2,981

 
3,140

 
3,365

 
3,367

 
Consolidated sales from mines
3,648

 
3,698

 
3,896

 
4,111

 
4,066

 
Purchased copper
125

 
223

 
182

 
166

 
483

 
Total copper sales, including purchases
3,773

 
3,921

 
4,078

 
4,277

 
4,549

 
Average realized price per pound
$
3.60

 
$
3.86

 
$
3.59

 
$
2.60

 
$
2.69

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GOLD (thousands of recoverable ounces)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(FCX’s net interest in %)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
North America (100%)a
13

 
7

 
5

 
6

 
16

 
South America (80%)
82

 
101

 
93

 
90

 
116

 
Indonesia (90.64%)b
915

 
1,270

 
1,765

 
2,543

 
1,182

 
Consolidated sales from mines
1,010

 
1,378

 
1,863

 
2,639

 
1,314

 
Less noncontrolling interests
102

 
139

 
184

 
256

 
134

 
Net
908

 
1,239

 
1,679

 
2,383

 
1,180

 
Consolidated sales from mines
1,010

 
1,378

 
1,863

 
2,639

 
1,314

 
Purchased gold
2

 
1

 
1

 
1

 
2

 
Total gold sales, including purchases
1,012

 
1,379

 
1,864

 
2,640

 
1,316

 
Average realized price per ounce
$
1,665

 
$
1,583

 
$
1,271

 
$
993

 
$
861

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MOLYBDENUM (millions of recoverable pounds)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated sales from mines
83

 
79

 
67

 
58

 
71

 
Less noncontrolling interests
4

 
4

 
3

 
1

 
1

 
Net
79

 
75

 
64

 
57

 
70

 
Consolidated sales from mines
83

 
79

 
67

 
58

 
71

 
Purchased molybdenum

 

 
2

 
6

 
8

 
Total molybdenum sales, including purchases
83

 
79

 
69

 
64

 
79

 
Average realized price per pound
$
14.26

 
$
16.98

 
$
16.47

 
$
12.36

 
$
30.55

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COBALT (millions of contained pounds)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(FCX's net interest in %)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated - Tenke Fungurume (56%)c
25

 
25

 
20

 

 

 
Less noncontrolling interests
11

 
10

 
8

 

 


 
Net
14

 
15

 
12

 

 

 
Average realized price per pound
$
7.83

 
$
9.99

 
$
10.95

 
$

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
a.
Amounts are net of Morenci’s joint venture partner’s 15 percent interest.
b.
Amounts are net of Grasberg’s joint venture partner’s interest, which varies in accordance with terms of the joint venture agreement.
c.
Initial copper production commenced at the Tenke mines in March 2009. Effective March 26, 2012, FCX's effective ownership interest in TFM was prospectively reduced from 57.75 percent to 56 percent.


25


DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS AND EXPLORATION
 
We have several projects and potential opportunities to expand production volumes, extend mine lives and develop large-scale underground ore bodies. Our near-term major development projects, which will require substantial additional capital investment, are presented below. Also refer to MD&A for further discussion of these projects, our other development projects and exploration activities.

Considering the long-term nature and large size of our development projects, actual costs and timing could vary from estimates. We continue to review our mine development and processing plans to maximize the value of our reserves.

Morenci. We are engaged in a project to expand mining and milling capacity at Morenci to process additional sulfide ores identified through exploratory drilling. The approximate $1.4 billion project is targeting incremental annual production of approximately 225 million pounds of copper in 2014 through an increase in milling rates from 50,000 metric tons of ore per day to 115,000 metric tons of ore per day, and mining rates from 700,000 short tons per day (635,000 metric tons per day) to 900,000 short tons per day (815,000 metric tons per day). Engineering activities are progressing and construction activities are under way.

Twin Buttes. In December 2009, we purchased the Twin Buttes copper mine, which ceased operations in 1994 and is adjacent to our Sierrita mine. The purchase provides significant synergies in the Sierrita minerals district, including the potential for expanded mining activities and access to material that can be used for Sierrita tailings and stockpile reclamation purposes. We are conducting drilling on the property and metallurgical studies to support a feasibility study expected to commence in 2013.

Cerro Verde. We are engaged in a large-scale expansion at Cerro Verde. The approximate $4.4 billion project would expand the concentrator facilities from 120,000 metric tons of ore per day to 360,000 metric tons of ore per day and provide incremental annual production of approximately 600 million pounds of copper and 15 million pounds of molybdenum beginning in 2016. Cerro Verde received approval of the environmental impact assessment in fourth-quarter 2012. Detailed engineering and procurement of long-lead items are under way, and construction is expected to commence in 2013.

El Abra. We are engaged in pre-feasibility studies for a potential large-scale milling operation at El Abra to process additional sulfide material and to achieve higher recoveries. Exploration results at El Abra have identified a significant sulfide resource.

Grasberg. We have several projects in progress in the Grasberg minerals district, primarily related to the development of large-scale, high-grade underground ore bodies located beneath and nearby the Grasberg open pit. In aggregate, these ore bodies are expected to ramp up over several years to approximately 240,000 metric tons of ore per day following the currently anticipated transition from the Grasberg open pit in 2017. Development of the Deep Mill Level Zone (DMLZ) is advancing. The DMLZ is expected to commence production in 2015 and the Grasberg Block Cave mine is scheduled to commence production in 2017. Over the next five years, estimated aggregate capital spending on these projects is currently expected to average $715 million per year ($565 million per year net to PT Freeport Indonesia). Refer to MD&A for further discussion of these projects and the Common Infrastructure project.

In addition to the near-term development projects in progress in the Grasberg minerals district, we also have an additional long-term underground mine development project in the Grasberg minerals district for the Kucing Liar ore body, which lies on the southern flank of and underneath the southern portion of the Grasberg open pit at the 2,605-meter elevation level. We expect to mine the Kucing Liar ore body using the block-cave method; aggregate capital cost estimates for development of the Kucing Liar ore body are projected to approximate $2 billion (which are expected to be made between 2019 and 2031). Additionally, our current mine development plans include approximately $3 billion of capital expenditures at our processing facilities to optimize the handling of underground ore types once the Grasberg open-pit operations cease (we expect substantially all of these expenditures to be made between 2016 and 2034).

26


SMELTING FACILITIES

Atlantic Copper. Our wholly owned Atlantic Copper smelter and refinery is located on land concessions from the Huelva, Spain, port authorities, which expire in 2027.

The design capacity of the smelter is approximately 300,000 metric tons of copper per year and the refinery currently has a capacity of 285,000 metric tons of copper per year. During 2012, Atlantic Copper treated approximately 1.1 million metric tons of concentrate and scrap and produced 295,200 metric tons of copper anodes from its smelter and 274,400 metric tons of copper cathodes from its refinery.

In May 2011, Atlantic Copper successfully completed a scheduled 26-day maintenance turnaround. Major maintenance turnarounds (which take approximately 50 days to complete) typically are expected to occur approximately every eight years for Atlantic Copper, with short-term maintenance turnarounds in the interim. The next long-term maintenance turnaround is scheduled for the second half of 2013.

We made no capital contributions to Atlantic Copper in 2012 and $202 million in 2011. No capital contributions were made for the years 2005 through 2010. We also loan funds to Atlantic Copper from time to time. At December 31, 2012, loans to Atlantic Copper totaled $434 million.

PT Smelting. PT Freeport Indonesia’s 1991 COW required us to construct or cause to be constructed a smelter in Indonesia if we and the Indonesian government determined that such a project would be economically viable. In 1995, following the completion of a feasibility study, we entered into agreements relating to the formation of PT Smelting, an Indonesian company, and the construction of the copper smelter and refinery in Gresik, Indonesia. PT Smelting owns and operates the smelter and refinery. PT Freeport Indonesia, Mitsubishi Materials Corporation (Mitsubishi Materials), Mitsubishi Corporation Unimetals Ltd. (Mitsubishi) and JX Nippon Mining & Metals Corporation (Nippon) own 25 percent, 60.5 percent, 9.5 percent, and 5 percent, respectively, of the outstanding PT Smelting common stock.

PT Freeport Indonesia’s contract with PT Smelting provides for the supply of 100 percent of the copper concentrate requirements (subject to a minimum or maximum rate) necessary for PT Smelting to produce 205,000 metric tons of copper annually on a priority basis. PT Freeport Indonesia also sells copper concentrate to PT Smelting (at market rates) for quantities in excess of 205,000 metric tons of copper annually. Refer to Note 2 for further discussion of our investment in PT Smelting.

During 2012, PT Smelting treated 855,500 metric tons of concentrate and produced 198,400 metric tons of copper anodes from its smelter and 197,200 metric tons of copper cathodes from its refinery.

In May 2012, PT Smelting completed a scheduled 30-day maintenance turnaround. Major maintenance turnarounds (which range from two weeks to a month to complete) typically are expected to occur approximately every two years for PT Smelting, with significantly shorter term maintenance turnarounds in the interim. The next major maintenance turnaround is scheduled for 2014.

Miami Smelter. We own and operate a smelter at our Miami, Arizona, mining operation. The smelter has been in production for approximately 100 years and has been upgraded numerous times during that period to implement new technologies, to improve production and to comply with air quality requirements. Additionally, new air quality regulations for sulphur dioxide emissions will require the Miami smelter to implement additional new technologies to meet these requirements or limit its operations (refer to Item 1A. “Risk Factors” for further discussion).

The Miami smelter processes copper concentrate primarily from our Arizona copper mines. Concentrate processed through the smelter totaled approximately 620,000 metric tons in 2012. In addition, because sulphuric acid is a by-product of smelting concentrates, the Miami smelter is also the most significant source of sulphuric acid for our North America leaching operations.

Major maintenance turnarounds (which take approximately three weeks to complete) typically occur approximately every 14 months for the Miami smelter, with shorter term maintenance turnarounds in the interim.


27


OTHER PROPERTIES AND INVESTMENTS

Rod & Refining Operations. Our Rod & Refining operations consist of conversion facilities located in North America, including a refinery in El Paso, Texas; rod mills in El Paso, Texas, Norwich, Connecticut, and Miami, Arizona; and a specialty copper products facility in Bayway, New Jersey. We refine our copper anode production from our Miami smelter at our El Paso refinery. The El Paso refinery has the potential to operate at an annual production capacity of about 900 million pounds of copper cathode, which is sufficient to refine all of the copper anode we produce at Miami. Our El Paso refinery also produces nickel carbonate, copper telluride, and autoclaved slimes material containing gold, silver, platinum and palladium.

Molybdenum Conversion Facilities. We process molybdenum concentrates at our conversion plants in the U.S. and Europe into such products as technical-grade molybdic oxide, ferromolybdenum, pure molybdic oxide, ammonium molybdates, molybdenum disulfide and molybdenum metal powder. We operate molybdenum roasters in Sierrita, Arizona; Fort Madison, Iowa; and Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
 
The conversion facility located at our Sierrita copper mine consists of two molybdenum roasters that process molybdenum concentrates produced at our mines and on a toll basis for third parties. The facility produces molybdenum oxide and related products. In addition, our Bagdad copper mine has a pressure leach plant that processes molybdenum concentrates.
 
The Fort Madison facility consists of two molybdenum roasters, a sulphur dioxide conversion plant, a metallurgical (technical oxide) packaging facility, and a chemical conversion plant, which includes a wet-chemicals plant, sublimation equipment and molybdenum disulfide processing and packaging. In the chemical plant, molybdic oxide is further refined into various high-purity molybdenum chemicals for a wide range of uses by chemical and catalyst manufacturers. In addition to metallurgical oxide products, the Fort Madison facility produces ammonium dimolybdate, pure molybdic oxide, ammonium heptamolybdate, ammonium octamolybdate, sodium molybdate, sublimed pure molybdic oxide and molybdenum disulfide.
 
The Rotterdam facility consists of a molybdenum roaster, sulphuric acid plant, metallurgical packaging
facility and chemical conversion plant. The plant produces metallurgical products primarily for third parties. Ammonium dimolybdate and pure molybdic oxide are produced in the wet-chemicals plant.
 
We also produce ferromolybdenum for customers worldwide at our conversion plant located in Stowmarket, United Kingdom. The plant is operated both as an internal and external customer tolling facility.

McMoRan Exploration Co. (MMR). MMR is engaged in the exploration, development and production of oil and natural gas in the shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico Shelf. In December 2010, we purchased 500,000 shares of MMR’s 5.75% Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock for an aggregate purchase price of $500 million (refer to Note 6 for further discussion). In connection with the purchase, we entered into a registration rights agreement and a stockholder agreement with MMR. Several of our directors and executive officers also serve as directors or executive officers of MMR, and our wholly owned subsidiary FM Services Company (FM Services) provides certain executive, technical administrative, accounting, financial, tax and other services to us and to MMR on a cost-reimbursement basis. Refer to Part III, Item 13. “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence,” for additional information. Also refer to Note 1 for discussion of FCX's proposed acquisition of MMR.

SOURCES AND AVAILABILITY OF RAW MATERIALS

Our copper mining operations require significant energy, principally diesel, electricity, coal and natural gas, most of which is obtained from third parties under long-term contracts. Energy represented approximately 21 percent of our 2012 consolidated copper production costs and included purchases of approximately 255 million gallons of diesel fuel; 6,800 gigawatt hours of electricity at our North America, South America and Africa copper mining operations (we generate all of our power at our Indonesia mining operation); 700 thousand metric tons of coal for our coal power plant in Indonesia; and 1 million MMBTU (million British thermal units) of natural gas at certain of our North America mines. For 2013, we estimate energy costs will approximate 21 percent of our consolidated copper production costs.


28


Sulphuric acid is used in the SX/EW process and is produced as a by-product of the smelting process at our smelters and from our sulphur burners at the Safford and Tenke mines. Sulphuric acid needs in excess of the sulphuric acid produced by our operations are purchased from third parties.

Our mining operations also require significant quantities of water for mining, ore processing and related support facilities. Although we believe our mining operations have sufficient water rights, the loss of water rights for any of our mines, in whole or in part, or shortages of water to which we have rights, could require us to curtail or shut down mining operations. For a further discussion of risks and legal proceedings associated with the availability of water, refer to Item 1A. “Risk Factors” and Item 3. “Legal Proceedings.”

COMPETITION

The top 10 producers of copper comprise approximately 50 percent of total worldwide mined copper production. We currently rank second among those producers at approximately eight percent of total worldwide estimated mined copper production. Our competitive position is based on the quality and grade of our ore bodies and our ability to manage costs compared with other producers. We have a diverse portfolio of mining operations with varying ore grades and cost structures. Our costs are driven by the location, grade and nature of our ore bodies and the level of input costs, including energy, labor and equipment. The metals markets are cyclical and our ability to maintain our competitive position over the long term is based on our ability to acquire and develop quality deposits, hire and retain a skilled workforce and to manage our costs.

LABOR MATTERS

At December 31, 2012, we employed approximately 34,000 people (approximately 12,700 in Indonesia, 11,800 in North America, 5,400 in South America, 3,200 in Africa and 900 in Europe and other locations). Additionally, we have contractors that have personnel at many of our operations, including approximately 10,700 at our Grasberg minerals district, 10,400 at our South America mining operations, 4,000 at our Tenke Fungurume minerals district, 1,600 in North America and 400 at Atlantic Copper.

The number of employees represented by unions at December 31, 2012, and the expiration date of the applicable union agreements are listed below. Refer to Item 1A. "Risk Factors" for further information on labor agreements.
 
Location
Number of Unions
Number of
Union-
Represented Employees
Expiration Date
 
 
PT Freeport Indonesia – Indonesia
1

8,774

September 2013
 
 
Tenke Fungurume – DRC
6

3,216

August 2013
a 
 
Cerro Verde – Peru
2

1,674

August 2014
 
 
El Abra – Chile
2

969

May 2016
 
 
Candelaria – Chile
2

908

December 2016
 
 
Atlantic Copper – Spain
2

422

December 2011
b 
 
Chino – New Mexico
1

344

November 2014
 
 
Rotterdam – The Netherlands
2

57

March 2015
 
 
Bayway – New Jersey
1

40

April 2013
 
 
Aurex – Chile
1

41

December 2013
 
 
Stowmarket – United Kingdom
1

39

May 2014
 

a. In September 2012, TFM negotiated a 4-year salary scale with union-represented employees.
b. Negotiations are in progress while employees continue to work under the provisions of the expired contract.


29


ENVIRONMENTAL AND RECLAMATION MATTERS

The cost of complying with environmental laws is a fundamental and substantial cost of our business. For information about environmental regulation, litigation and related costs, refer to Item 1A. “Risk Factors”, and Notes 1 and 13.

COMMUNITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS

We have adopted policies that govern our working relationships with the communities where we operate and are designed to guide our practices and programs in a manner that respects basic human rights and the culture of the local people impacted by our operations. We continue to make significant expenditures on community development, education, training and cultural programs, which include:

comprehensive job training programs
basic education programs
public health programs, including malaria control and HIV testing                                                                                             
agricultural assistance programs
small and medium enterprise development programs
cultural preservation programs
water and sewage treatment projects
clean water access
charitable donations

In December 2000, we endorsed the joint U.S. State Department-British Foreign Office Voluntary Principles on Human Rights and Security (Voluntary Principles). Several major natural resources companies and international human rights organizations participated in developing the Voluntary Principles and have endorsed them. We participated in developing these principles and they are incorporated into our human rights policy.

We are assessing how to best integrate the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights into our existing human rights policy. We joined a multi-industry human rights working group to help us learn from peer companies and determine the best way to integrate human rights due diligence into our business practices and to support our Voluntary Principles program.

We believe that our social and economic development programs are responsive to the issues raised by the local communities near our areas of operation and should help us maintain good relations with the surrounding communities and avoid disruptions of mining operations. As part of our ongoing, annual commitment to sustainable community development, we have made significant investments in social programs, including in-kind support and administration, across our global operations. Over the last three years, these investments have averaged approximately $180 million per year. Nevertheless, social and political instability in the areas of our operations may adversely impact our mining operations. Refer to Item 1A. “Risk Factors” for further discussion.

South America. Cerro Verde has provided a variety of community support projects over the years. Following engagements with regional and local governments, civic leaders and development agencies, in 2006, Cerro Verde committed to support the costs for a new potable water treatment plant to serve Arequipa. In addition, an agreement was reached with the Peruvian government for development of a water storage and distribution network, which was financed by the Cerro Verde Civil Association (the Association). The Association manages contributions made by Cerro Verde for projects that focus on education, training, health, cultural preservation and basic infrastructure.

In 2011, Cerro Verde reached agreement with the Regional Government of Arequipa, the National Government, SEDAPAR and other local institutions to allow it to finance the engineering and construction of a wastewater treatment plant for Arequipa, should Cerro Verde proceed with plans for the large-scale expansion. Treating this water would improve the Rio Chili's water quality, enhance agriculture products grown in the area and reduce waterborne illnesses.

Additionally, during 2006, the Peruvian government announced that all mining companies operating in Peru would be required to make annual contributions to local development funds for a five-year period (covering the years 2006 through 2010) when copper prices exceeded certain levels that were adjusted annually. The contribution, which expired in 2010, was equal to 3.75 percent of after-tax profits.


30


Indonesia. In 1996, PT Freeport Indonesia established the Freeport Partnership Fund for Community Development (the Partnership Fund), through which PT Freeport Indonesia has made available funding and technical assistance to support community development initiatives in the areas of health, education and economic development of the area. PT Freeport Indonesia has committed through 2016 to provide one percent of its annual revenue for the development of the local people in its area of operation through the Partnership Fund. Our share of contributions to the Partnership Fund totaled $39 million in 2012, $50 million in 2011 and $64 million in 2010.

The Amungme and Kamoro Community Development Organization (Lembaga Pembangunan Masyarakat Amungme dan Kamoro or LPMAK) oversees disbursement of the program funds we contribute to the Partnership Fund. LPMAK is governed by a board of commissioners and a board of directors, which are comprised of representatives from the local Amungme and Kamoro tribal communities, government leaders, church leaders, and one representative of PT Freeport Indonesia on each board. The Amungme and Kamoro people are original inhabitants of the land in our area of operations.

Security Matters. Consistent with our COW in Indonesia and the requirement to protect our employees and property, we have taken appropriate steps to provide a safe and secure working environment. As part of its security program, PT Freeport Indonesia maintains its own internal security department, which is unarmed and performs functions such as protecting company facilities, monitoring shipments of supplies and products, assisting in traffic control and aiding in emergency response operations. The security department has received human rights training and each member is required to certify his or her compliance with our human rights policy.

PT Freeport Indonesia’s share of costs for its internal civilian security department totaled $52 million for 2012, $37 million for 2011 and $28 million for 2010.

PT Freeport Indonesia, and all businesses and residents of Indonesia, rely on the Indonesian government for the maintenance of public order, upholding the rule of law and the protection of personnel and property. The Grasberg minerals district has been designated by the Indonesian government as one of Indonesia’s vital national assets. This designation results in the police, and to a lesser extent, the military, playing a significant role in protecting the area of our operations. The Indonesian government is responsible for employing police and military personnel and directing their operations.

From the outset of PT Freeport Indonesia’s operations, the Indonesian government has looked to PT Freeport Indonesia to provide logistical and infrastructure support and assistance for these necessary services because of the limited resources of the Indonesian government and the remote location of and lack of development in Papua. PT Freeport Indonesia’s financial support for the Indonesian government security institutions assigned to the operations area represents a prudent response to its requirements to protect its workforce and property, better
ensuring that personnel are properly fed and lodged, and have the logistical resources to patrol PT Freeport Indonesia’s roads and secure its operating area. In addition, the provision of such support is consistent with PT Freeport Indonesia’s obligations under the COW, reflects our philosophy of responsible corporate citizenship, and is in keeping with our commitment to pursue practices that will promote human rights.

PT Freeport Indonesia’s share of support costs for the government-provided security was $22 million in 2012, and $14 million for each of the years 2011 and 2010. This supplemental support consists of various infrastructure and other costs, such as food, housing, fuel, travel, vehicle repairs, allowances to cover incidental and administrative costs, and community assistance programs conducted by the military and police.

Refer to Item 1A. "Risk Factors" for further discussion of security risks in Indonesia.

Africa. TFM has committed to assist the communities living within its concession in the Katanga province of the DRC. Initiatives include an integrated malaria control program, construction and operational support for six elementary schools, as well as renovation and construction of an additional four schools, installation of over 70 clean water wells, a public sanitation (latrines and hand washing) program reaching over 2,000 households, a mobile clinic for rural villages, and economic development programs supporting micro-credit and development of local entrepreneurs, contractors, and farmers. We have also made significant investments in infrastructure in the region that will have lasting benefits to the country, including upgrading a portion of a national road and the regional power generation and transmission systems.


31


TFM has also committed to contribute 0.3 percent of net sales revenue from production to a community development fund to assist the local communities with development of local infrastructure and related services. This fund will be a platform to work jointly with the local government and community to further assist them to fulfill their local development plans, meet basic community needs and promote good governance. Community development fund contributions totaled $4 million in both 2012 and 2011, and $3 million in 2010.

Security Matters. TFM maintains an unarmed internal security department. The national government also has assigned Mines Police to the TFM concession area. The Mines Police are a division of the Congolese National Police and are responsible for maintaining security in mining concessions throughout the DRC. TFM provides food, housing, monetary allowances and logistical support as well as direct payments to the government for the provision of the security assigned to the concession area. The total cost to TFM for this support, including in-kind support, totaled less than $1 million in each of the years 2012, 2011 and 2010.

TFM also participates in monthly security coordination meetings with host country security personnel, other mining companies, and representatives from the United Nations to discuss security issues and concerns.

ORE RESERVES

Recoverable proven and probable reserves summarized below and detailed on the following pages have been calculated as of December 31, 2012, in accordance with Industry Guide 7 as required by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Proven and probable reserves may not be comparable to similar information regarding mineral reserves disclosed in accordance with the guidance of other countries. Proven and probable reserves were determined by the use of mapping, drilling, sampling, assaying and evaluation methods generally applied in the mining industry, as more fully discussed below. The term “reserve,” as used in the reserve data presented here, means that part of a mineral deposit that can be economically and legally extracted or produced at the time of the reserve determination. The term “proven reserves” means reserves for which (1) quantity is computed from dimensions revealed in outcrops, trenches, workings or drill holes; (2) grade and/or quality are computed from the results of detailed sampling; and (3) the sites for inspection, sampling and measurements are spaced so closely and the geologic character is sufficiently defined that size, shape, depth and mineral content of reserves are well established. The term “probable reserves” means reserves for which quantity and grade are computed from information similar to that used for proven reserves but the sites for sampling are farther apart or are otherwise less adequately spaced. The degree of assurance, although lower than that for proven reserves, is high enough to assume continuity between points of observation.

Our reserve estimates are based on the latest available geological and geotechnical studies. We conduct ongoing studies of our ore bodies to optimize economic values and to manage risk. We revise our mine plans and estimates of recoverable proven and probable mineral reserves as required in accordance with the latest available studies. Our estimates of recoverable proven and probable reserves are prepared by and are the responsibility of our employees; a majority of these estimates are reviewed and verified by independent experts in mining, geology and reserve determination.

Estimated recoverable proven and probable reserves at December 31, 2012, were determined using long-term average prices of $2.00 per pound for copper, $750 per ounce for gold and $10 per pound for molybdenum, consistent with the long-term average prices used at year-end 2011 and 2010. For the three-year period ended December 31, 2012, LME spot copper prices averaged $3.67 per pound, London PM gold prices averaged $1,480 per ounce, and the weekly average price of molybdenum quoted by Metals Week averaged $14.64 per pound.


32


The recoverable proven and probable reserves presented in the table below represent the estimated metal quantities from which we expect to be paid after application of estimated metallurgical recovery rates and smelter recovery rates, where applicable. Recoverable reserves are the part of a mineral deposit that we estimate can be economically and legally extracted or produced at the time of the reserve determination.
 
Recoverable Proven and Probable Reserves at December 31, 2012
 
Coppera
(billion pounds)
 
Gold
(million ounces)
 
Molybdenum
(billion pounds)
 
Silverb
(million ounces)
 
Cobaltb
(billion pounds)
North America
38.8

 
0.4

 
2.69

 
94.0

 

South America
38.8

 
1.2

 
0.73

 
110.8

 

Indonesia
31.0

 
30.9

 

 
116.6

 

Africa
7.9

 

 

 

 
0.84

Consolidated basisc
116.5

 
32.5

 
3.42

 
321.4

 
0.84

Net equity interestd
93.2

 
29.4

 
3.08

 
264.2

 
0.47

a.
Recoverable copper reserves include 2.9 billion pounds in leach stockpiles and 1.4 billion pounds in mill stockpiles (refer to “Mill and Leach Stockpiles” for further discussion).
b.
Determined using long-term average prices of $15 per ounce for silver and $10 per pound for cobalt, consistent with the long-term average prices used at year-end 2011 and 2010.
c.
Consolidated basis reserves represent estimated metal quantities after reduction for joint venture partner interests at the Morenci mine in North America and at the Grasberg minerals district in Indonesia.
d.
Net equity interest reserves represent estimated consolidated basis metal quantities further reduced for noncontrolling interest ownership.

33


Recoverable Proven and Probable Reserves
 
Estimated at December 31, 2012
 
 
 
 
Proven Reserves
 
Probable Reserves
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average Ore Grade
 
 
 
Average Ore Grade
 
 
Processing
 
Million
 
Copper
 
Gold
 
Moly
 
Silver
 
Cobalt
 
Million
 
Copper
 
Gold
 
Moly
 
Silver
 
Cobalt
 
 
Method
 
metric tons
 
%
 
g/t
 
%
 
g/t
 
%
 
metric tons
 
%
 
g/t
 
%
 
g/t
 
%
 
North America
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Morenci
Mill
 
680

 
0.50

 

 
0.021

 

 

 
5

 
0.45

 

 
0.015

 

 

 
 
Crushed leach
 
417

 
0.52

 

 

 

 

 
5

 
0.47

 

 

 

 

 
 
ROM leach
 
2,826

 
0.18

 

 

 

 

 
85

 
0.15

 

 

 

 

 
Bagdad
Mill
 
1,016

 
0.34

 

a 
0.021

 
1.59

 

 
225

 
0.30

 

a 
0.018

 
1.59

 

 
 
ROM leach
 
267

 
0.12

 

 

 

 

 
223

 
0.10

 

 

 

 

 
Safford
Crushed leach
 
117

 
0.43

 

 

 

 

 
69

 
0.41

 

 

 

 

 
Sierrita
Mill
 
2,407

 
0.24

 

a 
0.026

 
1.43

 

 
299

 
0.21

 

a 
0.020

 
1.28

 

 
 
ROM leach
 
10

 
0.19

 

 

 

 

 
7

 
0.18

 

 

 

 

 
Miami
ROM leach
 
33

 
0.52

 

 

 

 

 
8

 
0.43

 

 

 

 

 
Tyrone
ROM leach
 
129

 
0.29

 

 

 

 

 
9

 
0.20

 

 

 

 

 
Chino
Mill
 
106

 
0.57

 
0.04

 
0.010

 
0.48

 

 
64

 
0.56

 
0.04

 
0.005

 
0.47

 

 
 
ROM leach
 
164

 
0.31

 

 

 

 

 
57

 
0.28

 

 

 

 

 
Henderson
Mill
 
111

 

 

 
0.172

 

 

 
2

 

 

 
0.169

 

 

 
Climax
Mill
 
74

 

 

 
0.183

 

 

 
124

 

 

 
0.152

 

 

 
Cobreb
ROM leach
 
70

 
0.40

 

 

 

 

 
3

 
0.29

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
8,427

 
0.27

 

a 
0.016

 
0.61

 

 
1,185

 
0.22

 

a 
0.025

 
0.65

 

 
South America
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cerro Verde
Mill
 
995

 
0.40

 

 
0.016

 
1.64

 

 
2,997

 
0.37

 

 
0.014

 
1.51

 

 
 
Crushed leach
 
43

 
0.52

 

 

 

 

 
65

 
0.42

 

 

 

 

 
 
ROM leach
 
22

 
0.21

 

 

 

 

 
72

 
0.20

 

 

 

 

 
El Abra
Crushed leach
 
417

 
0.51

 

 

 

 

 
111

 
0.44

 

 

 

 

 
 
ROM leach
 
137

 
0.33

 

 

 

 

 
60

 
0.22

 

 

 

 

 
Candelaria
Mill
 
302

 
0.57

 
0.13

 

 
2.03

 

 
13

 
0.60

 
0.15

 

 
2.20

 

 
Ojos del Salado
Mill
 
3

 
1.07

 
0.29

 

 
4.39

 

 
2

 
0.83

 
0.16

 

 
3.36

 

 
 
 
 
1,919

 
0.44

 
0.02

 
0.008

 
1.17

 

 
3,320

 
0.37

 

a 
0.013

 
1.38

 

 
Indonesia
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Grasberg open pit
Mill
 
162

 
0.99

 
1.18

 

 
2.67

 

 
96

 
0.75

 
0.63

 

 
2.05

 

 
Deep Ore Zone
Mill
 
57

 
0.58

 
0.72

 

 
2.45

 

 
119

 
0.56

 
0.71

 

 
2.29

 

 
Big Gossan
Mill
 
14

 
2.47

 
1.11

 

 
15.97

 

 
40

 
2.18

 
0.92

 

 
13.09

 

 
Grasberg Block Caveb
Mill
 
349

 
1.22

 
1.01

 

 
3.73

 

 
650

 
0.90

 
0.65

 

 
3.44

 

 
Kucing Liarb
Mill
 
149

 
1.33

 
1.13

 

 
7.58

 

 
271

 
1.20

 
1.03

 

 
6.06

 

 
Deep Mill Level Zoneb
Mill
 
69

 
0.92

 
0.74

 

 
4.61

 

 
448

 
0.83

 
0.70

 

 
4.14

 

 
 
 
 
800

 
1.15

 
1.03

 

 
4.43

 

 
1,624

 
0.93

 
0.74

 

 
4.14

 

 
Africa
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tenke Fungurume
Agitation leach
 
52

 
3.49

 

 

 

 
0.39

 
67

 
3.09

 

 

 

 
0.32

 
Total FCX - 100% Basis
 
 
11,198

 
0.38

 
0.08

 
0.013

 
0.97

 

a 
6,196

 
0.52

 
0.19

 
0.012

 
1.95

 

a 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
a.
Grade not shown because of rounding.
b.
Undeveloped reserves that would require additional capital investment, which could be significant, to bring into production.

The reserve table above and the tables on the following pages utilize the abbreviations described below:
 
g/t – grams per metric ton
Moly – Molybdenum
ROM – Run of Mine

34


Recoverable Proven and Probable Reserves
Estimated at December 31, 2012
(continued)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Ore Grade
 
Recoveriesa
 
 
 
Proven and
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Probable
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Processing
 
Million
 
Copper
 
Gold
 
Moly
 
Silver
 
Cobalt
 
Copper
 
Gold
 
Moly
 
Silver
 
Cobalt
 
Method
 
metric tons
 
%
 
g/t
 
%
 
g/t
 
%
 
%
 
%
 
%
 
%
 
%
North America
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Morenci
Mill
 
685

 
0.50

 

 
0.021

 

 

 
79.3

 

 
47.1

 

 

 
Crushed leach
 
422

 
0.52

 

 

 

 

 
78.1

 

 

 

 

 
ROM leach
 
2,911

 
0.18

 

 

 

 

 
44.3

 

 

 

 

Bagdad
Mill
 
1,241

 
0.34

 

b 
0.021

 
1.59

 

 
85.8

 
59.1

 
70.8

 
49.3

 

 
ROM leach
 
490

 
0.12

 

 

 

 

 
24.2

 

 

 

 

Safford
Crushed leach
 
186

 
0.42

 

 

 

 

 
65.9

 

 

 

 

Sierrita
Mill
 
2,706

 
0.23

 

b 
0.025

 
1.41

 

 
83.9

 
60.0

 
75.7

 
49.3

 

 
ROM leach
 
17

 
0.19

 

 

 

 

 
52.3

 

 

 

 

Miami
ROM leach
 
41

 
0.51

 

 

 

 

 
61.8

 

 

 

 

Tyrone
ROM leach
 
138

 
0.28

 

 

 

 

 
60.1

 

 

 

 

Chino
Mill
 
170

 
0.57

 
0.04

 
0.008

 
0.48

 

 
78.8

 
77.9

 
44.0

 
78.5

 

 
ROM leach
 
221

 
0.30

 

 

 

 

 
42.9

 

 

 

 

Henderson
Mill
 
113

 

 

 
0.172

 

 

 

 

 
84.7

 

 

Climax
Mill
 
198

 

 

 
0.164

 

 

 

 

 
88.9

 

 

Cobrec
ROM leach
 
73

 
0.39

 

 

 

 

 
50.7

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
9,612

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
South America
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cerro Verde
Mill
 
3,992

 
0.38

 

 
0.015

 
1.54

 

 
86.2

 

 
54.3

 
44.9

 

 
Crushed leach
 
108

 
0.46

 

 

 

 

 
79.7

 

 

 

 

 
ROM leach
 
94

 
0.20

 

 

 

 

 
48.7

 

 

 

 

El Abra
Crushed leach
 
528

 
0.49

 

 

 

 

 
57.0

 

 

 

 

 
ROM leach
 
197

 
0.30

 

 

 

 

 
26.4

 

 

 

 

Candelaria
Mill
 
315

 
0.57

 
0.13

 

 
2.03

 

 
89.2

 
71.9

 

 
76.3

 

Ojos del Salado
Mill
 
5

 
0.98

 
0.24

 

 
3.99

 

 
90.3

 
60.9

 

 
65.7

 

 
 
 
5,239

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Indonesia
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Grasberg open pit
Mill
 
258

 
0.90

 
0.98

 

 
2.44

 

 
83.7

 
80.6

 

 
42.9

 

Deep Ore Zone
Mill
 
176

 
0.57

 
0.71

 

 
2.34

 

 
86.7

 
77.5

 

 
64.2

 

Big Gossan
Mill
 
54

 
2.26

 
0.97

 

 
13.84

 

 
91.6

 
66.1

 

 
63.8

 

Grasberg Block Cavec
Mill
 
999

 
1.01

 
0.78

 

 
3.54

 

 
84.2

 
64.8

 

 
57.2

 

Kucing Liarc
Mill
 
420

 
1.25

 
1.07

 

 
6.60

 

 
85.8

 
46.3

 

 
38.5

 

Deep Mill Level Zonec
Mill
 
517

 
0.84

 
0.70

 

 
4.20

 

 
87.1

 
79.0

 

 
64.6

 

 
 
 
2,424

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Africa
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tenke Fungurume
Agitation leach
 
119

 
3.26

 

 

 

 
0.35

 
86.0

 

 

 

 
75.6

Total FCX - 100% Basis
 
 
17,394

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
a.
Recoveries are net of estimated mill and smelter losses.
b.
Grade not shown because of rounding.
c.
Undeveloped reserves that would require additional capital investment, which could be significant, to bring into production.

35


Recoverable Proven and Probable Reserves
Estimated at December 31, 2012
(continued)
 
 
 
 
 
Recoverable Reserves
 
 
 
 
 
Copper
 
Gold
 
Moly
 
Silver
 
Cobalt
 
FCX’s
 
Processing
 
billion
 
million
 
billion
 
million
 
billion
 
Interest
 
Method
 
lbs.
 
ozs.
 
lbs.
 
ozs.
 
lbs.
North America
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Morenci
85%
 
Mill
 
6.0

 

 
0.15

 

 

 
 
 
Crushed leach
 
3.8

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
ROM leach
 
5.0

 

 

 

 

Bagdad
100%
 
Mill
 
7.9

 
0.1

 
0.40

 
31.4

 

 
 
 
ROM leach
 
0.3

 

 

 

 

Safford
100%
 
Crushed leach
 
1.2

 

 

 

 

Sierrita
100%
 
Mill
 
11.7

 
0.1

 
1.15

 
60.6

 

 
 
 
ROM leach
 

a 

 

 

 

Miami
100%
 
ROM leach
 
0.3

 

 

 

 

Tyrone
100%
 
ROM leach
 
0.5

 

 

 

 

Chino
100%
 
Mill
 
1.7

 
0.2

 
0.01

 
2.0

 

 
 
 
ROM leach
 
0.6

 

 

 

 

Henderson
100%
 
Mill
 

 

 
0.36

 

 

Climax
100%
 
Mill
 

 

 
0.64

 

 

Cobre
100%
 
ROM leach
 
0.3

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
39.3

 
0.4

 
2.71

 
94.0

 

Recoverable metal in stockpilesb
 
 
 
1.8

 

 

a 

 

100% operations
 
 
 
41.1

 
0.4

 
2.71

 
94.0

 

Consolidatedc
 
 
 
38.8

 
0.4

 
2.69

 
94.0

 

Net equity interestd
 
 
 
38.8

 
0.4

 
2.69

 
94.0

 

South America
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cerro Verde
53.56%
 
Mill
 
28.5

 

 
0.71

 
89.0

 

 
 
 
Crushed leach
 
0.9

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
ROM leach
 
0.2

 

 

 

 

El Abra
51%
 
Crushed leach
 
3.3

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
ROM leach
 
0.3

 

 

 

 

Candelaria
80%
 
Mill
 
3.5

 
1.0

 

 
15.7

 

Ojos del Salado
80%
 
Mill
 
0.1

 

a 

 
0.4

 

 
 
 
 
 
36.8

 
1.0

 
0.71

 
105.1

 

Recoverable metal in stockpilesb
 
 
 
2.0

 
0.2

 
0.02

 
5.7

 

100% operations
 
 
 
38.8

 
1.2

 
0.73

 
110.8

 

Consolidatedc
 
 
 
38.8

 
1.2

 
0.73

 
110.8

 

Net equity interestd
 
 
 
21.8

 
1.0

 
0.39

 
64.5

 

Indonesia
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Grasberg open pit
e
 
Mill
 
4.3

 
6.5

 

 
8.7

 

Deep Ore Zone
e
 
Mill
 
1.9

 
3.1

 

 
8.5

 

Big Gossan
e
 
Mill
 
2.5

 
1.1

 

 
15.4

 

Grasberg Block Cave
e
 
Mill
 
18.8

 
16.2

 

 
65.1

 

Kucing Liar
e
 
Mill
 
9.9

 
6.7

 

 
34.3

 

Deep Mill Level Zone
e
 
Mill
 
8.3

 
9.2

 

 
45.1

 

100% operations
 
 
 
45.7

 
42.8

 

 
177.1

 

Consolidatedc
 
 
 
31.0

 
30.9

 

 
116.6

 

Net equity interestd
 
 
 
28.1

 
28.0

 

 
105.7

 

Africa
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tenke Fungurume
56%
 
Agitation leach
 
7.3

 

 

 

 
0.69

Recoverable metal in stockpilesb
 
 
 
0.6

 

 

 

 
0.15

100% operations
 
 
 
7.9

 

 

 

 
0.84

Consolidatedc
 
 
 
7.9

 

 

 

 
0.84

Net equity interestd
 
 
 
4.5

 

 

 

 
0.47

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total FCX –  100% basis
 
 
 
133.5

 
44.4

 
3.44

 
381.9

 
0.84

Total FCX –  Consolidated basisc
 
 
 
116.5

 
32.5

 
3.42

 
321.4

 
0.84

Total FCX –  Net equity interestd
 
 
 
93.2

 
29.4

 
3.08

 
264.2

 
0.47

a.
Amounts not shown because of rounding.
b.
Refer to "Mill and Leach Stockpiles" for additional information.
c.
Consolidated basis represents estimated metal quantities after reduction for joint venture partner interests at the Morenci mine in North America and at the Grasberg minerals district in Indonesia.
d.
Net equity interest represents estimated consolidated basis metal quantities further reduced for noncontrolling interest ownership.
e.
Our joint venture agreement with Rio Tinto provides that PT Freeport Indonesia will receive cash flow from specified annual amounts of copper, gold and silver through 2021, calculated by reference to its proven and probable reserves as of December 31, 1994, and 60 percent of all remaining cash flow.

36


In defining our open-pit reserves, we apply a “variable cutoff grade” strategy. The objective of this strategy is to maximize the net present value of our operations. We use a break-even cutoff grade to define the in-situ reserves for our underground ore bodies. The break-even cutoff grade is defined for a metric ton of ore as that equivalent copper grade, once produced and sold, that generates sufficient revenue to cover all operating and administrative costs associated with our production.

Our copper mines may contain other commercially recoverable metals, such as gold, molybdenum, silver and cobalt. We value all commercially recoverable metals in terms of a copper equivalent percentage to determine a single cutoff grade. Copper equivalent percentage is used to express the relative value of multi-metal ores in terms of one metal. The calculation expresses the relative value of the ore using estimates of contained metal quantities, metals prices as used for reserve determination, recovery rates, treatment charges and royalties. Our molybdenum properties use a molybdenum cutoff grade.

The table below shows the minimum cutoff grade by process for each of our existing ore bodies as of December 31, 2012:                

 
Copper Equivalent Cutoff Grade (Percent)
 
Molybdenum
Cutoff Grade
(Percent)
 
Mill
 
Crushed or
Agitation Leach
 
ROM
Leach
 
Mill
North America
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Morenci
0.25
 
0.19
 
0.03
 
Bagdad
0.20
 
 
0.01
 
Safford
 
0.12
 
 
Sierrita
0.18
 
 
0.07
 
Miami
 
 
0.05
 
Tyrone
 
 
0.05
 
Chino
0.20
 
 
0.08
 
Henderson
 
 
 
0.12
Climax
 
 
 
0.06
Cobre
 
 
0.17
 
South America
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cerro Verde
0.17
 
0.19
 
0.14
 
El Abra
 
0.11
 
0.08
 
Candelaria
0.24
 
 
 
Ojos del Salado
0.64
 
 
 
Indonesia
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Grasberg open pit
0.25
 
 
 
Deep Ore Zone
0.70
 
 
 
Big Gossan
1.80
 
 
 
Grasberg Block Cave
0.69
 
 
 
Kucing Liar
0.80
 
 
 
Deep Mill Level Zone
0.71
 
 
 
Africa
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tenke Fungurume
 
1.23
 
 

37


Drill hole spacing data is used by mining professionals, such as geologists and geological engineers, in determining the suitability of data coverage (on a relative basis) in a given deposit type and mining method scenario so as to achieve a given level of confidence in the resource estimate. Drill hole spacing is only one of several criteria necessary to establish resource classification. Drilling programs are typically designed to achieve an optimum sample spacing to support the level of confidence in results that apply to a particular stage of development of a mineral deposit.

The following table sets forth the average drill hole spacing based on average sample distance or drill pattern spacing for proven and probable ore reserves by process type:

 
 
 
Average Drill Hole Spacing (in Meters)
 
 
 
Proven
 
Probable
 
Mining Unit
 
Mill
 
Leach
 
Mill
 
Leach
North America
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Morenci
Open Pit
 
86
 
86
 
122
 
122
Bagdad
Open Pit
 
86
 
86
 
122
 
122
Safford
Open Pit
 
 
86
 
 
122
Sierrita
Open Pit
 
73
 
37
 
120
 
75
Miami
Open Pit
 
 
61
 
 
91
Tyrone
Open Pit
 
 
86
 
 
86
Chino
Open Pit
 
43
 
86
 
86
 
122
Henderson
Block Cave
 
38
 
 
85
 
Climax
Open Pit
 
61
 
 
122
 
Cobre
Open Pit
 
 
61
 
 
91
South America
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cerro Verde
Open Pit
 
50
 
50
 
100
 
100
El Abra
Open Pit
 
 
75
 
 
120
Candelaria
Open Pit
 
35
 
 
70
 
Ojos del Salado
Sublevel Stoping
 
25
 
 
50
 
Indonesia
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Grasberg
Open Pit
 
32
 
 
88
 
Deep Ore Zone
Block Cave
 
23
 
 
58
 
Big Gossan
Open Stope
 
14
 
 
44
 
Grasberg
Block Cave
 
30
 
 
78
 
Kucing Liar
Block Cave
 
39
 
 
100
 
Deep Mill Level Zone
Block Cave
 
21
 
 
80
 
Africa
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tenke Fungurume
Open Pit
 
 
50
 
 
100

38


Production Sequencing
The following chart illustrates our current plans for sequencing and producing our proven and probable reserves at each of our ore bodies and the years in which we currently expect production from each ore body. The chart also shows the term of PT Freeport Indonesia’s COW. Production volumes are typically lower in the first few years for each ore body as development activities are ongoing and as the mine ramps up to full production and production volumes may also be lower as the mine reaches the end of its life. The ultimate timing of the start of production from our undeveloped mines is dependent upon a number of factors, including the results of our exploration and development efforts, and may vary from the dates shown below. In addition, we develop our mine plans based on maximizing the net present value from the ore bodies. Significant additional capital expenditures will be required at many of these mines in order to achieve the life-of-mine plans reflected below.


Mill and Leach Stockpiles
Mill and leach stockpiles generally contain lower grade ores that have been extracted from the ore body and are available for copper recovery. For mill stockpiles, recovery is through milling, concentrating, smelting and refining or, alternatively, by concentrate leaching. For leach stockpiles, recovery is through exposure to acidic solutions that dissolve contained copper and deliver it in solution to extraction processing facilities.

Because it is generally impracticable to determine copper contained in mill and leach stockpiles by physical count, reasonable estimation methods are employed. The quantity of material delivered to mill and leach stockpiles is based on surveyed volumes of mined material and daily production records. Sampling and assaying of blasthole cuttings determine the estimated copper grades of material delivered to mill and leach stockpiles.

Expected copper recovery rates for mill stockpiles are determined by metallurgical testing. The recoverable copper in mill stockpiles, once entered into the production process, can be produced into copper concentrate almost immediately.


39


Expected copper recovery rates for leach stockpiles are determined using small-scale laboratory tests, small- to large-scale column testing (which simulates the production-scale process), historical trends and other factors, including mineralogy of the ore and rock type. Ultimate recovery of copper contained in leach stockpiles can vary significantly from a low percentage to more than 90 percent depending on several variables, including type of copper recovery, mineralogy and particle size of the rock. For newly placed material on active stockpiles, as much as 70 percent of the copper ultimately recoverable may be extracted during the first year, and the remaining copper may be recovered over many years.

Processes and recovery rates are monitored continuously, and recovery rate estimates are adjusted periodically as additional information becomes available and as related technology changes.

Following are our stockpiles and the estimated recoverable copper contained within those stockpiles as of December 31, 2012:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recoverable
 
Millions of
 
Average
 
Recovery
 
Copper
 
Metric Tons
 
Grade (%)
 
Rate (%)
 
(billion pounds)
Mill stockpiles
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cerro Verde
103

 
0.40

 
81.8

 
0.7

 
Candelaria
94

 
0.36

 
83.3

 
0.7

 
 
197

 


 


 
1.4

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Leach stockpiles
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Morenci
5,188

 
0.25

 
2.1

 
0.6

 
Bagdad
479

 
0.26

 
2.7

 
0.1

 
Safford
135

 
0.44

 
19.6

 
0.2

 
Sierrita
650

 
0.15

 
12.2

 
0.3

 
Miami
471

 
0.38

 
2.0

 
0.1

 
Tyrone
1,053

 
0.28

 
2.4

 
0.1

 
Chino
1,617

 
0.26

 
4.7

a 
0.4

a 
Cerro Verde
428

 
0.53

 
2.7

 
0.1

 
El Abra
452

 
0.40

 
11.5

 
0.5

 
Tenke Fungurume
22

 
1.21

 
92.5

 
0.6

 
 
10,495

 
 
 
 
 
3.0

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total FCX - 100% basis
 
 
 
 
 
 
4.4

 
Total FCX - Consolidated basisb
 
 
 
 
 
 
4.3

 
Total FCX - Net equity interestc
 
 
 
 
 
 
3.3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
a.
During 2012, we completed an assessment of estimated future recovery rates within the current mine plan at our Chino leaching operations, which resulted in a downward revision of these rates and a corresponding reduction of 594 million pounds of estimated recoverable copper in Chino's leach stockpiles.
b.
Consolidated basis represents estimated metal quantities after reduction for our joint venture partner’s interest in the Morenci mine in North America.
c.
Net equity interest represents estimated consolidated basis metal quantities further reduced for noncontrolling interest ownership.

MINERALIZED MATERIAL

We hold various properties containing mineralized material that we believe could be brought into production should market conditions warrant. However, permitting and significant capital expenditures would be required before operations could commence at these properties. Mineralized material is a mineralized body that has been delineated by appropriately spaced drilling and/or underground sampling to support the reported tonnage and average metal grades. Such a deposit cannot qualify as recoverable proven and probable reserves until legal and economic feasibility are confirmed based upon a comprehensive evaluation of development costs, unit costs, grades, recoveries and other material factors. Estimated mineralized materials as presented on the following page were assessed using prices of $2.20 per pound for copper, $1,000 per ounce for gold and $12 per pound for molybdenum.

40


Mineralized Material
Estimated at December 31, 2012
 
 
 
 
Milling Material
 
Leaching Material
 
Total Mineralized Material
 
 
 
 
Million
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Million
 
 
 
Million
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FCX’s
 
metric
 
Copper
 
Gold
 
Moly
 
metric
 
Copper
 
metric
 
Copper
 
Gold
 
Moly
 
 
Interest
 
tons
 
%
 
g/t
 
%
 
tons
 
%
 
tons
 
%
 
g/t
 
%
North America
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Morenci
 
85%
 
596

 
0.35

 

 
0.020

 
2,278

 
0.21

 
2,874

 
0.24

 

 
0.004

Bagdada
 
100%
 
523

 
0.29

 

b 
0.019

 
50

 
0.11

 
573

 
0.27

 

b 
0.017

Safforda
 
100%
 
480

 
0.52

 
0.09

 
0.004

 
171

 
0.24

 
651

 
0.44

 
0.08

 
0.003

Sierritaa
 
100%
 
1,588

 
0.18

 

b 
0.022

 
21

 
0.15

 
1,609

 
0.18

 

b 
0.021

Miami
 
100%
 

 

 

 

 
11

 
0.50

 
11

 
0.50

 

 

Tyrone
 
100%
 

 

 

 

 
98

 
0.28

 
98

 
0.28

 

 

Chino
 
100%
 
62

 
0.49

 

 
0.013

 
22

 
0.30

 
84

 
0.44

 

 
0.011

Henderson
 
100%
 
159

 

 

 
0.148

 

 

 
159

 

 

 
0.148

Climax
 
100%
 
390

 

 

 
0.156

 

 

 
390

 

 

 
0.156

Cobre
 
100%
 
39

 
0.51

 

 

 
4

 
0.25

 
43

 
0.48

 

 

Ajoa
 
100%
 
948

 
0.32

 
0.06

 
0.006

 

 

 
948

 
0.32

 
0.06

 
0.006

Cochise/Bisbee
 
100%
 

 

 

 

 
276

 
0.44

 
276

 
0.44

 

 

Lone Star
 
100%
 

 

 

 

 
656

 
0.44

 
656

 
0.44

 

 

Sanchez
 
100%
 

 

 

 

 
175

 
0.29

 
175

 
0.29

 

 

Tohono
 
100%
 
204

 
0.70

 

 

 
258

 
0.64

 
462

 
0.67

 

 

Twin Buttesa
 
100%
 
445

 
0.40

 

 
0.025

 
53

 
0.21

 
498

 
0.38

 

 
0.022

South America
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cerro Verdea
 
53.56%
 
595

 
0.37

 

 
0.015

 
42

 
0.47

 
637

 
0.38

 

 
0.014

El Abra
 
51%
 
1,484

 
0.43

 

 

 
316

 
0.25

 
1,800

 
0.40

 

 

Candelariaa
 
80%
 
68

 
0.55

 
0.13

 

 

 

 
68

 
0.55

 
0.13

 

Indonesia
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Grasberg minerals districta
 
54.38%c
 
2,341

 
0.63

 
0.55

 

 

 

 
2,341

 
0.63

 
0.55

 

Africa
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tenke Fungurumed
 
56%
 
72

 
3.60

 

 

 
18

 
3.22

 
90

 
3.52

 

 

Kisanfud
 
95%
 
56

 
2.33

 

 

 
52

 
2.94

 
108

 
2.62

 

 

Total FCX - 100% basis
 
 
 
10,050

 
0.43

 
0.14

 
0.017

 
4,501

 
0.34

 
14,551

 
0.40

 
0.10

 
0.012

Total FCX - Consolidated basise
 
 
 
9,024

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4,159

 
 
 
13,183

 
 
 
 
 
 
Total FCX - Net equity interestf
 
 
 
7,842

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3,974

 
 
 
11,815

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
a.
Stated tonnage also includes silver at Bagdad (1.1 g/t), Safford (1.6 g/t), Sierrita (1.1 g/t), Ajo (0.9 g/t), Twin Buttes (2.1 g/t), Cerro Verde (1.4 g/t), Candelaria (1.9 g/t) and the Grasberg minerals district (3.4 g/t).
b.
Amounts not shown because of rounding.
c.
FCX's interest in the Grasberg minerals district reflects our 60 percent joint venture ownership further reduced by noncontrolling interest ownership.
d.
Stated tonnage also includes cobalt at Tenke Fungurume (0.31 percent) and Kisanfu (1.08 percent).
e.
Consolidated basis represents estimated mineralized materials after reduction for our joint venture partners' interest in the Morenci mine and the Grasberg minerals district.
f.
Net equity interest represents estimated consolidated basis mineralized material further reduced for noncontrolling interest ownership.

41


Item 1A. Risk Factors.
This report contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of United States (U.S.) federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements are all statements other than statements of historical facts, such as statements regarding projected ore grades and milling rates, projected production and sales volumes, projected unit net cash costs, projected operating cash flows, projected capital expenditures, exploration efforts and results, mine production and development plans, the impact of deferred intercompany profits on earnings, liquidity, other financial commitments and tax rates, the impact of copper, gold, molybdenum and cobalt price changes, availability of power, water, labor and equipment, reclamation and closure costs and plans, environmental liabilities and expenditures, litigation contingencies and results, future dividend payments, reserve estimates, risks associated with the completion of pending acquisitions, and anticipated political, economic and social conditions in our areas of operations. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated, projected or assumed in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements include the following.

Financial risks

Extended declines in the market prices of copper, gold and/or molybdenum could adversely affect our earnings and cash flows and, if sustained, could adversely affect our ability to repay debt. Fluctuations in the market prices of copper, gold or molybdenum can cause significant volatility in our financial performance and adversely affect the trading prices of our debt and common stock.

Our financial results vary with fluctuations in metal market prices, including copper, gold and molybdenum (for further information about the market prices of these commodities, refer to discussion below and in Item 7. “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”). An extended decline in the market prices of these commodities could adversely affect our financial results, or our ability to repay our debt and meet our other fixed obligations, and depress the trading prices of our common stock and of our publicly traded debt securities.

Additionally, if market prices for the metals we produce decline for a sustained period of time, we may have to revise our operating plans, including curtailing production, reducing operating costs and capital expenditures and discontinuing certain exploration and development programs. We may be unable to decrease our costs in an amount sufficient to offset reductions in revenues, and may incur losses.

Substantially all of our copper concentrate and cathode sales contracts provide final copper pricing in a specified future month (generally one to four months from the shipment date) based primarily on quoted London Metal Exchange (LME) monthly average spot copper prices. Accordingly, in times of rising copper prices, our revenues benefit from adjustments to the final pricing of provisionally priced sales pursuant to contracts entered into in prior periods; in times of falling copper prices, the opposite occurs.

Copper prices have fluctuated historically, with LME spot copper prices ranging from a low of $2.76 to a high of $4.60 per pound during the three years ended December 31, 2012. Copper prices are affected by numerous factors beyond our control, including:

The strength of the U.S. economy and the economies of other industrialized and developing nations, including China, which has become the largest consumer of refined copper in the world;

Available supplies of copper from mine production and inventories;

Sales by holders and producers of copper;

Demand for industrial products containing copper;

Investment activity, including speculation, in copper as a commodity;

The availability and cost of substitute materials; and

Currency exchange fluctuations, including the relative strength or weakness of the U.S. dollar.


42


Gold prices have also fluctuated historically, with the London PM gold price ranging from a low of $1,058 to a high of $1,895 per ounce during the three years ended December 31, 2012. Gold prices are affected by numerous factors beyond our control, including:

The strength of the U.S. economy and the economies of other industrialized and developing nations, including China and India;

Global or regional political or economic crises;

The relative strength or weakness of the U.S. dollar and other currencies;

Expectations with respect to the rate of inflation;

Interest rates;

Purchases and sales of gold by governments, central banks and other holders;

Demand for jewelry containing gold; and

Investment activity, including speculation, in gold as a commodity.

Molybdenum prices also fluctuate, with the Metals Week Molybdenum Dealer Oxide weekly average price ranging from a low of $10.90 to a high of $18.60 per pound during the three years ended December 31, 2012. Molybdenum prices are affected by numerous factors beyond our control, including:

The worldwide balance of molybdenum demand and supply;

Rates of global economic growth, especially construction and infrastructure activity that requires significant amounts of steel;

The volume of molybdenum produced as a by-product of copper production;

Inventory levels;

Currency exchange fluctuations, including the relative strength or weakness of the U.S. dollar; and

Production costs of U.S. and foreign competitors.

Under U.S. federal and state laws that require closure and reclamation plans for our mines, we generally are required to provide financial assurance sufficient to allow a third party to implement those plans if we are unable to do so. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state agencies may also seek financial assurance for investigation and remediation actions under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) or equivalent state regulations. The failure to comply with these requirements could have a material adverse effect on us.

We are required by U.S. federal and state laws to provide financial assurance sufficient to allow a third party to implement approved closure and reclamation plans if we are unable to do so. These laws are complex and vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. The laws govern the determination of the scope and cost of the closure and reclamation obligations and the amount and forms of financial assurance. EPA and state agencies may also seek financial assurance for investigation and remediation actions under CERCLA or equivalent state regulations.

In July 2009, EPA published a Priority Notice of Action identifying classes of facilities within the hardrock mining industry for which the agency will develop financial responsibility requirements consistent with the degree and duration of risk associated with the production, transportation, treatment, storage or disposal of hazardous substances. In EPA's semi-annual regulatory agenda published on January 8, 2013, EPA indicated that it intends to propose regulations regarding hardrock mining financial responsibility in May 2014. It is uncertain how the new requirements, if promulgated, will affect the amount and form of our existing and future financial assurance obligations.


43


The amount of financial assurance we are required to provide will vary with changes in laws, regulations and reclamation and closure requirements and cost estimates. As of December 31, 2012, our financial assurance obligations associated with closure and reclamation costs totaled $970 million, of which $601 million was in the form of parent company guarantees and financial capability demonstrations. Our ability to continue to provide financial assurance in the form of parent guarantees and financial capability demonstrations depends on our ability to meet financial tests. Certain of the ratios in these tests are significantly more rigorous for companies that do not have an investment grade rating from a state-approved ratings service. We are currently rated investment grade by Standard & Poor's Rating Services (S&P), Fitch Ratings and Moody's Investors Service (Moody's). If we fail to maintain our investment grade rating, we would be subject to these more rigorous tests, in which case the regulatory agencies may require us to provide alternative forms of financial assurance, such as letters of credit, surety bonds or collateral. Depending on our financial condition and market conditions, these other forms of financial assurance may be difficult or costly to provide. Issuance of letters of credit under our credit facilities would reduce our available liquidity. Failure to provide the required financial assurance could result in the closure of mines. As of December 31, 2012, we had limited financial assurance obligations associated with CERCLA-related remediation obligations, although EPA and certain states are increasing the use of financial assurance requirements for such obligations.

For additional information and for discussion of mine closure laws impacting our international operations, refer to the environmental risk factor "Mine closure regulations impose substantial costs on our operations."

Movements in foreign currency exchange rates could negatively affect our operating results.

The functional currency for most of our operations is the U.S. dollar. All of our revenues and a significant portion of our costs are denominated in U.S. dollars; however, some costs and certain asset and liability accounts are denominated in local currencies, including the Indonesian rupiah, Australian dollar, Chilean peso, Peruvian nuevo sol, euro and South African rand. Generally, our results are positively affected when the U.S. dollar strengthens in relation to those foreign currencies and adversely affected when the U.S. dollar weakens in relation to those foreign currencies. Refer to Item 7A. “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk” for a summary of the estimated impact of changes in foreign currency rates on our annual operating costs.

From time to time, we may implement currency hedges intended to reduce our exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange. However, our hedging strategies may not be successful, and any of our unhedged foreign exchange payments will continue to be subject to market fluctuations.

International risks

Our international operations are subject to political, social and geographic risks of doing business in foreign countries.

We are a global mining company with substantial assets located outside of the U.S. We conduct international mining operations in Indonesia, Peru, Chile and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Accordingly, in addition to the usual risks associated with conducting business in foreign countries, our business may be adversely affected by political, economic and social uncertainties in each of these countries. Such risks include:

Renegotiation, cancellation or forced modification of existing contracts,

Expropriation or nationalization of property,

Changes in a foreign country's laws, regulations and policies, including those relating to labor, taxation, royalties, divestment, imports, exports, trade regulations, currency and environmental matters,

Political instability, bribery, extortion, corruption, civil strife, acts of war, guerrilla activities, insurrection and terrorism,

Foreign exchange controls, and

The risk of having to submit to the jurisdiction of a foreign court or arbitration panel or having to enforce the judgment of a foreign court or arbitration panel against a sovereign nation within its own territory.


44


Our insurance does not cover most losses caused by the above described risks. Accordingly, our exploration, development and production activities outside of the U.S. could be substantially affected by factors beyond our control, some of which could materially and adversely affect our financial position or results of operations.

Our international operations must comply with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and similar anti-corruption and anti-bribery laws of the foreign jurisdictions in which we operate. There has been a substantial increase in the global enforcement of these laws. Although we have a compliance program in place designed to reduce the likelihood of violations of such laws, any violation could result in significant criminal or civil sanctions.

We are involved in several significant tax proceedings and other tax matters with the Indonesian and Peruvian tax authorities (refer to Note 13 for further discussion of these matters).

Because our Grasberg minerals district is our most significant operating asset, our business may continue to be adversely affected by political, economic and social uncertainties and security risks in Indonesia.

Indonesia has faced political and social uncertainties, including separatist movements and civil and religious strife in a number of provinces. In particular, several separatist groups are opposing Indonesian rule over the province of Papua, where our Grasberg minerals district is located, and have sought political independence for the province. In response, Indonesia enacted regional autonomy laws, which became effective January 1, 2001. The manner in which those laws are being implemented and the degree of political and economic autonomy that they may bring to individual provinces, including Papua, are uncertain and are ongoing issues in Indonesian politics. In Papua, there have been sporadic attacks on civilians by separatists and sporadic but highly publicized conflicts between separatists and the Indonesian military. Social, economic and political instability in Papua could materially and adversely affect us if it results in damage to our property or interruption of our activities.

Maintaining a good working relationship with the Indonesian government is important to us because our mining operations there are among Indonesia's most significant business enterprises and are conducted pursuant to a Contract of Work (COW) with the Indonesian government. Partially because of their significance to Indonesia's economy, the environmentally sensitive area in which they are located, and the number of people employed, our operations are occasionally the subject of criticism in the Indonesian press and in political debates, and have been the target of protests and occasional violence.

Between July 2009 and February 15, 2013, there were 37 shooting incidents in and around the Grasberg minerals district, including along the road leading to our mining and milling operations, which resulted in 15 fatalities and 57
injuries. The investigation of these matters is continuing. We have taken precautionary measures, including limiting the use of the roads to secured convoys. The Indonesian government has responded with additional security forces and expressed a commitment to protect the safety of the community and our operations. Prolonged limitations on access to the road could adversely affect operations at the mine. The safety of our workforce is a critical concern, and PT Freeport Indonesia is working cooperatively with the Indonesian government to address security issues.

During 2011, PT Freeport Indonesia was adversely affected by labor disruptions, including an eight-day work stoppage in July 2011 and an approximate three-month strike that concluded in December 2011. The strike involved civil unrest, transportation blockades, sabotage of important operating facilities and violence. Additionally, during first-quarter 2012, PT Freeport Indonesia experienced work interruptions in connection with its efforts to resume normal operations and temporarily suspended operations.

Large numbers of illegal miners have continued to operate along the river used to transport the tailings from the mill to the lowlands in PT Freeport Indonesia's government-approved tailings management area. The illegal miners have periodically clashed with police who have attempted to move them away from our facilities. In 2006, the illegal miners temporarily blocked the road leading to the Grasberg mine and mill in protest, and PT Freeport Indonesia temporarily suspended mining and milling operations as a precautionary measure.

We cannot predict whether additional incidents will occur that could disrupt or suspend our Indonesian operations. If additional violence or other disruptive incidents occur, it could adversely affect our business and profitability in ways that we cannot predict at this time.


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We will not mine all of our ore reserves in Indonesia before the initial term of our COW expires.

PT Freeport Indonesia is entitled to mine in Indonesia under its COW with the Indonesian government. The initial term of the current COW expires in 2021, but can be extended for two 10-year periods subject to Indonesian government approval, which pursuant to the COW cannot be withheld or delayed unreasonably. Our proven and probable ore reserves in Indonesia reflect estimates of minerals that can be recovered through the end of 2041 and our current mine plan has been developed, and our operations are based on the assumption that we will receive the two 10-year extensions. As a result, we will not mine all of these ore reserves during the initial term of the current COW, and there can be no assurance that the Indonesian government will approve the extensions. Prior to the end of 2021, we expect to mine 28 percent of aggregate proven and probable recoverable ore at December 31, 2012, representing 34 percent of PT Freeport Indonesia's share of recoverable copper reserves and 46 percent of its share of recoverable gold reserves.

We have had discussions with the Indonesian government regarding the implications of the 2009 mining law, and are working cooperatively to complete the government's contract of work evaluation process and to obtain an extension of the COW beyond 2021, as provided under the terms of the COW (refer to Part I, Items 1 and 2., "Business and Properties - Mines, Indonesia" for further discussion). The outcome of these discussions may result in revisions to certain terms of the COW.

Our COWs in Indonesia are subject to termination if we do not comply with our contractual obligations, and if a dispute arises, we may have to submit to the jurisdiction of a foreign court or arbitration panel.

PT Freeport Indonesia's COW and other COWs in which we have an interest were entered into under Indonesia's 1967 Foreign Capital Investment Law, which provides guarantees of remittance rights and protection against nationalization. Our COWs can be terminated by the Indonesia government if we do not satisfy our contractual obligations, which include the payment of royalties and taxes to the government and the satisfaction of certain mining, environmental, safety and health requirements.

Certain forestry laws and designations as well as prevailing environmental laws and regulations may conflict with or overlap with the mining rights established under our COW. Although our COW grants to PT Freeport Indonesia the unencumbered right to operate in accordance with the COW, certain government agencies could seek to impose additional restrictions on PT Freeport Indonesia that could affect exploration and operating requirements.

At times, certain government officials and others in Indonesia have questioned the validity of contracts entered into by the Indonesian government prior to May 1998 (i.e., during the Suharto regime, which lasted over 30 years), including PT Freeport Indonesia's COW, which was signed in December 1991. We cannot provide assurance that the validity of, or our compliance with, the COWs will not be challenged for political or other reasons. PT Freeport Indonesia's COW and our other COWs require that disputes with the Indonesian government be submitted to international arbitration. Accordingly, if a dispute arises under the COWs, we face the risk of having to submit to the jurisdiction of a foreign court or arbitration panel, and if we prevail in such a dispute, we will face the additional risk of having to enforce the judgment of a foreign court or arbitration panel against Indonesia within its own territory.

The Tenke Fungurume minerals district is located in the Katanga province of the DRC, and may be adversely affected by security risks and political, economic and social instability in the DRC.

During 2009, we completed construction activities and commenced copper and cobalt production at the Tenke Fungurume (Tenke) mine located in the DRC. Since gaining independence in 1960, the DRC has undergone outbreaks of violence, changes in national leadership and financial crises. These factors heighten the risk of abrupt changes in the national policy toward foreign investors, which in turn could result in unilateral modification of concessions or contracts, increased taxation, denial of permits or permit renewals or expropriation of assets. As part of a review of all mining contracts by the Ministry of Mines (the Ministry) in the DRC, in February 2008, we received notification that the Ministry wished to renegotiate several material provisions of Tenke Fungurume Mining S.A.R.L.'s (TFM) mining concessions. In October 2010, the DRC government concluded its review of TFM's existing mining contracts and confirmed that they are in good standing. In connection with the review, TFM made several commitments that were reflected in amendments to its mining contracts, which were signed by the parties in December 2010, approved by a ministerial council in March 2011, and a Presidential Decree was issued in April 2011. In addition, effective March 26, 2012, the DRC government issued a Presidential Decree approving

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modifications to TFM's bylaws. Among other changes to the Amended and Restated Mining Convention (ARMC), FCX's effective ownership in TFM was reduced from 57.75 percent to 56 percent.

Political, economic, social and security risks in the DRC are generally outside of our control and could adversely affect our business. These risks include legal and regulatory uncertainties; exposure to an environment of governmental corruption and bribery; attempts to increase taxes or claims for fees and penalties by governmental officials, including retroactive claims; security risks resulting from political instability in the DRC; and risk of loss due to civil strife, acts of war, guerrilla activities, insurrection and terrorism.

In addition to ongoing conflict in the eastern region of the DRC, there have been a limited number of reported acts of violence in the Katanga province where the Tenke Fungurme minerals district is located. The safety of our workforce at all of our operations is our highest priority, and TFM works cooperatively with government officials to address security issues; however, no assurance can be given that conflict or random acts of violence will not occur near or impact TFM's operations.

Accordingly, the Tenke Fungurume minerals district and its future development projects may be substantially affected by factors beyond our control, any of which could adversely affect our operating results, interrupt our operations or result in a loss of all or part of our investment in the DRC.

Terrorist attacks and violence near our operations and throughout the world and the potential for additional future terrorist acts and violence have created economic and political uncertainties that could materially and adversely affect our business.

Refer to the international risk factor “Because our Grasberg minerals district is our most significant operating asset, our business may continue to be adversely affected by political, economic and social uncertainties in Indonesia” for more information about a series of shooting incidents near our Grasberg minerals district.

In July 2009, two suicide bombers set off explosions inside of the JW Marriott and Ritz-Carlton hotels in Jakarta, Indonesia, that killed nine people and injured 53 others, including two of our Indonesia-based executives.

In October 2005, three suicide bombers killed 19 people and wounded over 100 in the Indonesian province of Bali, which is 1,500 miles west of our mining and milling operations. In September 2004, 11 people were killed and over 200 injured by a car bomb detonated in front of the Australian embassy in Jakarta. In August 2003, 12 people were killed and over 100 were injured by a car bomb detonated outside of the JW Marriott Hotel in Jakarta, Indonesia. In October 2002, a bombing killed 202 people in Bali. Indonesian authorities arrested 35 people in connection with this bombing and 29 of those arrested have been tried and convicted. The same international terrorist organizations are suspected in each of these incidents. In November 2005, Indonesian police raided a house in East Java that resulted in the death of other accused terrorists linked to the bombings discussed above. Our mining and milling operations were not interrupted by these incidents, but PT Freeport Indonesia's corporate office in Jakarta had to relocate for several months following the bombing in front of the Australian embassy. In addition to the Bali, JW Marriott Hotel and Australian embassy bombings, there have been anti-American demonstrations in certain sections of Indonesia reportedly led by radical Islamic activists.

No assurance can be given that additional terrorist incidents and acts of violence will not occur. If there were to be additional terrorist incidents or acts of violence, particularly at or near our operations, there could be no assurance that the occurrence of such events would not have a material adverse impact on our business and results of operations.

Operational risks

Our business is subject to operational risks that could adversely affect our business.

Mines by their nature are subject to many operational risks, some of which are outside of our control. These operational risks, which could adversely affect our business, operating results and cash flows, include the following:

Earthquakes, floods and other natural disasters;

The occurrence of unusual weather or operating conditions and other force majeure events;


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The failure of equipment or processes to operate in accordance with specifications, design or expectations;

Accidents;

Wall failures and rock slides in our open-pit mines, and structural collapses in our underground mines;

Interruption of energy supply;

Lower than expected ore grades or recovery rates;

Metallurgical and other processing problems;

Unanticipated ground and water conditions;

Adverse claims to water rights, adverse outcomes of pending water adjudications and shortages of water to which we have rights;

Adjacent land ownership or usage that results in constraints on current or future mine operations;

Delays in the receipt of or failure to receive necessary government authorizations, approvals or permits;

Delays in transportation and disruptions of supply routes; and

The inability to obtain satisfactory insurance coverage.

Managing the volume of waste rock, leach material and tailings produced in our mining operations also presents significant environmental, safety and engineering challenges and risks. We maintain large leach pads and tailings impoundments containing viscous material, which must be monitored for structural stability and leakages; our tailings impoundments in arid areas must have effective programs to suppress fugitive dust emissions; and we must effectively monitor and treat acid rock drainage. In Indonesia, we use a river transport system for tailings management, which presents other risks, as discussed elsewhere in these risk factors. The failure to adequately manage these risks could result in significant personal injury, loss of life, property damage and damage to the environment, both in and around our areas of operations, as well as damage to production facilities and delays in or curtailments of production.

Our business may also be impacted by information technology disruptions. Cybersecurity incidents, in particular, are evolving and include, but are not limited to, malicious software, attempts to gain unauthorized access to data and other electronic security breaches that could lead to disruptions in systems, unauthorized release of confidential or otherwise protected information and the corruption of data. We have experienced cybersecurity incidents in the past and may experience them in the future. We believe that we have implemented appropriate measures to mitigate potential risks to our technology and our operations from these information technology disruptions. However, given the unpredictability of the timing, nature and scope of information technology disruptions, we could potentially be subject to production downtimes, operational delays, the compromising of confidential or otherwise protected information, destruction or corruption of data, security breaches, other manipulation or improper use of our systems and networks or financial losses from remedial actions, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our cash flows, competitive position, financial condition or results of operations.

Labor unrest and activism could disrupt our operations and may adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

As further described in Part I, Items 1 and 2., “Business and Properties - Labor Matters,” we are party to labor agreements with various unions that represent employees at our operations. Labor agreements are negotiated on a periodic basis, and the risk exists that labor agreements may not be renewed on reasonably satisfactory terms to us or at all. We cannot predict what issues may be raised by the collective bargaining units representing our employees and, if raised, whether negotiations concerning those issues will be concluded successfully. Our production and sales volumes could be significantly reduced and our business, financial condition and results of operations adversely affected by significant reductions in productivity or protracted work stoppages at one or more

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of our operations. Additionally, if we enter into a new labor agreement with any union that significantly increases our labor costs relative to our competitors, our ability to compete may be materially and adversely affected.

During 2011, PT Freeport Indonesia was adversely affected by labor disruptions, including an eight-day work stoppage in July 2011 and an approximate three-month strike that concluded in December 2011. The strike involved civil unrest, transportation blockades, sabotage of important operating facilities and violence. Additionally, during first-quarter 2012, PT Freeport Indonesia experienced work interruptions in connection with its efforts to resume normal operations and temporarily suspended operations.

In fourth-quarter 2011, there was an approximate two-month labor strike at Cerro Verde during the negotiation of a new labor agreement. The strike did not have a significant impact on production, and a new three-year agreement with the union was reached in late December 2011.

As of December 31, 2012, approximately 50 percent of our labor force was covered by collective bargaining agreements, and approximately 35 percent of our labor force is covered by agreements that will expire within one year.

If we do not successfully negotiate new collective bargaining agreements with our union workers, we may incur prolonged strikes and other work stoppages at our mining operations, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our mining production depends on the availability of sufficient water supplies.

Our operations require significant quantities of water for mining, ore processing and related support facilities. Our operations in North and South America are in areas where water is scarce and competition among users for continuing access to water is significant. Continuous production at our mines is dependent on our ability to maintain our water rights and claims, and the continuing physical availability of the water supplies.

At our North America operations, certain of our water supplies are supported by surface water rights, which give us the right to use public waters for a statutorily defined beneficial use at a designated location. In Arizona, we are a participant in two active general stream adjudications in which, for over 30 years, the Arizona courts have been attempting to quantify and prioritize surface water claims for two of the state's largest river systems, which affect four of our operating mines (Morenci, Safford, Sierrita and Miami). The legal precedent set in these proceedings may also affect our Bagdad mine. Groundwater has historically been treated differently from surface water under Arizona law, which has generally allowed land owners to pump at will, subject to the doctrine of reasonable use. However, court decisions in one of the adjudications have concluded that groundwater pumping may affect surface water, thereby bringing the pumping within the jurisdiction of the general stream adjudications. The effort to define the boundaries between groundwater and surface water remains contested, however, and is currently a primary focus of one of those adjudications. Because groundwater accounts for approximately 40 percent of Arizona’s water supplies, the re-characterization of any significant portion of that water as surface water could jeopardize the ability of consumers, farmers, ranchers, municipalities, and industrial users like us, to continue to access water supplies that have been relied on for decades. Because we are a significant user of groundwater in Arizona, we are an active participant in the adjudication proceedings.

In Colorado, our surface water and groundwater rights are subject to adjudication and we are involved in legal proceedings to resolve disputes regarding priority and administration of rights, including priority of some of our rights for the Climax molybdenum mine. In New Mexico, our surface water and groundwater rights are fully licensed or have been fully adjudicated.

Water for our Cerro Verde mining operation comes from renewable sources through a series of storage reservoirs on the Rio Chili watershed that collect water primarily from seasonal precipitation. Due to occasional drought conditions and the possibility that climate change will reduce precipitation levels, temporary supply shortages are possible that could affect our current and planned Cerro Verde operations. Cerro Verde has been conducting water studies to assess opportunities for additional supplies to support current operations and potential future expansion projects. Cerro Verde has reached an agreement with the Regional Government of Arequipa, the National Government, Servicio de Agua Potable y Alcantarillado de Arequipa S.A. (SEDAPAR) and other local institutions to allow it to finance the engineering and construction of a wastewater treatment plant, should Cerro Verde proceed with plans for a large-scale concentrator expansion. Once Cerro Verde obtains a license for the treated water, it would be used to supplement its existing water supplies to support the concentrator expansion.

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Water for our El Abra mining operation comes from the continued pumping of groundwater from the Salar de Ascotán aquifer. In 2010, El Abra obtained regulatory approval, subject to certain conditions, for the continued pumping of groundwater from the Salar de Ascotán aquifer for its sulfide processing plant, which began operations in 2011. We believe that El Abra has sufficient water rights to support current operations, however, a change to the sulfide ore project, such as increased production or mill processing, would require additional water beyond our sulfide groundwater pumping, which is permitted through 2021. El Abra is also conducting studies to assess the feasibility of constructing a desalination plant near the Pacific Ocean to treat seawater for possible increased sulfide ore production or mill processing.

Water for our Candelaria and Ojos del Salado mining operations is drawn from the Copiapó River aquifer. Because of rapid depletion of this aquifer in recent years, Candelaria is expanding its sources of water supply. During 2010, we completed construction of a pipeline to convey reclaimed water from a nearby water treatment facility to our Candelaria mine. In addition, we have substantially completed the construction of a desalination plant and pipeline that will supply Candelaria’s longer term water needs.

Although each of our operations currently has access to sufficient water supplies to support current operational demands, some supplies are subject to unresolved claims by others, and additional supplies that may be needed to support expanded operations are expensive, in short supply, and can be difficult to access because of logistical and legal obstacles. Moreover, we cannot predict the potential outcome of pending or future legal proceedings on our water rights, claims and uses. The loss of a water right, loss of continued use of a currently available water supply, or inability to expand our water resources could materially and adversely affect our mining operations, by significantly increasing the cost of water, forcing us to curtail operations, preventing us from expanding operations or forcing premature closures, thereby increasing and/or accelerating costs or foregoing profitable operations.

Increased production costs could reduce our profitability and cash flow.

Our copper mining operations require significant energy, principally diesel, electricity, coal and natural gas. For the year 2012, energy represented approximately 21 percent of our consolidated copper production costs. An inability to procure sufficient energy at reasonable prices could adversely affect our profits, cash flow and growth opportunities.

Our consolidated copper production costs are also affected by the prices of commodities we consume or use in our operations, such as sulphuric acid, grinding media, steel, reagents, liners, tires, explosives and diluents. The prices of such commodities are influenced by supply and demand trends affecting the mining industry in general and other factors outside our control and such prices are at times subject to volatile movements. Increases in the cost of these commodities could make our operations less profitable. Increases in the costs of commodities that we consume or use may also significantly affect the capital costs of new projects.

Also refer to the environmental risk factor “Regulation of greenhouse gas emissions and climate change issues may increase our costs and adversely affect our operations and markets” for discussion of the potential for increased energy costs.

In addition to the usual risks encountered in the mining industry, our Indonesia operations involve additional risks because they are located on unusually difficult terrain in a very remote area.

The Grasberg minerals district is located in steep mountainous terrain in a remote area of Indonesia. Because of these conditions, we have had to overcome special engineering difficulties and develop extensive infrastructure facilities. In addition, the area receives considerable rainfall, which has led to periodic floods and mudslides. The mine site is also in an active seismic area and has experienced earth tremors from time to time. Our insurance may not sufficiently cover an unexpected natural or operating disaster.

In April 2011, two PT Freeport Indonesia employees died in an accident when a portion of the Deep Ore Zone (DOZ) mine experienced an uncontrolled muck flow. The area was temporarily shut down during the investigation of the accident.

In September 2008, a small scale failure encompassing approximately 75,000 metric tons of material occurred at our Grasberg open pit. There were no injuries or property damage. The event caused a delay in our access to the

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high-grade section of the open pit and, as a result, a portion of the metal expected to be mined in the second half of 2008 was deferred to future periods.

In March 2006, a mud/topsoil slide involving approximately 75,000 metric tons of material occurred from a mountain ridge above service facilities supporting PT Freeport Indonesia's mining facilities. Three contract workers were fatally injured in the event. The material damaged a mess hall and an adjacent area. As a result of investigations by PT Freeport Indonesia and the Indonesian Department of Energy and Mineral Resources, we conducted geotechnical studies to identify and address any potential hazards to workers and facilities from slides. The existing early warning system for potential slides, based upon rainfall and other factors, has also been expanded.

In October 2003, a slippage of material occurred in a section of the Grasberg open pit, resulting in eight fatalities. In December 2003, a debris flow involving a relatively small amount of loose material occurred in the same section of the open pit resulting in only minor property damage. The events caused us to alter our short-term mine sequencing plans; normal production activities resumed in second-quarter 2004.

No assurance can be given that similar events will not occur in the future.

In addition to the usual risks encountered in the mining industry, our Africa mining operation involves additional risks because it is located in a remote area of the DRC.

The Tenke Fungurume minerals district is located in a remote area of the DRC and is subject to additional challenges, including:

Severely limited infrastructure, including road, bridge and rail access that is in disrepair and receives minimal maintenance;

Limited and possibly unreliable energy supply from antiquated equipment and from power distribution corridors that are not maintained;

Challenges in obtaining experienced personnel;

Security risks; and

Limited health care in an area plagued by disease and other potential endemic health issues, including malaria, cholera and HIV.

Additionally, due to limited rail access, we currently truck a significant portion of the production from the Tenke mines approximately 1,900 miles to ports in South Africa. The Tenke Fungurume minerals district and its future development may be substantially affected by factors beyond our control, which could adversely affect their contribution to our operating results and increase the cost of future development.

The volume and grade of ore reserves that we recover and our rate of production may be more or less than anticipated.

Our ore reserve amounts are determined in accordance with Industry Guide 7 as required by the Securities Exchange Age of 1934, and are estimates of the mineral deposits that can be economically and legally extracted or produced at the time of the reserve determination. The determination of reserves involves numerous uncertainties with respect to the ultimate geology of the ore bodies, including quantities, grades and recovery rates, and estimates may change as new data becomes available. Estimating the quantity and grade of reserves requires us to determine the size, shape and depth or our ore bodies by analyzing geological data, such as samplings of drill holes, tunnels and other underground workings. In addition to the geology of our mines, assumptions are required to determine the economic feasibility of mining these reserves, including estimates of future commodity prices and demand, the mining methods we use and the related costs incurred to develop and mine our reserves. A sustained decrease in commodity prices may result in a reduction in economically recoverable ore reserves. These factors may result in variations in the volumes of mineral reserves that we report from period to period.

There are also uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of ore reserves and copper recovered from mill and leach stockpiles. The quantity of copper delivered to mill and leach stockpiles is based on surveyed volumes of mined material and daily production records. Sampling and assaying of blasthole cuttings determine the estimated

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copper grade contained in the material delivered to the mill and leach stockpiles. Processes and recovery rates are monitored regularly, and recovery rate estimates are adjusted periodically as additional information becomes available and as related technology changes. Accordingly, the volume and grade of ore reserves recovered, rates of production and copper recovered from stockpiles may be less than anticipated.

We must continually replace reserves depleted by production. Our exploration activities may not result in additional discoveries.

Our ability to replenish our ore reserves is important to our long-term viability. Produced ore reserves must be replaced by further delineation of existing ore bodies or by locating new deposits in order to maintain production levels over the long term. Exploration is highly speculative in nature. Our exploration projects involve many risks, require substantial expenditures and may not result in the discovery of sufficient additional mineral deposits that can be mined profitably. Once a site with mineralization is discovered, it may take several years from the initial phases of drilling until production is possible, during which time the economic feasibility of production may change. Substantial expenditures are required to establish recoverable proven and probable reserves and to construct mining and processing facilities. As a result, there is no assurance that current or future exploration programs will be successful. There is a risk that depletion of reserves will not be offset by discoveries or acquisitions.

Development projects are inherently risky and may require more capital than anticipated, which could adversely affect our business.

There are many risks and uncertainties inherent in all development projects. The economic feasibility of development projects is based on many factors, including the accuracy of estimated reserves, metallurgical recoveries, capital and operating costs and estimated future prices of the relevant minerals. The capital expenditures and time required to develop new mines or other projects are considerable, and changes in costs or construction schedules can adversely affect project economics. Moreover, underground mining is generally more expensive than surface mining as a result of higher capital costs, including costs for modern mining equipment and construction of extensive ventilation systems. Therefore, it is possible that actual costs and economic returns may differ materially from our estimates. Refer to Item 7. “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” for further discussion of our current development projects.

New development projects have no operating history upon which to base estimates of future cash flow. These development projects also require the successful completion of feasibility studies, acquisition of governmental permits, acquisition of land, power and water, and ensuring that appropriate community infrastructure is developed by third parties to support such projects. It is possible that we could fail to obtain the government approvals necessary for the operation of a project, in which case, the project may not proceed, either on its original timing or at all. It is not unusual for new mining operations to experience unexpected problems during the start-up phase, resulting in delays in producing revenue and increases in capital expenditures.

The development of underground mines is subject to additional risks, including the following:

Unanticipated geologic, geotechnical and hydrogeologic conditions;

Challenges related to hiring and training personnel required for underground mining activities;

Larger than expected dilution of ore associated with block caving and stoping mining methods; and

Unanticipated delays in the development of major access and supporting infrastructure due to engineering changes, late delivery of critical components and longer than planned construction periods.

Some of these risks could result in delays to production startup and a loss or reduction in minable tons. There can be no assurance that the occurrence of such events or conditions would not have a material adverse impact on our business and results of operations.


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Environmental risks

Our operations are subject to complex and evolving environmental laws and regulation. Compliance with environmental regulatory requirements involves significant costs and may constrain our expansion opportunities.

Our mining, development, exploration and production activities, both in the U.S. and internationally, are subject to extensive laws and regulations governing occupational health, mine safety, generation, transportation and disposal of hazardous toxic substances, waste disposal, air emissions and water discharges, remediation of the environment, protection of endangered and protected species, and other related matters. Compliance with these laws and regulations imposes substantial costs, which we expect will continue to increase over time because of increased regulatory oversight, adoption of increasingly stringent environmental standards, as well as other factors.

For example, under the Clean Air Act, EPA recently lowered the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for sulfur dioxide. The area around our smelter in Miami, Arizona, has sulfur dioxide levels in excess of the new standard, and the smelter is the primary contributor to those levels. As a result, we will be required to limit the smelter’s operations or install expensive pollution control equipment that will significantly reduce those emissions. Additionally, any expansion of the smelter will be constrained by, or be significantly more expensive because of, these new standards.

In addition, EPA has recently proposed rules that, if effective, would reclassify some mineral processing materials as “hazardous waste” under the Federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, which would reverse long-standing EPA regulatory determinations and subject the industry to significant new and costly waste management requirements.

We also believe there has generally been more aggressive application of the Endangered Species Act, resulting in increases in the number of protected species and expansive designations of their critical habitat, which may make obtaining federal permits and securing additional water resources more time-consuming, unpredictable and expensive.

Other regulation under consideration by environmental regulatory agencies include provisions that would impose additional restrictions on waterway discharges, and regulate environmental impacts of radioactive materials associated with mining operations and expand regulation of solid wastes, among other things.

Adoption of these or similar new environmental regulations or more stringent application of existing regulations may materially increase our costs and constrain our U.S. expansion opportunities.

In addition to compliance with environmental regulation at our operating sites, we incur significant costs for remediating environmental conditions on properties that have not been operated in many years.

Freeport-McMoRan Corporation (FMC), and many of its affiliates and predecessor companies have been involved in exploration, mining, milling, smelting and manufacturing in the U.S. for more than a century. Activities that occurred in the late 19th century and the 20th century prior to the advent of modern environmental laws were not subject to environmental regulation and were conducted before American industrial companies understood the long-term effects of their operations on the surrounding environment. With the passage of CERCLA in 1980, companies like FMC became legally responsible for environmental remediation on properties previously owned or operated by them, irrespective of when the damage to the environment occurred or who caused it. That liability is often shared on a joint and several basis with all other owners and operators, meaning that each owner or operator of the property is fully responsible for the clean-up, although in many cases some or all of the other historical owners or operators no longer exist, do not have the financial ability to respond or cannot be found. As a result, because of our acquisition of FMC in 2007, many of the subsidiary companies we now own are responsible for a wide variety of environmental remediation projects throughout the U.S., and we expect to spend substantial sums annually for many years to address those remediation issues. We are also subject to claims where the release of hazardous substances is alleged to have damaged natural resources. At December 31, 2012, we had more than 100 active remediation projects (including damaged natural resource claims) in the U.S. in 28 states.


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At December 31, 2012, we had $1.2 billion recorded in our consolidated balance sheet for environmental obligations attributed to CERCLA or analogous state programs and for estimated future costs associated with environmental matters at closed facilities or closed portions of certain operating facilities. Our environmental obligation estimates are primarily based upon:

Our knowledge and beliefs about complex scientific and historical facts and circumstances that in many cases involve events that occurred many decades ago;

Our beliefs and assumptions regarding the nature, extent and duration of remediation activities that we will be required to undertake and the estimated costs of those remediation activities, which are subject to varying interpretations; and

Our beliefs regarding the requirements that are imposed on us by existing laws and regulations and, in some cases, the expected clarification of uncertain regulatory requirements that could materially affect our environmental obligation estimates.

Significant adjustments to these estimates are likely to occur in the future as additional information becomes available. The actual environmental costs ultimately may exceed our current and future accruals for these costs, and any such changes could be material.

In addition, remediation standards imposed by EPA and state environmental agencies have generally become more stringent over time. For example, in some cases, EPA has applied increasingly costly requirements regarding remediation of contaminated water bottom sediments. Continued application of these types of standards could have an adverse impact on our ultimate cleanup costs at the Newtown Creek site in New York City. Additionally, imposition of more stringent remediation standards poses a risk that additional remediation work could be required at sites that we have already remediated to the satisfaction of the responsible governmental agencies, and may increase the risk of toxic tort litigation.

Refer to Note 13 for further discussion of our environmental obligations.

During 2012, we incurred environmental capital expenditures and other environmental costs (including our joint venture partners' shares) to comply with applicable environmental laws and regulations that affect our operations of $612 million, compared with $387 million in 2011 and $372 million in 2010. For 2013, we expect to incur approximately $600 million of aggregate environmental capital expenditures and other environmental costs. The timing and amounts of estimated payments could change as a result of changes in regulatory requirements, changes in scope and costs of reclamation activities, the settlement of environmental matters and as actual spending occurs.

An adverse ruling in one or more pending legal proceedings involving environmental matters could have a material adverse effect on us.

As described in Note 13, we are a defendant in numerous, and in some cases significant, litigation matters involving alleged environmental contamination, alleged environmental toxic torts and complex interpretations of environmental regulations. An adverse ruling in one or more of those matters could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flow.

Our Indonesia mining operations create difficult and costly environmental challenges, and future changes in environmental laws, or unanticipated environmental impacts from those operations, could require us to incur increased costs.

Mining operations on the scale of our Indonesia operations involve significant environmental risks and challenges. Our primary challenge is to dispose of the large amount of crushed and ground rock material, called tailings, that results from the process by which we physically separate the copper-, gold- and silver-bearing materials from the ore that we mine. Our tailings management plan, which has been approved by the Indonesian government, uses the river system near our mine to transport the tailings to an engineered area in the lowlands where the tailings and natural sediments are managed in a deposition area. Lateral levees have been constructed to help contain the footprint of the tailings and to limit their impact in the lowlands.


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Another major environmental challenge is managing overburden, which is the rock that must be moved aside in the mining process to reach the ore. In the presence of air, water and naturally occurring bacteria, some overburden can generate acid rock drainage, or acidic water containing dissolved metals that, if not properly managed, can adversely affect the environment.

From time to time, certain Indonesian government officials have raised questions with respect to our tailings and overburden management plans, including a suggestion that we implement a pipeline system rather than our river transport system for tailings management and disposition. Because our Indonesia mining operations are remotely located in steep mountainous terrain and in an active seismic area, a pipeline system would be costly, difficult to construct and maintain, and more prone to catastrophic failure, and could therefore involve significant potentially adverse environmental issues. Based on our own studies and others conducted by third parties, we do not believe that a pipeline system is necessary or practical.

In connection with obtaining our environmental approvals from the Indonesian government, we committed to perform a one-time environmental risk assessment on the impacts of our tailings management plan. We completed this extensive environmental risk assessment with more than 90 scientific studies conducted over four years and submitted it to the Indonesian government in December 2002. We developed the risk assessment study using internationally recognized methods with input from an independent review panel, which included representatives from the Indonesian government, academia and non-governmental organizations. The risks identified during this process were in line with our impact projections of the tailings management program contained in our environmental approval documents.

Since 2005, PT Freeport Indonesia has participated in the Indonesian government's PROPER (Program for Pollution Control, Evaluation and Rating) program. The last PROPER audit where the Indonesian Ministry of Environment issued PT Freeport Indonesia a rating was in 2010, for which a Blue rating was issued acknowledging PT Freeport Indonesia's environmental management practices as being in compliance with the laws and regulations in Indonesia. In 2011, a PROPER audit of PT Freeport Indonesia was performed, however the Indonesian Ministry of Environment did not issue a rating for PT Freeport Indonesia. A PROPER audit of PT Freeport Indonesia was not performed in 2012 because of security conditions that existed.

Mine closure regulations impose substantial costs on our operations.

Our U.S. operations are subject to various federal and state permitting requirements that include mine closure and mined-land reclamation obligations. These requirements are complex and vary depending upon the jurisdiction. The laws govern the determination of the scope and cost of the closure and reclamation obligations and the amount and forms of financial assurance sufficient to allow a third party to meet the obligations of those plans if we are unable to do so. In general, our U.S. mines are required to review estimated closure and reclamation costs on either a periodic basis or at the time of significant permit modifications and post increasing amounts of financial assurance as required. It is uncertain how potential EPA requirements for financial assurance will affect the timing of periodic closure cost reviews or the scope of closure activities.

In July 2011, the Chilean senate passed legislation regulating mine closure, which became effective November 2012 and established new requirements for closure plans. Our Chilean operations will be required to update closure plans and provide financial assurance for these obligations. Revised closure plans for our Chilean mine sites are due in November 2014.

Cerro Verde is subject to regulation under the Mine Closure Law administered by the Peruvian Ministry of Energy and Mines. Under the closure regulations, mines must submit a closure plan that includes the reclamation methods, closure cost estimates, methods of control and verification, closure and post-closure plans and financial assurance. The updated closure plan for the Cerro Verde mine expansion must be submitted to the Peruvian regulatory authorities in December 2013.

In December 2009, PT Freeport Indonesia submitted its revised mine closure plan to the Department of Energy and Minerals Resources for review and has addressed comments received during the course of this review process. In December 2010, the President of Indonesia issued a regulation regarding mine reclamation and closure, which requires a company to provide a mine closure guarantee in the form of a time deposit placed in a state-owned bank in Indonesia. In accordance with its COW, PT Freeport Indonesia is working with the Department of Energy and

55


Mineral Resources to review these requirements, including discussions of other options for the mine closure guarantee.

We cannot predict at this time the cost of these closure plans or the levels or forms of financial assurance that may be required, which amounts could be substantial.

At December 31, 2012, we had asset retirement obligations (AROs) of $1.1 billion recorded in our consolidated balance sheet. ARO cost estimates may increase or decrease significantly in the future as a result of changes in closure regulations, changes in engineering designs and technology, permit modifications or updates, changes in mine plans, inflation or other factors and as actual reclamation spending occurs. Refer to Note 13 for further discussion.

Regulation of greenhouse gas emissions and climate change issues may increase our costs and adversely affect our operations and markets.

Many scientists believe that emissions from the combustion of carbon-based fuels contribute to greenhouse effects and, therefore, contribute to climate change. In 2012, our worldwide total greenhouse gas emissions, measured as carbon dioxide equivalent emissions, were approximately 10 million metric tons, divided between direct (59 percent) and indirect (41 percent) emissions. Most of our direct emissions are from fuel combustion in haul trucks, followed by the combustion of fuels to provide energy for roasting, smelting and other processes. Indirect emissions are generally the emissions of outside providers from whom we purchase electricity for use in our operations. Our direct emissions are in Indonesia (54 percent), North America (28 percent), South America (11 percent), and Europe and Africa (7 percent). Our indirect emissions are in North America (73 percent), South America (24 percent) and Europe (3 percent).

A number of governments have introduced or are contemplating regulatory initiatives designed to control and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In June 2010, the EPA issued final regulations under the Clean Air Act for the control of greenhouse gases from new large stationary sources and major modifications to existing large stationary sources. This and other federal greenhouse gas regulations have been challenged in judicial proceedings. Certain of our operations, including the Miami smelter, could be materially affected by these regulations if plant expansions exceed applicable thresholds. In addition, anticipated future EPA regulations covering large fossil fuel fired power plants may materially increase energy costs at our operations. The U.S. may also become a party to international agreements to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which could lead to new regulations affecting our U.S. operations. The December 1997 Kyoto Protocol established greenhouse gas emission targets for developed countries that ratified the Protocol. In 2012, parties to the Kyoto Protocol agreed to a second commitment period beyond the original December 2012 expiration date. Although the U.S. has not ratified the Kyoto Protocol, the U.S. continues to participate in global climate summits that may lead to an agreement in the future.

Since 2006, we have participated in the Carbon Disclosure Project, which is a voluntary initiative that promotes standardized reporting of greenhouse gas emissions and reduction efforts. In 2009, we formed a multi-departmental greenhouse gas task force to pursue ways to improve the energy efficiency of our operations and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including evaluating potential reductions in emissions from our haul trucks. However, because of longer and steeper mining hauls as our open pits expand and deepen, and increases in use of electricity as we increase production capacity, we expect increases in our total greenhouse gas emissions.

From a medium and long-term perspective, we are likely to experience increased costs relating to our greenhouse gas emissions as a result of regulatory initiatives in the U.S. and other countries in which we operate. In addition, the cost of electricity that we purchase from others may increase if our suppliers incur increased costs from the regulation of their greenhouse gas emissions. We cannot predict the magnitude of any increased costs at this time, given the wide scope of potential regulatory changes in the many countries in which we operate.

The potential physical impacts of climate change on our operations are highly uncertain, and would vary by operation based on particular geographic circumstances. These may include changes in rainfall patterns, water shortages, changing sea levels, changing storm patterns and intensities, and changing temperatures. These effects may adversely impact the cost, production and financial performance of our operations.


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Other risks

If market prices for our commodities decline, the carrying values of inventories and long-lived assets may be impaired, which could require charges to operating income that could be material.

Declines in the market price of copper, among other factors, could cause us to record lower of cost or market (LCM) inventory adjustments and could also result in a write-down of the carrying value of long-lived assets, which would potentially have a material adverse impact on our results of operations and stockholders' equity, but would have no effect on cash flows.

During fourth-quarter 2008, we concluded that the then-current economic environment and significant declines in copper and molybdenum prices represented significant adverse changes in our business requiring us to evaluate our long-lived assets and goodwill for impairment. As a result, we recorded significant impairment and LCM inventory charges. Refer to Item 6. "Selected Financial Data" for a summary of these charges.

Unanticipated litigation or negative developments in pending litigation could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

We are a party to the litigation described in Note 13 and in Item 3. “Legal Proceedings” and a number of other litigation matters, including asbestos exposure cases, disputes over the allocation of environmental remediation obligations at Superfund and other sites, disputes over water rights and disputes with regulatory authorities. The outcome of litigation is inherently uncertain and adverse developments or outcomes can result in significant monetary damages, penalties or injunctive relief against us, limitations on our property rights, or regulatory interpretations that increase our operating costs. If any of these disputes results in a substantial monetary judgment against us or an adverse legal interpretation is settled on unfavorable terms, or otherwise affects our operations, it could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and financial condition.

We depend on our senior management team and other key employees, and the loss of any of these employees could adversely affect our business.

Our success depends in part on our ability to attract, retain and motivate senior management and other key employees. Achieving this objective may be difficult because of many factors, including fluctuations in global economic and industry conditions, competitors' hiring practices, cost reduction activities, and the effectiveness of our compensation programs. Competition for qualified personnel can be very intense. We must continue to recruit, retain and motivate senior management and other key employees to maintain our current business and support our future projects. A loss of such personnel could prevent us from capitalizing on business opportunities, and our operating results could be adversely affected.

Our holding company structure may impact your ability to receive dividends.

We are a holding company with no material assets other than the capital stock of our subsidiaries. As a result, our ability to repay our indebtedness and pay dividends is dependent on the generation of cash flow by our subsidiaries and their ability to make such cash available to us, by dividend, loan, debt repayment or otherwise. Our subsidiaries do not have any obligation to make funds available to us to repay our indebtedness or pay dividends. Dividends from subsidiaries that are not wholly owned are shared with other equity owners. Cash at our international operations is also subject to foreign withholding taxes upon repatriation into the U.S.

In addition, our subsidiaries may not be able to, or be permitted to, make distributions to enable us to repay our indebtedness or pay dividends. Each of our subsidiaries is a distinct legal entity and, under certain circumstances, legal and contractual restrictions, as well as the financial condition and operating requirements of our subsidiaries, may limit our ability to obtain cash from our subsidiaries. Our rights to participate in any distribution of our subsidiaries' assets upon their liquidation, reorganization or insolvency would generally be subject to the prior claims of the subsidiaries' creditors, including any trade creditors.


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Anti-takeover provisions in our charter documents and Delaware law may make an acquisition of us more difficult.

Anti-takeover provisions in our charter documents and Delaware law may make an acquisition of us more difficult. These provisions:

Authorize our Board of Directors (the Board) to issue preferred stock without stockholder approval and to designate the rights, preferences and privileges of each class; if issued, such preferred stock would increase the number of outstanding shares of our capital stock and could include terms that may deter an acquisition of us;

Establish advance notice requirements for nominations to the Board or for proposals that can be presented at stockholder meetings;

Limit removal of directors for cause only;

Limit who may call stockholder meetings; and

Require the approval of the holders of two thirds of our outstanding common stock to enter into certain business combination transactions, subject to certain exceptions, including if the consideration to be received by our common stockholders in the transaction is deemed to be a fair price.

These provisions may discourage potential takeover attempts, discourage bids for our common stock at a premium over market price or adversely affect the market price of, and the voting and other rights of the holders of, our common stock. These provisions could also discourage proxy contests and make it more difficult for stockholders to elect directors other than the candidates nominated by the Board.

In addition, because we are incorporated in Delaware, we are governed by the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which may prohibit large stockholders from consummating a merger with, or acquisition of, us.

These provisions may deter an acquisition of us that might otherwise be attractive to stockholders.
Risks associated with the proposed acquisitions of Plains Exploration & Production Company (PXP) and McMoRan Exploration Co. (MMR)

Our proposed acquisitions of PXP and MMR may present certain risks to our business and operations.

On December 5, 2012, we announced definitive merger agreements to acquire PXP and MMR. The proposed acquisitions present numerous risks, including the following:

The possibility that the expected benefits of each transaction may not materialize in the timeframe expected or at all, or may be more costly to achieve than anticipated;

That either or both of the transactions may not be timely completed, or completed at all;

Our ability to obtain financing required in connection with the transactions, and the increase in our indebtedness that would result from entering into such financing;

That prior to the completion of the transactions or thereafter, our business or the respective businesses of PXP and MMR may not perform as expected due to transaction-related uncertainty or other factors;

That the parties are unable to successfully implement integration strategies following closing of the transactions;

That required approvals to consummate the mergers, including the required approvals of the stockholders of each of PXP and MMR, are not obtained or other closing conditions are not satisfied in a timely manner or at all;


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Stockholder reaction to the proposed acquisitions;

Risks associated with the ownership and operation of oil and gas assets and the other assets of each of PXP and MMR, which differ from those in the mining industry and include, among others, risks relating to oil and gas exploration, drilling and development (including ultra deep drilling) and operating in the deep water of the Gulf of Mexico;

Our ability to retain key employees of each of the parties; and

Whether or not one or both of the transactions are completed, the proposed acquisitions may require diversion of the attention of our management and other key employees from ongoing business activities, including the pursuit of other opportunities that could be beneficial to us.

In addition, we have incurred substantial costs in connection with the proposed acquisitions, a significant amount of which are required to be paid whether or not the transactions are completed. One or more of these factors could negatively affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Refer to Note 1 for further discussion of the proposed acquisitions of PXP and MMR.

Pending litigation against us, PXP and MMR could result in injunctions preventing completion of either or both of the proposed acquisitions and the payment of damages in the event one or both of the transactions is completed.

In connection with the proposed acquisitions, stockholders of each of FCX, PXP and MMR have filed numerous derivative lawsuits against us and class action lawsuits against us, PXP and MMR, among others. Among other remedies, the plaintiffs in these lawsuits seek to enjoin the proposed acquisitions. We may be subject to additional stockholder lawsuits during the pendency of the proposed acquisitions. These lawsuits could prevent or delay completion of one or both of the proposed acquisitions and result in substantial costs to us, including any costs associated with the indemnification of directors. The defense or settlement of any lawsuit or claim that remains unresolved may adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Refer to Note 13 for further discussion of shareholder litigation that could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

Consummating the PXP merger, but failing to complete the MMR merger could have consequences under the Clayton Antitrust Act (the Clayton Act) and negatively affect the combined company's future business and financial results.

If the PXP merger is completed, but the MMR merger is not completed, then the boards of directors and executive management of FCX and MMR may need to be reconstituted in order to comply with the Clayton Act. Subject to certain de minimis exceptions, Section 8 of the Clayton Act prohibits individuals from serving as directors or officers of two competing corporations when each corporation has capital, surplus and undivided profits in excess of $27.8 million. Currently, FCX and MMR share overlapping board and management members, an overlap that is expected to continue even after the PXP merger is consummated, unless the MMR merger is also consummated. In the event that the PXP merger closes without the MMR merger also closing, the U.S. Department of Justice or Federal Trade Commission could investigate whether the combined company and MMR are competitors for purposes of the Clayton Act, and could seek to eliminate the interlock by securing resignation of the interlocked individuals or by pursuing injunctive relief. Private plaintiffs could also bring suits against the combined company seeking an injunction against the interlock. The potential distraction from operations, loss of key executive talent and cost of litigation could adversely affect the combined company's business, financial condition or result of operations.

Item 1B.  Unresolved Staff Comments.

Not applicable.


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Item 3. Legal Proceedings.

We are involved in numerous legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of our business or are associated with environmental issues arising from legacy operations conducted over the years by Freeport-McMoRan Corporation (FMC) and its affiliates. We are also involved periodically in inquiries, investigations and other proceedings initiated by or involving government agencies, some of which may result in adverse judgments, settlements, fines, penalties, injunctions or other relief. Management does not believe, based on currently available information, that the outcome of any legal proceeding will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition; although individual outcomes could be material to our operating results for a particular period, depending on the nature and magnitude of the outcome and the operating results for the period. Below is a discussion of our material water rights legal proceedings. Refer to Note 13 for discussion of our other material legal proceedings.

Water Rights

Our operations in the western United States (U.S.) require significant quantities of water for mining, ore processing and related support facilities. Continuous operation of our mines is dependent on our ability to maintain our water rights and claims and the continuing physical availability of the water supplies. In the arid western U.S., water rights are often contested, and disputes over water rights are generally time-consuming, expensive and not necessarily dispositive unless they resolve both actual and potential claims. The loss of a water right, loss of continued use of a currently available water supply, or inability to expand our water resources could materially and adversely affect our mining operations by significantly increasing the cost of water, forcing us to curtail operations, preventing us from expanding operations or forcing premature closures, thereby increasing and/or accelerating costs and foregoing profitable operations.

At our North America operations, certain of our water supplies are supported by surface water rights, which give us the right to use public waters for a statutorily defined beneficial use at a designated location. In Arizona, we are a participant in two active general stream adjudications in which, for over 30 years, the Arizona courts have been attempting to quantify and prioritize surface water claims for two of the state's largest river systems, which affect four of our operating mines (Morenci, Safford, Sierrita and Miami). The legal precedent set in these proceedings may also affect our Bagdad mine. Groundwater has historically been treated differently from surface water under Arizona law, which has generally allowed land owners to pump at will, subject to the doctrine of reasonable use. However, court decisions in one of the adjudications have concluded that groundwater pumping may affect surface water, thereby bringing the pumping within the jurisdiction of the general stream adjudications. The effort to define the boundaries between groundwater and surface water remains contested, however, and is currently the principal focus of one of those adjudications. Because groundwater accounts for approximately 40 percent of Arizona's water supplies, the re-characterization of any significant portion of that water as surface water could jeopardize the ability of consumers, farmers, ranchers, municipalities, and industrial users like us, to continue to access water supplies that have been relied on for decades. Because we are a significant user of groundwater in Arizona, we are an active participant in the adjudication proceedings.

In Re the General Adjudication of All Rights to Use Water in the Little Colorado Water System and Sources, Apache County, Superior Court, No. 6417, filed on or about February 17, 1978. The principal parties, in addition to us, include: the state of Arizona; the Salt River Project; the Arizona Public Service Company; the Navajo Nation, the Hopi Indian Tribe; the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe; and the U.S. on behalf of those tribes, on its own behalf, and on behalf of the White Mountain Apache Tribe.

In Re The General Adjudication of All Rights to Use Water in the Gila River System and Sources,
Maricopa County, Superior Court, Cause Nos. W-1 (Salt), W-2 (Verde), W-3 (Upper Gila), and W-4 (San Pedro). This case was originally initiated in 1974 with the filing of a petition with the Arizona State Land Department and was consolidated and transferred to the Maricopa County Superior Court in 1981. The principal parties, in addition to us, include: the state of Arizona; the Gila Valley Irrigation District; the Franklin Irrigation District; the San Carlos Irrigation and Drainage District; the Salt River Project; the San Carlos Apache Tribe; the Gila River Indian Community (GRIC); and the U.S. on behalf of those tribes, on its own behalf, and on behalf of the White Mountain Apache Tribe, the Fort McDowell Mohave-Apache Indian Community, the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, and the Payson Community of Yavapai Apache Indians.


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The Maricopa County Superior Court issued a decision in 2005 in the Gila River adjudication that directed the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) to prepare detailed recommendations regarding the delineation of the “sub-flow” zone of the San Pedro River basin, a tributary of the Gila River. According to the court, the sub-flow zone is the subsurface area adjacent to the river where the court may find that groundwater is connected to the surface water such that groundwater pumping may reduce surface flows.  Although we have minimal interests in the San Pedro River basin, a decision that re-characterizes groundwater in that basin as surface water may set a precedent for other river systems in Arizona that could have material implications for many commercial, industrial, municipal and agricultural users of groundwater, including our Arizona operations.

ADWR produced its recommendations in June 2009, and those recommendations were objected to by numerous parties on both sides of the issue. ADWR responded to those objections in January 2011. Following a three-day hearing held in late January 2012, at which various parties provided testimony and oral argument regarding the strengths and weaknesses of ADWR's technical approach to characterizing underground flows as groundwater or surface water, the court directed ADWR to submit a further report detailing the additional work it deemed necessary to properly delineate the San Pedro River basin subflow zone. On October 12, 2012, the court issued an order instructing ADWR to conduct additional technical work and issue revised subflow zone maps for the San Pedro River basin. On October 17, 2012, the Arizona Supreme Court announced the appointment of a replacement for the judge who had presided over the case for more than 10 years as a result of his appointment to the federal bankruptcy court. The new presiding judge is the fourth judge to preside over the case since its inception almost 40 years ago. On January 10, 2013, the new presiding judge heard oral arguments regarding the additional work to be performed by ADWR in order to develop revised subflow zone maps for the San Pedro River basin and issued an order instructing ADWR to complete additional technical work and submit a new report by April 1, 2014. Given the legal and technical complexity of this adjudication, its long history, and its long-term legal, economic and political implications, it is difficult to predict the timing or the outcome of this issue or of the overall adjudication. If we are unable to satisfactorily resolve the issues being addressed in this adjudication, our ability to pump groundwater could be diminished or curtailed, and our operations at Morenci, Safford, Sierrita, Miami and Bagdad could be adversely affected.
Prior to January 1, 1983, various Indian tribes filed suits in the U.S. District Court in Arizona claiming superior rights to water being used by many other water users, including us, and claiming damages for prior use in derogation of their allegedly superior rights. These federal proceedings have been stayed pending the Arizona Superior Court adjudications.

In 1998, we and several other parties entered into a water rights settlement agreement with GRIC, one of the largest claimants in the Gila River Adjudication, that was later included in a comprehensive water rights settlement under the Arizona Water Settlements Act of 2004. Finalization of the GRIC settlement is subject to contingencies, and the comprehensive settlement has been challenged by other parties. If we are unable to resolve the contingencies in the GRIC settlement and defeat the third-party challenges, our water rights in the Gila River watershed could be diminished, and our operations at Morenci, Safford, Sierrita and Miami could be adversely affected.

United States v. Gila Valley Irrigation District, United States District Court, District of Arizona, was initiated in 1925 by the U.S. to settle conflicting claims to water rights in portions of the Gila River watershed. A decree settling the claims of various parties was entered in 1935, after we were dismissed from the case without prejudice. In 1988, GRIC intervened, challenging uses of water in the Gila River watershed, which may affect our ability to divert water from Eagle Creek, Chase Creek or the San Francisco River for operation of our Morenci mine, pursuant to decreed rights and an agreement between us and the Gila Valley Irrigation District. Our Morenci operations also purchased farm lands with water rights in 1997, 1998 and 2008 that could be affected by the outcome of this proceeding. Impairment of our water claims in the Gila River watershed could adversely affect the operations of our Morenci and Safford mines.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

The safety and health of all employees is our highest priority. Management believes that safety and health considerations are integral to, and compatible with, all other functions in the organization and that proper safety and health management will enhance production and reduce costs. Our approach towards the health and safety of our workforce is to continuously improve performance through implementing robust management systems and providing adequate training, safety incentive and occupational health programs.


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Our objective is zero work place injuries and occupational illnesses. We measure progress toward achieving our objective against regularly established benchmarks, including measuring company-wide Total Recordable Incident Rates (TRIR). During 2012, our TRIR (including contractors) was 0.58 per 200,000 man-hours worked, compared to the preliminary metal mining sector industry average reported by the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) for 2012 of 2.25 per 200,000 man-hours worked. Our TRIR (including contractors) was 0.61 per 200,000 man-hours worked in 2011 and 0.65 per 200,000 man-hours worked in 2010, compared to MSHA’s metal mining sector industry average of 2.29 per 200,000 man-hours worked in 2011 and 2.53 per 200,000 man-hours worked in 2010.

Refer to Exhibit 95.1 for mine safety disclosures required in accordance with Section 1503(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.

Executive Officers of the Registrant.

Certain information as of February 15, 2013, about our executive officers is set forth in the following table and accompanying text:
Name
 
Age
 
Position or Office
James R. Moffett
 
74
 
Chairman of the Board
Richard C. Adkerson
 
66
 
Director, President and Chief Executive Officer
Michael J. Arnold
 
60
 
Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer
Kathleen L. Quirk
 
49
 
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

James R. Moffett has served as Chairman of the Board since May 1992. Mr. Moffett previously served as the Chief Executive Officer from July 1995 until December 2003. He has also served as Co-Chairman of the Board of McMoRan Exploration Co. (MMR) since September 1998, and President and Chief Executive Officer since May 2010.

Richard C. Adkerson has served as President since January 2008 and also from April 1997 to March 2007, Chief Executive Officer since December 2003 and a director since October 2006. Mr. Adkerson previously served as Chief Financial Officer from October 2000 to December 2003. Mr. Adkerson has also served as Co-Chairman of the Board of MMR since September 1998.

Michael J. Arnold has served as Executive Vice President since March 2007 and Chief Administrative Officer since December 2003.

Kathleen L. Quirk has served as Executive Vice President since March 2007, Chief Financial Officer since December 2003 and Treasurer since February 2000. Ms. Quirk previously served as Senior Vice President from December 2003 to March 2007. Ms. Quirk has also served as the Senior Vice President of MMR since April 2002 and as Treasurer since January 2000.


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PART II

Item 5.  Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities

None.

Common Stock

Our common shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol “FCX.” The FCX share price is reported daily in the financial press under “FMCG” in most listings of NYSE securities. The table below shows the NYSE composite tape common share price ranges during 2012 and 2011:
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
 
High
 
Low
 
High
 
Low
First Quarter
 
$48.96
 
$36.76
 
$61.35
 
$46.20
Second Quarter
 
$39.43
 
$31.16
 
$58.75
 
$46.06
Third Quarter
 
$43.65
 
$31.08
 
$56.78
 
$30.37
Fourth Quarter
 
$42.89
 
$30.54
 
$43.50
 
$28.85

At February 15, 2013, there were 15,844 holders of record of our common stock.

Common Stock Dividends

The declaration of dividends is at the discretion of the FCX Board of Directors (the Board) and will depend on our financial results, cash requirements, future prospects and other factors deemed relevant by the Board. In February 2012, the Board authorized an increase in the cash dividend on our common stock to the current annual rate of $1.25 per share ($0.3125 per share quarterly). The Board also authorized a supplemental common stock dividend that was paid in June 2011. Below is a summary of dividends on FCX common stock for 2012 and 2011:
 
 
2012
 
 
Per Share
Amount
 
Record Date
 
Payment Date
First Quarter
 
 $0.25
 
01/13/2012
 
02/01/2012
Second Quarter
 
$0.3125
 
04/13/2012
 
05/01/2012
Third Quarter
 
$0.3125
 
07/13/2012
 
08/01/2012
Fourth Quarter
 
$0.3125
 
10/15/2012
 
11/01/2012

 
 
2011
 
 
Per Share
Amount
 
Record Date
 
Payment Date
First Quarter
 
$0.25
 
01/15/2011
 
02/01/2011
Second Quarter
 
$0.25
 
04/15/2011
 
05/01/2011
Supplemental Dividend
 
$0.50
 
05/15/2011
 
06/01/2011
Third Quarter
 
$0.25
 
07/15/2011
 
08/01/2011
Fourth Quarter
 
$0.25
 
10/15/2011
 
11/01/2011

On December 26, 2012, the Board declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.3125 per share, which was paid on February 1, 2013, to common stockholders of record at the close of business on January 15, 2013.

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Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

The following table sets forth information with respect to shares of FCX common stock purchased by us during the three months ended December 31, 2012:

Period
 
(a) Total
Number of
Shares Purchased
 
(b) Average
Price Paid Per Share
 
(c) Total Number of
Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programsa
 
(d) Maximum Number of Shares That May
Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programsa
October 1-31, 2012
 

 
$

 

 
23,685,500

November 1-30, 2012
 

 

 

 
23,685,500

December 1-31, 2012
 

 

 

 
23,685,500

Total
 

 

 

 
23,685,500

a.
On July 21, 2008, the Board approved an increase in our open-market share purchase program for up to 30 million shares. The program does not have an expiration date.


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Item 6. Selected Financial Data.

FREEPORT-McMoRan COPPER & GOLD INC.
SELECTED FINANCIAL AND OPERATING DATA
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
2010
 
2009
 
2008
 
FCX CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
(In millions, except per share amounts)
 
Revenues
$
18,010

 
$
20,880

 
$
18,982

 
$
15,040

  
$
17,796

 
Operating income (loss)
5,814

a,b 
9,140

b 
9,068

 
6,503

c,d 
(12,710
)
c,d,e 
Net income (loss)
3,980

 
5,747

 
5,544

 
3,534

 
(10,450
)
  
Net income (loss) attributable to FCX common stockholders
3,041

a,b,f,g 
4,560

b,f,g 
4,273

f 
2,527

c,d,f 
(11,341
)
c,d,e,f 
Basic net income (loss) per share attributable to FCX common stockholders
$
3.20

 
$
4.81

 
$
4.67

 
$
3.05

 
$
(14.86
)
  
Basic weighted-average common shares outstanding
949

 
947

 
915

 
829

 
763

  
Diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to FCX common stockholders
$
3.19

a,b,f,g 
$
4.78

b,f,g 
$
4.57

f 
$
2.93

c,d,f 
$
(14.86
)
c,d,e,f 
Diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding
954

 
955

 
949

 
938

 
763

 
Dividends declared per share of common stock
$
1.25

 
$
1.50

 
$
1.125

 
$
0.075

 
$
0.6875

 
Operating cash flowsh
3,774

 
6,620

 
6,273

 
4,397

 
3,370

 
Capital expenditures
3,494

 
2,534

 
1,412

 
1,587

 
2,708

 
At December 31:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
3,705

 
$
4,822

 
$
3,738

 
$
2,656

 
$
872

 
Property, plant, equipment and development costs, net
20,999

 
18,449

 
16,785

 
16,195

 
16,002

 
Total assets
35,440

 
32,070

 
29,386

 
25,996

 
23,353

 
Total debt, including current portion
3,527

 
3,537

 
4,755

 
6,346

 
7,351

 
Total FCX stockholders’ equity
17,543

 
15,642

 
12,504

 
9,119

 
5,773

 
The selected consolidated financial data shown above is derived from our audited consolidated financial statements. These historical results are not necessarily indicative of results that you can expect for any future period. You should read this data in conjunction with Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and our Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto contained in this annual report.
a.
Includes a gain of $59 million ($31 million to net income attributable to common stockholders or $0.03 per share) for the settlement of the insurance claim for business interruption and property damage relating to the 2011 incidents affecting PT Freeport Indonesia's concentrate pipelines.
b.
Includes charges totaling $16 million ($8 million to net income attributable to common stockholders or $0.01 per share) associated with labor agreement costs at Candelaria in 2012 and $116 million ($50 million to net income attributable to common stockholders or $0.05 per share) primarily associated with bonuses for new labor agreements and other employee costs at PT Freeport Indonesia, Cerro Verde and El Abra in 2011.
c.
Includes charges totaling $23 million ($18 million to net income attributable to common stockholders or $0.02 per share) associated with restructuring charges in 2009 and $17.0 billion ($12.7 billion to net loss attributable to common stockholders or $16.60 per share) associated with impairment and restructuring charges in 2008.
d.
Includes charges for lower of cost or market inventory adjustments totaling $19 million ($15 million to net income attributable to common stockholders or $0.02 per share) in 2009 and $782 million ($479 million to net loss attributable to common stockholders or $0.63 per share) in 2008.
e.
Includes purchase accounting impacts related to the acquisition of FMC totaling $1.0 billion ($622 million to net loss attributable to common stockholders or $0.82 per share).
f.
Includes net losses on early extinguishment and conversion of debt totaling $149 million ($0.16 per share) in 2012, $60 million ($0.06 per share) in 2011, $71 million ($0.07 per share) in 2010, $43 million ($0.04 per share) in 2009 and $5 million ($0.01 per share) in 2008; 2008 also includes charges totaling $22 million ($0.03 per share) associated with privately negotiated transactions to induce conversion of a portion of our 5½% Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock into FCX common stock.
g.
Includes a net tax credit of $98 million, net of noncontrolling interests ($0.11 per share), associated with adjustments to Cerro Verde's deferred income taxes in 2012, and a tax charge of $49 million, net of noncontrolling interests ($0.05 per share), for additional taxes associated with Cerro Verde's election to pay a special mining burden during the remaining term of its current stability agreement in 2011.
h.
Net of working capital uses and other tax payments totaling $1.4 billion in 2012, $461 million in 2011, $834 million in 2010, $770 million in 2009 and $965 million in 2008.


65


 FREEPORT-McMoRan COPPER & GOLD INC.
SELECTED FINANCIAL AND OPERATING DATA (Continued)

 
Years Ended December 31,
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
2010
 
2009
 
2008
 
FCX CONSOLIDATED MINING OPERATING DATA
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Copper (recoverable)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Production (millions of pounds)
3,663

 
3,691

 
3,908

 
4,103

 
4,030

 
Production (thousands of metric tons)
1,662

 
1,674

 
1,773

 
1,861

 
1,828

 
Sales, excluding purchases (millions of pounds)
3,648

 
3,698

 
3,896

 
4,111

 
4,066

 
Sales, excluding purchases (thousands of metric tons)
1,655

 
1,678

 
1,767

 
1,865

 
1,844

 
Average realized price per pound
$
3.60

 
$
3.86

 
$
3.59

 
$
2.60

 
$
2.69

 
Gold (thousands of recoverable ounces)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Production
958

 
1,383

 
1,886

 
2,664

 
1,291

 
Sales, excluding purchases
1,010

 
1,378

 
1,863

 
2,639

 
1,314

 
Average realized price per ounce
$
1,665

 
$
1,583

 
$
1,271

 
$
993

 
$
861

 
Molybdenum (millions of recoverable pounds)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Production
85

 
83

 
72

 
54

 
73

 
Sales, excluding purchases
83

 
79

 
67

 
58

 
71

 
Average realized price per pound
$
14.26

 
$
16.98

 
$
16.47

 
$
12.36

 
$
30.55

 
NORTH AMERICA COPPER MINES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Data, Net of Joint Venture Interest
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Copper (recoverable)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Production (millions of pounds)
1,363

 
1,258

 
1,067

 
1,147

 
1,430

 
Production (thousands of metric tons)
618

 
571

 
484

 
520

 
649

 
Sales, excluding purchases (millions of pounds)
1,351

 
1,247

 
1,085

 
1,187

 
1,434

 
Sales, excluding purchases (thousands of metric tons)
613

 
566

 
492

 
538

 
650

 
Average realized price per pound
$
3.64

 
$
3.99

 
$
3.42

 
$
2.38

 
$
3.07

 
Molybdenum (millions of recoverable pounds)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Production
36

 
35

 
25

 
25

 
30

 
100% Operating Data
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Solution extraction/electrowinning (SX/EW) operations
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Leach ore placed in stockpiles (metric tons per day)
998,600

 
888,300

 
648,800

 
589,400

 
1,095,200

 
Average copper ore grade (percent)
0.22

 
0.24

 
0.24

 
0.29

 
0.22

 
Copper production (millions of recoverable pounds)
866

 
801

 
746

 
859

 
943

 
Mill operations
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ore milled (metric tons per day)
239,600

 
222,800

 
189,200

 
169,900

 
249,600

 
Average ore grade (percent):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Copper
0.37

 
0.38

 
0.32

 
0.33

 
0.40

 
Molybdenum
0.03

 
0.03

 
0.03

 
0.02

 
0.02

 
Copper recovery rate (percent)
83.9

 
83.1

 
83.0

 
86.0

 
82.9

 
Copper production (millions of recoverable pounds)
592

 
549

 
398

 
364

 
599

 
SOUTH AMERICA MINING
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Copper (recoverable)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Production (millions of pounds)
1,257

 
1,306

 
1,354

 
1,390

 
1,506

 
Production (thousands of metric tons)
570

 
592

 
614

 
631

 
683

 
Sales (millions of pounds)
1,245

 
1,322

 
1,335

 
1,394

 
1,521

 
Sales (thousands of metric tons)
565

 
600

 
606

 
632

 
690

 
Average realized price per pound
$
3.58

 
$
3.77

 
$
3.68

 
$
2.70

 
$
2.57

 
Gold (thousands of recoverable ounces)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Production
83

 
101

 
93

 
92

 
114

 
Sales
82

 
101

 
93

 
90

 
116

 
Average realized price per ounce
$
1,673

 
$
1,580

 
$
1,263

 
$
982

 
$
853

 
Molybdenum (millions of recoverable pounds)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Production
8

 
10

 
7

 
2

 
3

 
SX/EW operations
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Leach ore placed in stockpiles (metric tons per day)
229,300

 
245,200

 
268,800

 
258,200

 
279,700

 
Average copper ore grade (percent)
0.55

 
0.50

 
0.41

 
0.45

 
0.45

 
Copper production (millions of recoverable pounds)
457

 
439

 
504

 
565

 
560

 
Mill operations
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ore milled (metric tons per day)
191,400

 
189,200

 
188,800

 
181,300

 
181,400

 
Average ore grade:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Copper (percent)
0.60

 
0.66

 
0.65

 
0.66

 
0.75

 
Gold (grams per metric ton)
0.10

 
0.12

 
0.10

 
0.10

 
0.13

 
Molybdenum (percent)
0.02

 
0.02

 
0.02

 
0.02

 
0.02

 
Copper recovery rate (percent)
90.1

 
89.6

 
90.0

 
88.9

 
89.2

 
Copper production (millions of recoverable pounds)
800

 
867

 
850

 
825

 
946

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

66


 FREEPORT-McMoRan COPPER & GOLD INC.
SELECTED FINANCIAL AND OPERATING DATA (Continued)

 
Years Ended December 31,
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
2010
 
2009
 
2008
 
INDONESIA MINING
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Data, Net of Joint Venture Interest
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Copper (recoverable)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Production (millions of pounds)
695

 
846

 
1,222

 
1,412

 
1,094

 
Production (thousands of metric tons)
315

 
384

 
554

 
640

 
496

 
Sales (millions of pounds)
716

 
846

 
1,214

 
1,400

 
1,111

 
Sales (thousands of metric tons)
325

 
384

 
551

 
635

 
504

 
Average realized price per pound
$
3.58

 
$
3.85

 
$
3.69

 
$
2.65

 
$
2.36

 
Gold (thousands of recoverable ounces)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Production
862

 
1,272

 
1,786

 
2,568

 
1,163

 
Sales
915

 
1,270

 
1,765

 
2,543

 
1,182

 
Average realized price per ounce
$
1,664

 
$
1,583

 
$
1,271

 
$
994

 
$
861

 
100% Operating Data
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ore milled (metric tons per day):a
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Grasberg open pit
118,800

 
112,900

 
149,800

 
166,300

 
129,800

 
Deep Ore Zone underground mine
44,600

 
51,700

 
79,600

 
72,000

 
63,100

 
Big Gossan underground mine
1,600

 
1,500

 
800

 

 

 
Total
165,000

 
166,100

 
230,200

 
238,300

 
192,900

 
Average ore grade:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Copper (percent)
0.62

 
0.79

 
0.85

 
0.98

 
0.83

 
Gold (grams per metric ton)
0.59

 
0.93

 
0.90

 
1.30

 
0.66

 
Recovery rates (percent):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Copper
88.7

 
88.3

 
88.9

 
90.6

 
90.1

 
Gold
75.7

 
81.2

 
81.7

 
83.7

 
79.9

 
Production (recoverable):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Copper (millions of pounds)
695

 
882

 
1,330

 
1,641

 
1,109

 
Gold (thousands of ounces)
862

 
1,444

 
1,964

 
2,984

 
1,163

 
AFRICA MINING
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Copper (recoverable)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Production (millions of pounds)
348

 
281

 
265

 
154

b 

 
Production (thousands of metric tons)
158

 
127

 
120

 
70

b 

 
Sales (millions of pounds)
336

 
283

 
262

 
130

b 

 
Sales (thousands of metric tons)
152

 
128

 
119

 
59

b 

 
Average realized price per pound
$
3.51

 
$
3.74

 
$
3.45

 
$
2.85

b 

 
Cobalt (millions of contained pounds)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Production
26

 
25

 
20

 

 

 
Sales
25

 
25

 
20

 

 

 
Average realized price per pound
$
7.83

 
$
9.99

 
$
10.95

 

 

 
Ore milled (metric tons per day)
13,000

 
11,100

 
10,300

 
7,300

b 

 
Average ore grade (percent):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Copper
3.62

 
3.41

 
3.51

 
3.69

b 

 
Cobalt
0.37

 
0.40

 
0.40

 

 

 
Copper recovery rate (percent)
92.4

 
92.5

 
91.4

 
92.1

b 

 
MOLYBDENUM OPERATIONS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Molybdenum (millions of recoverable pounds)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Production
41

c 
38

 
40

 
27

 
40

 
Sales, excluding purchasesd
83

 
79

 
67

 
58

 
71

 
Average realized price per pound
$
14.26

 
$
16.98

 
$
16.47

 
$
12.36

 
$
30.55

 
Henderson molybdenum mine
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ore milled (metric tons per day)
20,800

 
22,300

 
22,900

 
14,900

 
24,100

 
Average molybdenum ore grade (percent)
0.23

 
0.24

 
0.25

 
0.25

 
0.23

 
Molybdenum production (millions of recoverable pounds)
34

 
38

 
40

 
27

 
40

 
a.
Amounts represent the approximate average daily throughput processed at PT Freeport Indonesia’s mill facilities from each producing mine.
b.
Results for 2009 represent mining operations that began production in March 2009.
c.
Includes production of 7 million pounds from the Climax molybdenum mine, which began commercial operations in May 2012.
d.
Includes sales of molybdenum produced at our North and South America copper mines.



67


Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
For the ratio of earnings to fixed charges calculation, earnings consist of income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes, noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries, equity in affiliated companies’ net earnings, cumulative effect of accounting changes and fixed charges. Fixed charges include interest and that portion of rent deemed representative of interest. For the ratio of earnings to fixed charges and preferred stock dividends calculation, we assumed that our preferred stock dividend requirements were equal to the pre-tax earnings that would be required to cover those dividend requirements. We computed those pre-tax earnings using the effective tax rate for each year. Our ratio of earnings to fixed charges was as follows for the years presented:
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
2012
 
2011
 
2010
 
2009
 
2008
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges
19.8x
 
20.7x
 
16.3x
 
9.3x
 
-a
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
and preferred stock dividends
19.8x
 
20.7x
 
13.9x
 
6.1x
 
-b
a.
As a result of the loss recorded in 2008, the ratio coverage was less than 1:1. We would have needed to generate additional earnings of $13.4 billion to achieve coverage of 1:1 in 2008.
b.
As a result of the loss recorded in 2008, the ratio coverage was less than 1:1. We would have needed to generate additional earnings of $13.8 billion to achieve coverage of 1:1 in 2008.


68


Items 7. and 7A.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.


In Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk, “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. (FCX) and its consolidated subsidiaries. The results of operations reported and summarized below are not necessarily indicative of future operating results (refer to “Cautionary Statement” for further discussion). References to “Notes” are Notes included in our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Throughout Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk, all references to earnings or losses per share are on a diluted basis, unless otherwise noted.

PROPOSED ACQUISTIONS

In December 2012, we announced definitive agreements to acquire, in separate transactions, Plains Exploration & Production Company (PXP) and McMoRan Exploration Co. (MMR). Completion of each transaction is subject to receipt of PXP and MMR stockholder approval of their respective transaction, regulatory approvals (including United States (U.S.) antitrust clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act) and other customary conditions. On December 26, 2012, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission granted early termination of the Hart-Scott-Rodino waiting period with respect to both transactions. The PXP transaction is not conditioned on the closing of the MMR transaction, and the MMR transaction is not conditioned on the closing of the PXP transaction. PXP and MMR shareholder meetings to approve the respective transactions will be scheduled upon the effectiveness of the respective registration statements filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The transactions are expected to close in second-quarter 2013, subject to satisfaction of all conditions to closing.

Additionally in January 2013, FCX, through a newly formed joint venture, entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a cobalt chemical refinery in Kokkola, Finland, and the related sales and marketing business. The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals, and is expected to close in second-quarter 2013.

The information contained in Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk does not reflect our acquisitions of PXP, MMR or the cobalt chemical business. Refer to Notes 1 and 20 for further discussion of these proposed acquisitions.


OVERVIEW

We are one of the world’s largest copper, gold and molybdenum mining companies in terms of reserves and production. Our portfolio of assets includes the Grasberg minerals district in Indonesia, significant mining operations in North and South America, and the Tenke Fungurume (Tenke) minerals district in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The Grasberg minerals district contains one of the largest copper and gold reserves in the world based on the latest available reserve data provided by third-party industry consultants. We also operate Atlantic Copper, our wholly owned copper smelting and refining unit in Spain.

We have significant reserves, resources and future development opportunities within our portfolio of assets. At December 31, 2012, our estimated consolidated recoverable proven and probable reserves totaled 116.5 billion pounds of copper, 32.5 million ounces of gold and 3.42 billion pounds of molybdenum, which were determined using long-term average prices of $2.00 per pound for copper, $750 per ounce for gold and $10 per pound for molybdenum. Refer to “Critical Accounting Estimates – Mineral Reserves” for further discussion.



69


A summary of our consolidated copper, gold and molybdenum production for the year 2012 by geographic location follows:
 
Copper
 
Gold
 
Molybdenum
 
North America
37
%
 
1
%
 
91
%
a 
South America
34
%
 
9
%
 
9
%
 
Indonesia
19
%
 
90
%
 
N/A

 
Africa
10
%
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
a.
For 2012, 53 percent of our consolidated molybdenum production in North America was from the Henderson and Climax primary molybdenum mines. The Climax molybdenum mine began commercial production in May 2012.

Copper production from the Grasberg, Morenci and Cerro Verde mines totaled 50 percent of our consolidated copper production in 2012. Refer to “Operations” for further discussion of our mining operations.

We are progressing on major development projects, including the development of the underground ore bodies at Grasberg, and the expansion projects at Morenci and Cerro Verde. Studies are also under way to evaluate a major mill project at El Abra and various mill projects to process significant sulfide ore in North America. The advancement of these studies is designed to position us to invest in production growth within our existing portfolio of assets. Refer to “Operations” for further discussion of our current operating and development activities.

At December 31, 2012, we had $3.7 billion in consolidated cash and $3.5 billion in long-term debt. In February 2012, we sold $3.0 billion in senior notes in three tranches with a weighted average interest rate of approximately three percent. We used the proceeds from this offering, plus cash on hand, to redeem the remaining $3.0 billion of our 8.375% Senior Notes. Refer to "Capital Resources and Liquidity - Financing Activities" and to Note 9 for further discussion of these transactions.

In February 2013, we entered into a new senior unsecured revolving credit facility, which will refinance and replace our existing revolving credit facility upon completion of the proposed acquisition of PXP. No amounts are currently available to us under the new revolving credit facility. Refer to Note 20 for further discussion.

In February 2012, our Board of Directors (the Board) authorized an increase in the cash dividend on our common stock to an annual rate of $1.25 per share ($0.3125 per share quarterly), and we paid dividends on our common stock totaling $1.1 billion in 2012. Refer to Note 11 for further discussion.

At current copper prices, we expect to produce significant operating cash flows, and to use our cash to invest in our development projects and return cash to shareholders through dividends on our common stock.

Refer to “Consolidated Results” for discussion of items impacting our consolidated results for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010.


OUTLOOK

We view the long-term outlook for our business positively, supported by limitations on supplies of copper and by the requirements for copper in the world’s economy. We will continue to adjust our operating strategy as market conditions change. Our financial results vary as a result of fluctuations in market prices for copper, gold and molybdenum and other factors. World market prices for these commodities have fluctuated historically and are affected by numerous factors beyond our control. Because we cannot control the price of our products, the key measures that management focuses on in operating our business are sales volumes, unit net cash costs and operating cash flow. Discussion of the outlook for each of these measures follows.


70


Sales Volumes.  Following are our projected consolidated sales volumes for 2013 and actual consolidated sales volumes for 2012:
 
2013
 
2012
 
 
(Projected)
 
(Actual)
 
Copper (millions of recoverable pounds):
 
 
 
 
North America copper mines
1,445

 
1,351

 
South America mining
1,325

 
1,245

 
Indonesia mining
1,120

 
716

 
Africa mining
410

 
336

 
 
4,300

 
3,648

 
Gold (thousands of recoverable ounces):
 
 
 
 
Indonesia mining
1,240

 
915

 
North and South America mining
140

 
95

 
 
1,380

 
1,010

 
Molybdenum (millions of recoverable pounds)
90

a 
83

 
a.
Includes projected sales of 40 million pounds of molybdenum produced at our North and South America copper mines.

Projected copper sales for 2013 are expected to be higher than 2012 sales, primarily reflecting access to higher grade ore in Indonesia and South America and higher production in North America and Africa. Projected 2013 gold sales volumes are expected to be higher than 2012, primarily reflecting higher ore grades at Grasberg. Molybdenum sales in 2013 are expected to be higher than 2012, primarily reflecting higher production from our Climax molybdenum mine. Projected sales volumes are dependent on a number of factors, including achievement of targeted mining rates, the successful operation of production facilities, the impact of weather conditions and other factors.

Unit Net Cash Costs. We expect to gain access to higher grade ore at Grasberg in late 2013, which will result in higher copper and gold production volumes (approximately 29 percent of 2013 consolidated copper sales volumes and 37 percent of consolidated gold sales volumes are expected in fourth-quarter 2013). Quarterly unit net cash costs vary with fluctuations in sales volumes and average realized prices for gold and molybdenum, and are expected to be lower in late 2013 as we gain access to higher grade ore at Grasberg. Assuming average prices of $1,700 per ounce of gold and $11 per pound of molybdenum and achievement of current 2013 sales volume and cost estimates, consolidated unit net cash costs (net of by-product credits) are expected to average $1.35 per pound in 2013. The impact of price changes in 2013 on consolidated unit net cash costs would approximate $0.015 per pound for each $50 per ounce change in the average price of gold and $0.015 per pound for each $2 per pound change in the average price of molybdenum. Refer to “Consolidated Results – Production and Delivery Costs” for further discussion of consolidated production and delivery costs.

Operating Cash Flows.  Our operating cash flows vary with prices realized from copper, gold and molybdenum sales, our sales volumes, production costs, income taxes and other working capital changes and other factors. Based on current sales volumes and cost estimates and assuming average prices of $3.65 per pound of copper, $1,700 per ounce of gold and $11 per pound of molybdenum in 2013, consolidated operating cash flows, excluding results of pending acquisitions, are estimated to approximate $7 billion in 2013 (including an estimated $450 million from net working capital sources and other tax payments). Projected operating cash flows for the year 2013 also reflect estimated taxes of $2.6 billion (refer to “Consolidated Results – Provision for Income Taxes” for discussion of our projected annual consolidated effective tax rate for 2013). The impact of price changes in 2013 on operating cash flows would approximate $350 million for each $0.10 per pound change in the average price of copper, $55 million for each $50 per ounce change in the average price of gold and $110 million for each $2 per pound change in the average price of molybdenum.



71


COPPER, GOLD AND MOLYBDENUM MARKETS

World prices for copper, gold and molybdenum can fluctuate significantly. During the period from January 2003 through January 2013, the London Metal Exchange (LME) spot copper price varied from a low of $0.70 per pound in 2003 to a record high of $4.60 per pound in February 2011; the London Bullion Market Association (London) gold price fluctuated from a low of $320 per ounce in 2003 to a record high of $1,895 per ounce in September 2011; and the Metals Week Molybdenum Dealer Oxide weekly average price ranged from a low of $3.28 per pound in 2003 to a high of $39.25 per pound in 2005. Copper, gold and molybdenum prices are affected by numerous factors beyond our control as described further in our “Risk Factors” contained in Part I, Item 1A of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

This graph presents LME spot copper prices and combined reported stocks of copper at the LME, the New York Mercantile Exchange (COMEX) and the Shanghai Futures Exchange from January 2003 through January 2013. From 2006 through most of 2008, limited supplies, combined with growing demand from China and other emerging economies, resulted in high copper prices and low levels of inventories. In late 2008, slowing consumption, turmoil in the U.S. financial markets and concerns about the global economy led to a sharp decline in copper prices, which reached a low of $1.26 per pound in December 2008. Higher copper prices since that time are attributable to a combination of continuing demand from developing economies and pro-growth monetary and fiscal policy decisions in Europe, China and the U.S. During 2012, LME spot copper prices ranged from $3.29 per pound to $3.93 per pound, averaged $3.61 per pound and closed at $3.59 per pound on December 31, 2012. Global exchange inventories increased during the second half of 2012, but remain low and represent less than two weeks of global demand.

We believe the underlying long-term fundamentals of the copper business remain positive, supported by the significant role of copper in the global economy and a challenging supply environment. Future copper prices are expected to be volatile and are likely to be influenced by demand from China and emerging markets, economic activity in the U.S. and other industrialized countries, the timing of the development of new supplies of copper and production levels of mines and copper smelters. The LME spot copper price closed at $3.72 per pound on February 15, 2013.




72



This graph presents London PM gold prices from January 2003 through January 2013. During 2012, gold prices ranged from $1,540 per ounce to $1,792 per ounce, averaging $1,669 per ounce and closing at $1,658 per ounce on December 31, 2012. We believe the outlook for gold remains positive amid an uncertain outlook for global growth and the prospects for future inflation associated with accommodative monetary policies and elevated sovereign debt levels. Gold prices closed at $1,612 per ounce on February 15, 2013.


This graph presents the Metals Week Molybdenum Dealer Oxide weekly average price from January 2003 through January 2013. In late 2008, molybdenum prices declined significantly as a result of the financial market turmoil and a decline in demand. During 2012, the weekly average price of molybdenum ranged from $10.90 per pound to $14.80 per pound, averaged $12.74 per pound and was $11.60 per pound on December 31, 2012. Average Metals Week Molybdenum Dealer Oxide prices were lower in 2012, compared with 2011, reflecting weaker demand and cautious buying activity. The Metals Week Molybdenum Dealer Oxide weekly average price was $11.27 per pound on February 15, 2013.

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CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is based on our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) in the U.S. The preparation of these statements requires that we make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. We base these estimates on historical experience and on assumptions that we consider reasonable under the circumstances; however, reported results could differ from those based on the current estimates under different assumptions or conditions. The areas requiring the use of management’s estimates are also discussed in Note 1 under the subheading “Use of Estimates.” Management has reviewed the following discussion of its development and selection of critical accounting estimates with the Audit Committee of our Board.

Mineral Reserves. Recoverable proven and probable reserves are the part of a mineral deposit that can be economically and legally extracted or produced at the time of the reserve determination. The determination of reserves involves numerous uncertainties with respect to the ultimate geology of the ore bodies, including quantities, grades and recovery rates. Estimating the quantity and grade of reserves requires us to determine the size, shape and depth of our ore bodies by analyzing geological data, such as samplings of drill holes, tunnels and other underground workings. In addition to the geology of our mines, assumptions are required to determine the economic feasibility of mining these reserves, including estimates of future commodity prices and demand, the mining methods we use and the related costs incurred to develop and mine our reserves. Our estimates of recoverable proven and probable reserves are prepared by and are the responsibility of our employees. A majority of these estimates are reviewed annually and verified by independent experts in mining, geology and reserve determination.

At December 31, 2012, our consolidated recoverable proven and probable reserves included 116.5 billion pounds of copper, 32.5 million ounces of gold and 3.42 billion pounds of molybdenum, which were determined using long-
term average prices of $2.00 per pound for copper, $750 per ounce for gold and $10.00 per pound for molybdenum, consistent with the prices used at year-end 2011 and 2010. The following table summarizes changes in our estimated consolidated recoverable proven and probable copper, gold and molybdenum reserves during 2012 and 2011:
 
 
Copper
(billion
pounds)
 
Gold
(million
ounces)
 
Molybdenum
(billion
pounds)
Consolidated reserves at December 31, 2010
 
120.5

 
35.5
 
3.39
Net additions/revisions
 
2.9

 
(0.2)
 
0.11
Production
 
(3.7
)
 
(1.4)
 
(0.08)
Consolidated reserves at December 31, 2011
 
119.7

 
33.9
 
3.42
Net additions/revisions
 
0.5

 
(0.4)
 
0.08
Production
 
(3.7
)
 
(1.0)
 
(0.08)
Consolidated reserves at December 31, 2012
 
116.5

 
32.5
 
3.42

Refer to Note 18 for further information regarding estimated recoverable proven and probable reserves.

As discussed in Note 1, we depreciate our life-of-mine mining and milling assets and values assigned to proven and probable reserves using the unit-of-production (UOP) method based on our estimated recoverable proven and probable reserves, and also have other assets that are depreciated on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. Because the economic assumptions used to estimate reserves change from period to period and additional geological data is generated during the course of operations, estimates of reserves may change, which could have a significant impact on our results of operations, including changes to prospective depreciation rates and asset carrying values. Excluding impacts associated with changes in the levels of finished goods inventories and based on projected copper sales volumes for 2013, if estimated copper reserves at our mines were 10 percent higher at December 31, 2012, we estimate that our annual depreciation, depletion and amortization expense for 2013 would decrease by $49 million ($25 million to net income attributable to common stockholders), and a 10 percent decrease in copper reserves would increase depreciation, depletion and amortization expense by $60 million ($32 million to net income attributable to common stockholders). We perform annual assessments of our existing assets in connection with the review of mine operating and development plans. If it is determined that

74


assigned asset lives do not reflect the expected remaining period of benefit, any change could affect prospective depreciation rates.

As discussed below and in Note 1, we review and evaluate our long-lived assets for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the related carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable, and changes to our estimates of recoverable proven and probable reserves could have an impact on our assessment of asset recoverability.

Recoverable Copper in Stockpiles. We record, as inventory, applicable costs for copper contained in mill and leach stockpiles that are expected to be processed in the future based on proven processing technologies. Mill and leach stockpiles are evaluated periodically to ensure that they are stated at the lower of cost or market. Accounting for recoverable copper from mill and leach stockpiles represents a critical accounting estimate because (i) it is impracticable to determine copper contained in mill and leach stockpiles by physical count, thus requiring management to employ reasonable estimation methods and (ii) recovery rates from leach stockpiles can vary significantly. The quantity of material delivered to mill and leach stockpiles is based on surveyed volumes of mined material and daily production records. Sampling and assaying of blasthole cuttings determine the estimated copper grade contained in the material delivered to the mill and leach stockpiles.

Expected copper recovery rates for mill stockpiles are determined by metallurgical testing. The recoverable copper in mill stockpiles, once entered into the production process, can be produced into copper concentrate almost immediately.

Expected copper recovery rates for leach stockpiles are determined using small-scale laboratory tests, small- to large-scale column testing (which simulates the production-scale process), historical trends and other factors,
including mineralogy of the ore and rock type. Ultimate recovery of copper contained in leach stockpiles can vary significantly from a low percentage to more than 90 percent depending on several variables, including type of copper recovery, mineralogy and particle size of the rock. For newly placed material on active stockpiles, as much as 70 percent of the copper ultimately recoverable may be extracted during the first year, and the remaining copper may be recovered over many years.

Processes and recovery rates are monitored regularly, and recovery rate estimates are adjusted periodically as additional information becomes available and as related technology changes. Adjustments to recovery rates will typically result in a future impact to the value of the material removed from the stockpiles at a revised weighted-average cost per pound of recoverable copper. During third-quarter 2012, we completed an assessment of estimated future recovery rates within the current mine plan at our Chino leaching operations resulting in a downward revision of those rates and a corresponding reduction of 594 million pounds of estimated recoverable copper in leach stockpiles at Chino. At December 31, 2012, estimated consolidated recoverable copper was 2.9 billion pounds in leach stockpiles (with a carrying value of $2.9 billion) and 1.4 billion pounds in mill stockpiles (with a carrying value of $719 million).

Environmental Obligations. Our mining, exploration, production and historical operating activities are subject to stringent laws and regulations governing the protection of the environment, and compliance with those laws requires significant expenditures. Environmental expenditures are expensed or capitalized, depending upon their future economic benefits. The guidance provided by U.S. GAAP requires that liabilities for contingencies be recorded when it is probable that obligations have been incurred and the cost can be reasonably estimated. Refer to Note 1 for discussion of our accounting policy for environmental expenditures.

Accounting for environmental obligations represents a critical accounting estimate because changes to environmental laws and regulations and/or circumstances affecting our operations could result in significant changes to our estimates, which could have a significant impact on our results of operations. We perform a comprehensive annual review of our environmental obligations and also review changes in facts and circumstances associated with these obligations at least quarterly. Judgments and estimates are based upon available facts, existing technology, presently enacted laws and regulations, remediation experience, whether or not we are a potentially responsible party (PRP), the ability of other PRPs to pay their allocated portions and take into consideration reasonably possible outcomes. Our cost estimates can change substantially as additional information becomes available regarding the nature or extent of site contamination, updated cost assumptions (including increases and decreases to cost estimates), changes in the anticipated scope and timing of remediation activities, the settlement of environmental matters, required remediation methods and actions by or against governmental agencies or private parties.

75



At December 31, 2012, environmental obligations recorded in our consolidated balance sheet totaled $1.2 billion, which reflect obligations for environmental liabilities attributed to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) or analogous state programs and for estimated future costs associated with environmental matters.

Following is a summary of changes in our estimated environmental obligations for the years ended December 31 (in millions):
 
2012
 
2011
 
2010
Balance at beginning of year
$
1,453

 
$
1,422

 
$
1,464

Accretion expensea
80

 
88

 
97

Additions
70

 
132

 
19

Reductionsb
(182
)
 
(68
)
 

Spending
(199
)
 
(121
)
 
(158
)
Balance at end of year
$
1,222

 
$
1,453

 
$
1,422

a.
Represents accretion of the fair value of environmental obligations assumed in the acquisition of Freeport-McMoRan Corporation (FMC), which were determined on a discounted cash flow basis.
b.
Reductions primarily reflected adjustments for changes in the anticipated scope and timing of environmental remediation projects and the settlement of environmental matters.

Refer to Note 13 for further discussion of environmental obligations.

Reclamation and Closure Costs. Reclamation is an ongoing activity that occurs throughout the life of a mine. We record the fair value of our estimated asset retirement obligations (AROs) associated with tangible long-lived assets in the period incurred. Fair value is measured as the present value of cash flow estimates after considering inflation and then applying a market risk premium. Our cost estimates are reflected on a third-party cost basis and comply with our legal obligation to retire tangible long-lived assets in the period incurred. These cost estimates may differ from financial assurance cost estimates for reclamation activities because of a variety of factors, including obtaining updated cost estimates for reclamation activities, the timing of reclamation activities, changes in scope and the exclusion of certain costs not considered reclamation and closure costs. Refer to Note 1 for further discussion of our accounting policy for reclamation and closure costs.

Generally, ARO activities are specified by regulations or in permits issued by the relevant governing authority, and management judgment is required to estimate the extent and timing of expenditures based on life-of-mine planning. Accounting for reclamation and closure costs represents a critical accounting estimate because (i) we will not incur most of these costs for a number of years, requiring us to make estimates over a long period, (ii) reclamation and closure laws and regulations could change in the future and/or circumstances affecting our operations could change, either of which could result in significant changes to our current plans, (iii) calculating the fair value of our AROs requires management to estimate projected cash flows, make long-term assumptions about inflation rates, determine our credit-adjusted, risk-free interest rates and determine market risk premiums that are appropriate for our operations and (iv) given the magnitude of our estimated reclamation and closure costs, changes in any or all of these estimates could have a significant impact on our results of operations.

At least annually, we review our ARO estimates for changes in the projected timing of certain reclamation costs, changes in cost estimates and additional AROs incurred during the period. Following is a summary of changes in our AROs for the years ended December 31 (in millions):
 
2012
 
2011
 
2010
 
Balance at beginning of year
$
921

 
$
856

 
$
731

 
Liabilities incurred
6

 
9

 
5

 
Revisions to cash flow estimatesa
211

 
48

 
105

 
Accretion expense
55

 
58

 
54

 
Spending
(47
)
 
(49
)
 
(38
)
 
Foreign currency translation adjustment

 
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
Balance at end of year
$
1,146

 
$
921

 
$
856

 
a.
Revisions to cash flow estimates are primarily related to updated closure plans that included revised cost estimates and accelerated timing of certain closure activities.

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Refer to Note 13 for further discussion of reclamation and closure costs.

Deferred Taxes. In preparing our annual consolidated financial statements, we estimate the actual amount of taxes currently payable or receivable as well as deferred tax assets and liabilities attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which these temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates or laws is recognized in income in the period in which such changes are enacted.

A valuation allowance is provided for those deferred tax assets for which it is more likely than not that the related benefits will not be realized. In determining the amount of the valuation allowance, we consider estimated future taxable income as well as feasible tax planning strategies in each jurisdiction. If we determine that we will not realize all or a portion of our deferred tax assets, we will increase our valuation allowance. Conversely, if we determine that we will ultimately be able to realize all or a portion of the related benefits for which a valuation allowance has been provided, all or a portion of the related valuation allowance will be reduced.

Our valuation allowances totaled $2.4 billion at December 31, 2012 and 2011, and covered all of our U.S. foreign tax credit carryforwards, and a portion of our foreign net operating loss carryforwards, U.S. state net operating loss carryforwards, U.S. state deferred tax assets, U.S. capital loss carryforwards and U.S. minimum tax credit carryforwards. These valuation allowances include $82 million at December 31, 2012, and $80 million at December 31, 2011, for tax benefits that, if recognized, would be credited directly to other comprehensive income.

Refer to Note 12 for further discussion.

Impairment of Assets. We evaluate our long-lived assets (to be held and used) for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the related carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. In evaluating our long-lived assets for recoverability, estimates of after-tax undiscounted future cash flows of our individual mining operations are used, with impairment losses measured by reference to fair value. As quoted market prices are unavailable for our individual mining operations, fair value is determined through the use of discounted estimated future cash flows. The estimated cash flows used to assess recoverability of our long-lived assets and measure fair value of our mining operations are derived from current business plans, which are developed using near-term price forecasts reflective of the current price environment and management's projections for long-term average metal prices. In addition to near and long-term metal price assumptions, other key assumptions include commodity-based and other input costs; proven and probable reserves, including the timing and cost to develop and produce the reserves; and the use of appropriate escalation and discount rates.

Because the cash flows used to assess recoverability of our long-lived assets and measure fair value of our mining operations require us to make several estimates and assumptions that are subject to risk and uncertainty, changes in these estimates and assumptions could result in the impairment of our long-lived asset values. Events that could result in impairment of our long-lived assets include, but are not limited to, decreases in future metal prices, decreases in estimated recoverable proven and probable reserves and any event that might otherwise have a material adverse effect on mine site production levels or costs.

Refer to Note 4 for further discussion.

77


CONSOLIDATED RESULTS
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
2010
 
Financial Data (in millions, except per share amounts)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenuesa,b
$
18,010

 
$
20,880

 
$
18,982

 
Operating incomea
5,814

c,d,e 
9,140

c,e 
9,068

c 
Net income attributable to FCX common stockholdersf
3,041

c,d,e,g,h 
4,560

c,e,g,h 
4,273

c,g 
Diluted net income per share attributable to FCX
 
 
 
 
 
 
common stockholdersf
$
3.19

c,d,e,g,h 
$
4.78

c,e,g,h 
$
4.57

c,g 
Diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding
954

 
955

 
949

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mining Operating Data
 
 
 
 
 
 
Copper (recoverable)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Production (millions of pounds)
3,663

 
3,691

 
3,908

 
Sales, excluding purchases (millions of pounds)
3,648

 
3,698

 
3,896

 
Average realized price per pound
$
3.60

 
$
3.86

 
$
3.59

 
Site production and delivery costs per poundi
$
2.00

 
$
1.72

 
$
1.40

 
Unit net cash costs per poundi
$
1.48

 
$
1.01

 
$
0.79

 
Gold (recoverable)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Production (thousands of ounces)
958

 
1,383

 
1,886

 
Sales, excluding purchases (thousands of ounces)
1,010

 
1,378

 
1,863

 
Average realized price per ounce
$
1,665

 
$
1,583

 
$
1,271

 
Molybdenum (recoverable)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Production (millions of pounds)
85

 
83

 
72

 
Sales, excluding purchases (millions of pounds)
83

 
79

 
67

 
Average realized price per pound
$
14.26

 
$
16.98

 
$
16.47

 
a.
Refer to Note 17 for a summary of revenues and operating income by business segment.
b.
Includes the impact of adjustments to provisionally priced concentrate and cathode sales recognized in prior years. Refer to “Revenues” and “Disclosures About Market Risks – Commodity Price Risk” for further discussion.
c.
Includes net (credits) charges for adjustments to environmental obligations and related litigation reserves totaling $(62) million ($(40) million to net income attributable to common stockholders or $(0.04) per share) in 2012, $107 million ($86 million to net income attributable to common stockholders or $0.09 per share) in 2011 and $19 million ($15 million to net income attributable to common stockholders or $0.02 per share) in 2010.
d.
Includes a gain of $59 million ($31 million to net income attributable to common stockholders or $0.03 per share) for the settlement of the insurance claim for business interruption and property damage relating to the 2011 incidents affecting PT Freeport Indonesia's concentrate pipelines.
e.
Includes charges totaling $16 million ($8 million to net income attributable to common stockholders or $0.01 per share) associated with labor agreement costs at Candelaria in 2012, and $116 million ($50 million to net income attributable to common stock or $0.05 per share) primarily associated with bonuses for new labor agreements and other employee costs at PT Freeport Indonesia, Cerro Verde and El Abra in 2011.
f.
We defer recognizing profits on intercompany sales until final sales to third parties occur. Refer to "Operations - Atlantic Copper Smelting & Refining" for a summary of net impacts from changes in these deferrals.
g.
Includes net losses on early extinguishment of debt totaling $149 million ($0.16 per share) in 2012, $60 million ($0.06 per share) in 2011, and $71 million ($0.07 per share) in 2010. Refer to Note 9 for further discussion.
h.
The 2012 period includes a net tax credit of $98 million, net of noncontrolling interests ($0.11 per share), associated with adjustments to Cerro Verde's deferred income taxes. The 2011 period includes a tax charge of $49 million, net of noncontrolling interests ($0.05 per share), for additional taxes associated with Cerro Verde's election to pay a special mining burden during the remaining term of its current stability agreement. Refer to Note 12 and "Provision for Income Taxes" below for further discussion of these amounts.
i.
Reflects per pound weighted-average production and delivery costs and unit net cash costs (net of by-product credits) for all copper mines, before net noncash and other costs. For reconciliations of the per pound costs by operating division to production and delivery costs applicable to sales reported in our consolidated financial statements, refer to “Operations – Unit Net Cash Costs” and to “Product Revenues and Production Costs.”


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Revenues
Consolidated revenues totaled $18.0 billion in 2012, $20.9 billion in 2011 and $19.0 billion in 2010, and included the sale of copper concentrates, copper cathodes, copper rod, gold, molybdenum and other metals by our North and South America copper mines, the sale of copper concentrates (which also contain significant quantities of gold and silver) by our Indonesia mining operations, the sale of copper cathodes and cobalt hydroxide by our Africa mining operations, the sale of molybdenum in various forms by our Molybdenum operations, and the sale of copper cathodes, copper anodes, and gold in anodes and slimes by Atlantic Copper. Our mining revenues for 2012 included sales of copper (79 percent), gold (10 percent) and molybdenum (7 percent).

Following is a summary of year-to-year changes in our consolidated revenues (in millions):
 
2012
 
2011
Consolidated revenues – prior year
$
20,880

 
$
18,982

(Lower) higher price realizations from mining operations:
 
 
 
Copper
(948
)
 
999

Gold
82

 
430

Molybdenum
(225
)
 
40

Silver
(44
)
 
121

Cobalt
(54
)
 
(24
)
(Lower) higher sales volumes from mining operations:
 
 
 
Copper
(194
)
 
(711
)
Gold
(583
)
 
(616
)
Molybdenum
61

 
206

Silver
(38
)
 
27

Cobalt
(6
)
 
59

Favorable (unfavorable) impacts of net adjustments for prior year
 
 
 
provisionally priced sales
132

 
(4
)
(Lower) higher purchased copper
(469
)
 
299

(Lower) higher Atlantic Copper revenues
(275
)
 
493

Other, including intercompany eliminations
(309
)
 
579

Consolidated revenues – current year
$
18,010

 
$
20,880


Price Realizations
Our consolidated revenues can vary significantly as a result of fluctuations in the market prices of copper, gold, molybdenum, silver and cobalt. Following is a summary of our average realized prices for the years ended December 31:
 
2012
 
2011
 
2010
 
Copper (per pound)
$
3.60

 
$
3.86

 
$
3.59

 
Gold (per ounce)
$
1,665

 
$
1,583

 
$
1,271

 
Molybdenum (per pound)
$
14.26

 
$
16.98

 
$
16.47

 
Silver (per ounce)
$
30.06

 
$
36.24

 
$
21.40

 
Cobalt (per pound)
$
7.83

 
$
9.99

 
$
10.95

 

Sales Volumes
2012 Compared with 2011. Consolidated sales volumes totaled 3.65 billion pounds of copper, 1.0 million ounces of gold and 83 million pounds of molybdenum in 2012, compared with 3.70 billion pounds of copper, 1.4 million ounces of gold and 79 million pounds of molybdenum in 2011. Lower consolidated copper and gold sales volumes in 2012 primarily reflected lower volumes in Indonesia and South America, partly offset by increased copper production in North America and Africa. Refer to “Operations” for further discussion of sales volumes at our operating divisions.

2011 Compared with 2010. Consolidated sales volumes totaled 3.70 billion pounds of copper, 1.4 million ounces of gold and 79 million pounds of molybdenum in 2011, compared with 3.90 billion pounds of copper, 1.9 million ounces of gold and 67 million pounds of molybdenum in 2010. Lower consolidated copper sales volumes in 2011 primarily reflected lower sales volumes in Indonesia, partly offset by higher sales volumes in North America. Lower consolidated gold sales volumes primarily reflected lower production in Indonesia. Copper and gold sales for 2011 were impacted by PT Freeport Indonesia labor disruptions in fourth-quarter 2011. Higher consolidated molybdenum sales volumes in 2011 primarily reflected improved demand.


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Provisionally Priced Copper Sales
Substantially all of our copper concentrate and cathode sales contracts provide final copper pricing in a specified future month (generally one to four months from the shipment date) based primarily on quoted LME monthly average spot copper prices (refer to “Disclosures About Market Risks – Commodity Price Risk” for further discussion). Following are the favorable (unfavorable) impacts of net adjustments to the prior years' provisionally priced copper sales for the years ended December 31 (in millions, except per share amounts):
 
2012
 
2011
 
2010
 
Revenues
$
101

 
$
(12
)
 
$
(24
)
 
Net income attributable to FCX common stockholders
$
43

 
$
(5
)
 
$
(10
)
 
Net income per share of FCX common stock
$
0.05

 
$
(0.01
)
 
$
(0.01
)
 

Provisionally priced sales adjustments also reflected adjustments to provisionally priced gold sales resulting in a favorable impact of $4 million in 2012, an unfavorable impact of $13 million in 2011 and a favorable impact of less than $1 million in 2010.

Purchased Copper
From time to time, we purchase copper cathode for processing by our Rod & Refining segment when production from our North America copper mines does not meet customer demand.

Atlantic Copper Revenues
The decrease in Atlantic Copper’s revenues in 2012, compared with 2011, primarily reflected lower gold volumes. The increase in Atlantic Copper's revenues in 2011, compared with 2010, primarily reflected higher copper and gold revenues associated with higher prices.

Production and Delivery Costs
2012 Compared with 2011
Consolidated production and delivery costs totaled $10.4 billion in 2012, compared with $9.9 billion in 2011. Higher production and delivery costs for 2012 primarily reflected higher costs at our mining operations, partly offset by lower costs of concentrate purchases at Atlantic Copper associated with lower copper prices and lower volumes and lower costs of cathode purchases in North America.

Consolidated unit site production and delivery costs, before net noncash and other costs, for our copper mining operations averaged $2.00 per pound of copper in 2012, compared with $1.72 per pound of copper in 2011. Higher unit site production and delivery costs in 2012 primarily reflected lower copper sales volumes in Indonesia and higher mining costs in North and South America. Assuming achievement of current 2013 volume and cost estimates, consolidated site production and delivery costs are expected to average $1.89 per pound of copper for 2013. Lower projected unit site production and delivery costs for 2013, compared to 2012, primarily reflect the benefit of increased projected copper volumes at Grasberg. Refer to “Operations – Unit Net Cash Costs” for further discussion of unit net cash costs associated with our operating divisions, and to “Product Revenues and Production Costs” for reconciliations of per pound costs by operating division to production and delivery costs applicable to sales reported in our consolidated financial statements.

Our copper mining operations require significant energy, principally diesel, electricity, coal and natural gas. Energy costs approximated 21 percent of our consolidated copper production costs in 2012, and included purchases of approximately 255 million gallons of diesel fuel; 6,800 gigawatt hours of electricity at our North America, South America and Africa copper mining operations (we generate all of our power at our Indonesia mining operation); 700 thousand metric tons of coal for our coal power plant in Indonesia; and 1 million MMBTU (million British thermal units) of natural gas at certain of our North America mines. For 2013, we estimate energy costs will approximate 21 percent of our consolidated copper production costs.

2011 Compared with 2010
Consolidated production and delivery costs totaled $9.9 billion in 2011, compared with $8.3 billion in 2010. Higher production and delivery costs for 2011 primarily reflect increased mining and milling activities in North America, higher input costs at our mining operations, higher costs of concentrate purchases at Atlantic Copper associated with higher copper and gold prices, and higher costs of copper cathode purchases in North America associated with higher copper prices.


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Consolidated unit site production and delivery costs, before net noncash and other costs, for our copper mining operations averaged $1.72 per pound of copper in 2011, compared with $1.40 per pound of copper in 2010. Higher unit site production and delivery costs in 2011 primarily reflected lower copper sales volumes in Indonesia and increased mining and input costs in North and South America and Africa. Consolidated site production and delivery costs in 2011 also included $116 million ($0.03 per pound) primarily related to bonuses for new labor agreements and other employee costs in Indonesia and South America.

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
Consolidated depreciation, depletion and amortization expense totaled $1.2 billion in 2012 and $1.0 billion in 2011 and 2010. Depreciation will vary under the UOP method as a result of changes in sales volumes and the related UOP rates at our individual mines. Higher depreciation, depletion and amortization expense in 2012 primarily reflected additions of assets depreciated on a straight-line basis in North and South America.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Consolidated selling, general and administrative expenses totaled $431 million in 2012, $415 million in 2011 and $381 million in 2010. Higher selling, general and administrative expenses in 2012, compared with 2011, primarily reflected transaction costs associated with pending acquisitions. Higher selling, general and administrative expenses in 2011, compared with 2010, primarily reflected higher charitable contributions.

Exploration and Research Expenses
Consolidated exploration and research expenses totaled $285 million in 2012, $271 million in 2011 and $143 million in 2010. We are actively conducting exploration activities near our existing mines with a focus on opportunities to expand reserves that will support additional future production capacity in the large mineral districts where we currently operate. Favorable exploration results indicate opportunities for what we believe could be significant future potential reserve additions in North and South America and in the Tenke minerals district. The drilling data in North America continues to indicate the potential for expanded sulfide production.

For 2013, exploration and research expenditures are expected to total approximately $275 million, including approximately $235 million for exploration. Exploration activities will continue to focus primarily on the potential for future reserve additions in our existing minerals districts. Approximately one third of the 2013 budget is associated with greenfield exploration projects.

Environmental Obligations and Shutdown Costs
Environmental obligation costs (credits) reflect net revisions to our long-term environmental obligations, which will vary from period to period because of changes to environmental laws and regulations, the settlement of environmental matters and/or circumstances affecting our operations that could result in significant changes in our estimates (refer to "Critical Accounting Estimates - Environmental Obligations" for further discussion). Shutdown costs include care and maintenance costs and any litigation, remediation or related expenditures associated with closed facilities or operations.

Environmental obligations and shutdown costs totaled a net credit of $(22) million in 2012, and net charges of $134 million in 2011 and $19 million in 2010. Refer to Note 13 for further discussion of environmental obligations and litigation matters.

Gain on Insurance Settlement
Gain on insurance settlement totaled $59 million ($31 million to net income attributable to common stockholders or $0.03 per share) and reflected the settlement of the insurance claim for business interruption and property damage relating to the 2011 incidents affecting PT Freeport Indonesia's concentrate pipelines.

Interest Expense, Net
Consolidated interest expense (excluding capitalized interest) totaled $267 million in 2012, $421 million in 2011 and $528 million in 2010. The reduction in interest expense primarily reflects the impact of the first-quarter 2012 refinancing transaction and the impact of debt repayments during 2011 and 2010 (refer to Note 9 for discussion of debt repayments).

Capitalized interest is primarily related to our development projects and totaled $81 million in 2012, $109 million in 2011 and $66 million in 2010. Refer to "Operations" for further discussion of current development projects.


81


Losses on Early Extinguishment of Debt
During 2012, we recorded losses on early extinguishment of debt totaling $168 million ($149 million to net income attributable to common stockholders or $0.16 per share) associated with the redemption of our remaining 8.375% Senior Notes.

During 2011, we recorded losses on early extinguishment of debt totaling $68 million ($60 million to net income attributable to common stockholders or $0.06 per share) associated with the redemption of our 8.25% Senior Notes, the revolving credit facilities that were replaced in March 2011 and open-market purchases of our 9.50% Senior Notes.

During 2010, we recorded losses on early extinguishment of debt totaling $81 million ($71 million to net income attributable to common stockholders or $0.07 per share) associated with the redemption of our Senior Floating Rate Notes and open-market purchases of our 8.25%, 8.375% and 9.50% Senior Notes.

Refer to Note 9 for further discussion of these transactions.

Provision for Income Taxes
Following is a summary of the approximate amounts in the calculation of our consolidated provision for income taxes for the year ended December 31 (in millions, except percentages):
 
2012
 
 
Incomea
 
Effective
Tax Rate
 
Income Tax
(Provision)
Benefit
 
U.S.
$
1,539

 
23%
 
$
(350
)
 
South America
2,211

 
36%
 
(791
)
b 
Indonesia
1,287

 
39%
 
(497
)
 
Africa
357

 
31%
 
(112
)
 
Eliminations and other
93

 
N/A
 
6

 
 
5,487

 
32%
d 
(1,744
)
 
Deferred tax liability adjustmentc
N/A

 
N/A
 
$
234

 
Consolidated FCX
$
5,487

 
28%
 
$
(1,510
)
 
a.
Represents income by geographic location before income taxes and equity in affiliated companies’ net earnings.
b.
In July 2012, Sociedad Minera Cerro Verde S.A.A. (Cerro Verde) signed a new 15-year mining stability agreement with the Peruvian government, which is expected to become effective when the current mining stability agreement expires on December 31, 2013. In connection with the new mining stability agreement, Cerro Verde's income tax rate will increase from 30 percent to 32 percent. As a result of the change in the income tax rate, we recognized additional deferred tax expense of $29 million ($25 million net of noncontrolling interests) in 2012, which relates primarily to the assets recorded in connection with the 2007 acquisition of FMC.
c.
With the exception of Tenke Fungurume Mining S.A.R.L. (TFM), we have not elected to permanently reinvest earnings from our foreign subsidiaries, and we have recorded deferred tax liabilities for foreign earnings that are available to be repatriated to the U.S. Cerro Verde previously recorded deferred Peruvian income tax liabilities for income taxes that would become payable if the reinvested profits used to fund the initial Cerro Verde sulfide expansion are distributed prior to the expiration of Cerro Verde's current stability agreement on December 31, 2013. Because reinvested profits at Cerro Verde are not expected to be distributed prior to December 31, 2013, a net deferred tax liability totaling $234 million ($123 million net of noncontrolling interests) was reversed and recognized as an income tax benefit in 2012.
d.
Our consolidated effective income tax rate is a function of the combined effective tax rates for the jurisdictions in which we operate. Accordingly, variations in the relative proportions of jurisdictional income can result in fluctuations to our consolidated effective income tax rate. Assuming average prices of $3.65 per pound for copper, $1,700 per ounce for gold, $11 per pound for molybdenum and achievement of current sales volume and cost estimates, we estimate our annual consolidated effective tax rate for 2013 (excluding impacts from the pending acquisitions) will approximate 34 percent to 35 percent.


82


Following is a summary of the approximate amounts in the calculation of our consolidated provision for income taxes for the years ended December 31 (in millions, except percentages):
 
2011
 
2010
 
 
Incomea
 
Effective
Tax Rate
 
Income Tax
Provision
 
Income
(Loss)a
 
Effective
Tax Rate
 
Income Tax
(Provision)
Benefit
 
U.S.
$
2,112

 
23%
 
$
(478
)
 
$
1,307

 
19%
 
$
(244
)
 
South America
3,017

 
36%
 
(1,075
)
b 
2,995

 
33%
 
(999
)
 
Indonesia
2,923

 
43%
 
(1,256
)
 
4,069

 
42%
 
(1,709
)
 
Africa
357

 
34%
 
(120
)
 
395

 
30%
 
(118
)
 
Eliminations and other
409

 
N/A
 
(158
)
 
(254
)
 
N/A
 
87

 
Consolidated FCX
$
8,818

 
35%
 
$
(3,087
)
 
$
8,512

 
35%
 
$
(2,983
)
 
a.
Represents income (loss) by geographic location before income taxes and equity in affiliated companies’ net earnings.
b.
In September 2011, Peru enacted a new mining tax and royalty regime and also created a special mining burden that companies with stability agreements can elect to pay. Cerro Verde elected to pay this special mining burden during the remaining term of its stability agreement. As a result, Cerro Verde recognized additional current and deferred tax expense of $53 million ($49 million net of noncontrolling interests) in 2011. The deferred portion of this accrual relates primarily to the assets recorded in connection with the 2007 acquisition of FMC.

Refer to Note 12 for further discussion of income taxes.

OPERATIONS

North America Copper Mines
We currently operate seven copper mines in North America – Morenci, Bagdad, Safford, Sierrita and Miami in Arizona, and Tyrone and Chino in New Mexico. All of these mining operations are wholly owned, except for Morenci, an unincorporated joint venture in which we own an 85 percent undivided interest.

The North America copper mines include open-pit mining, sulfide ore concentrating, leaching and solution extraction/electrowinning (SX/EW) operations. Molybdenum concentrate is also produced by certain of our North America copper mines (Sierrita, Bagdad, Morenci and Chino). A majority of the copper produced at our North America copper mines is cast into copper rod by our Rod & Refining operations. The remainder of our North America copper sales is in the form of copper cathode or copper concentrate, a portion of which is shipped to Atlantic Copper, an affiliated smelter.

Operating and Development Activities. We have increased production at our North America copper mines, reflecting the restart of certain mining and milling operations and the increase of mining rates at Morenci and Chino. Ramp up activities at Chino are continuing, with annual production of approximately 250 million pounds of copper targeted in 2014, compared with 144 million pounds of copper in 2012. We continue to evaluate opportunities to invest in additional production capacity at our North America copper mines in response to positive exploration results in recent years.

Morenci Mill Expansion. We are engaged in a project to expand mining and milling capacity at Morenci to process additional sulfide ores identified through exploratory drilling. The approximate $1.4 billion project is targeting incremental annual production of approximately 225 million pounds of copper in 2014 (an approximate 40 percent increase from 2012) through an increase in milling rates from 50,000 metric tons of ore per day to approximately 115,000 metric tons of ore per day, and mining rates from 700,000 short tons per day to 900,000 short tons per day. Engineering activities are progressing and construction activities are under way. Project costs of $294 million have been incurred as of December 31, 2012 ($267 million during 2012).



83


Operating Data. Following is summary operating data for the North America copper mines for the years ended December 31:
 
2012
 
2011
 
2010
Operating Data, Net of Joint Venture Interest
 
 
 
 
 
Copper (millions of recoverable pounds)
 
 
 
 
 
Production
1,363

 
1,258

 
1,067

Sales, excluding purchases
1,351

 
1,247

 
1,085

Average realized price per pound
$
3.64

 
$
3.99

 
$
3.42

 
 
 
 
 
 
Molybdenum (millions of recoverable pounds)
 
 
 
 
 
Productiona
36

 
35

 
25

 
 
 
 
 
 
100% Operating Data
 
 
 
 
 
SX/EW operations
 
 
 
 
 
Leach ore placed in stockpiles (metric tons per day)
998,600

 
888,300

 
648,800

Average copper ore grade (percent)
0.22

 
0.24

 
0.24

Copper production (millions of recoverable pounds)
866

 
801

 
746

 
 
 
 
 
 
Mill operations
 
 
 
 
 
Ore milled (metric tons per day)
239,600

 
222,800

 
189,200

Average ore grade (percent):
 
 
 
 
 
Copper
0.37

 
0.38

 
0.32

Molybdenum
0.03

 
0.03

 
0.03

Copper recovery rate (percent)
83.9

 
83.1

 
83.0

Copper production (millions of recoverable pounds)
592

 
549

 
398

a.
Reflects molybdenum production from certain of our North America copper mines. Sales of molybdenum are reflected in the Molybdenum division.

2012 Compared with 2011
Copper sales volumes from our North America copper mines increased to 1.35 billion pounds in 2012, compared with 1.25 billion pounds in 2011, primarily reflecting increased production at the Chino mine.

Copper sales volumes from our North America copper mines are expected to approximate 1.45 billion pounds in 2013. Higher projected copper sales volumes in 2013, compared with 2012, primarily reflect higher production at Morenci and Chino. Refer to "Outlook" for projected molybdenum sales volumes.

2011 Compared with 2010
Copper sales volumes from our North America copper mines increased to 1.25 billion pounds in 2011, compared with 1.09 billion pounds in 2010, primarily reflecting increased production at the Morenci, Miami and Chino mines.

Unit Net Cash Costs. Unit net cash costs per pound of copper is a measure intended to provide investors with information about the cash-generating capacity of our mining operations expressed on a basis relating to the primary metal product for our respective operations. We use this measure for the same purpose and for monitoring operating performance by our mining operations. This information differs from measures of performance determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. This measure is presented by other metals mining companies, although our measure may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.


84


Gross Profit per Pound of Copper and Molybdenum

The following tables summarize unit net cash costs and gross profit per pound at our North America copper mines for the years ended December 31. Refer to “Product Revenues and Production Costs” for an explanation of the “by-product” and “co-product” methods and a reconciliation of unit net cash costs per pound to production and delivery costs applicable to sales reported in our consolidated financial statements.
 
2012
 
2011
 
By-
 
Co-Product Method
 
By-
 
Co-Product Method
 
Product
Method
 
Copper
 
Molyb-
denuma
 
Product
Method
 
Copper
 
Molyb-
denuma
Revenues, excluding adjustments
$
3.64

 
$
3.64

 
$
13.00

 
$
3.99

 
$
3.99

 
$
15.72

Site production and delivery, before net noncash
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
and other costs shown below
1.91

 
1.75

 
6.32

 
1.78

 
1.60

 
6.86

By-product creditsa
(0.36
)
 

 

 
(0.48
)
 

 

Treatment charges
0.12

 
0.11

 

 
0.11

 
0.10

 

Unit net cash costs
1.67

 
1.86

 
6.32

 
1.41

 
1.70

 
6.86

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
0.26

 
0.24

 
0.48

 
0.21

 
0.20

 
0.39

Noncash and other costs, net
0.10

 
0.10

 
0.09

 
0.13

 
0.13

 
0.09

Total unit costs
2.03

 
2.20

 
6.89

 
1.75

 
2.03

 
7.34

Revenue adjustments, primarily for pricing on prior period open sales
0.01

 
0.01

 

 

 

 

Gross profit per pound
$
1.62

 
$
1.45

 
$
6.11

 
$
2.24

 
$
1.96

 
$
8.38

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Copper sales (millions of recoverable pounds)
1,347

 
1,347

 
 
 
1,244

 
1,244

 
 
Molybdenum sales (millions of recoverable pounds)b
 
 
 
 
36

 
 
 
 
 
35

a.
Molybdenum credits and revenues reflect volumes produced at market-based pricing.
b.
Reflects molybdenum produced by certain of our North America copper mines.

Our North America copper mines have varying cost structures because of differences in ore grades and characteristics, processing costs, by-products and other factors. During 2012, average unit net cash costs (net of by-product credits) for the North America copper mines ranged from $1.13 per pound to $2.15 per pound at the individual mines and averaged $1.67 per pound. Average unit net cash costs (net of by-product credits) for our North America copper mines increased to $1.67 per pound of copper in 2012, compared with $1.41 per pound in 2011, primarily reflecting increased mining and milling activities and lower molybdenum credits, partly offset by higher copper sales volumes.

Because certain assets are depreciated on a straight-line basis, North America's average unit depreciation rate varies with asset additions and the level of copper production and sales.

Assuming achievement of current sales volume and cost estimates and an average price of $11 per pound of molybdenum for 2013, we estimate that average unit net cash costs (net of by-product credits) for our North America copper mines would approximate $1.82 per pound of copper in 2013. North America's average unit net cash costs for 2013 would change by approximately $0.04 per pound for each $2 per pound change in the average price of molybdenum during 2013. North America's unit net cash costs for 2013 are expected to be higher than 2012 because of lower molybdenum credits and higher mining rates.

85


 
2011
 
2010
 
By-
 
Co-Product Method
 
By-
 
Co-Product Method
 
Product
Method
 
Copper
 
Molyb-
denuma
 
Product
Method
 
Copper
 
Molyb-
denuma
Revenues, excluding adjustments
$
3.99

 
$
3.99

 
$
15.72

 
$
3.42

 
$
3.42

 
$
15.60

Site production and delivery, before net noncash
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
and other costs shown below
1.78

 
1.60

 
6.86

 
1.50

 
1.35

 
7.95

By-product creditsa
(0.48
)
 

 

 
(0.35
)
 

 

Treatment charges
0.11

 
0.10

 

 
0.09

 
0.09

 

Unit net cash costs
1.41

 
1.70

 
6.86

 
1.24

 
1.44

 
7.95

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
0.21

 
0.20

 
0.39

 
0.24

 
0.22

 
0.54

Noncash and other costs, net
0.13

 
0.13

 
0.09

 
0.20

 
0.20

 
0.03

Total unit costs
1.75

 
2.03

 
7.34

 
1.68

 
1.86

 
8.52

Revenue adjustments, primarily for pricing on prior period open sales

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit per pound
$
2.24

 
$
1.96

 
$
8.38

 
$
1.74

 
$
1.56

 
$
7.08

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Copper sales (millions of recoverable pounds)
1,244

 
1,244

 
 
 
1,082

 
1,082

 
 
Molybdenum sales (millions of recoverable pounds)b
 
 
 
 
35

 
 
 
 
 
25

a.
Molybdenum credits and revenues reflect volumes produced at market-based pricing.
b.
Reflects molybdenum produced by certain of our North America copper mines.

Unit net cash costs (net of by-product credits) for our North America copper mines increased to $1.41 per pound of copper in 2011, compared with $1.24 per pound in 2010, primarily reflecting increased mining and milling activities and higher input costs, partly offset by higher molybdenum credits.

South America Mining
We operate four copper mines in South America – Cerro Verde in Peru, and El Abra, Candelaria and Ojos del Salado in Chile. We own a 53.56 percent interest in Cerro Verde, a 51 percent interest in El Abra, and an 80 percent interest in both Candelaria and Ojos del Salado.

South America mining includes open-pit and underground mining, sulfide ore concentrating, leaching and SX/EW operations. Production from our South America mines is sold as copper concentrate or copper cathode under long-term contracts. Our South America mines ship a portion of their copper concentrate inventories to Atlantic Copper, an affiliated smelter. In addition to copper, the Cerro Verde mine produces molybdenum concentrates, and the Candelaria and Ojos del Salado mines produce gold and silver.

Operating and Development Activities.
Cerro Verde Expansion. At Cerro Verde, we are engaged in a large-scale expansion. The approximate $4.4 billion project would expand the concentrator facilities from 120,000 metric tons of ore per day to 360,000 metric tons of ore per day and provide incremental annual production of approximately 600 million pounds of copper and 15 million pounds of molybdenum beginning in 2016. Considering the long-term nature and large size of the project, actual costs could vary from these estimates. Cerro Verde received approval of the environmental impact assessment in fourth-quarter 2012. Detailed engineering and long-lead item procurement are under way, including $492 million of costs incurred to date. Construction is expected to commence in 2013.

An agreement has been reached with the Regional Government of Arequipa, the National Government, Servicio de Agua Potable y Alcantarillado de Arequipa S.A. (SEDAPAR) and other local institutions to allow Cerro Verde to finance the engineering and construction of a wastewater treatment plant for Arequipa, should Cerro Verde proceed with the expansion. Once Cerro Verde obtains a license for the treated water it would be used to supplement existing water supplies to support the concentrator expansion.

El Abra Sulfide. During 2011, we commenced production from El Abra’s sulfide ores. Production from the sulfide ore is replacing the depleting oxide copper production. We are also engaged in pre-feasibility studies for a potential large-scale milling operation at El Abra to process additional sulfide material and to achieve higher recoveries. Exploration results at El Abra have identified a significant sulfide resource.


86


Candelaria Water. As part of our overall strategy to supply water to the Candelaria mine, we completed construction of a pipeline to bring water from a nearby water treatment facility. In addition, we have substantially completed the construction of a desalination plant and pipeline that will supply Candelaria’s longer term water needs, at a cost of approximately $315 million.

Operating Data. Following is summary operating data for the South America mining operations for the years ended December 31.
 
2012
 
2011
 
2010
Copper (millions of recoverable pounds)
 
 
 
 
 
Production
1,257

 
1,306

 
1,354

Sales
1,245

 
1,322

 
1,335

Average realized price per pound
$
3.58

 
$
3.77

 
$
3.68

 
 
 
 
 
 
Gold (thousands of recoverable ounces)
 
 
 
 
 
Production
83

 
101

 
93

Sales
82

 
101

 
93

Average realized price per ounce
$
1,673

 
$
1,580

 
$
1,263

 
 
 
 
 
 
Molybdenum (millions of recoverable pounds)
 
 
 
 
 
Productiona
8

 
10

 
7

 
 
 
 
 
 
SX/EW operations
 
 
 
 
 
Leach ore placed in stockpiles (metric tons per day)
229,300

 
245,200

 
268,800

Average copper ore grade (percent)
0.55

 
0.50

 
0.41

Copper production (millions of recoverable pounds)
457

 
439

 
504

 
 
 
 
 
 
Mill operations
 
 
 
 
 
Ore milled (metric tons per day)
191,400

 
189,200

 
188,800

Average ore grade:
 
 
 
 
 
Copper (percent)
0.60

 
0.66

 
0.65

Gold (grams per metric ton)
0.10

 
0.12

 
0.10

Molybdenum (percent)
0.02

 
0.02

 
0.02

Copper recovery rate (percent)
90.1

 
89.6

 
90.0

Copper production (millions of recoverable pounds)
800

 
867

 
850

a.
Reflects molybdenum production from the Cerro Verde mine. Sales of molybdenum are reflected in the Molybdenum division.

2012 Compared with 2011
Copper sales volumes from our South America mining operations totaled 1.25 billion pounds in 2012, compared with 1.32 billion in 2011, primarily reflecting lower ore grades at Candelaria and Cerro Verde, partly offset by higher mining rates and ore grades at El Abra.

Consolidated copper sales volumes from our South America mines are expected to approximate 1.33 billion pounds in 2013. Higher projected copper sales volumes in 2013, compared with 2012, primarily reflect the mining of higher grade ore at Candelaria. Refer to "Outlook" for projected gold and molybdenum sales volumes.

2011 Compared with 2010
Copper sales volumes from our South America mining operations totaled 1.32 billion pounds in 2011 and 1.34 billion pounds in 2010, primarily reflecting lower mining rates at El Abra as it transitions from oxide to sulfide ores, partially offset by higher grade ore at Candelaria.

Unit Net Cash Costs. Unit net cash costs per pound of copper is a measure intended to provide investors with information about the cash-generating capacity of our mining operations expressed on a basis relating to the primary metal product for our respective operations. We use this measure for the same purpose and for monitoring operating performance by our mining operations. This information differs from measures of performance determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. This measure is presented by other metals mining companies, although our measure may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

87



Gross Profit per Pound of Copper

The following tables summarize unit net cash costs and gross profit per pound at our South America mining operations for the years ended December 31. Unit net cash costs per pound of copper are reflected under the by-product and co-product methods as the South America mining operations also had small amounts of molybdenum, gold and silver sales. Refer to “Product Revenues and Production Costs” for an explanation of the “by-product” and “co-product” methods and a reconciliation of unit net cash costs per pound to production and delivery costs applicable to sales reported in our consolidated financial statements.
 
2012
 
2011
 
By-Product
Method
 
Co-Product
Method
 
By-Product
Method
 
Co-Product
Method
Revenues, excluding adjustments
$
3.58

 
$
3.58

 
$
3.77

 
$
3.77

Site production and delivery, before net noncash
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
and other costs shown below
1.60

a 
1.49

 
1.38

a 
1.27

By-product credits
(0.26
)
 

 
(0.35
)
 

Treatment charges
0.16

 
0.16

 
0.17

 
0.17

Unit net cash costs
1.50

 
1.65

 
1.20

 
1.44

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
0.23

 
0.22

 
0.20

 
0.18

Noncash and other costs, net
0.09

 
0.06

 
0.06

 
0.05

Total unit costs
1.82

 
1.93

 
1.46

 
1.67

Revenue adjustments, primarily for pricing on
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
prior period open sales
0.09

 
0.09

 
0.01

 

Gross profit per pound
$
1.85

 
$
1.74

 
$
2.32

 
$
2.10

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Copper sales (millions of recoverable pounds)
1,245

 
1,245

 
1,322

 
1,322

a.
Includes $16 million ($0.01 per pound) associated with labor agreement costs at Candelaria in 2012, and $50 million ($0.04 per pound) for bonuses paid at Cerro Verde and El Abra pursuant to new labor agreements in 2011.

Our South America mines have varying cost structures because of differences in ore grades and characteristics, processing costs, by-products and other factors. During 2012, unit net cash costs (net of by-product credits) for the South America mines ranged from $1.30 per pound to $1.72 per pound at the individual mines and averaged $1.50 per pound. Average unit net cash costs (net of by-product credits) for our South America mining operations increased to $1.50 per pound of copper in 2012, compared with $1.20 per pound in 2011, primarily reflecting higher mining and input costs, lower by-product credits and lower sales volumes.

Because certain assets are depreciated on a straight-line basis, South America's unit depreciation rate varies with asset additions and the level of copper production and sales.

Revenue adjustments primarily result from changes in prices on provisionally priced copper sales recognized in prior years. Refer to “Consolidated Results - Revenues” for further discussion of adjustments to prior year provisionally priced copper sales.

Assuming achievement of current sales volume and cost estimates and average prices of $1,700 per ounce of gold and $11 per pound of molybdenum in 2013, we estimate that average unit net cash costs (net of by-product credits) for our South America mining operations would approximate $1.50 per pound of copper in 2013.


88


 
2011
 
2010
 
By-Product
Method
 
Co-Product
Method
 
By-Product
Method
 
Co-Product
Method
Revenues, excluding adjustments
$
3.77

 
$
3.77

 
$
3.68

 
$
3.68

Site production and delivery, before net noncash
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
and other costs shown below
1.38

a 
1.27

 
1.21

 
1.14

By-product credits
(0.35
)
 

 
(0.21
)
 

Treatment charges
0.17

 
0.17

 
0.15

 
0.15

Unit net cash costs
1.20

 
1.44

 
1.15

 
1.29

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
0.20

 
0.18

 
0.19

 
0.18

Noncash and other costs, net
0.06

 
0.05

 
0.05

 
0.05

Total unit costs
1.46

 
1.67

 
1.39

 
1.52

Revenue adjustments, primarily for pricing on
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
prior period open sales
0.01

 

 
(0.01
)
 
(0.01
)
Gross profit per pound
$
2.32

 
$
2.10

 
$
2.28

 
$
2.15

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Copper sales (millions of recoverable pounds)
1,322

 
1,322

 
1,335

 
1,335

a.
Includes $50 million ($0.04 per pound) for bonuses paid at Cerro Verde and El Abra pursuant to new labor agreements.

Unit net cash costs (net of by-product credits) for our South America mining operations increased to $1.20 per pound of copper in 2011, compared with $1.15 per pound in 2010, primarily reflecting higher input costs and the impact of bonuses paid pursuant to new labor agreements, partially offset by higher by-product credits.

Indonesia Mining
Indonesia mining includes PT Freeport Indonesia’s Grasberg minerals district. We own 90.64 percent of PT Freeport Indonesia, including 9.36 percent owned through our wholly owned subsidiary, PT Indocopper Investama. As discussed in Note 14, we have agreed to consider a potential sale of our interest in PT Indocopper Investama at fair market value. PT Freeport Indonesia is currently engaged in discussions with the Indonesian government related to its Contract of Work and intends to conclude that process before proceeding with any further discussions about the potential sale of an interest in PT Indocopper Investama.

PT Freeport Indonesia produces copper concentrates, which contain significant quantities of gold and silver. Substantially all of PT Freeport Indonesia’s copper concentrates are sold under long-term contracts, of which approximately one-half is sold to affiliated smelters, Atlantic Copper and PT Smelting (PT Freeport Indonesia’s 25-percent owned copper smelter and refinery in Indonesia - refer to Note 2 for further discussion), and the remainder to other third-party customers.

We have established certain unincorporated joint ventures with Rio Tinto plc (Rio Tinto), under which Rio Tinto has a 40 percent interest in certain assets and future production exceeding specified annual amounts of copper, gold and silver. Refer to Note 2 for further discussion of our joint ventures with Rio Tinto plc and to Note 14 for further discussion of PT Freeport Indonesia's Contract of Work with the Government of Indonesia. Refer to "Risk Factors" contained in Part I, Item 1A of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, for discussion of risks associated with operations in Indonesia.

Operating and Development Activities. We have several projects in progress in the Grasberg minerals district, primarily related to the development of large-scale, high-grade underground ore bodies. In aggregate, these underground ore bodies are expected to ramp up over several years to approximately 240,000 metric tons of ore per day following the currently anticipated transition from the Grasberg open pit in 2017. Over the next five years, aggregate capital spending on these projects is currently expected to average $715 million per year ($565 million per year net to PT Freeport Indonesia). Considering the long-term nature and large size of these projects, actual costs could vary from these estimates.


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The following provides additional information on the continued development of the Common Infrastructure project, the Grasberg Block Cave underground mine and development of the Deep Mill Level Zone (DMLZ) ore body that lies below the Deep Ore Zone (DOZ) underground mine.

Common Infrastructure and Grasberg Block Cave Mine. In 2004, PT Freeport Indonesia commenced its Common Infrastructure project to provide access to its large undeveloped underground ore bodies located in the Grasberg minerals district through a tunnel system located approximately 400 meters deeper than its existing underground tunnel system. In addition to providing access to our underground ore bodies, the tunnel system will enable PT Freeport Indonesia to conduct future exploration in prospective areas associated with currently identified ore bodies. The tunnel system was completed to the Big Gossan terminal, and the Big Gossan mine was brought into production in fourth-quarter 2010. Development of the DMLZ and Grasberg Block Cave is advancing.

The Grasberg Block Cave underground mine accounts for more than 40 percent of our recoverable proven and probable reserves in Indonesia. Production at the Grasberg Block Cave mine is currently scheduled to commence in 2017, at the end of mining the Grasberg open pit, which is currently expected at the end of 2016. Targeted production rates once the Grasberg Block Cave mining operation reaches full capacity are expected to approximate 160,000 metric tons of ore per day.

Aggregate mine development capital for the Grasberg Block Cave mine and associated Common Infrastructure is expected to approximate $4.4 billion (incurred from 2008 to 2021), with PT Freeport Indonesia’s share totaling approximately $4.1 billion. Aggregate project costs totaling $860 million have been incurred through December 31, 2012 ($291 million during 2012).

DMLZ. The DMLZ ore body lies below the DOZ mine at the 2,590-meter elevation and represents the downward continuation of mineralization in the Ertsberg East Skarn system and neighboring Ertsberg porphyry. We plan to mine the ore body using a block-cave method with production beginning in 2015. Drilling efforts continue to determine the extent of this ore body. Aggregate mine development capital costs for the DMLZ mine are expected to approximate $2.3 billion (incurred from 2009 to 2020), with PT Freeport Indonesia’s share totaling approximately $1.4 billion. Aggregate project costs totaling $510 million have been incurred through December 31, 2012 ($241 million during 2012). Targeted production rates once the DMLZ mining operation reaches full capacity are expected to approximate 80,000 metric tons of ore per day.

Other Matters. PT Freeport Indonesia is engaged in discussions with officials of the Indonesian government on its operations, future plans and Contract of Work (COW).  We are working cooperatively with the government in its review of PT Freeport Indonesia's COW and to obtain an extension of our COW beyond 2021, as provided under the terms of the COW. Refer to Note 14 for further discussion of PT Freeport Indonesia's COW.

Between July 2009 and February 15, 2013, there were 37 shooting incidents in and around the Grasberg minerals district, including along the road leading to our mining and milling operations, which resulted in 15 fatalities and 57 injuries. The investigation of these matters is continuing. We have taken precautionary measures, including limiting use of the road to secured convoys. The Indonesian government has responded with additional security forces and expressed a commitment to protect the safety of the community and our operations. Prolonged limitations on access to the road could adversely affect operations at the mine. The safety of our workforce is a critical concern, and PT Freeport Indonesia is working cooperatively with the Indonesian government to address security issues. Refer to "Risk Factors" contained in Part I, Item 1A of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, for further discussion.


90


Operating Data. Following is summary operating data for our Indonesia mining operations for the years ended December 31.
 
2012
 
2011
 
2010
Operating Data, Net of Joint Venture Interest
 
 
 
 
 
Copper (millions of recoverable pounds)
 
 
 
 
 
Production
695

 
846

 
1,222

Sales
716

 
846

 
1,214

Average realized price per pound
$
3.58

 
$
3.85

 
$
3.69

 
 
 
 
 
 
Gold (thousands of recoverable ounces)
 
 
 
 
 
Production
862

 
1,272

 
1,786

Sales
915

 
1,270

 
1,765

Average realized price per ounce
$
1,664

 
$
1,583

 
$
1,271

 
 
 
 
 
 
100% Operating Data
 
 
 
 
 
Ore milled (metric tons per day):a
 
 
 
 
 
Grasberg open pit
118,800

 
112,900

 
149,800

DOZ underground mineb
44,600

 
51,700

 
79,600

Big Gossan underground minec
1,600

 
1,500

 
800

Total
165,000

 
166,100

 
230,200

 
 
 
 
 
 
Average ore grade:
 
 
 
 
 
Copper (percent)
0.62

 
0.79

 
0.85

Gold (grams per metric ton)
0.59

 
0.93

 
0.90

Recovery rates (percent):
 
 
 
 
 
Copper
88.7

 
88.3

 
88.9

Gold
75.7

 
81.2

 
81.7

Production (recoverable):
 
 
 
 
 
Copper (millions of pounds)
695

 
882

 
1,330

Gold (thousands of ounces)
862

 
1,444

 
1,964

a.
Amounts represent the approximate average daily throughput processed at PT Freeport Indonesia’s mill facilities from each producing mine.
b.
Production from the DOZ underground mine is expected to ramp up to the design rate of 80,000 metric tons of ore per day by year end 2013, following completion of ongoing panel repairs resulting from the temporary shutdown and suspension of operations in fourth-quarter 2011 and early 2012.
c.
Production from the Big Gossan underground mine is expected to ramp up to 7,000 metric tons of ore per day in 2014.

2012 Compared with 2011
Sales volumes from our Indonesia mining operations declined to 716 million pounds of copper and 915 thousand ounces of gold in 2012, compared with 846 million pounds of copper and 1.3 million ounces of gold in 2011. Lower copper and gold sales volumes in 2012 primarily reflected lower ore grades.

At the Grasberg mine, the sequencing of mining areas with varying ore grades causes fluctuations in the timing of ore production resulting in varying quarterly and annual sales of copper and gold. Consolidated sales volumes from our Indonesia mining operations are expected to approximate 1.1 billion pounds of copper and 1.2 million ounces of gold for 2013. We expect sales from Indonesia to increase in fourth-quarter 2013 as PT Freeport Indonesia gains access to higher ore grades and achieves the targeted ramp up in production from the DOZ mine. Approximately 33 percent of projected copper sales and 38 percent of projected gold sales from our Indonesia mining operations are currently expected in fourth-quarter 2013.

2011 Compared with 2010
Sales volumes from our Indonesia mining operations declined to 846 million pounds of copper and 1.3 million ounces of gold in 2011, compared with 1.2 billion pounds of copper and 1.8 million ounces of gold in 2010. Lower copper and gold sales volumes in 2011 primarily reflected the impact of labor-related disruptions and the temporary suspension of milling operations in fourth-quarter 2011 because of damage to the concentrate pipelines.


91


Unit Net Cash Costs. Unit net cash costs per pound of copper is a measure intended to provide investors with information about the cash-generating capacity of our mining operations expressed on a basis relating to the primary metal product for our respective operations. We use this measure for the same purpose and for monitoring operating performance by our mining operations. This information differs from measures of performance determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. This measure is presented by other metal mining companies, although our measure may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

Gross Profit per Pound of Copper/per Ounce of Gold

The following tables summarize the unit net cash costs (credits) and gross profit per pound of copper and per ounce of gold at our Indonesia mining operations for the years ended December 31. Refer to “Production Revenues and Production Costs” for an explanation of “by-product” and “co-product” methods and a reconciliation of unit net cash costs (credits) per pound to production and delivery costs applicable to sales reported in our consolidated financial statements.
 
2012
 
2011
 
By-
 
Co-Product Method
 
By-
 
Co-Product Method
 
Product
Method
 
Copper
 
Gold
 
Product
Method
 
Copper
 
Gold
Revenues, excluding adjustments
$
3.58

 
$
3.58

 
$
1,664

 
$
3.85

 
$
3.85

 
$
1,583

Site production and delivery, before net noncash
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
and other costs shown below
3.12

 
1.93

 
894

 
2.21

a 
1.34

 
551

Gold and silver credits
(2.22
)
 

 

 
(2.47
)
 

 

Treatment charges
0.21

 
0.13

 
61

 
0.19

 
0.11

 
46

Royalty on metals
0.13

 
0.08

 
38

 
0.16

 
0.10

 
41

Unit net cash costs
1.24

 
2.14

 
993

 
0.09

 
1.55

 
638

Depreciation and amortization
0.30

 
0.18

 
85

 
0.25

 
0.16

 
63

Noncash and other costs, net
0.11

 
0.07

 
33

 
0.04

 
0.02

 
10

Total unit costs
1.65

 
2.39

 
1,111

 
0.38

 
1.73

 
711

Revenue adjustments, primarily for pricing on
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
prior period open sales
0.02

 
0.02

 
3

 
(0.01
)
 
(0.01
)
 
(13
)
PT Smelting intercompany profit
(0.05
)
 
(0.03
)
 
(15
)
 
0.13

 
0.08

 
32

Gross profit per pound/ounce
$
1.90

 
$
1.18

 
$
541

 
$
3.59

 
$
2.19

 
$
891

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Copper sales (millions of recoverable pounds)
716

 
716

 
 
 
846

 
846

 
 
Gold sales (thousands of recoverable ounces)
 
 
 
 
915

 
 
 
 
 
1,270

a.
Includes $66 million ($0.08 per pound) for bonuses and other strike-related costs.

Because of the fixed nature of a large portion of PT Freeport Indonesia's costs, unit costs vary from period to period depending on volumes of copper and gold sold, as well as average realized gold prices during the period. Unit net cash costs (net of gold and silver credits) for our Indonesia mining operations averaged $1.24 per pound of copper in 2012, compared with $0.09 per pound in 2011. Higher unit net cash costs primarily reflected lower copper and gold sales volumes.

Treatment charges vary with the volume of metals sold and the price of copper, and royalties vary with the volume of metals sold and the prices of copper and gold.

Because certain assets are depreciated on a straight-line basis, PT Freeport Indonesia’s unit depreciation rate
varies with asset additions and the level of copper production and sales.

Revenue adjustments primarily result from changes in prices on provisionally priced copper sales recognized in prior years. Refer to “Consolidated Results - Revenues” for further discussion of adjustments to prior year provisionally priced copper sales.

Assuming achievement of current sales volume and cost estimates, and an average gold price of $1,700 per ounce for 2013, we estimate that average unit net cash costs for Indonesia (net of gold and silver credits) would approximate $0.68 per pound of copper for the year 2013. Indonesia's unit net cash costs for 2013 would change by $0.055 per pound for each $50 per ounce change in the average price of gold during 2013. Quarterly unit net

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cash costs are expected to vary significantly with variations in quarterly metal sales volumes, as well as average realized gold prices during the period. Indonesia's unit net cash costs for first-quarter 2013 are expected to approximate $1.57 per pound of copper and are expected to be lower in future periods as volumes increase.
 
2011
 
2010
 
By-
 
Co-Product Method
 
By-
 
Co-Product Method
 
Product
Method
 
Copper
 
Gold
 
Product
Method
 
Copper
 
Gold
Revenues, excluding adjustments
$
3.85

 
$
3.85

 
$
1,583

 
$
3.69

 
$
3.69

 
$
1,271

Site production and delivery, before net noncash
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
and other costs shown below
2.21

a 
1.34

 
551

 
1.53

 
1.01

 
347

Gold and silver credits
(2.47
)
 

 

 
(1.92
)
 

 

Treatment charges
0.19

 
0.11

 
46

 
0.22

 
0.15

 
50

Royalty on metals
0.16

 
0.10

 
41

 
0.13

 
0.08

 
29

Unit net cash costs (credits)
0.09

 
1.55

 
638

 
(0.04
)
 
1.24

 
426

Depreciation and amortization
0.25

 
0.16

 
63

 
0.21

 
0.14

 
48

Noncash and other costs, net
0.04

 
0.02

 
10

 
0.04

 
0.02

 
9

Total unit costs
0.38

 
1.73

 
711

 
0.21

 
1.40

 
483

Revenue adjustments, primarily for pricing on
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
prior period open sales
(0.01
)
 
(0.01
)
 
(13
)
 
(0.01
)
 
(0.01
)
 
1

PT Smelting intercompany profit
0.13

 
0.08

 
32

 
(0.03
)
 
(0.02
)
 
(8
)
Gross profit per pound/ounce
$
3.59

 
$
2.19

 
$
891

 
$
3.44

 
$
2.26

 
$
781

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Copper sales (millions of recoverable pounds)
846

 
846

 
 
 
1,214

 
1,214

 
 
Gold sales (thousands of recoverable ounces)
 
 
 
 
1,270

 
 
 
 
 
1,765

a.
Includes $66 million ($0.08 per pound) for bonuses and other strike-related costs.

Unit net cash costs (net of gold and silver credits) for our Indonesia mining operations averaged $0.09 per pound of copper in 2011, compared with a net credit of $0.04 per pound in 2010. Higher unit net cash costs primarily reflected lower copper sales volumes and the impact of bonuses and other strike-related costs, partially offset by higher gold and silver credits.

Africa Mining
Africa mining includes TFM's Tenke minerals district. We hold an effective 56 percent interest in the Tenke copper and cobalt mining concessions in the Katanga province of the DRC and are the operator of TFM. As further discussed in Note 14, effective March 26, 2012, the DRC government issued a Presidential Decree approving modifications to TFM's bylaws, and our and Lundin Mining Corporation's ownership interest in TFM totals 80 percent (previously 82.5 percent) and La Générale des Carrières et des Mines' (Gécamines) ownership interest totals 20 percent (previously 17.5 percent).

The Tenke operation includes surface mining, leaching and SX/EW operations. Copper production from the Tenke minerals district is sold as copper cathode. In addition to copper, the Tenke minerals district produces cobalt hydroxide.

Refer to "Risk Factors" contained in Part I, Item 1A of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, for discussion of risks associated with operations in Africa.

Operating and Development Activities. Our investment in the initial project approximated $2 billion, and we have received intercompany loan repayments, including interest, of approximately $840 million through December 31, 2012.

An expansion of the project to optimize the current plant and increase capacity was substantially completed in 2012. The expanded mill is capable of throughput of 14,000 metric tons of ore per day, and expanded processing facilities will enable the addition of approximately 150 million pounds of copper production per year. The approximate $850 million expansion project is being completed within budget and included mill upgrades, additional mining equipment, a new tankhouse and an additional sulphuric acid plant (which is expected to be completed in 2015). This expansion project was funded primarily with cash generated from operations.


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We continue to engage in drilling activities, exploration analyses and metallurgical testing to evaluate the potential of the highly prospective minerals district at Tenke. These analyses are being incorporated in future plans to evaluate opportunities for expansion. Future expansions are subject to a number of factors, including economic and market conditions and the business and investment climate in the DRC.

Operating Data. Following is summary operating data for our Africa mining operations for the years ended December 31.
 
2012
 
2011
 
2010
 
Copper (millions of recoverable pounds)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Production
348

 
281

 
265

 
Sales
336

 
283

 
262

 
Average realized price per pounda
$
3.51

 
$
3.74

 
$
3.45

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cobalt (millions of recoverable pounds)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Production
26

 
25

 
20

 
Sales
25

 
25

 
20

 
Average realized price per pound
$
7.83

 
$
9.99

 
$
10.95

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ore milled (metric tons per day)
13,000

 
11,100

 
10,300

 
Average ore grade (percent):
 
 
 
 
 
 
Copper
3.62

 
3.41

 
3.51

 
Cobalt
0.37

 
0.40

 
0.40

 
Copper recovery rate (percent)
92.4

 
92.5

 
91.4

 
a.
Includes point-of-sale transportation costs as negotiated in customer contracts.

2012 Compared with 2011
During 2012, Tenke achieved record mining, milling and production rates. Copper sales volumes from our Africa mining operations increased to 336 million pounds of copper in 2012, compared with 283 million pounds of copper in 2011, primarily reflecting higher mining and milling rates principally related to the ramp-up of the expansion project.

Consolidated sales volumes from our Africa mining operations are expected to approximate 410 million pounds of copper and 30 million pounds of cobalt in 2013.

2011 Compared with 2010
Copper sales volumes from our Africa mining operations increased to 283 million pounds of copper in 2011, compared with 262 million pounds of copper in 2010, primarily reflecting higher production in 2011.

Unit Net Cash Costs. Unit net cash costs per pound of copper is a measure intended to provide investors with information about the cash-generating capacity of our mining operations expressed on a basis relating to the primary metal product for our respective operations. We use this measure for the same purpose and for monitoring operating performance by our mining operations. This information differs from measures of performance determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. This measure is presented by other metals mining companies, although our measure may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.


94


Gross Profit per Pound of Copper and Cobalt

The following tables summarize the unit net cash costs and gross profit per pound of copper and cobalt at our Africa mining operations for the years ended December 31. Refer to “Production Revenues and Production Costs” for an explanation of “by-product” and “co-product” methods and a reconciliation of unit net cash costs per pound to production and delivery costs applicable to sales reported in our consolidated financial statements.
 
2012
 
2011
 
By-Product
 
Co-Product Method
 
By-Product
 
Co-Product Method
 
Method
 
Copper
 
Cobalt
 
Method
 
Copper
 
Cobalt
Revenues, excluding adjustmentsa
$
3.51

 
$
3.51

 
$
7.83

 
$
3.74

 
$
3.74

 
$
9.99

Site production and delivery, before net noncash
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
and other costs shown below
1.49

 
1.39

 
4.86

 
1.57

 
1.39

 
5.58

Cobalt creditsb
(0.33
)
 

 

 
(0.58
)
 

 

Royalty on metals
0.07

 
0.06

 
0.12

 
0.08

 
0.07

 
0.16

Unit net cash costs
1.23

 
1.45

 
4.98

 
1.07

 
1.46

 
5.74

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
0.52

 
0.47

 
0.67

 
0.50

 
0.42

 
0.78

Noncash and other costs, net
0.09

 
0.08

 
0.11

 
0.20

 
0.18

 
0.32

Total unit costs
1.84

 
2.00

 
5.76

 
1.77

 
2.06

 
6.84

Revenue adjustments, primarily for pricing on
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
prior period open sales
0.02

 
0.02

 
0.09

 

 

 
0.06

Gross profit per pound
$
1.69

 
$
1.53

 
$
2.16

 
$
1.97

 
$
1.68

 
$
3.21

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Copper sales (millions of recoverable pounds)
336

 
336

 
 
 
283

 
283

 
 
Cobalt sales (millions of contained pounds)
 
 
 
 
25

 
 
 
 
 
25

a.
Includes point-of-sale transportation costs as negotiated in customer contracts.
b.
Net of cobalt downstream processing and freight costs.

Unit net cash costs (net of cobalt credits) for our Africa mining operations of $1.23 per pound of copper in 2012 were higher than unit net cash costs of $1.07 per pound of copper in 2011 primarily reflecting higher mining and input costs (including sulphuric acid and energy) and lower cobalt credits, partly offset by higher volumes.

Assuming achievement of current sales volume and cost estimates and an average cobalt price of $12 per pound for 2013, we estimate that average unit net cash costs (net of cobalt credits) would approximate $1.03 per pound of copper in 2013. Africa's unit net cash costs for 2013 would change by $0.09 per pound for each $2 per pound change in the average price of cobalt during 2013.
 
2011
 
2010
 
By-Product
 
Co-Product Method
 
By-Product
 
Co-Product Method
 
Method
 
Copper
 
Cobalt
 
Method
 
Copper
 
Cobalt
Revenues, excluding adjustmentsa
$
3.74

 
$
3.74

 
$
9.99

 
$
3.45

 
$
3.45

 
$
10.95

Site production and delivery, before net noncash
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
and other costs shown below
1.57

 
1.39

 
5.58

 
1.40

 
1.23

 
5.78

Cobalt creditsb
(0.58
)
 

 

 
(0.58
)
 

 

Royalty on metals
0.08

 
0.07

 
0.16

 
0.08

 
0.06

 
0.19

Unit net cash costs
1.07

 
1.46

 
5.74

 
0.90

 
1.29

 
5.97

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
0.50

 
0.42

 
0.78

 
0.49

 
0.41

 
1.03

Noncash and other costs, net
0.20

 
0.18

 
0.32

 
0.19

 
0.17

 
0.39

Total unit costs
1.77

 
2.06

 
6.84

 
1.58

 
1.87

 
7.39

Revenue adjustments, primarily for pricing on
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
prior period open sales

 

 
0.06

 

 

 
0.18

Gross profit per pound
$
1.97

 
$
1.68

 
$
3.21

 
$
1.87

 
$
1.58

 
$
3.74

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Copper sales (millions of recoverable pounds)
283

 
283

 
 
 
262

 
262

 
 
Cobalt sales (millions of contained pounds)
 
 
 
 
25

 
 
 
 
 
20

a.
Includes point-of-sale transportation costs as negotiated in customer contracts.

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b.
Net of cobalt downstream processing and freight costs.

Unit net cash costs (net of cobalt credits) for our Africa mining operations of $1.07 per pound of copper in 2011 were higher than unit net cash costs of $0.90 per pound of copper in 2010 reflecting increased mining and milling activity and higher input costs.

Molybdenum
We are an integrated producer of molybdenum, with mining, sulfide ore concentrating, roasting and processing facilities that produce high-purity, molybdenum-based chemicals, molybdenum metal powder and metallurgical products, which are sold to customers around the world. Our molybdenum operations include the wholly owned Henderson underground mine and Climax open-pit mine in Colorado and related conversion facilities. The Henderson and Climax mines produce high-purity, chemical-grade molybdenum concentrates, which are typically further processed into value-added molybdenum chemical products. The Molybdenum operations also include a sales company that purchases and sells molybdenum from our primary molybdenum mines and from our North and South America copper mines that also produce molybdenum concentrates; and related conversion facilities that, at times, roast and/or process material on a toll basis for third parties.

Operating and Development Activities. The Climax molybdenum mine was commissioned in second-quarter 2012, and includes a new 25,000 metric ton per day mill facility. Climax production in 2012 totaled 7 million pounds of molybdenum and is targeted to produce 20 million pounds of molybdenum for 2013, with potential to produce 30 million pounds of molybdenum per year, depending on market conditions. We intend to operate our Climax and Henderson mines in a flexible manner to meet market requirements. The cost of the initial phase of the project approximated $760 million.

Operating Data. Following is summary operating data for the Molybdenum operations for the years ended December 31.
 
2012
 
2011
 
2010
Molybdenum (millions of recoverable pounds)
 
 
 
 
 
Productiona
41

 
38

 
40

Sales, excluding purchasesb
83

 
79

 
67

Average realized price per pound
$
14.26

 
$
16.98

 
$
16.47

 
 
 
 
 
 
Henderson molybdenum mine
 
 
 
 
 
Ore milled (metric tons per day)
20,800

 
22,300

 
22,900

Average molybdenum ore grade (percent)
0.23

 
0.24

 
0.25

Molybdenum production (millions of recoverable pounds)
34

 
38

 
40

a.
The 2012 period includes production from the Climax molybdenum mine totaling 7 million pounds reflecting production since the start of commercial operations in May 2012. The 2011 and 2010 periods reflect production only from the Henderson molybdenum mine.
b.
Includes sales of molybdenum produced at our North and South America copper mines.

2012 Compared with 2011
Consolidated molybdenum sales volumes increased to 83 million pounds in 2012, compared with 79 million pounds for 2011 primarily reflecting the incremental production from the Climax molybdenum mine that began commercial operations in May 2012. For the year 2013, we expect molybdenum sales volumes to approximate 90 million pounds, of which approximately 40 million pounds represents production from our North and South America copper mines.

2011 Compared with 2010
Consolidated molybdenum sales volumes increased to 79 million pounds in 2011, compared with 67 million pounds in 2010, primarily reflecting improved demand.

Unit Net Cash Costs. Unit net cash costs per pound of molybdenum is a measure intended to provide investors with information about the cash-generating capacity of our mining operations expressed on a basis relating to the primary metal product for our respective operations. We use this measure for the same purpose and for monitoring operating performance by our mining operations. This information differs from measures of performance determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of

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performance determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. This measure is presented by other metals mining companies, although our measure may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

Gross Profit per Pound of Molybdenum

The following table summarizes the unit net cash costs and gross profit per pound of molybdenum at our Henderson molybdenum mine for the years ended December 31. Refer to “Product Revenues and Production Costs” for a reconciliation of unit net cash costs per pound to production and delivery costs applicable to sales reported in our consolidated financial statements.
 
2012
 
2011
 
2010
 
Revenues, excluding adjustments
$
14.27

 
$
16.42

 
$
15.89

 
Site production and delivery, before net noncash
 
 
 
 
 
 
and other costs shown below
6.19

 
5.46

 
4.82

 
Treatment charges and other
0.88

 
0.88

 
1.08

 
Unit net cash costs
7.07

 
6.34

 
5.90

 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
0.97

 
0.96

 
0.83

 
Noncash and other costs, net
0.24

 
0.04

 
0.03

 
Total unit costs
8.28

 
7.34

 
6.76

 
Gross profit per pounda
$
5.99

 
$
9.08

 
$
9.13

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Molybdenum sales (millions of recoverable pounds)b
34

 
38

 
40

 
a.
Gross profit reflects sales of Henderson production to our molybdenum sales company based on volumes produced at market-based pricing. On a consolidated basis, the Molybdenum division includes profits on sales as they are made to third parties and realizations based on actual contract terms. As a result, the actual gross profit realized will differ from the amounts reported in this table.
b.
Reflects molybdenum produced by the Henderson molybdenum mine.

Henderson’s unit net cash costs were $7.07 per pound of molybdenum in 2012, $6.34 per pound in 2011 and $5.90 per pound in 2010. Henderson's increased unit net cash costs year over year, primarily reflected lower production volumes and higher input costs.

Assuming achievement of current sales volume and cost estimates, we estimate unit net cash costs for primary molybdenum mines to average $7.00 per pound of molybdenum in 2013 (reflecting approximately $7.50 per pound for Henderson and $6.50 per pound for Climax).

Atlantic Copper Smelting & Refining
Atlantic Copper, our wholly owned subsidiary located in Spain, smelts and refines copper concentrates and markets refined copper and precious metals in slimes. During 2012, Atlantic Copper purchased approximately 31 percent of its concentrate requirements from our South America mining operations, approximately 16 percent from our North America copper mines and approximately 10 percent from our Indonesia mining operations. Through this form of downstream integration, we are assured placement of a significant portion of our concentrate production.

Smelting and refining charges consist of a base rate and, in certain contracts, price participation based on copper prices. Treatment charges for smelting and refining copper concentrates represent a cost to our mining operations, and income to Atlantic Copper and PT Smelting. Thus, higher treatment and refining charges benefit our smelter operations and adversely affect our mining operations. Our North America copper mines are less significantly affected by changes in treatment and refining charges because these operations are largely integrated with our wholly owned smelter located in Miami, Arizona.

In May 2011, Atlantic Copper successfully completed a scheduled 26-day maintenance turnaround, which had a $30 million impact on production and delivery costs (refer to Note 17 for Atlantic Copper's operating results). Atlantic Copper's major maintenance turnarounds (which take approximately 50 days to complete) typically occur approximately every eight years, with short-term maintenance turnarounds in the interim. Atlantic Copper is planning a major maintenance turnaround in the second half of 2013.

We defer recognizing profits on sales from our mining operations to Atlantic Copper and on 25 percent of Indonesia mining sales to PT Smelting until final sales to third parties occur. Our net deferred profits on our inventories at

97


Atlantic Copper and PT Smelting to be recognized in future periods’ net income after taxes and noncontrolling interests totaled $121 million at December 31, 2012. Changes in these deferrals attributable to variability in intercompany volumes resulted in net reductions to net income attributable to common stockholders of $80 million ($0.08 per share) in 2012, compared with net additions of $156 million ($0.16 per share) in 2011 and net reductions of $67 million ($0.07 per share) in 2010. Quarterly variations in ore grades, the timing of intercompany shipments and changes in product prices will result in variability in our net deferred profits and quarterly earnings.

CAPITAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY

Our operating cash flows vary with prices realized from copper, gold and molybdenum sales, our sales volumes, production costs, income taxes, other working capital changes and other factors. Strong operating performance and favorable copper and gold prices have enabled us to enhance our financial and liquidity position, reduce debt and pay cash dividends to shareholders, while pursuing growth opportunities. We view the long-term outlook for our business positively, supported by limitations on supplies of copper and by the requirements for copper in the world’s economy, and will continue to adjust our operating strategy as market conditions change. The discussion of our capital resources and liquidity below does not reflect pending acquisitions (refer to Note 20 for further discussion of financing for the pending acquisitions of PXP and MMR).

Cash and Debt
At December 31, 2012, we had consolidated cash and cash equivalents of $3.7 billion. The following table reflects the U.S. and international components of consolidated cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2012 and 2011 (in billions):
 
2012
 
2011
Cash at domestic companiesa
$
1.3

 
$
2.4

Cash at international operations
2.4

 
2.4

Total consolidated cash and cash equivalents
3.7

 
4.8

Less: Noncontrolling interests’ share
(0.8
)
 
(0.8
)
Cash, net of noncontrolling interests’ share
2.9

 
4.0

Less: Withholding taxes and other
(0.2
)
 
(0.1
)
Net cash available
$
2.7

 
$
3.9

a.
Includes cash at the parent company and our North America operations.

Cash held at our international operations is generally used to support our foreign operations' capital expenditures, operating expenses, working capital and other tax payments or other cash needs. At December 31, 2012, management believed that sufficient liquidity was available in the U.S. With the exception of TFM, we have not elected to permanently reinvest earnings from our foreign subsidiaries, and we have recorded deferred tax liabilities for foreign earnings that are available to be repatriated to the U.S. From time to time, our foreign subsidiaries distribute earnings to the U.S. through dividends that are subject to applicable withholding taxes and noncontrolling interests' share.

Total debt was $3.5 billion at December 31, 2012 and 2011, and $4.8 billion at December 31, 2010. We have a senior unsecured revolving credit facility, which is available until March 30, 2016, in an aggregate principal amount of $1.5 billion, with $500 million available to PT Freeport Indonesia. At December 31, 2012, we had no borrowings and $43 million of letters of credit issued under the facilities, resulting in availability of approximately $1.5 billion ($957 million of which could be used for additional letters of credit). The revolving credit facility contains covenants that are typical for investment-grade companies, including limitations on liens and subsidiary debt (see Note 9 for further discussion).

In February 2013, we entered into a new senior unsecured revolving credit facility, which will refinance and replace our existing revolving credit facility upon completion of the proposed acquisition of PXP. No amounts are currently available to us under the new revolving credit facility. Refer to Note 20 for further discussion.

Operating Activities
During 2012, we generated operating cash flows totaling $3.8 billion, net of $1.4 billion for working capital uses and other tax payments. Operating cash flows in 2011 totaled $6.6 billion, net of $461 million for working capital uses and other tax payments. Operating cash flows in 2010 totaled $6.3 billion, net of $834 million for working capital uses and other tax payments.

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Lower operating cash flows for 2012, compared with 2011, primarily reflected lower copper and gold sales volumes, lower copper price realizations and an increase in working capital uses and other tax payments, primarily associated with changes in accounts receivable, partly offset by timing of payments for accounts payable and accrued liabilities. As discussed in "Consolidated Results - Revenues," substantially all of our copper concentrate and cathode sales contracts are provisionally priced; accordingly, the period-end forward price is a major determinate of recorded revenues and the resulting receivables. At December 31, 2012, our provisionally priced copper sales were recorded at an average of $3.59 per pound of copper, compared with $3.44 per pound at December 31, 2011.

Higher operating cash flows for 2011, compared with 2010, primarily reflected a decrease in working capital uses and other tax payments, primarily associated with decreases in accounts receivable (at December 31, 2011, our provisionally priced copper sales were recorded at an average of $3.44 per pound of copper, compared with $4.36 per pound at December 31, 2010), partly offset by higher tax payments and the timing of payments for accounts payable and accrued liabilities.

Excluding impacts for pending acquisitions, and based on current mine plans and subject to future copper, gold and molybdenum prices, we expect estimated operating cash flows for the year 2013 plus available cash to be sufficient to fund our budgeted capital expenditures, dividends, noncontrolling interest distributions and other cash requirements for the year. Refer to “Outlook” for further discussion of projected operating cash flows for the year 2013.

Investing Activities
Capital Expenditures. Capital expenditures, including capitalized interest, totaled $3.5 billion in 2012 (including $2.2 billion for major projects), $2.5 billion in 2011 (including $1.4 billion for major projects) and $1.4 billion in 2010 (including $0.7 billion for major projects). The increase in capital expenditures in 2012, compared with 2011, primarily reflected higher capital spending associated with the expansion projects at Tenke, Cerro Verde and Morenci, and the underground development projects at Grasberg. The increase in capital expenditures in 2011, compared with 2010, primarily reflected higher capital spending for construction on the Climax molybdenum mine, the underground development projects at Grasberg and the expansion project at Tenke.

Excluding amounts for pending acquisitions, capital expenditures for the year 2013 are expected to approximate $4.6 billion, including $2.8 billion for major projects and $1.8 billion for sustaining capital. Major projects for 2013 primarily include underground development activities at Grasberg and the expansion projects at Cerro Verde and Morenci. We are also considering additional investments at several of our sites. Capital spending plans will continue to be reviewed and adjusted in response to changes in market conditions and other factors. Refer to “Operations” for further discussion.

Investment in MMR. In December 2010, we completed the purchase of 500,000 shares of MMR’s 5.75% Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock for an aggregate purchase price of $500 million. Dividends received in 2012 and 2011 were recorded as a return of investment because of MMR's reported losses. Refer to Note 6 for further discussion and to Note 1 for discussion of the proposed acquisition of MMR.

Financing Activities
Debt Transactions. In February 2012, we sold $3.0 billion in senior notes in three tranches with a weighted-average interest rate of approximately three percent. Net proceeds from this offering, plus cash on hand, were used to redeem the remaining $3.0 billion of our 8.375% Senior Notes.

During 2011, we redeemed the remaining $1.1 billion of our outstanding 8.25% Senior Notes. In addition, we made open-market purchases of $35 million of our 9.5% Senior Notes and repaid the remaining $84 million of our 8.75% Senior Notes.

During 2010, we redeemed all of our $1 billion Senior Floating Rate Notes, and also made open-market purchases of $565 million of our senior notes.

Refer to Note 9 for further discussion of these debt repayment transactions.


99


Dividends and Other Equity Transactions. We paid dividends on our common stock totaling $1.1 billion in 2012, $1.4 billion in 2011 (including $474 million for a supplemental dividend on our common stock paid in June 2011) and $885 million in 2010 (including $472 million for a supplemental dividend on our common stock paid in December 2010).

The current annual dividend rate for our common stock is $1.25 per share ($0.3125 per share quarterly). Refer to Note 11 for further discussion. The declaration of dividends is at the discretion of the Board and will depend upon our financial results, cash requirements, future prospects, the impact of proposed acquisitions and other factors deemed relevant by the Board. The Board will continue to review our financial policy on an ongoing basis.

During 2010, our 6¾% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock converted into 78.9 million shares of our common stock (refer to Note 11 for further discussion). As a result, we no longer have requirements to pay preferred stock dividends. Preferred stock dividends paid totaled $95 million in 2010.

Cash dividends and other distributions paid to noncontrolling interests totaled $113 million in 2012, $391 million in 2011 and $816 million in 2010, reflecting dividends and distributions paid to the noncontrolling interest owners of PT Freeport Indonesia and our South America mines. Lower noncontrolling interest payments in 2012 compared with 2011, primarily reflected lower dividends to the noncontrolling interest holders of PT Freeport Indonesia as a result of lower production in 2012. Lower noncontrolling interest payments in 2011, compared with 2010, primarily reflected lower dividends to the noncontrolling interest holders of Cerro Verde related to capital retained for the expansion project.

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

We have contractual and other long-term obligations, including debt maturities, which we expect to fund with available cash, projected operating cash flows, availability under our revolving credit facility or future financing transactions, if necessary. A summary of these various obligations at December 31, 2012, follows (in millions):
 
Total
 
2013
 
2014 to
2015
 
2016 to
2017
 
Thereafter
Reclamation and environmental obligationsa
$
5,243

 
$
246

 
$
471

 
$
329

 
$
4,197

Debt maturities
3,527

 
2

 
500

 
500

 
2,525

Take-or-pay contractsb
2,200

 
976

 
731

 
286

 
207

Scheduled interest payment obligationsc
1,289

 
121

 
241

 
226

 
701

Operating lease obligations
205

 
32

 
38

 
31

 
104

Totald
$
12,464

 
$
1,377

 
$
1,981

 
$
1,372

 
$
7,734

a.
Represents estimated cash payments, on an undiscounted and unescalated basis, associated with reclamation and environmental activities. The timing and the amount of these payments could change as a result of changes in regulatory requirements, changes in scope and timing of reclamation activities, the settlement of environmental matters and as actual spending occurs. Refer to Note 13 for additional discussion of environmental and reclamation matters.
b.
Represents contractual obligations for purchases of goods or services that are defined by us as agreements that are enforceable and legally binding and that specify all significant terms. Take-or-pay contracts primarily comprise the procurement of copper concentrates ($799 million), electricity ($524 million) and transportation services ($448 million). Some of our take-or-pay contracts are settled based on the prevailing market rate for the service or commodity purchased, and in some cases, the amount of the actual obligation may change over time because of market conditions. Obligations for copper concentrates provide for deliveries of specified volumes to Atlantic Copper at market-based prices. Electricity obligations are primarily for contractual minimum demand at the South America and Tenke mines. Transportation obligations are primarily for South America contracted ocean freight and for North America rail freight.
c.
Scheduled interest payment obligations were calculated using stated coupon rates for fixed-rate debt and interest rates applicable at December 31, 2012, for variable-rate debt.
d.
This table excludes certain other obligations in our consolidated balance sheets, including estimated funding for pension obligations as the funding may vary from year to year based on changes in the fair value of plan assets and actuarial assumptions, accrued liabilities totaling $107 million that relate to unrecognized tax benefits where the timing of settlement is not determinable; Atlantic Copper's obligations for retired employees totaling $38 million (refer to Note 10); and PT Freeport Indonesia's reclamation and closure cash fund obligation totaling $17 million (refer to Note 13).This table also excludes purchase orders for the purchase of inventory and other goods and services, as purchase orders typically represent authorizations to purchase rather than binding agreements.


100


In addition to our debt maturities and other contractual obligations discussed above, we have other commitments, which we expect to fund with available cash, projected operating cash flows, available credit facilities or future financing transactions, if necessary. These include (i) PT Freeport Indonesia’s commitment to provide one percent of its annual revenue for the development of the local people in its area of operations through the Freeport Partnership Fund for Community Development, (ii) TFM's commitment to provide 0.3 percent of its annual revenue for the development of the local people in its area of operations and (iii) other commercial commitments, including standby letters of credit, surety bonds and guarantees. Refer to Notes 13 and 14 for further discussion.

CONTINGENCIES

Environmental
The cost of complying with environmental laws is a fundamental and substantial cost of our business. At December 31, 2012, we had $1.2 billion recorded in our consolidated balance sheets for environmental obligations attributed to CERCLA or analogous state programs and for estimated future costs associated with environmental obligations that are considered probable based on specific facts and circumstances.

During 2012, we incurred environmental capital expenditures and other environmental costs (including our joint venture partners’ shares) of $612 million for programs to comply with applicable environmental laws and regulations that affect our operations, compared to $387 million in 2011 and $372 million in 2010. The increase in environmental costs in 2012, compared with 2011 and 2010, primarily relates to higher expenditures for land and settlements of environmental matters (see Note 13 for further discussion). For 2013, we expect to incur approximately $600 million of aggregate environmental capital expenditures and other environmental costs, which are part of our overall 2013 operating budget. The timing and amount of estimated payments could change as a result of changes in regulatory requirements, changes in scope and timing of reclamation activities, the settlement of environmental matters and as actual spending occurs.

Refer to Note 13 for further information about environmental regulation, including significant environmental matters.

Asset Retirement Obligations
We recognize AROs as liabilities when incurred, with the initial measurement at fair value. These obligations, which are initially estimated based on discounted cash flow estimates, are accreted to full value over time through charges to income. Reclamation costs for disturbances are recorded as an ARO in the period of disturbance. Our cost estimates are reflected on a third-party cost basis and comply with our legal obligation to retire tangible, long-lived assets. At December 31, 2012, we had $1.1 billion recorded in our consolidated balance sheets for AROs. Spending on AROs totaled $47 million in 2012, $49 million in 2011 and $38 million in 2010. For 2013, we expect to incur approximately $55 million for aggregate ARO payments. Refer to Note 13 for further discussion of reclamation and closure costs.

Litigation and Other Contingencies
Refer to Note 13 and "Legal Proceedings" contained in Part I, Item 3 of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, for further discussion of contingencies associated with legal proceedings and other matters.

DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISKS

Commodity Price Risk
Our consolidated revenues include the sale of copper concentrates, copper cathodes, copper rod, gold, molybdenum and other metals by our North and South America mines, the sale of copper concentrates (which also contain significant quantities of gold and silver) by our Indonesia mining operations, the sale of copper cathodes and cobalt hydroxide by our Africa mining operations, the sale of molybdenum in various forms by our molybdenum operations, and the sale of copper cathodes, copper anodes and gold in anodes and slimes by Atlantic Copper. Our financial results can vary significantly as a result of fluctuations in the market prices of copper, gold, molybdenum, silver and cobalt. World market prices for these commodities have fluctuated historically and are affected by numerous factors beyond our control. Because we cannot control the price of our products, the key measures that management focuses on in operating our business are sales volumes, unit net cash costs and operating cash flow. Refer to “Outlook” for further discussion of projected sales volumes, unit net cash costs and operating cash flows for 2013.


101


For 2012, 46 percent of our mined copper was sold in concentrate, 28 percent as cathode and 26 percent as rod from our North America operations. Substantially all of our copper concentrate and cathode sales contracts provide final copper pricing in a specified future month (generally one to four months from the shipment date) based primarily on quoted LME monthly average spot copper prices. We receive market prices based on prices in the specified future period, which results in price fluctuations recorded through revenues until the date of settlement. We record revenues and invoice customers at the time of shipment based on then-current LME prices, which results in an embedded derivative on our provisionally priced concentrate and cathode sales that is adjusted to fair value through earnings each period, using the period-end forward prices, until the date of final pricing. To the extent final prices are higher or lower than what was recorded on a provisional basis, an increase or decrease to revenues is recorded each reporting period until the date of final pricing. Accordingly, in times of rising copper prices, our revenues benefit from adjustments to the final pricing of provisionally priced sales pursuant to contracts entered into in prior periods; in times of falling copper prices, the opposite occurs.

Following are the favorable (unfavorable) impacts of net adjustments to the prior years' provisionally priced copper sales for the years ended December 31 (in millions, except per share amounts):
 
2012
 
2011
 
2010
 
Revenues
$
101

 
$
(12
)
 
$
(24
)
 
Net income attributable to FCX common stockholders
$
43

 
$
(5
)
 
$
(10
)
 
Net income per share of FCX common stock
$
0.05

 
$
(0.01
)
 
$
(0.01
)
 

At December 31, 2012, we had provisionally priced copper sales at our copper mining operations, primarily South America and Indonesia, totaling 341 million pounds of copper (net of intercompany sales and noncontrolling interests) recorded at an average price of $3.59 per pound, subject to final pricing over the next several months. We estimate that each $0.05 change in the price realized from the December 31, 2012, provisional price recorded would have a net impact on our 2013 consolidated revenues of approximately $24 million ($11 million to net income attributable to common stockholders). The LME spot copper price closed at $3.72 per pound on February 15, 2013.

On limited past occasions, in response to market conditions, we have entered into copper and gold price protection contracts for a portion of our expected future mine production to mitigate the risk of adverse price fluctuations. We do not currently intend to enter into similar hedging programs in the future.

Foreign Currency Exchange Risk
The functional currency for most of our operations is the U.S. dollar. All of our revenues and a significant portion of our costs are denominated in U.S. dollars; however, some costs and certain asset and liability accounts are denominated in local currencies, including the Indonesian rupiah, Australian dollar, Chilean peso, Peruvian nuevo sol, and euro. Generally, our results are positively affected when the U.S. dollar strengthens in relation to those foreign currencies and adversely affected when the U.S. dollar weakens in relation to those foreign currencies.
Following is a summary of estimated annual payments and the impact of changes in foreign currency rates on our annual operating costs:
 
Exchange Rate per $1
at December 31,
 
Estimated Annual Payments
 
10% Change in
Exchange Rate
(in millions)a
 
2012
 
2011
 
2010
 
(in local currency)
 
(in millions)b
 
Increase
 
Decrease
Indonesia
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rupiah
9,622

 
9,060

 
8,990

 
5.3 trillion
 
$
551

 
$
(50
)
 
$
61

Australian dollar
0.93

 
0.98

 
0.98

 
230 million
 
$
246

 
$
(22
)
 
$
27

South America
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Chilean peso
480

 
519

 
468

 
300 billion
 
$
625

 
$
(57
)
 
$
69

Peruvian nuevo sol
2.55

 
2.70

 
2.81

 
380 million
 
$
149

 
$
(14
)
 
$
17

Atlantic Copper
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Euro
0.76

 
0.77

 
0.75

 
140 million
 
$
185

 
$
(17
)
 
$
21

a.
Reflects the estimated impact on annual operating costs assuming a 10 percent increase or decrease in the exchange rate reported at December 31, 2012.
b.
Based on December 31, 2012, exchange rates.


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Interest Rate Risk
At December 31, 2012, we had total debt of $3.5 billion, of which approximately five percent was variable-rate debt with interest rates based on the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) or the Euro Interbank Offered Rate (EURIBOR). The table below presents average interest rates for our scheduled maturities of principal for our outstanding debt and the related fair values at December 31, 2012 (in millions, except percentages):
 
2013
 
2014
 
2015
 
2016
 
2017
 
Thereafter
 
Fair Value
Fixed-rate debt
$

 
$

 
$
500

 
$

 
$
500

 
$
2,357

 
$
3,419

Average interest rate
%
 
%
 
1.4
%
 
%
 
2.2
%
 
4.2
%
 
3.5
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Variable-rate debt
$
2

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
168

 
$
170

Average interest rate
%
a 
%
 
%
 
%
 
%
 
4.0
%
 
4.0
%
a.
Less than 0.01%.

NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

We do not expect the provisions of recently issued accounting standards to have a significant impact on our future financial statements and disclosures.

  OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

Refer to Note 14 for discussion of off-balance sheet arrangements.

PRODUCT REVENUES AND PRODUCTION COSTS

Unit net cash costs per pound of copper and molybdenum are measures intended to provide investors with information about the cash-generating capacity of our mining operations expressed on a basis relating to the primary metal product for the respective operations. We use this measure for the same purpose and for monitoring operating performance by our mining operations. This information differs from measures of performance determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. This measure is presented by other metals mining companies, although our measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

We present gross profit per pound of copper in the following tables using both a “by-product” method and a “co-product” method. We use the by-product method in our presentation of gross profit per pound of copper because (i) the majority of our revenues are copper revenues, (ii) we mine ore, which contains copper, gold, molybdenum and other metals, (iii) it is not possible to specifically assign all of our costs to revenues from the copper, gold, molybdenum and other metals we produce, (iv) it is the method used to compare mining operations in certain industry publications and (v) it is the method used by our management and the Board to monitor operations. In the co-product method presentation below, shared costs are allocated to the different products based on their relative revenue values, which will vary to the extent our metals sales volumes and realized prices change.

We show revenue adjustments for prior period open sales as separate line items. Because these adjustments do not result from current period sales, we have reflected these separately from revenues on current period sales. Noncash and other costs consist of items such as stock-based compensation costs, start-up costs, write-offs of equipment and/or unusual charges. They are removed from site production and delivery costs in the calculation of unit net cash costs. As discussed above, gold, molybdenum and other metal revenues at copper mines are reflected as credits against site production and delivery costs in the by-product method. Following are presentations under both the by-product and co-product methods together with reconciliations to amounts reported in our consolidated financial statements.



103


North America Copper Mines Product Revenues and Production Costs

Year Ended December 31, 2012
 
 
 
(In millions)
By-Product
 
Co-Product Method
 
Method
 
Copper
 
Molybdenuma
 
Otherb
 
Total
Revenues, excluding adjustments
$
4,908

 
$
4,908

 
$
468

 
$
91

 
$
5,467

Site production and delivery, before net noncash
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
and other costs shown below
2,572

 
2,357

 
227

 
60

 
2,644

By-product creditsa
(487
)
 

 

 

 

Treatment charges
161

 
147

 

 
14

 
161

Net cash costs
2,246

 
2,504

 
227

 
74

 
2,805

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
346

 
323

 
18

 
5

 
346

Noncash and other costs, net
138

 
134

 
3

 
1

 
138

Total costs
2,730

 
2,961

 
248

 
80

 
3,289

Revenue adjustments, primarily for pricing on prior period open sales
4

 
4

 

 

 
4

Gross profit
$
2,182

 
$
1,951

 
$
220

 
$
11

 
$
2,182

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliation to Amounts Reported
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Production
 
Depletion and
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
 
and Delivery
 
Amortization
 
 
 
 
Totals presented above
$
5,467

 
$
2,644

 
$
346

 
 
 
 
Treatment charges
N/A

 
161

 
N/A

 
 
 
 
Net noncash and other costs
N/A

 
138

 
N/A

 
 
 
 
Revenue adjustments, primarily for pricing on prior period open sales
4

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
 
 
 
Eliminations and other
19

 
69

 
16

 
 
 
 
North America copper mines
5,490

 
3,012

 
362

 
 
 
 
South America mining
4,728

 
2,114

 
287

 
 
 
 
Indonesia mining
3,921

 
2,349

 
212

 
 
 
 
Africa mining
1,359

 
615

 
176

 
 
 
 
Molybdenum
1,255

 
1,033

 
65

 
 
 
 
Rod & Refining
5,016

 
4,993

 
9

 
 
 
 
Atlantic Copper Smelting & Refining
2,709

 
2,640

 
42

 
 
 
 
Corporate, other & eliminations
(6,468
)
 
(6,374
)
 
26

 
 
 
 
As reported in FCX’s consolidated financial statements
$
18,010

 
$
10,382

 
$
1,179

 
 
 
 
a.
Molybdenum credits and revenues reflect volumes produced at market-based pricing.
b.
Includes gold and silver product revenues and production costs.


104


North America Copper Mines Product Revenues and Production Costs (continued)

Year Ended December 31, 2011
 
 
 
(In millions)
By-Product
 
Co-Product Method
 
Method
 
Copper
 
Molybdenuma
 
Otherb
 
Total
Revenues, excluding adjustments
$
4,968

 
$
4,968

 
$
546

 
$
111

 
$
5,625

Site production and delivery, before net noncash
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
and other costs shown below
2,213

 
1,987

 
238

 
46

 
2,271

By-product creditsa
(599
)
 

 

 

 

Treatment charges
138

 
132

 

 
6

 
138

Net cash costs
1,752

 
2,119

 
238

 
52

 
2,409

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
264

 
247

 
13

 
4

 
264

Noncash and other costs, net
166

 
161

 
4

 
1

 
166

Total costs
2,182

 
2,527

 
255

 
57

 
2,839

Revenue adjustments, primarily for pricing on prior period open sales
(1
)
 
(1
)
 

 

 
(1
)
Gross profit
$
2,785

 
$
2,440

 
$
291

 
$
54

 
$
2,785

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliation to Amounts Reported
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Production
 
Depletion and
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
 
and Delivery
 
Amortization
 
 
 
 
Totals presented above
$
5,625

 
$
2,271

 
$
264

 
 
 
 
Treatment charges
N/A

 
138

 
N/A

 
 
 
 
Net noncash and other costs
N/A

 
166

 
N/A

 
 
 
 
Revenue adjustments, primarily for pricing on prior period open sales
(1
)
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
 
 
 
Eliminations and other
9

 
54

 
15

 
 
 
 
North America copper mines
5,633

 
2,629

 
279

 
 
 
 
South America mining
5,258

 
1,905

 
258

 
 
 
 
Indonesia mining
5,046

 
1,791

 
215

 
 
 
 
Africa mining
1,289

 
591

 
140

 
 
 
 
Molybdenum
1,424

 
1,036

 
60

 
 
 
 
Rod & Refining
5,549

 
5,527

 
8

 
 
 
 
Atlantic Copper Smelting & Refining
2,984

 
2,991

 
40

 
 
 
 
Corporate, other & eliminations
(6,303
)
 
(6,572
)
 
22

 
 
 
 
As reported in FCX’s consolidated financial statements
$
20,880

 
$
9,898

 
$
1,022

 
 
 
 
a.
Molybdenum credits and revenues reflect volumes produced at market-based pricing.
b.
Includes gold and silver product revenues and production costs.

 

105


North America Copper Mines Product Revenues and Production Costs (continued)

Year Ended December 31, 2010
 
 
 
(In millions)
By-Product
 
Co-Product Method
 
Method
 
Copper
 
Molybdenuma
 
Otherb
 
Total
Revenues, excluding adjustments
$
3,702

 
$
3,702

 
$
383

 
$
58

 
$
4,143

Site production and delivery, before net noncash
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
and other costs shown below
1,621

 
1,456

 
195

 
29

 
1,680

By-product creditsa
(382
)
 

 

 

 

Treatment charges
105

 
102

 

 
3

 
105

Net cash costs
1,344

 
1,558

 
195

 
32

 
1,785

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
256

 
241

 
13

 
2

 
256

Noncash and other costs, net
218

 
217

 
1

 

 
218

Total costs
1,818

 
2,016

 
209

 
34

 
2,259

Revenue adjustments, primarily for pricing on prior period open sales
(2
)
 
(2
)
 

 

 
(2
)
Gross profit
$
1,882

 
$
1,684

 
$
174

 
$
24

 
$
1,882

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliation to Amounts Reported
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Production
 
Depletion and
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
 
and Delivery
 
Amortization
 
 
 
 
Totals presented above
$
4,143

 
$
1,680

 
$
256

 
 
 
 
Treatment charges
N/A

 
105

 
N/A

 
 
 
 
Net noncash and other costs
N/A

 
218

 
N/A

 
 
 
 
Revenue adjustments, primarily for pricing on prior period open sales
(2
)
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
 
 
 
Eliminations and other
32

 
49

 
17

 
 
 
 
North America copper mines
4,173

 
2,052

 
273

 
 
 
 
South America mining
4,991

 
1,678

 
250

 
 
 
 
Indonesia mining
6,377

 
1,946

 
257

 
 
 
 
Africa mining
1,106

 
488

 
128

 
 
 
 
Molybdenum
1,205

 
784

 
51

 
 
 
 
Rod & Refining
4,470

 
4,442

 
8

 
 
 
 
Atlantic Copper Smelting & Refining
2,491

 
2,470

 
38

 
 
 
 
Corporate, other & eliminations
(5,831
)
 
(5,525
)
 
31

 
 
 
 
As reported in FCX’s consolidated financial statements
$
18,982

 
$
8,335

 
$
1,036

 
 
 
 
a.
Molybdenum credits and revenues reflect volumes produced at market-based pricing.
b.
Includes gold and silver product revenues and production costs.



 



106


South America Mining Product Revenues and Production Costs

Year Ended December 31, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
By-Product
 
Co-Product Method
 
Method
 
Copper
 
Other
 
Total
Revenues, excluding adjustments
$
4,462

 
$
4,462

 
$
355

a 
$
4,817

Site production and delivery, before net noncash
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
and other costs shown below
1,995

b 
1,846

 
173

 
2,019

By-product credits
(331
)
 

 

 

Treatment charges
202

 
202

 

 
202

Net cash costs
1,866

 
2,048

 
173

 
2,221

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
287

 
272

 
15

 
287

Noncash and other costs, net
110

 
75

 
35

 
110

Total costs
2,263

 
2,395

 
223

 
2,618

Revenue adjustments, primarily for pricing on prior period open sales
106

 
106

 

 
106

Gross profit
$
2,305

 
$
2,173

 
$
132

 
$
2,305

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliation to Amounts Reported
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation,
 
 
 
 
 
Production
 
Depletion and
 
 
 
Revenues
 
and Delivery
 
Amortization
 
 
Totals presented above
$
4,817

 
$
2,019

 
$
287

 
 
Treatment charges
(202
)
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
 
Net noncash and other costs
N/A

 
110

 
N/A

 
 
Revenue adjustments, primarily for pricing on prior period open sales
106

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
 
Eliminations and other
7

 
(15
)
 

 
 
South America mining
4,728

 
2,114

 
287

 
 
North America copper mines
5,490

 
3,012

 
362

 
 
Indonesia mining
3,921

 
2,349

 
212

 
 
Africa mining
1,359

 
615

 
176

 
 
Molybdenum
1,255

 
1,033

 
65

 
 
Rod & Refining
5,016

 
4,993

 
9

 
 
Atlantic Copper Smelting & Refining
2,709

 
2,640

 
42

 
 
Corporate, other & eliminations
(6,468
)
 
(6,374
)
 
26

 
 
As reported in FCX’s consolidated financial statements
$
18,010

 
$
10,382

 
$
1,179

 
 
a.
Includes gold sales of 82 thousand ounces ($1,673 per ounce average realized price) and silver sales of 3.2 million ounces ($30.33 per ounce average realized price); also includes sales of Cerro Verde production to our molybdenum sales company of 8 million pounds ($10.58 per pound average realized price), which reflects molybdenum produced at market-based pricing.
b.
Includes charges totaling $16 million associated with labor agreement costs at Candelaria.






107


South America Mining Product Revenues and Production Costs (continued)

Year Ended December 31, 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
By-Product
 
Co-Product Method
 
Method
 
Copper
 
Other
 
Total
Revenues, excluding adjustments
$
4,989

 
$
4,989

 
$
477

a 
$
5,466

Site production and delivery, before net noncash
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
and other costs shown below
1,826

b 
1,679

 
172

 
1,851

By-product credits
(452
)
 

 

 

Treatment charges
219

 
219

 

 
219

Net cash costs
1,593

 
1,898

 
172

 
2,070

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
258

 
242

 
16

 
258

Noncash and other costs, net
82

 
75

 
7

 
82

Total costs
1,933

 
2,215

 
195

 
2,410

Revenue adjustments, primarily for pricing on prior period open sales
15

 
(4
)
 
19

 
15

Gross profit
$
3,071

 
$
2,770

 
$
301

 
$
3,071

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliation to Amounts Reported
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation,
 
 
 
 
 
Production
 
Depletion and
 
 
 
Revenues
 
and Delivery
 
Amortization
 
 
Totals presented above
$
5,466

 
$
1,851

 
$
258

 
 
Treatment charges
(219
)
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
 
Net noncash and other costs
N/A

 
82

 
N/A

 
 
Revenue adjustments, primarily for pricing on prior period open sales
15

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
 
Eliminations and other
(4
)
 
(28
)
 

 
 
South America mining
5,258

 
1,905

 
258

 
 
North America copper mines
5,633

 
2,629

 
279

 
 
Indonesia mining
5,046

 
1,791

 
215

 
 
Africa mining
1,289

 
591

 
140

 
 
Molybdenum
1,424

 
1,036

 
60

 
 
Rod & Refining
5,549

 
5,527

 
8

 
 
Atlantic Copper Smelting & Refining
2,984

 
2,991

 
40

 
 
Corporate, other & eliminations
(6,303
)
 
(6,572
)
 
22

 
 
As reported in FCX’s consolidated financial statements
$
20,880

 
$
9,898

 
$
1,022

 
 
a.
Includes gold sales of 101 thousand ounces ($1,580 per ounce average realized price) and silver sales of 3.2 million ounces ($36.81 per ounce average realized price); also includes sales of Cerro Verde production to our molybdenum sales company of 10 million pounds ($13.78 per pound average realized price), which reflects molybdenum produced at market-based pricing.
b.
Includes $50 million for bonuses paid at Cerro Verde and El Abra pursuant to new labor agreements.



108


South America Mining Product Revenues and Production Costs (continued)

Year Ended December 31, 2010
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
By-Product
 
Co-Product Method
 
Method
 
Copper
 
Other
 
Total
Revenues, excluding adjustments
$
4,911

 
$
4,911

 
$
299

a 
$
5,210

Site production and delivery, before net noncash
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
and other costs shown below
1,613

 
1,521

 
110

 
1,631

By-product credits
(281
)
 

 

 

Treatment charges
207

 
207

 

 
207

Net cash costs
1,539

 
1,728

 
110

 
1,838

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
249

 
237

 
12

 
249

Noncash and other costs, net
63

 
58

 
5

 
63

Total costs
1,851

 
2,023

 
127

 
2,150

Revenue adjustments, primarily for pricing on prior period open sales
(14
)
 
(14
)
 

 
(14
)
Gross profit
$
3,046

 
$
2,874

 
$
172

 
$
3,046

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliation to Amounts Reported
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation,
 
 
 
 
 
Production
 
Depletion and
 
 
 
Revenues
 
and Delivery
 
Amortization
 
 
Totals presented above
$
5,210

 
$
1,631

 
$
249

 
 
Treatment charges
(207
)
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
 
Net noncash and other costs
N/A

 
63

 
N/A

 
 
Revenue adjustments, primarily for pricing on prior period open sales
(14
)
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
 
Eliminations and other
2

 
(16
)
 
1

 
 
South America mining
4,991

 
1,678

 
250

 
 
North America copper mines
4,173

 
2,052

 
273

 
 
Indonesia mining
6,377

 
1,946

 
257

 
 
Africa mining
1,106

 
488

 
128

 
 
Molybdenum
1,205

 
784

 
51

 
 
Rod & Refining
4,470

 
4,442

 
8

 
 
Atlantic Copper Smelting & Refining
2,491

 
2,470

 
38

 
 
Corporate, other & eliminations
(5,831
)
 
(5,525
)
 
31

 
 
As reported in FCX’s consolidated financial statements
$
18,982

 
$
8,335

 
$
1,036

 
 
a.
Includes gold sales of 93 thousand ounces ($1,263 per ounce average realized price) and silver sales of 2.7 million ounces ($20.53 per ounce average realized price); also includes sales of Cerro Verde production to our molybdenum sales company of 7 million pounds ($14.12 per pound average realized price), which reflects molybdenum produced at market-based pricing.





109


Indonesia Mining Product Revenues and Production Costs

Year Ended December 31, 2012
 
 
 
(In millions)
By-Product
 
Co-Product Method
 
Method
 
Copper
 
Gold
 
Silver
 
Total
Revenues, excluding adjustments
$
2,564

 
$
2,564

 
$
1,522

 
$
64

a 
$
4,150

Site production and delivery, before net noncash
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
and other costs shown below
2,230

 
1,378

 
818

 
34

 
2,230

Gold and silver credits
(1,589
)
 

 

 

 

Treatment charges
152

 
94

 
56

 
2

 
152

Royalty on metals
93

 
58

 
34

 
1

 
93

Net cash costs
886

 
1,530

 
908

 
37

 
2,475

Depreciation and amortization
212

 
131

 
78

 
3

 
212

Noncash and other costs, net
82

 
50

 
30

 
2

 
82

Total costs
1,180

 
1,711

 
1,016

 
42

 
2,769

Revenue adjustments, primarily for pricing on prior period open sales
13

 
13

 
3

 

 
16

PT Smelting intercompany loss
(37
)
 
(23
)
 
(13
)
 
(1
)
 
(37
)
Gross profit
$
1,360

 
$
843

 
$
496

 
$
21

 
$
1,360

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliation to Amounts Reported
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Production
 
Depletion and
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
 
and Delivery
 
Amortization
 
 
 
 
Totals presented above
$
4,150

 
$
2,230

 
$
212

 
 
 
 
Treatment charges
(152
)
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
 
 
 
Royalty on metals
(93
)
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
 
 
 
Net noncash and other costs
N/A

 
82

 
N/A

 
 
 
 
Revenue adjustments, primarily for pricing on prior period open sales
16

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
 
 
 
PT Smelting intercompany loss
N/A

 
37

 
N/A

 
 
 
 
Indonesia mining
3,921

 
2,349

 
212

 
 
 
 
North America copper mines
5,490

 
3,012

 
362

 
 
 
 
South America mining
4,728

 
2,114

 
287

 
 
 
 
Africa mining
1,359

 
615

 
176

 
 
 
 
Molybdenum
1,255

 
1,033

 
65

 
 
 
 
Rod & Refining
5,016

 
4,993

 
9

 
 
 
 
Atlantic Copper Smelting & Refining
2,709

 
2,640

 
42

 
 
 
 
Corporate, other & eliminations
(6,468
)
 
(6,374
)
 
26

 
 
 
 
As reported in FCX’s consolidated financial statements
$
18,010

 
$
10,382

 
$
1,179

 
 
 
 
a. Includes silver sales of 2.1 million ounces ($30.70 per ounce average realized price).



110


Indonesia Mining Product Revenues and Production Costs (continued)

Year Ended December 31, 2011
 
 
 
(In millions)
By-Product
 
Co-Product Method
 
Method
 
Copper
 
Gold
 
Silver
 
Total
Revenues, excluding adjustments
$
3,261

 
$
3,261

 
$
2,011

 
$
97

a 
$
5,369

Site production and delivery, before net noncash
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
and other costs shown below
1,869

b 
1,135

 
700

 
34

 
1,869

Gold and silver credits
(2,090
)
 

 

 

 

Treatment charges
156

 
95

 
58

 
3

 
156

Royalty on metals
137

 
83

 
52

 
2

 
137

Net cash costs
72

 
1,313

 
810

 
39

 
2,162

Depreciation and amortization
215

 
131

 
80

 
4

 
215

Noncash and other costs, net
33

 
20

 
12

 
1

 
33

Total costs
320

 
1,464

 
902

 
44

 
2,410

Revenue adjustments, primarily for pricing on prior period open sales
(12
)
 
(12
)
 
(18
)
 

 
(30
)
PT Smelting intercompany profit
111

 
67

 
41

 
3

 
111

Gross profit
$
3,040

 
$
1,852

 
$
1,132

 
$
56

 
$
3,040

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliation to Amounts Reported
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Production
 
Depletion and
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
 
and Delivery
 
Amortization
 
 
 
 
Totals presented above
$
5,369

 
$
1,869

 
$
215

 
 
 
 
Treatment charges
(156
)
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
 
 
 
Royalty on metals
(137
)
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
 
 
 
Net noncash and other costs
N/A

 
33

 
N/A

 
 
 
 
Revenue adjustments, primarily for pricing on prior period open sales
(30
)
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
 
 
 
PT Smelting intercompany profit
N/A

 
(111
)
 
N/A

 
 
 
 
Indonesia mining
5,046

 
1,791

 
215

 
 
 
 
North America copper mines
5,633

 
2,629

 
279

 
 
 
 
South America mining
5,258

 
1,905

 
258

 
 
 
 
Africa mining
1,289

 
591

 
140

 
 
 
 
Molybdenum
1,424

 
1,036

 
60

 
 
 
 
Rod & Refining
5,549

 
5,527

 
8

 
 
 
 
Atlantic Copper Smelting & Refining
2,984

 
2,991

 
40

 
 
 
 
Corporate, other & eliminations
(6,303
)
 
(6,572
)
 
22

 
 
 
 
As reported in FCX’s consolidated financial statements
$
20,880

 
$
9,898

 
$
1,022

 
 
 
 
a.
Includes silver sales of 2.7 million ounces ($36.18 per ounce average realized price).
b.
Includes $66 million associated with bonuses and other strike-related costs.




111


Indonesia Mining Product Revenues and Production Costs (continued)

Year Ended December 31, 2010
 
 
 
(In millions)
By-Product
 
Co-Product Method
 
Method
 
Copper
 
Gold
 
Silver
 
Total
Revenues, excluding adjustments
$
4,475

 
$
4,475

 
$
2,243

 
$
90

a 
$
6,808

Site production and delivery, before net noncash
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
and other costs shown below
1,856

 
1,220

 
612

 
24

 
1,856

Gold and silver credits
(2,334
)
 

 

 

 

Treatment charges
270

 
178

 
89

 
3

 
270

Royalty on metals
156

 
102

 
51

 
3

 
156

Net cash (credits) costs
(52
)
 
1,500

 
752

 
30

 
2,282

Depreciation and amortization
257

 
169

 
85

 
3

 
257

Noncash and other costs, net
48

 
31

 
16

 
1

 
48

Total costs
253

 
1,700

 
853

 
34

 
2,587

Revenue adjustments, primarily for pricing on prior period open sales
(6
)
 
(6
)
 
1

 

 
(5
)
PT Smelting intercompany loss
(42
)
 
(28
)
 
(14
)
 

 
(42
)
Gross profit
$
4,174

 
$
2,741

 
$
1,377

 
$
56

 
$
4,174

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliation to Amounts Reported
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Production
 
Depletion and
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
 
and Delivery
 
Amortization
 
 
 
 
Totals presented above
$
6,808

 
$
1,856

 
$
257

 
 
 
 
Treatment charges
(270
)
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
 
 
 
Royalty on metals
(156
)
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
 
 
 
Net noncash and other costs
N/A

 
48

 
N/A

 
 
 
 
Revenue adjustments, primarily for pricing on prior period open sales
(5
)
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
 
 
 
PT Smelting intercompany loss
N/A

 
42

 
N/A

 
 
 
 
Indonesia mining
6,377

 
1,946

 
257

 
 
 
 
North America copper mines
4,173

 
2,052

 
273

 
 
 
 
South America mining
4,991

 
1,678

 
250

 
 
 
 
Africa mining
1,106

 
488

 
128

 
 
 
 
Molybdenum
1,205

 
784

 
51

 
 
 
 
Rod & Refining
4,470

 
4,442

 
8

 
 
 
 
Atlantic Copper Smelting & Refining
2,491

 
2,470

 
38

 
 
 
 
Corporate, other & eliminations
(5,831
)
 
(5,525
)
 
31

 
 
 
 
As reported in FCX’s consolidated financial statements
$
18,982

 
$
8,335

 
$
1,036

 
 
 
 
a.
Includes silver sales of 4.1 million ounces ($21.99 per ounce average realized price).





112


Africa Mining Product Revenues and Production Costs

Year Ended December 31, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
By-Product
 
Co-Product Method
 
Method
 
Copper
 
Cobalt
 
Total
Revenues, excluding adjustmentsa
$
1,179

 
$
1,179

 
$
194

 
$
1,373

Site production and delivery, before net noncash
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
and other costs shown below
501

 
465

 
121

 
586

Cobalt creditsb
(112
)
 

 

 

Royalty on metals
25

 
22

 
3

 
25

Net cash costs
414

 
487

 
124

 
611

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
176

 
160

 
16

 
176

Noncash and other costs, net
29

 
26

 
3

 
29

Total costs
619

 
673

 
143

 
816

Revenue adjustments, primarily for pricing on prior period open sales
8

 
8

 
3

 
11

Gross profit
$
568

 
$
514

 
$
54

 
$
568

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliation to Amounts Reported
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation,
 
 
 
 
 
Production
 
Depletion and
 
 
 
Revenues
 
and Delivery
 
Amortization
 
 
Totals presented above
$
1,373

 
$
586

 
$
176

 
 
Royalty on metals
(25
)
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
 
Net noncash and other costs
N/A

 
29

 
N/A

 
 
Revenue adjustments, primarily for pricing on prior period open sales
11

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
 
Africa mining
1,359

 
615

 
176

 
 
North America copper mines
5,490

 
3,012

 
362

 
 
South America mining
4,728

 
2,114

 
287

 
 
Indonesia mining
3,921

 
2,349

 
212

 
 
Molybdenum
1,255

 
1,033

 
65

 
 
Rod & Refining
5,016

 
4,993

 
9

 
 
Atlantic Copper Smelting & Refining
2,709

 
2,640

 
42

 
 
Corporate, other & eliminations
(6,468
)
 
(6,374
)
 
26

 
 
As reported in FCX’s consolidated financial statements
$
18,010

 
$
10,382

 
$
1,179

 
 
a.
Includes point-of-sale transportation costs as negotiated in customer contracts.
b.
Net of cobalt downstream processing and freight costs.


113


Africa Mining Product Revenues and Production Costs (continued)

Year Ended December 31, 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
By-Product
 
Co-Product Method
 
Method
 
Copper
 
Cobalt
 
Total
Revenues, excluding adjustmentsa
$
1,059

 
$
1,059

 
$
253

 
$
1,312

Site production and delivery, before net noncash
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
and other costs shown below
444

 
393

 
141

 
534

Cobalt creditsb
(165
)
 

 

 

Royalty on metals
24

 
20

 
4

 
24

Net cash costs
303

 
413

 
145

 
558

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
140

 
120

 
20

 
140

Noncash and other costs, net
57

 
49

 
8

 
57

Total costs
500

 
582

 
173

 
755

Revenue adjustments, primarily for pricing on prior period open sales
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
2

 
1

Gross profit
$
558

 
$
476

 
$
82

 
$
558

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliation to Amounts Reported
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation,
 
 
 
 
 
Production
 
Depletion and
 
 
 
Revenues
 
and Delivery
 
Amortization
 
 
Totals presented above
$
1,312

 
$
534

 
$
140

 
 
Royalty on metals
(24
)
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
 
Net noncash and other costs
N/A

 
57

 
N/A

 
 
Revenue adjustments, primarily for pricing on prior period open sales
1

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
 
Africa mining
1,289

 
591

 
140

 
 
North America copper mines
5,633

 
2,629

 
279

 
 
South America mining
5,258

 
1,905

 
258

 
 
Indonesia mining
5,046

 
1,791

 
215

 
 
Molybdenum
1,424

 
1,036

 
60

 
 
Rod & Refining
5,549

 
5,527

 
8

 
 
Atlantic Copper Smelting & Refining
2,984

 
2,991

 
40

 
 
Corporate, other & eliminations
(6,303
)
 
(6,572
)
 
22

 
 
As reported in FCX’s consolidated financial statements
$
20,880

 
$
9,898

 
$
1,022

 
 
a.
Includes point-of-sale transportation costs as negotiated in customer contracts.
b.
Net of cobalt downstream processing and freight costs.


114


Africa Mining Product Revenues and Production Costs (continued)

Year Ended December 31, 2010
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
By-Product
 
Co-Product Method
 
Method
 
Copper
 
Cobalt
 
Total
Revenues, excluding adjustmentsa
$
904

 
$
904

 
$
218

 
$
1,122

Site production and delivery, before net noncash
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
and other costs shown below
366

 
323

 
115

 
438

Cobalt creditsb
(150
)
 

 

 

Royalty on metals
20

 
16

 
4

 
20

Net cash costs
236

 
339

 
119

 
458

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
128

 
107

 
21

 
128

Noncash and other costs, net
50

 
43

 
7

 
50

Total costs
414

 
489

 
147

 
636

Revenue adjustments, primarily for pricing on prior period open sales

 

 
4

 
4

Gross profit
$
490

 
$
415

 
$
75

 
$
490

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliation to Amounts Reported
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation,
 
 
 
 
 
Production
 
Depletion and
 
 
 
Revenues
 
and Delivery
 
Amortization
 
 
Totals presented above
$
1,122

 
$
438

 
$
128

 
 
Royalty on metals
(20
)
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
 
Net noncash and other costs
N/A

 
50

 
N/A

 
 
Revenue adjustments, primarily for pricing on prior period open sales