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Contingencies and Commitments
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2025
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Contingencies and Commitments CONTINGENCIES AND COMMITMENTS
Environmental
There were no significant updates to environmental obligations included in Note 10 of FCX’s 2024 Form 10-K, other than as discussed below.

As a result of the 2007 acquisition of FMC, FCX recorded FMC environmental obligations at fair value on the acquisition date in accordance with business combination accounting guidance. In connection with FCX’s ongoing review and monitoring of these environmental remediation sites, FCX identified specific projects with environmental obligations where it can no longer be concluded that a probable liability exists. Accordingly, during third-quarter 2025, FCX recorded reductions totaling $81 million to the related environmental obligations reflecting closure of these projects.

Historical Smelter Sites. In July 2025, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection accepted FCX’s proposal for alternative remediation standards for sediment remediation in Arthur Kill, the water body adjacent to the former Carteret smelter site, which resulted in a $46 million increase to the related environmental obligation.

In third-quarter 2025, FCX also recorded an increase to its environmental obligation associated with the Carteret smelter site totaling $19 million based on updated cost estimates for the remediation work.

Litigation
There were no significant updates to previously reported legal proceedings included in Note 10 of FCX’s 2024 Form 10-K, other than the matter discussed below.

Asbestos and Talc Claims. The claimants in both the Imerys Talc America (Imerys) and Cyprus Mines Corporation (Cyprus Mines) bankruptcy cases previously approved a global settlement, which remains subject to bankruptcy court approvals in both cases. During third-quarter 2025, the parties agreed that “foreign claimants” (as defined in the amended plan) would not be discharged. In accordance with the global settlement, as amended, Cyprus Amax Minerals Company (CAMC), an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of FCX and Cyprus Mines’ parent company, agreed to contribute $195 million in the aggregate over seven years to a proposed claimant trust. There can be no assurance that the amended plan will be approved by the bankruptcy court.

In addition, in 2024, Cyprus Mines and Imerys entered into a settlement agreement with Johnson & Johnson (J&J), which became effective in February 2025. In accordance with the settlement agreement, (i) all indemnity claims
against J&J were released, and Imerys and Cyprus Mines waived claims against insurers that could lead to the insurers asserting claims against J&J; (ii) J&J agreed to pay $505 million to Imerys and Cyprus Mines (shared 50/50 between the two parties); and (iii) J&J agreed to remit recoveries of certain legacy insurance claims to Imerys and Cyprus Mines. In accordance with the settlement, Cyprus Mines received cash of $230 million during the first nine months of 2025, with $48 million remaining to be received by early 2026. At September 30, 2025, FCX had a total litigation reserve of $477 million associated with the global settlement, including $278 million associated with the J&J settlement and $4 million for potential foreign claims.

Indonesia Matters
Refer to Notes 10, 11 and 12 of FCX’s 2024 Form 10-K for further discussion of Indonesia matters.

Grasberg Minerals District Mud Rush Incident. On September 8, 2025, PTFI experienced a mud rush incident that resulted in seven fatalities. During the incident, which was unprecedented in PTFI’s multi-decade history of block cave mining in the Grasberg minerals district, a sudden rush of approximately 800,000 metric tons of wet material entered the Grasberg Block Cave underground mine from the former Grasberg open pit and traveled rapidly to multiple levels of the mine, including a service level where seven team members were later found deceased.

Mining operations were temporarily suspended following the incident to prioritize the recovery of the seven team members fatally injured during the incident and to conduct an investigation into the root cause of the incident. The recovery efforts were completed on October 5, 2025, and the investigation is advancing toward completion. Damage assessments, which are expected to be completed by year-end 2025, are being conducted in parallel with ongoing mud removal activities.

In late October 2025, PTFI restarted operations at the unaffected Big Gossan and Deep Mill Level Zone underground mines.

Smelting operations in Indonesia operated with limited availability since the incident and both smelters are currently on stand-by status pending the delivery of copper concentrate.

FCX and PTFI, including external experts, are completing an investigation of the root cause of the incident and to identify actions required to safeguard against recurrence. In parallel, and in coordination with Indonesia government authorities, future production plans are being evaluated and damage assessments are being completed.

During third-quarter 2025, PTFI recorded charges totaling $195 million associated with the mud rush incident, including $152 million for idle facility costs and $43 million related to recovery efforts. During the phased restart and ramp-up of operations in fourth-quarter 2025 and in 2026, a portion of PTFI’s cost of sales are expected to be recognized as idle facility costs, which are non-inventoriable costs.

As of September 30, 2025, PTFI had limited access to the area where the incident occurred and was unable to adequately assess damage to the impacted assets. Accordingly, no impairment charges were recorded in third-quarter 2025. Upon completion of damage assessments and evaluation of the affected infrastructure in fourth-quarter 2025, PTFI expects to write-off the carrying value of assets determined to be damaged beyond repair. Furthermore, FCX does not believe the incident indicates a broader impairment of PTFI’s long-lived mining assets based on PTFI’s reserve life, favorable market outlook for metal prices and expected resumption of operations at the Grasberg Block Cave underground mine in the near term.

PTFI is seeking recovery of damages under its property and business interruption insurance policies, which cover up to $1.0 billion in losses (subject to a limit of $0.7 billion on underground incidents), after a $0.5 billion deductible. PTFI’s ability to recover damages under its insurance coverage with respect to the mud rush incident is subject to certain conditions. Any amounts recoverable under PTFI’s insurance policies will be reflected in future periods in which recovery is considered realizable in accordance with the gain contingency accounting guidance.

As a result of the incident and impact on operations, PTFI has also notified certain commercial counterparties of a force majeure under its contracts.

Concentrate Exports. PTFI’s copper concentrate export license for 1.4 million metric tons of copper concentrate (subject to a 7.5% export duty) expired on September 16, 2025.
Long-Term Mining Rights. With the completion of PTFI’s downstream processing facilities during 2025, FCX and PTFI have advanced discussions with the Indonesia government for a long-term extension of PTFI’s operating rights beyond the current expiration of 2041. An extension would enable continuity of large-scale operations for the benefit of all stakeholders and provide growth options through additional resource development opportunities in the highly attractive Grasberg minerals district.

PTFI is preparing its application for a long-term extension expected to cover the life of the resource, which is expected to be submitted in fourth-quarter 2025. In connection with the extension, PTFI expects to pursue additional exploration, conduct studies for future additional development and expand its social programs. FCX expects to maintain its ownership interest of approximately 49% through 2041 and would transfer an additional interest in PTFI to a state-owned enterprise beginning in 2042, leaving FCX to hold an approximately 37% interest. FCX also expects the existing governance agreements would continue over the life of the resource.

Export Proceeds. Effective March 1, 2025, the Indonesia government implemented a new regulation for export proceeds that requires 100% of export proceeds to be deposited in Indonesia banks for 12 months. The regulation allows the use of funds for ongoing business requirements, including dividends to shareholders, payment of taxes and other obligations to the Indonesia government, payment for materials or capital expenditures that are not available domestically and repayment of loans. Because PTFI has the ability to utilize its export proceeds to fund business requirements, these deposits are classified as cash and cash equivalents.

Smelter Assurance. In March 2025, assurance bonds and funds required to be held in escrow to support commitment for smelter development were released following approval from the Indonesia government that PTFI’s smelter development obligation had been met.
Administrative Fine. In March 2025, PTFI paid $59 million for an administrative fine that was previously assessed by the Indonesia government for delays in smelter development. The fine was fully accrued at year-end 2024.