-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 KhppNA57vBZC3NEkklmMTqwdI6TmLEeRg4cDKkI174Ig97r7aVigYLq1EuSXcoAE
 lrV3qDvF3HtpwlxGTfWUWg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000906280-03-000436.txt : 20031023
<SEC-HEADER>0000906280-03-000436.hdr.sgml : 20031023
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031023162159
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000906280-03-000436
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031022
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031023

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			WHITMIRE C DONALD JR
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001200687

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-11307-01
		FILM NUMBER:		03954323

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1615 POYDRAS STREET
		CITY:			NEW ORLEANS
		STATE:			LA
		ZIP:			70112
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5045824000

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			FREEPORT MCMORAN COPPER & GOLD INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000831259
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	METAL MINING [1000]
		IRS NUMBER:				742480931
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1615 POYDRAS ST
		CITY:			NEW ORLEANS
		STATE:			LA
		ZIP:			70112
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5045824000

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	FREEPORT MCMORAN COPPER COMPANY INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19910114
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>f4100092031023_162117277.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>
<periodOfReport>2003-10-22</periodOfReport>
<notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000831259</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>FREEPORT MCMORAN COPPER &amp; GOLD INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>FCX</issuerTradingSymbol>
</issuer>
<reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001200687</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>WHITMIRE C DONALD JR</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1615 POYDRAS STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW ORLEANS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>LA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>70112</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>0</isDirector>
<isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
<isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
<isOther>0</isOther>
<officerTitle>Vice President and Controller</officerTitle>
<otherText></otherText>
</reportingOwnerRelationship>
</reportingOwner>
<nonDerivativeTable>
<nonDerivativeTransaction>
<securityTitle>
<value>Class B Common Stock</value>
</securityTitle>
<transactionDate>
<value>2003-10-22</value>
</transactionDate>
<transactionCoding>
<transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
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<transactionTimeliness>
<value></value>
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<transactionAmounts>
<transactionShares>
<value>3743</value>
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<transactionPricePerShare>
<value>13.9734</value>
</transactionPricePerShare>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
<value>A</value>
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<value>4912</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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<transactionDate>
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<transactionTimeliness>
<value></value>
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<transactionAmounts>
<transactionShares>
<value>6000</value>
</transactionShares>
<transactionPricePerShare>
<value>29.1875</value>
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<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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<securityTitle>
<value>Class B Common Stock</value>
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<transactionDate>
<value>2003-10-22</value>
</transactionDate>
<transactionCoding>
<transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
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<transactionTimeliness>
<value></value>
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<transactionAmounts>
<transactionShares>
<value>2000</value>
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<transactionPricePerShare>
<value>14.625</value>
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<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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<ownershipNature>
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<value></value>
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</nonDerivativeTransaction>
<nonDerivativeTransaction>
<securityTitle>
<value>Class B Common Stock</value>
</securityTitle>
<transactionDate>
<value>2003-10-22</value>
</transactionDate>
<transactionCoding>
<transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
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<transactionTimeliness>
<value></value>
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<transactionAmounts>
<transactionShares>
<value>3500</value>
</transactionShares>
<transactionPricePerShare>
<value>9.9375</value>
</transactionPricePerShare>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
<value>A</value>
</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
</transactionAmounts>
<postTransactionAmounts>
<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
<value>18612</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature>
<directOrIndirectOwnership>
<value>D</value>
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<natureOfOwnership>
<value></value>
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</ownershipNature>
</nonDerivativeTransaction>
<nonDerivativeTransaction>
<securityTitle>
<value>Class B Common Stock</value>
</securityTitle>
<transactionDate>
<value>2003-10-22</value>
</transactionDate>
<transactionCoding>
<transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
</transactionCoding>
<transactionTimeliness>
<value></value>
</transactionTimeliness>
<transactionAmounts>
<transactionShares>
<value>17443</value>
</transactionShares>
<transactionPricePerShare>
<value>38</value>
</transactionPricePerShare>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
<value>D</value>
</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
</transactionAmounts>
<postTransactionAmounts>
<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
<value>1169</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature>
<directOrIndirectOwnership>
<value>D</value>
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<natureOfOwnership>
<value></value>
</natureOfOwnership>
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</nonDerivativeTransaction>
<nonDerivativeHolding>
<securityTitle>
<value>Class B Common Stock</value>
</securityTitle>
<postTransactionAmounts>
<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
<value>1072</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature>
<directOrIndirectOwnership>
<value>I</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
<natureOfOwnership>
<value>Through IRA</value>
</natureOfOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</nonDerivativeHolding>
</nonDerivativeTable>
<derivativeTable>
<derivativeTransaction>
<securityTitle>
<value>Options ( right to buy )</value>
<footnoteId id="F1"/>
</securityTitle>
<conversionOrExercisePrice>
<value>13.9734</value>
</conversionOrExercisePrice>
<transactionDate>
<value>2003-10-22</value>
</transactionDate>
<transactionCoding>
<transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
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<transactionTimeliness>
<value></value>
</transactionTimeliness>
<transactionAmounts>
<transactionShares>
<value>3743</value>
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<transactionPricePerShare>
<value>0</value>
</transactionPricePerShare>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
<value>D</value>
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</transactionAmounts>
<exerciseDate>
<value>2003-01-29</value>
<footnoteId id="F2"/>
</exerciseDate>
<expirationDate>
<value>2012-01-29</value>
</expirationDate>
<underlyingSecurity>
<underlyingSecurityTitle>
<value>Class B Common Stock</value>
</underlyingSecurityTitle>
<underlyingSecurityShares>
<value>3743</value>
</underlyingSecurityShares>
</underlyingSecurity>
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<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
<value>11231</value>
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<ownershipNature>
<directOrIndirectOwnership>
<value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
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<value></value>
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</derivativeTransaction>
<derivativeTransaction>
<securityTitle>
<value>Options ( right to buy )</value>
<footnoteId id="F1"/>
</securityTitle>
<conversionOrExercisePrice>
<value>32.8125</value>
</conversionOrExercisePrice>
<transactionDate>
<value>2003-10-22</value>
</transactionDate>
<transactionCoding>
<transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
</transactionCoding>
<transactionTimeliness>
<value></value>
</transactionTimeliness>
<transactionAmounts>
<transactionShares>
<value>2200</value>
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<transactionPricePerShare>
<value>0</value>
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<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
<value>D</value>
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</transactionAmounts>
<exerciseDate>
<value>1997-04-30</value>
<footnoteId id="F2"/>
</exerciseDate>
<expirationDate>
<value>2006-04-30</value>
</expirationDate>
<underlyingSecurity>
<underlyingSecurityTitle>
<value>Class B Common Stock</value>
</underlyingSecurityTitle>
<underlyingSecurityShares>
<value>2200</value>
</underlyingSecurityShares>
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<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
<value>0</value>
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<directOrIndirectOwnership>
<value>D</value>
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<value></value>
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<value>29.1875</value>
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<transactionDate>
<value>2003-10-22</value>
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<transactionTimeliness>
<value></value>
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<transactionAmounts>
<transactionShares>
<value>6000</value>
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<value>0</value>
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<value>D</value>
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<value>2007-04-29</value>
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<derivativeTransaction>
<securityTitle>
<value>Options ( right to buy )</value>
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<value>14.625</value>
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<transactionTimeliness>
<value></value>
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<transactionAmounts>
<transactionShares>
<value>2000</value>
</transactionShares>
<transactionPricePerShare>
<value>0</value>
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<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
<value>D</value>
</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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<exerciseDate>
<value>1999-02-03</value>
<footnoteId id="F2"/>
</exerciseDate>
<expirationDate>
<value>2008-02-03</value>
</expirationDate>
<underlyingSecurity>
<underlyingSecurityTitle>
<value>Class B Common Stock</value>
</underlyingSecurityTitle>
<underlyingSecurityShares>
<value>2000</value>
</underlyingSecurityShares>
</underlyingSecurity>
<postTransactionAmounts>
<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
<value>0</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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<ownershipNature>
<directOrIndirectOwnership>
<value>D</value>
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<natureOfOwnership>
<value></value>
</natureOfOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</derivativeTransaction>
<derivativeTransaction>
<securityTitle>
<value>Options ( right to buy )</value>
<footnoteId id="F1"/>
</securityTitle>
<conversionOrExercisePrice>
<value>9.9375</value>
</conversionOrExercisePrice>
<transactionDate>
<value>2003-10-22</value>
</transactionDate>
<transactionCoding>
<transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
</transactionCoding>
<transactionTimeliness>
<value></value>
</transactionTimeliness>
<transactionAmounts>
<transactionShares>
<value>3500</value>
</transactionShares>
<transactionPricePerShare>
<value>0</value>
</transactionPricePerShare>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
<value>D</value>
</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
</transactionAmounts>
<exerciseDate>
<value>2000-02-02</value>
<footnoteId id="F2"/>
</exerciseDate>
<expirationDate>
<value>2009-02-02</value>
</expirationDate>
<underlyingSecurity>
<underlyingSecurityTitle>
<value>Class B Common Stock</value>
</underlyingSecurityTitle>
<underlyingSecurityShares>
<value>3500</value>
</underlyingSecurityShares>
</underlyingSecurity>
<postTransactionAmounts>
<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
<value>0</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature>
<directOrIndirectOwnership>
<value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
<natureOfOwnership>
<value></value>
</natureOfOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</derivativeTransaction>
</derivativeTable>
<footnotes>
<footnote id="F1">Options with limited stock appreciation rights</footnote>
<footnote id="F2">25% exercisable on the date indicated and 25% exercisable on each of the next three anniversaries thereof</footnote>
</footnotes>
<ownerSignature>
<signatureName>Margaret F. Murphy, on behalf of C. Donald Whitmire, Jr. pursuant to a Power of Attorney</signatureName>
<signatureDate>2003-10-22</signatureDate>
</ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----