News Release Details

PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. (NYSE: FCX):

• Net income attributable to common stock for first-quarter 2013 was $648 million, $0.68 per share, compared with net income of $764 million, $0.80 per share, for first-quarter 2012.
• Consolidated sales from mines for first-quarter 2013 totaled 954 million pounds of copper, 214 thousand ounces of gold and 25 million pounds of molybdenum, compared with 827 million pounds of copper, 288 thousand ounces of gold and 21 million pounds of molybdenum for first-quarter 2012.
• Consolidated sales from mines for the year 2013 are expected to approximate 4.3 billion pounds of copper, 1.4 million ounces of gold and 92 million pounds of molybdenum, including 1.0 billion pounds of copper, 295 thousand ounces of gold and 23 million pounds of molybdenum for second-quarter 2013.
• Consolidated unit net cash costs (net of by-product credits) averaged $1.57 per pound of copper for first-quarter 2013, compared with $1.26 per pound for first-quarter 2012. Based on current 2013 sales volume and cost estimates and assuming average prices of $1,400 per ounce for gold and $11 per pound for molybdenum for the remainder of 2013, consolidated unit net cash costs (net of by-product credits) are estimated to average approximately $1.45 per pound of copper for the year 2013.
• Operating cash flows totaled $831 million (net of $430 million in working capital uses and changes in other tax payments) for first-quarter 2013, compared with $801 million (net of $720 million in working capital uses and changes in other tax payments) for first-quarter 2012. Excluding results of pending acquisitions, based on current sales volume and cost estimates and assuming average prices of $3.25 per pound for copper, $1,400 per ounce for gold and $11 per pound for molybdenum for the remainder of 2013, operating cash flows are estimated to approximate $5.5 billion (including $0.4 billion in net working capital sources and changes in other tax payments) for the year 2013.
• Capital expenditures totaled $805 million for first-quarter 2013, compared with $707 million for first-quarter 2012. Other investing activities for first-quarter 2013 included $321 million (net of cash acquired) for payments by the Freeport Cobalt joint venture to fund the acquisition of a cobalt chemical refinery. Excluding amounts for pending acquisitions, capital expenditures are expected to approximate $4.4 billion for the year 2013, including $2.6 billion for major projects and $1.8 billion for sustaining capital.
• FCX completed $10.5 billion in debt financings associated with the pending acquisitions of Plains Exploration & Production Company (PXP) and McMoRan Exploration Co. (MMR) consisting of $4.0 billion in bank term loans (which will be funded at closing of the transactions) and $6.5 billion of senior notes. The weighted-average interest rate of these financings approximates 3.1 percent. The acquisitions of PXP and MMR are expected to close in second-quarter 2013.
• At March 31, 2013, consolidated cash totaled $9.6 billion and total debt totaled $10.1 billion

Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. (NYSE: FCX) reported first-quarter 2013 net income attributable to common stock of $648 million, $0.68 per share, compared with $764 million, $0.80 per share, for first-quarter 2012. First-quarter 2013 net income attributable to common stock included charges totaling $50 million, $0.05 per share, associated with debt extinguishment costs for the termination of the acquisition bridge loan facilities and for costs associated with pending acquisitions and the March 2013 cobalt chemical refinery acquisition. First-quarter 2012 net income attributable to common stock included a charge of $149 million, $0.16 per share, associated with debt extinguishment costs for the redemption of FCX's 8.375% senior notes.

James R. Moffett, Chairman of the Board, and Richard C. Adkerson, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "Our first-quarter results reflect our focus on strong and safe production, aggressive cost management and advancing financially attractive projects to grow our copper production, increase cash flows and provide strong returns for shareholders. We also completed attractive financing transactions during the quarter, providing low-cost debt to fund the pending oil and gas acquisitions. We look forward to completing the transactions in the second quarter and to executing our strategy of developing long-term resources to generate long-term value for shareholders through expanded investment opportunities."

SUMMARY FINANCIAL AND OPERATING DATA

OPERATIONS

Consolidated. First-quarter 2013 consolidated copper sales of 954 million pounds were higher than the January 2013 estimate of 940 million pounds (primarily reflecting higher production and sales from Africa) and also higher than first-quarter 2012 sales of 827 million pounds primarily because of higher production from Indonesia and Africa.

First-quarter 2013 consolidated gold sales of 214 thousand ounces were lower than the January 2013 estimate of 230 thousand ounces (primarily reflecting timing of shipments) and lower than first-quarter 2012 sales of 288 thousand ounces primarily because of anticipated lower ore grades in Indonesia.

First-quarter 2013 consolidated molybdenum sales of 25 million pounds were higher than the January 2013 estimate of 23 million pounds and first-quarter 2012 sales of 21 million pounds primarily because of stronger sales in the metallurgical and chemical sectors.

Consolidated sales from mines for the year 2013 are expected to approximate 4.3 billion pounds of copper, 1.4 million ounces of gold and 92 million pounds of molybdenum, including 1.0 billion pounds of copper, 295 thousand ounces of gold and 23 million pounds of molybdenum for second-quarter 2013.

As anticipated, consolidated average unit net cash costs (net of by-product credits) of $1.57 per pound of copper in first-quarter 2013 were higher than unit net cash costs of $1.26 per pound in first-quarter 2012 reflecting lower by-product credits.

Assuming average prices of $1,400 per ounce of gold and $11 per pound of molybdenum for the remainder of 2013 and achievement of current sales volume and cost estimates, consolidated unit net cash costs (net of by-product credits) for FCX's copper mining operations are expected to average approximately $1.45 per pound of copper for the year 2013. Projected unit net cash costs for 2013 are higher than previous estimates primarily because of lower gold credits. The impact of price changes for the remainder of 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 $0.01 per pound for each $2 per pound change in the average price of molybdenum. Quarterly unit net cash costs vary with fluctuations in sales volumes and average realized prices (primarily gold and molybdenum prices), and are expected to decline during the second half of the year as FCX gains access to higher grade ore in Indonesia (54 percent of 2013 consolidated copper sales volumes and 63 percent of consolidated gold sales volumes are expected in the second half of 2013).

North America Copper Mines. FCX operates seven open-pit copper mines in North America - Morenci, Bagdad, Safford, Sierrita and Miami in Arizona, and Chino and Tyrone in New Mexico. All of the North America mining operations are wholly owned, except for Morenci. FCX records its 85 percent joint venture interest in Morenci using the proportionate consolidation method. In addition to copper, certain of FCX's North America copper mines (Sierrita, Bagdad, Morenci and Chino) also produce molybdenum concentrates, which are sold to FCX's molybdenum sales company at market-based pricing.

Operating and Development Activities. FCX has increased production from its North America copper mines in recent years and continues to evaluate a number of opportunities to invest in additional production capacity at several of its North America copper mines in response to positive exploration results in recent years.

At Morenci, FCX is expanding mining and milling capacity 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. The targeted increase in mining rates has been achieved, engineering activities are nearing completion and construction activities for the new mill and related facilities are in progress.

Operating Data. Following is summary consolidated operating data for the North America copper mines for the first quarters of 2013 and 2012:

Consolidated copper sales volumes from North America of 353 million pounds in first-quarter 2013 were higher than first-quarter 2012 sales of 338 million pounds primarily reflecting increased production at the Chino mine.

FCX expects sales from the North America copper mines to approximate 1.45 billion pounds of copper for the year 2013, compared with 1.35 billion pounds in 2012, primarily reflecting higher production at Morenci and Chino.

Average unit net cash costs (net of by-product credits) for the North America copper mines of $1.86 per pound of copper in first-quarter 2013 were higher than unit net cash costs of $1.51 per pound in first-quarter 2012 primarily reflecting higher mining rates and lower molybdenum credits.

FCX estimates that average unit net cash costs (net of by-product credits) for the North America copper mines would approximate $1.89 per pound of copper for the year 2013, based on current sales volume and cost estimates and assuming an average molybdenum price of $11 per pound for the remainder of 2013. North America's average projected unit net cash costs would change by approximately $0.025 per pound for each $2 per pound change in the average price of molybdenum for the remainder of 2013.

South America Mining. FCX operates four copper mines in South America - Cerro Verde in Peru and El Abra, Candelaria and Ojos del Salado in Chile. FCX owns a 53.56 percent interest in Cerro Verde, a 51 percent interest in El Abra, and an 80 percent interest in both the Candelaria and Ojos del Salado mining complexes. All operations in South America are consolidated in FCX's financial statements. South America mining includes open-pit and underground mining. In addition to copper, the Candelaria and Ojos del Salado mines produce gold and silver, and the Cerro Verde mine produces molybdenum concentrates that are sold to FCX's molybdenum sales company at market-based pricing.

Operating and Development Activities. FCX has commenced initial construction activities associated with a large-scale expansion at Cerro Verde. The project, with an estimated cost of $4.4 billion, will 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.

FCX continues to engage in studies to evaluate a potential large-scale milling operation at El Abra to process additional sulfide material and to achieve higher recoveries. Exploration results at El Abra indicate the potential for a significant sulfide resource.

Operating Data. Following is summary consolidated operating data for the South America mining operations for the first quarters of 2013 and 2012:

Consolidated copper sales volumes from South America of 285 million pounds in first-quarter 2013 approximated first-quarter 2012 sales of 286 million pounds as higher grade ore at Candelaria offset lower grade ore at Cerro Verde.

FCX expects South America's sales to approximate 1.34 billion pounds of copper for the year 2013, compared with sales of 1.25 billion pounds of copper in 2012, primarily reflecting higher grade ore at Candelaria.

Average unit net cash costs (net of by-product credits) for South America of $1.51 per pound of copper in first-quarter 2013 were higher than unit net cash costs of $1.40 per pound in first-quarter 2012 primarily reflecting higher costs for maintenance and repairs.

FCX estimates that average unit net cash costs (net of by-product credits) for South America mining would approximate $1.44 per pound of copper for the year 2013, based on current sales volume and cost estimates and assuming average prices of $1,400 per ounce of gold and $11 per pound of molybdenum for the remainder of 2013.

Indonesia Mining. Through its 90.64 percent owned and wholly consolidated subsidiary PT Freeport Indonesia, FCX's assets include one of the world's largest copper and gold deposits at the Grasberg minerals district in Papua, Indonesia. PT Freeport Indonesia produces copper concentrates, which contain significant quantities of gold and silver.

Operating and Development Activities. FCX has 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 produce approximately 240,000 metric tons of ore per day following the currently anticipated transition from the Grasberg open pit in 2017. Development of the Grasberg Block Cave and Deep Mill Level Zone (DMLZ) is advancing according to schedule, which would enable the DMLZ to commence production in 2015 and the Grasberg Block Cave mine to commence production in 2017. Over the next five years, estimated aggregate capital spending on these projects is currently expected to average $735 million per year ($585 million per year net to PT Freeport Indonesia).

Operating Data. Following is summary consolidated operating data for the Indonesia mining operations for the first quarters of 2013 and 2012:

Indonesia's first-quarter 2013 copper sales of 198 million pounds were higher than first-quarter 2012 copper sales of 134 million pounds when labor-related disruptions affected operations. Productivity measures have continued to improve resulting in first-quarter 2013 daily mill throughput averaging 199,400 metric tons per day, including 59,000 metric tons per day from the Deep Ore Zone (DOZ) underground mine.

As expected, Indonesia's first-quarter 2013 gold sales of 191 thousand ounces were lower than first-quarter 2012 gold sales of 266 thousand ounces primarily as a result of lower ore grades from mine sequencing.

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. FCX expects sales from Indonesia to approximate 1.1 billion pounds of copper and 1.25 million ounces of gold for the year 2013, compared with 716 million pounds of copper and 915 thousand ounces of gold for the year 2012. FCX expects sales from Indonesia to increase in the second half of 2013 as PT Freeport Indonesia gains access to higher ore grades and achieves the targeted ramp up in production from the DOZ underground mine to approximately 80,000 metric tons per day (57 percent of Indonesia's projected copper sales and 63 percent of Indonesia's projected gold sales are expected in the second half of 2013).

Indonesia's unit net cash costs (including gold and silver credits) of $1.34 per pound of copper in first-quarter 2013 were higher than unit net cash costs of $0.33 per pound in first-quarter 2012 primarily reflecting lower gold credits, partly offset by higher copper sales volumes.

FCX estimates Indonesia's average unit net cash costs (net of gold and silver credits) would approximate $1.00 per pound of copper for the year 2013, based on current sales volume and cost estimates and assuming an average gold price of $1,400 per ounce for the remainder of 2013. Projected unit net cash costs for 2013 are higher than previous estimates primarily because of lower gold credits. Indonesia's projected unit net cash costs would change by approximately $0.05 per pound for each $50 per ounce change in the average price of gold for the remainder of 2013. Because of the fixed nature of a large portion of Indonesia's costs, unit costs vary from quarter to quarter depending on copper and gold sales volumes, as well as average realized gold prices for the quarterly period. Indonesia's unit net cash costs are expected to decline during the second half of the year as it gains access to higher grade ore.

Africa Mining. Through its 56 percent owned and wholly consolidated subsidiary Tenke Fungurume Mining S.A.R.L. (TFM), FCX operates the Tenke Fungurume (Tenke) mine in the Katanga province of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In addition to copper, the Tenke mine produces cobalt hydroxide.

Operating and Development Activities. TFM has completed its second phase expansion project, which included optimizing the current plant and increasing mine, mill and processing capacity. The expanded mill is capable of throughput of 14,000 metric tons of ore per day to enable increasing copper production by 150 million pounds to over 430 million pounds per year. Costs incurred to date total approximately $615 million and included mill upgrades, additional mining equipment and a new tankhouse. A second sulphuric acid plant, which was included in the $850 million total estimated project capital cost, is expected to be installed in 2015. The expanded mill facility is performing well, with first-quarter 2013 average throughput rates of 14,600 metric tons per day.

FCX continues 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 consolidated operating data for the Africa mining operations for the first quarters of 2013 and 2012:

Africa mining operations established new records in first-quarter 2013 for mining, milling and copper sales. Copper sales from Africa of 118 million pounds in first-quarter 2013 were higher than first-quarter 2012 copper sales of 69 million pounds primarily reflecting higher mining and milling rates principally related to the ramp up of the expansion project and higher ore grades.

FCX expects Africa's sales to approximate 435 million pounds of copper and 28 million pounds of cobalt for the year 2013, compared with 336 million pounds of copper and 25 million pounds of cobalt for the year 2012.

Africa's unit net cash costs (net of cobalt credits) of $1.23 per pound of copper in first-quarter 2013 were slightly lower than unit net cash costs of $1.25 per pound in first-quarter 2012, primarily reflecting the benefit of higher sales volumes, partly offset by lower cobalt credits.

FCX estimates Africa's average unit net cash costs would approximate $1.18 per pound of copper for the year 2013, based on current sales volume and cost estimates and assuming an average cobalt price of $12 per pound for the remainder of 2013. Africa's projected unit net cash costs would change by approximately $0.065 per pound for each $2 per pound change in the average price of cobalt for the remainder of 2013.

Freeport Cobalt. On March 29, 2013, through the newly formed and wholly consolidated Freeport Cobalt joint venture, FCX acquired a large-scale cobalt chemical refinery located in Kokkola, Finland, and the related sales and marketing business. FCX is the operator of the joint venture with an effective 56 percent ownership interest. The remaining effective ownership interests are held by FCX's partners in TFM, including 24 percent by Lundin Mining Corporation and 20 percent by La Générale des Carrières et des Mines.

This acquisition enhances FCX's cobalt marketing position, product portfolio and product development capabilities, and provides direct end-market access for the cobalt hydroxide production from TFM.

Initial consideration paid was $355 million, including $34 million of acquired cash. Under the terms of the agreement, there is the potential for additional consideration of up to $110 million over a period of three years, contingent upon the achievement of revenue-based performance targets. The acquisition was funded 70 percent by FCX and 30 percent by Lundin, which amounts will be repaid prior to any shareholder distributions.

Molybdenum Mines. FCX has two wholly owned molybdenum mines in North America – the Henderson underground mine and the Climax open-pit mine, both in Colorado. The Henderson and Climax mines produce high-purity, chemical-grade molybdenum concentrates, which are typically further processed into value-added molybdenum chemical products.

Operating Data. Following is summary consolidated operating data for the molybdenum mines for the first quarters of 2013 and 2012:

The Climax molybdenum mine was commissioned in second-quarter 2012 and includes a new 25,000 metric ton per day mill facility. Molybdenum production from the Climax mine totaled 5 million pounds in first-quarter 2013 and is targeted at 20 million pounds for the year 2013 (with potential to produce up to approximately 30 million pounds per year, depending on market conditions). FCX intends to operate the Climax and Henderson mines in a flexible manner to meet market requirements.

Average unit net cash costs for FCX's molybdenum mines were $7.32 per pound of molybdenum in first-quarter 2013, compared with $6.88 per pound in first-quarter 2012, reflecting higher input costs at Henderson and the addition of production from Climax.

Based on current sales volume and cost estimates, FCX expects unit net cash costs for the molybdenum mines to average approximately $7.25 per pound of molybdenum for the year 2013 (reflecting approximately $7.50 per pound for Henderson and $6.90 per pound for Climax).

EXPLORATION ACTIVITIES

FCX is actively conducting exploration activities near its existing mines with a focus on opportunities to expand reserves that will support the development of additional future production capacity in the large minerals districts where it currently operates. Exploration results indicate opportunities for significant future potential reserve additions in North and South America and in the Tenke Fungurume minerals district. The drilling data in North America continue to indicate the potential for expanded sulfide production.

Exploration spending is expected to approximate $235 million for the year 2013, compared to $251 million in 2012. Exploration activities will continue to focus primarily on the potential for future reserve additions in FCX's existing minerals districts. Approximately one-third of the 2013 budget is associated with global greenfield exploration projects.

CASH FLOWS

FCX generated operating cash flows of $831 million (net of $430 million in working capital uses and changes in other tax payments) for first-quarter 2013. Excluding results from pending acquisitions, based on current sales volume and cost estimates and assuming average prices of $3.25 per pound of copper, $1,400 per ounce of gold and $11 per pound of molybdenum for the remainder of 2013, FCX's consolidated operating cash flows are estimated to approximate $5.5 billion (including $0.4 billion in net working capital sources and changes in other tax payments) for the year 2013. The impact of price changes during the remainder of 2013 on operating cash flows would approximate $270 million for each $0.10 per pound change in the average price of copper, $50 million for each $50 per ounce change in the average price of gold and $80 million for each $2 per pound change in the average price of molybdenum.

Capital expenditures totaled $805 million for first-quarter 2013. Excluding amounts for pending acquisitions, capital expenditures are currently estimated to approximate $4.4 billion for the year 2013 (including $2.6 billion for major projects and $1.8 billion for sustaining capital). Major projects for 2013 primarily include the expansions at Cerro Verde and Morenci and underground development activities at Grasberg. FCX is also considering additional investments at several of its sites. Capital spending plans will continue to be reviewed and adjusted in response to changes in market conditions and other factors.

Other investing activities for first-quarter 2013 included $321 million (net of cash acquired) for payments by the Freeport Cobalt joint venture to fund the March 2013 acquisition of a cobalt chemical refinery.

CASH AND DEBT

Following is a summary of cash available to the parent company, net of noncontrolling interests' share, taxes and other costs at March 31, 2013 (in billions):

At March 31, 2013, FCX had $10.1 billion in debt, including the March 2013 issuance of $6.5 billion of senior notes.

During first-quarter 2013, FCX sold $6.5 billion of senior notes in four tranches and also entered into an agreement for a $4.0 billion bank term loan (the Term Loan). No amounts are currently available to FCX under the Term Loan, which will be funded at closing of the PXP and MMR acquisitions. The weighted-average interest rate of these financings approximates 3.1 percent. FCX expects to use the net proceeds from these financings to fund the pending acquisitions of PXP and MMR, including for the payment of cash consideration for the acquisitions and the repayment of certain indebtedness of PXP and MMR. If the PXP acquisition is not completed, FCX will be required to redeem all the outstanding 7-year, 10-year and 30-year notes (which total $5 billion) at 101 percent plus accrued and unpaid interest.

At March 31, 2013, FCX had no borrowings and $43 million of letters of credit issued under its revolving credit facility, resulting in availability of $1.5 billion. In February 2013, FCX entered into a new $3.0 billion senior unsecured revolving credit facility, which will refinance and replace its existing revolving credit facility upon completion of the pending acquisition of PXP.

FINANCIAL POLICY

FCX has a long-standing tradition of seeking to build shareholder value through investing in projects with attractive rates of return and returning cash to shareholders through common stock dividends and share purchases. FCX paid common stock dividends of $297 million in first-quarter 2013. FCX's current annual dividend rate for its common stock is $1.25 per share. On March 27, 2013, FCX's Board of Directors (the Board) declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.3125 per share, which will be paid on May 1, 2013. FCX intends to continue to maintain a strong financial position, invest aggressively in attractive growth projects and provide cash returns to shareholders. The Board will continue to review FCX's financial policy on an ongoing basis.

PENDING ACQUISITIONS OF PXP AND MMR

On December 5, 2012, FCX announced definitive agreements to acquire, in separate transactions, PXP and MMR. PXP per-share consideration is equivalent to 0.6531 shares of FCX common stock and $25 in cash. MMR per-share consideration consists of $14.75 in cash and 1.15 units of a royalty trust, which will hold a five percent overriding royalty interest in future production of MMR's existing shallow water ultra-deep prospects. The combined company would be a premier U.S.-based natural resource company with a growing production profile and an industry leading global portfolio of mineral assets and significant oil and gas resources. The addition of a high quality, North America-focused oil and gas resource base is expected to provide strong current cash flows and significant growth potential, enhanced geographic diversification and complementary exposure to markets positioned for global growth.

Completion of each transaction is subject to receipt of PXP and MMR stockholder approval of their respective transaction. 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. The transactions are expected to close in second-quarter 2013, subject to satisfaction of all conditions to closing.

WEBCAST INFORMATION

A conference call with securities analysts to discuss FCX's first-quarter 2013 results is scheduled for today at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. The conference call will be broadcast on the Internet along with slides. Interested parties may listen to the conference call live and view the slides by accessing "www.fcx.com." A replay of the webcast will be available through Friday, May 17, 2013.

FCX is a leading international mining company with headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona. FCX operates large, long-lived, geographically diverse assets with significant proven and probable reserves of copper, gold and molybdenum. FCX has a dynamic portfolio of operating, expansion and growth projects in the copper industry and is the world's largest producer of molybdenum.

FCX's portfolio of assets includes the Grasberg minerals district in Indonesia, one of the world's largest copper and gold deposits in terms of recoverable reserves; significant mining operations in the Americas, including the large-scale Morenci minerals district in North America and the Cerro Verde and El Abra operations in South America; and the Tenke Fungurume minerals district in the DRC. Additional information about FCX is available on FCX's website at "www.fcx.com."

Cautionary Statement and Regulation G Disclosure: This press release contains forward-looking statements in which FCX discusses its potential future performance. Forward-looking statements are all statements other than statements of historical facts, such as those 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, reserve estimates, future dividend payments and potential share purchases. The words “anticipates,” “may,” “can,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “projects,” “intends,” “likely,” “will,” “should,” “to be,” and any similar expressions are intended to identify those assertions as forward-looking statements. The declaration of dividends is at the discretion of FCX's Board and will depend on FCX's financial results, cash requirements, future prospects, and other factors deemed relevant by the Board.

FCX cautions readers that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and its actual results may differ materially from those anticipated, projected or assumed in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that can cause FCX's actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements include commodity prices, mine sequencing, production rates, industry risks, regulatory changes, political risks, the outcome of ongoing discussions with the Indonesian government, the potential effects of violence in Indonesia, the resolution of administrative disputes in the Democratic Republic of Congo, weather- and climate-related risks, labor relations, environmental risks, litigation results, currency translation risks, risks associated with completion of the pending acquisitions, and other factors described in more detail under the heading “Risk Factors” in FCX's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as updated by FCX's subsequent filings with the SEC.

Investors are cautioned that many of the assumptions on which FCX's forward-looking statements are based are likely to change after its forward-looking statements are made, including for example commodity prices, which FCX cannot control, and production volumes and costs, some aspects of which FCX may or may not be able to control. Further, FCX may make changes to its business plans that could or will affect its results. FCX cautions investors that it does not intend to update forward-looking statements more frequently than quarterly not with standing any changes in FCX's assumptions, changes in business plans, actual experience or other changes, and FCX undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

This press release also contains certain financial measures such as unit net cash costs per pound of copper and per pound of molybdenum. As required by SEC Regulation G, reconciliations of these measures to amounts reported in FCX's consolidated financial statements are in the supplemental schedule, "Product Revenues and Production Costs," beginning on page VI, which is also available on FCX's website, "www.fcx.com."

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE PENDING PXP AND MMR TRANSACTIONS AND WHERE TO FIND IT

PXP Transaction. In connection with the pending transaction, FCX has filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-4/A that includes a preliminary proxy statement of PXP that also constitutes a prospectus of FCX. FCX and PXP also plan to file other relevant documents with the SEC regarding the pending transaction. INVESTORS ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC IF AND WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE, BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. You may obtain a free copy of the proxy statement/prospectus (if and when it becomes available) and other relevant documents filed by FCX and PXP with the SEC at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. You may also obtain these documents by contacting FCX's Investor Relations department at (602) 366-8400, or via e-mail at IR@fmi.com; or by contacting PXP's Investor Relations department at (713) 579-6291, or via email at investor@pxp.com.

FCX and PXP and their respective directors and executive officers and other members of management and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the pending transaction. Information about FCX's directors and executive officers is available in FCX's proxy statement dated April 27, 2012, for its 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Information about PXP's directors and executive officers is available in PXP's proxy statement dated April 13, 2012, for its 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Other information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be contained in the definitive proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC regarding the merger when they become available. Investors should read the definitive proxy statement/prospectus carefully when it becomes available. You may obtain free copies of these documents from FCX or PXP using the sources indicated above.

This document shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

MMR Transaction. In connection with the pending transaction, FCX and the royalty trust formed in connection with the transaction have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-4/A that includes a preliminary proxy statement of MMR that also constitutes a prospectus of FCX and the royalty trust. FCX, the royalty trust and MMR also plan to file other relevant documents with the SEC regarding the pending transaction. INVESTORS ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC IF AND WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE, BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. You may obtain a free copy of the proxy statement/prospectus (if and when it becomes available) and other relevant documents filed by FCX, the royalty trust and MMR with the SEC at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. You may also obtain these documents by contacting FCX's Investor Relations department at (602) 366-8400, or via e-mail at IR@fmi.com; or by contacting MMR's Investor Relations department at (504) 582-4000, or via email at IR@fmi.com.

FCX and MMR and their respective directors and executive officers and other members of management and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the pending transaction. Information about FCX's directors and executive officers is available in FCX's proxy statement dated April 27, 2012, for its 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Information about MMR's directors and executive officers is available in MMR's proxy statement dated April 27, 2012, for its 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Other information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be contained in the definitive proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC regarding the merger when they become available. Investors should read the definitive proxy statement/prospectus carefully when it becomes available. You may obtain free copies of these documents from FCX or MMR using the sources indicated above.

This document shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Contacts

Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc.
Financial Contacts:
Kathleen L. Quirk, 602-366-8016
or
David P. Joint, 504-582-4203
or
Media Contact:
Eric E. Kinneberg, 602-366-7994