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Freeport-McMoRan Inc. is a U.S.-based corporation in the materials sector, classified under the mining and basic metals subsector. Founded by Eric Pierson Swenson and Charles F. Allen, the company was initially driven by the development of mineral exploration projects in regions with high geological potential in the United States and international markets.
The operating portfolio includes the extraction, processing, and commercialization of copper, gold, molybdenum, and related mineral byproducts. Activities encompass open-pit and underground mines, processing plants, smelters, and integrated logistics infrastructure for transporting concentrates and refined metals.
The geographic footprint covers operations in the United States, Indonesia, and Latin America, with significant assets such as the Grasberg and Morenci mining complexes. Commercial output serves global industries including energy, construction, electronics, machinery manufacturing, and other sectors that rely heavily on base metals.
Relevant market factors include volatility in international copper prices, supply-and-demand cycles in the metals sector, operating costs influenced by energy and labor, and environmental regulations imposed by multiple jurisdictions. Competition stems from large global mining companies with diversified basic-metals portfolios.
Operational scale includes tens of thousands of employees, substantial annual production capacity for copper and molybdenum, and long-term supply agreements with large industrial customers. The operational network integrates mines, processing facilities, expansion projects, engineering centers, and administrative units distributed across several continents.
The operating structure follows integrated models that combine geological exploration, mineral extraction, metallurgical processing, export logistics, and environmental management. Corporate headquarters are located in Phoenix, Arizona, with subsidiaries and operating divisions aligned to the jurisdictions where the company maintains mining and industrial assets.
Freeport-McMoRan Inc. is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the ticker FCX.
History and foundation
The company was established in 1912 in Freeport, Texas, with an initial focus on sulfur exploration and the development of mining projects serving the U.S. domestic market amid rising demand for industrial raw materials.
The early years were marked by the consolidation of sulfur operations, improvements in extraction techniques, and the expansion of commercial contracts. Infrastructure and financing challenges were addressed through technological partnerships and strategic reorganization of the mineral portfolio.
From the second half of the twentieth century onward, the company diversified into basic metals, entering the copper market and acquiring significant assets in the United States and abroad. International expansion accelerated through investments in large mining complexes in Indonesia and Latin America, strengthening its global relevance.
Key historical milestones include the merger with McMoRan Oil & Gas in 1981, strategic repositioning in the 1990s with the expansion of the Grasberg complex, and the consolidation of copper and gold portfolios. The current structure was further strengthened through corporate transactions and asset reorganizations during the 2000s.
Between 2020 and 2024, the period was defined by investments in automation, process optimization, decarbonization initiatives, capacity expansion at strategic mines, and operational adjustments driven by fluctuations in global copper prices. Efforts directed at energy efficiency, waste management, and technological modernization also influenced industrial practices and operational performance.
Additional Information
The Company Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (United States), is listed on NYSE with a market value of $ 81.18 Billions, having an equity of $ 30.40 Billions.
With a total of 24.700 employees, the company is listed in the sector of Basic Materials and categorized in industry of Extraction of Metallic Minerals.
In the last 12 months the Company had a revenue of $ 26.00 Billions, which generated a profit in the amount of $ 2.07 Billions.
As for its main indicators, the Company has a P/E ratio of 39.18, a P/BV ratio of 2.67 and in the last 12 months the dividend yield of FCX was at 1.06%.
The Company is traded internationally through the ticker FCX.
