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FREEPORT-MCMORAN INC - Quarter Report: 2012 September (Form 10-Q)


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-Q
 
(Mark One)
[X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 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
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)
 
 
 
333 North Central Avenue
 
Phoenix, AZ
85004-2189
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
(602) 366-8100
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
 
 
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 website, 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 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.

Large accelerated filer þ         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 Exchange Act).
¨ Yes þ No

On October 31, 2012, there were issued and outstanding 949,318,834 shares of the registrant’s common stock, par value $0.10 per share.



FREEPORT-McMoRan COPPER & GOLD INC.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
 
 
Page
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
.


2

Table of Contents                 

Part I.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.
Financial Statements.

FREEPORT-McMoRan COPPER & GOLD INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)

 
September 30,
2012
 
December 31,
2011
 
(In millions)
ASSETS
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
3,727

 
$
4,822

Trade accounts receivable
1,424

 
892

Other accounts receivable
242

 
250

Inventories:
 
 
 
Mill and leach stockpiles
1,595

 
1,289

Materials and supplies, net
1,465

 
1,354

Product
1,374

 
1,226

Other current assets
353

 
214

Total current assets
10,180

 
10,047

Property, plant, equipment and development costs, net
20,294

 
18,449

Long-term mill and leach stockpiles
1,871

 
1,686

Long-term receivables
1,004

 
675

Intangible assets, net
321

 
325

Other assets
847

 
888

Total assets
$
34,517

 
$
32,070

 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
$
2,531

 
$
2,297

Dividends payable
299

 
240

Current portion of reclamation and environmental obligations
259

 
236

Accrued income taxes
59

 
163

Current portion of debt
2

 
4

Total current liabilities
3,150

 
2,940

Long-term debt, less current portion
3,521

 
3,533

Deferred income taxes
3,378

 
3,255

Reclamation and environmental obligations, less current portion
2,194

 
2,138

Other liabilities
1,531

 
1,651

Total liabilities
13,774

 
13,517

Equity:
 
 
 
FCX stockholders’ equity:
 
 
 
Common stock
107

 
107

Capital in excess of par value
19,094

 
19,007

Retained earnings
1,953

 
546

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(439
)
 
(465
)
Common stock held in treasury
(3,576
)
 
(3,553
)
Total FCX stockholders’ equity
17,139

 
15,642

Noncontrolling interests
3,604

 
2,911

Total equity
20,743

 
18,553

Total liabilities and equity
$
34,517

 
$
32,070

 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

3

Table of Contents                 

FREEPORT-McMoRan COPPER & GOLD INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited)

 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
 
(In millions, except per share amounts)
Revenues
$
4,417

 
$
5,195

 
$
13,497

 
$
16,718

Cost of sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Production and delivery
2,592

 
2,570

 
7,642

 
7,504

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
298

 
257

 
856

 
756

Total cost of sales
2,890

 
2,827

 
8,498

 
8,260

Selling, general and administrative expenses
110

 
102

 
311

 
323

Exploration and research expenses
79

 
78

 
214

 
194

Environmental obligations and shutdown costs
(73
)
 
38

 
18

 
98

Total costs and expenses
3,006

 
3,045

 
9,041

 
8,875

Operating income
1,411

 
2,150

 
4,456

 
7,843

Interest expense, net
(42
)
 
(78
)
 
(148
)
 
(250
)
Losses on early extinguishment of debt

 

 
(168
)
 
(68
)
Other (expense) income, net
(15
)
 
28

 
23

 
40

Income before income taxes and equity in affiliated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
companies’ net earnings
1,354

 
2,100

 
4,163

 
7,565

Provision for income taxes
(215
)
 
(808
)
 
(1,128
)
 
(2,698
)
Equity in affiliated companies’ net earnings
1

 
2

 

 
14

Net income
1,140

 
1,294

 
3,035

 
4,881

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
(316
)
 
(241
)
 
(737
)
 
(961
)
Net income attributable to FCX common stockholders
$
824

 
$
1,053

 
$
2,298

 
$
3,920

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income per share attributable to FCX common stockholders:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
0.87

 
$
1.11

 
$
2.42

 
$
4.14

Diluted
$
0.86

 
$
1.10

 
$
2.41

 
$
4.10

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
949

 
948

 
949

 
947

Diluted
953

 
955

 
953

 
955

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dividends declared per share of common stock
$
0.3125

 
$
0.25

 
$
0.9375

 
$
1.25

 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


4

Table of Contents                 

FREEPORT-McMoRan COPPER & GOLD INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited)

 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
 
(In millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
1,140

 
$
1,294

 
$
3,035

 
$
4,881

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive income, net of taxes:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities arising during the period
1

 
(1
)
 

 
(1
)
Translation adjustments arising during the period

 
(2
)
 
(1
)
 
(1
)
Defined benefit plans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amortization of unrecognized amounts included in net
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
periodic benefit costs
7

 
5

 
22

 
11

Adjustment to deferred tax valuation allowance

 

 
5

 

Other comprehensive income
8

 
2

 
26

 
9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total comprehensive income
1,148

 
1,296

 
3,061

 
4,890

Total comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
interests
(315
)
 
(241
)
 
(737
)
 
(961
)
Total comprehensive income attributable to FCX common
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
stockholders
$
833

 
$
1,055

 
$
2,324

 
$
3,929


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.




5

Table of Contents                 

FREEPORT-McMoRan COPPER & GOLD INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
(In millions)
Cash flow from operating activities:
 
 
 
Net income
$
3,035

 
$
4,881

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
856

 
756

Stock-based compensation
77

 
92

Pension plans contributions
(114
)
 
(29
)
Net charges for reclamation and environmental obligations, including accretion
64

 
144

Payments for reclamation and environmental obligations
(148
)
 
(131
)
Losses on early extinguishment of debt
168

 
68

Deferred income taxes
223

 
419

Increase in long-term mill and leach stockpiles
(184
)
 
(174
)
Other, net
71

 
(26
)
(Increases) decreases in working capital and other tax payments:
 
 
 
Accounts receivable
(603
)
 
1,034

Inventories
(581
)
 
(266
)
Other current assets
(33
)
 
(152
)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
78

 
(101
)
Accrued income taxes and other tax payments
(400
)
 
(641
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
2,509

 
5,874

 
 
 
 
Cash flow from investing activities:
 
 
 
Capital expenditures:
 
 
 
North America copper mines
(569
)
 
(342
)
South America
(659
)
 
(431
)
Indonesia
(624
)
 
(463
)
Africa
(428
)
 
(89
)
Molybdenum
(197
)
 
(317
)
Other
(41
)
 
(107
)
Other, net
(19
)
 
24

Net cash used in investing activities
(2,537
)
 
(1,725
)
 
 
 
 
Cash flow from financing activities:
 
 
 
Proceeds from debt
3,023

 
37

Repayments of debt
(3,179
)
 
(1,303
)
Cash dividends paid:
 
 
 
Common stock
(832
)
 
(1,186
)
Noncontrolling interests
(76
)
 
(350
)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests
15

 
27

Net (payments for) proceeds from stock-based awards
(3
)
 
2

Excess tax benefit from stock-based awards
7

 
23

Other, net
(22
)
 
(9
)
Net cash used in financing activities
(1,067
)
 
(2,759
)
 
 
 
 
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
(1,095
)
 
1,390

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
4,822

 
3,738

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
3,727

 
$
5,128

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

6

Table of Contents                 

FREEPORT-McMoRan COPPER & GOLD INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EQUITY (Unaudited)

 
FCX Stockholders’ Equity
 
 
 
 
 
Common Stock
 
 
 
Retained
Earnings
 
Accumu-
lated
Other Compre-
hensive
Loss
 
Common Stock
Held in Treasury
 
Total FCX
Stock-holders' Equity
 
 
 
 
 
Number
of
Shares
 
At Par
Value
 
Capital in
Excess of
Par Value
 
 
 
Number
of
Shares
 
At
Cost
 
 
Non-
controlling
Interests
 
Total
Equity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2011
1,071

 
$
107

 
$
19,007

 
$
546

 
$
(465
)
 
123

 
$
(3,553
)
 
$
15,642

 
$
2,911

 
$
18,553

Exercised and issued stock-based awards
2

 

 
14

 

 

 

 

 
14

 

 
14

Stock-based compensation

 

 
77

 

 

 

 

 
77

 

 
77

Tax benefit for stock-based awards

 

 
6

 

 

 

 

 
6

 

 
6

Tender of shares for stock-based awards

 

 
7

 

 

 
1

 
(23
)
 
(16
)
 

 
(16
)
Dividends on common stock

 

 

 
(891
)
 

 

 

 
(891
)
 

 
(891
)
Dividends to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(76
)
 
(76
)
Change in ownership interests

 

 
(17
)
 

 

 

 

 
(17
)
 
17

 

Contributions from noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
15

 
15

Total comprehensive income

 

 

 
2,298

 
26

 

 

 
2,324

 
737

 
3,061

Balance at September 30, 2012
1,073

 
$
107

 
$
19,094

 
$
1,953

 
$
(439
)
 
124

 
$
(3,576
)
 
$
17,139

 
$
3,604

 
$
20,743

 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


7

Table of Contents                 

FREEPORT-McMoRan COPPER & GOLD INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

1.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and do not include all information and disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) in the United States (U.S.). Therefore, this information should be read in conjunction with Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc.’s (FCX) consolidated financial statements and notes contained in its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 (2011 Annual Report). The information furnished herein reflects all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods reported. All such adjustments are, in the opinion of management, of a normal recurring nature. Operating results for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2012, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2012.

2.
EARNINGS PER SHARE
FCX’s basic net income per share of common stock was calculated by dividing net income attributable to FCX common stockholders by the weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Following is a reconciliation of net income and weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding for purposes of calculating diluted net income per share (in millions, except per share amounts):
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
 
Net income
$
1,140

 
$
1,294

 
$
3,035

 
$
4,881

 
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
(316
)
 
(241
)
 
(737
)
 
(961
)
 
Net income attributable to FCX common stockholders
$
824

 
$
1,053

 
$
2,298

 
$
3,920

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding
949

 
948

 
949

 
947

 
Add shares issuable upon exercise or vesting of:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Dilutive stock options
3

 
6

a 
3

a 
7

a 
 Restricted stock units
1

 
1

 
1

 
1

 
Weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
for purposes of calculating diluted net income per share
953

 
955

 
953

 
955

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted net income per share attributable to FCX
  common stockholders
$
0.86

 
$
1.10

 
$
2.41

 
$
4.10

 
a.
Excluded shares of common stock associated with outstanding stock options with exercise prices less than the average market price of FCX's common stock that were anti-dilutive based on the treasury stock method of approximately three million for the third-quarter 2011, one million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, and two million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011.

Outstanding stock options with exercise prices greater than the average market price of FCX’s common stock during the period are excluded from the computation of diluted net income per share of common stock. Excluded amounts were approximately 24 million stock options with a weighted-average exercise price of $42.52 per option for third-quarter 2012 and approximately 19 million stock options with a weighted-average exercise price of $43.80 per option for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. Approximately 5 million stock options with a weighted-average exercise price of $55.57 per option were excluded for third-quarter 2011, and approximately 3 million stock options with a weighted-average exercise price of $55.74 per option were excluded for the nine months ended September 30, 2011.

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Table of Contents                 


3.
INVENTORIES, INCLUDING LONG-TERM MILL AND LEACH STOCKPILES
The components of inventories follow (in millions):
 
September 30,
2012
 
December 31, 2011
Mining operations:a
 
 
 
Raw materials
$
2

 
$
1

Finished goodsb
820

 
769

Atlantic Copper, S.L.U. (Atlantic Copper):
 
 
 
Raw materials (concentrates)
339

 
260

Work-in-process
191

 
187

Finished goods
22

 
9

Total product inventories
1,374

 
1,226

Total materials and supplies, netc
1,465

 
1,354

Total inventories, excluding mill and leach stockpiles
$
2,839

 
$
2,580

a.
FCX's mining operations also have work-in-process inventories (i.e., mill and leach stockpiles), which are summarized below.
b.
Primarily included molybdenum concentrates and copper concentrates, anodes, cathodes and rod.
c.
Materials and supplies inventory was net of obsolescence reserves totaling $26 million at September 30, 2012, and December 31, 2011.

A summary of mill and leach stockpiles follows (in millions):
 
September 30,
2012
 
December 31, 2011
Current:
 
 
 
Mill stockpiles
$
97

 
$
69

Leach stockpiles
1,498

 
1,220

Total current mill and leach stockpiles
$
1,595

 
$
1,289

Long-term:a
 
 
 
Mill stockpiles
$
595

 
$
535

Leach stockpiles
1,276

 
1,151

Total long-term mill and leach stockpiles
$
1,871

 
$
1,686

 
a.
Metals in stockpiles not expected to be recovered within the next 12 months.

4.
INCOME TAXES
Geographic sources of FCX's provision for income taxes follow (in millions):
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
United States operations
$
98

 
$
163

 
$
291

 
$
421

International operations
117

a 
645

 
837

a 
2,277

Total
$
215

 
$
808

 
$
1,128

 
$
2,698


a.
Included a net tax benefit of $234 million associated with an adjustment to Cerro Verde's deferred income tax liability.

FCX’s consolidated effective income tax rate was 27 percent (33 percent excluding Cerro Verde's $234 million net deferred tax liability adjustment) for the first nine months of 2012 and 36 percent for the first nine months of 2011. Variations in the relative proportions of jurisdictional income can result in fluctuations to FCX’s consolidated effective income tax rate.


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Table of Contents                 

With the exception of Tenke Fungurume S.A.R.L. (TFM), FCX has not elected to permanently reinvest earnings from its foreign subsidiaries and has 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. Reinvested profits are not expected to be distributed prior to December 31, 2013. Accordingly, a net deferred income tax liability of $234 million ($123 million net of noncontrolling interests) was reversed and recognized as an income tax benefit in third-quarter 2012.

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 January 1, 2014, after 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, FCX recognized additional deferred tax expense of $26 million ($23 million net of noncontrolling interests) in third-quarter 2012, which relates primarily to the assets recorded in connection with the 2007 acquisition of Freeport-McMoRan Corporation (FMC).

In September 2011, Peru enacted a new mining tax and royalty regime and also created a special mining burden that companies with stability agreements could 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 $57 million ($50 million net of noncontrolling interests) in third-quarter 2011. The deferred portion of this accrual related primarily to the assets recorded in connection with the 2007 acquisition of FMC.

5.
DEBT AND EQUITY TRANSACTIONS
In February 2012, FCX sold $500 million of 1.40% Senior Notes due 2015, $500 million of 2.15% Senior Notes due 2017 and $2.0 billion of 3.55% Senior Notes due 2022 for total net proceeds of $2.97 billion. Interest on the 1.40% Senior Notes is payable semiannually on February 13 and August 13, which commenced on August 13, 2012. Interest on the 2.15% Senior Notes and the 3.55% Senior Notes is payable semiannually on March 1 and September 1, which commenced on September 1, 2012. These unsecured senior notes rank equally with FCX's other existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness.

On March 14, 2012, FCX redeemed the remaining $3.0 billion of its outstanding 8.375% Senior Notes due 2017, for which holders received 104.553 percent of the principal amount together with the accrued and unpaid interest. As a result of this redemption, FCX recorded a loss on early extinguishment of debt of $168 million ($149 million to net income attributable to FCX common stockholders or $0.16 per diluted share) for the first nine months of 2012.

During the first quarter of 2011, FCX entered into a new senior unsecured revolving credit facility, which replaced the revolving credit facilities that were scheduled to mature on March 19, 2012. FCX recognized a loss on early extinguishment of debt totaling $7 million ($6 million to net income attributable to FCX common shareholders or $0.01 per diluted share) for the first nine months of 2011 associated with this transaction.

On April 1, 2011, FCX redeemed its remaining $1.1 billion of outstanding 8.25% Senior Notes due 2015, for which holders received 104.125 percent of the principal amount together with accrued and unpaid interest. As a result of this redemption, FCX recorded a loss on early extinguishment of debt totaling $55 million ($49 million to net income attributable to FCX common stockholders or $0.05 per diluted share) for the first nine months of 2011.

During the second quarter of 2011, FCX purchased in the open market $35 million of its 9.5% Senior Notes due 2031 for $49 million, which resulted in losses on early extinguishment of debt totaling $6 million ($5 million to net income attributable to FCX common stockholders or $0.01 per diluted share) for the first nine months of 2011.

Consolidated interest expense (excluding capitalized interest) totaled $56 million in third-quarter 2012, $105 million in third-quarter 2011, $210 million for the first nine months of 2012 and $325 million for the first nine months of 2011. Capitalized interest totaled $14 million in third-quarter 2012, $27 million in third-quarter 2011, $62 million for the first nine months of 2012 and $75 million for the first nine months of 2011.


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On February 7, 2012, the Board of Directors authorized an increase in the cash dividend on FCX's common stock from an annual rate of $1.00 per share to $1.25 per share. On September 26, 2012, FCX's Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.3125 per share, which was paid on November 1, 2012, to common shareholders of record at the close of business on October 15, 2012.

6. 
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
FCX does not purchase, hold or sell derivative financial instruments unless there is an existing asset or obligation, or it anticipates a future activity that is likely to occur and will result in exposure to market risks, which FCX intends to offset or mitigate. FCX does not enter into any derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes, but has entered into derivative financial instruments in limited instances to achieve specific objectives. These objectives principally relate to managing risks associated with commodity price changes, foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates.

Commodity Contracts.  From time to time, FCX has entered into forward, futures and swap contracts to hedge the market risk associated with fluctuations in the prices of commodities it purchases and sells. Derivative financial instruments used by FCX to manage its risks do not contain credit risk-related contingent provisions. As of September 30, 2012, FCX had no price protection contracts relating to its mine production. A discussion of FCX’s derivative commodity contracts and programs follows.

Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments – Fair Value Hedges
Copper Futures and Swap Contracts. Some of FCX's U.S. copper rod customers request a fixed market price instead of the New York Mercantile Exchange (COMEX) average copper price in the month of shipment. FCX hedges this price exposure in a manner that allows it to receive the COMEX average price in the month of shipment while the customers pay the fixed price they requested. FCX accomplishes this by entering into copper futures and swap contracts and then liquidating the copper futures contracts and settling the copper swap contracts during the month of shipment, which generally results in FCX receiving the COMEX average copper price in the month of shipment. Hedging gains or losses from these copper futures and swap contracts are recorded in revenues. FCX did not have any significant gains or losses during the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, resulting from hedge ineffectiveness. At September 30, 2012, FCX held copper futures and swap contracts that qualified for hedge accounting for 53 million pounds at an average contract price of $3.59 per pound, with maturities through December 2013.

A summary of gains (losses) recognized in revenues for derivative financial instruments related to commodity contracts that are designated and qualify as fair value hedge transactions, along with the unrealized gains (losses) on the related hedged item (firm sales commitments) follows (in millions):
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
Copper futures and swap contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized gains (losses):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative financial instruments
$
13

 
$
(62
)
 
$
20

 
$
(72
)
Hedged item
(13
)
 
62

 
(20
)
 
72

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Realized gains (losses):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Matured derivative financial instruments
1

 
(10
)
 
(3
)
 
(4
)

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
Embedded Derivatives. As described in Note 1 to FCX’s 2011 Annual Report under “Revenue Recognition,” certain FCX copper concentrate, copper cathode and gold sales contracts provide for provisional pricing primarily based on the London Metal Exchange (LME) price (copper) or the COMEX price (copper) and the London Bullion Market Association (London PM) price (gold) at the time of shipment as specified in the contract. Similarly, FCX purchases copper and molybdenum under contracts that provide for provisional pricing (molybdenum purchases are generally based on an average Metals Week Molybdenum Dealer Oxide price). FCX applies the normal purchases and normal sales scope exception in accordance with derivatives and hedge accounting guidance to the host sales agreements since the contracts do not allow for net settlement and always result in physical delivery. Sales and purchases with a provisional sales price contain an embedded derivative (i.e., the price settlement mechanism that is settled after the time of delivery) that is required to be bifurcated from the host contract. The host contract is the sale or purchase of the metals contained in the concentrates or cathodes at the then-current LME or COMEX price

11

Table of Contents                 

(copper), London PM price (gold) or the average Metals Week Molybdenum Dealer Oxide price (molybdenum) as defined in the contract. Mark-to-market price fluctuations recorded through the settlement date are reflected in revenues for sales contracts and in cost of sales as production and delivery costs for purchase contracts. A summary of FCX’s embedded derivatives at September 30, 2012, follows:
 
Open Positions
 
Average Price
Per Unit
 
Maturities Through
 
 
Contract
 
Market
 
Embedded derivatives in provisional sales contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Copper (millions of pounds)
557

 
$
3.49

 
$
3.72

 
March 2013
Gold (thousands of ounces)
67

 
1,698

 
1,781

 
December 2012
Embedded derivatives in provisional purchase contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Copper (millions of pounds)
326

 
3.50

 
3.72

 
January 2013

Copper Forward Contracts. Atlantic Copper, FCX’s wholly owned smelting and refining unit in Spain, enters into forward copper contracts designed to hedge its copper price risk whenever its physical purchases and sales pricing periods do not match. These economic hedge transactions are intended to hedge against changes in copper prices, with the mark-to-market hedging gains or losses recorded in cost of sales. At September 30, 2012, Atlantic Copper held net forward copper purchase contracts for 31 million pounds at an average contract price of $3.71 per pound, with maturities through December 2012.

A summary of the realized and unrealized gains (losses) recognized in income before income taxes and equity in affiliated companies’ net earnings for commodity contracts that do not qualify as hedge transactions, including embedded derivatives, follows (in millions):
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
Embedded derivatives in provisional sales contractsa
$
164

 
$
(657
)
 
$
188

 
$
(682
)
Copper forward contractsb
5

 
4

 
17

 
(2
)
a.
Amounts recorded in revenues. 
b.
Amounts recorded in cost of sales as production and delivery costs.

Unsettled Derivative Financial Instruments
A summary of the fair values of unsettled derivative financial instruments recorded on the consolidated balance sheets follows (in millions):
 
September 30,
2012
 
December 31, 2011
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
 
 
 
Commodity contracts:
 
 
 
Copper futures and swap contracts:a
 
 
 
Asset positionb
$
11

 
$
3

Liability positionc
1

 
13

 
 
 
 
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
 
 
 
Commodity contracts:
 
 
 
Embedded derivatives in provisional sales/purchase contracts:d
 
 
 
Asset position
$
131

 
$
72

Liability position
74

 
82

Copper forward contracts:
 
 
 
Asset positionb
1

 
2

Liability positionc
1

 

a.
FCX received $1 million from brokers associated with margin requirements (recorded in accounts payable and accrued liabilities) as of September 30, 2012, and FCX paid $31 million for margin requirements (recorded in other current assets) as of December 31, 2011. In addition, FCX held $3 million in margin funding from customers as of December 31, 2011, associated with margin requirements (recorded in accounts payable and accrued liabilities).
b.
Amounts recorded in other current assets. 
c.
Amounts recorded in accounts payable and accrued liabilities. 
d.
Amounts recorded either as a net accounts receivable or a net accounts payable.

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Table of Contents                 

Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts.  As a global company, FCX transacts business in many countries and in many currencies. Foreign currency transactions of FCX’s international subsidiaries increase its risks because exchange rates can change between the time agreements are made and the time foreign currency transactions are settled. FCX may hedge or protect its international subsidiaries’ foreign currency transactions from time to time by entering into forward exchange contracts to lock in or minimize the effects of fluctuations in exchange rates. FCX had no outstanding foreign currency exchange contracts at September 30, 2012.

Interest Rate Swap Contracts.  From time to time, FCX or its subsidiaries may enter into interest rate swaps to manage its exposure to interest rate changes and to achieve a desired proportion of fixed-rate versus floating-rate debt based on current and projected market conditions. FCX may enter into fixed-to-floating interest rate swap contracts to protect against changes in the fair value of the underlying fixed-rate debt that result from market interest rate changes and to take advantage of lower interest rates. FCX had no outstanding interest rate swap contracts at September 30, 2012.

Credit Risk.  FCX is exposed to credit loss when financial institutions with which FCX has entered into derivative transactions (commodity, foreign exchange and interest rate swaps) are unable to pay. To minimize the risk of such losses, FCX uses counterparties that meet certain credit requirements and periodically reviews the creditworthiness of these counterparties. FCX does not anticipate that any of the counterparties it deals with will default on their obligations. As of September 30, 2012, FCX did not have any significant credit exposure associated with derivative transactions.

Other Financial Instruments.  Other financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, trust assets, investment securities, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, dividends payable and long-term debt. Refer to Note 7 for the fair values of these financial instruments.

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities, and Dividends Payable. The financial statement amount is a reasonable estimate of the fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments and generally negligible credit losses.

Trust Assets and Investment Securities. The financial statement amount represents the fair value of trust assets and investment securities except for the investment in McMoRan Exploration Co.'s (MMR) 5¾% Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock, which is recorded at cost.

Long-Term Debt. The financial statement amount represents cost except for long-term debt acquired in the FMC acquisition, which was recorded at fair value at the acquisition date.

7.
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT
Fair value accounting guidance includes a hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 inputs) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 inputs). FCX did not have any significant transfers in or out of Levels 1, 2 or 3 for the third quarter of 2012.


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Table of Contents                 

The carrying value for certain FCX financial instruments (i.e., cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, and dividends payable) approximate fair value because of their short-term nature and generally negligible credit losses. A summary of the carrying amount and fair value of FCX’s other financial instruments follows (in millions):
 
At September 30, 2012
 
Carrying
 
Fair Value
 
Amount
 
Total
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash equivalents:a
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Money market funds
$
3,053

 
$
3,053

 
$
3,053

 
$

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment securities (current and long-term):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MMR investmentb
453

 
436

 

 
436

 

Money market fundsa, c
47

 
47

 
47

 

 

Equity securitiesa, c
8

 
8

 
8

 

 

Total investment securities
508

 
491

 
55

 
436

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Trust assets (long-term):a, c
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. core fixed income fund
49

 
49

 

 
49

 

Government mortgage-backed securities
41

 
41

 

 
41

 

Corporate bonds
30

 
30

 

 
30

 

Government bonds and notes
21

 
21

 

 
21

 

Asset-backed securities
13

 
13

 

 
13

 

Money market funds
6

 
6

 
6

 

 

Municipal bonds
1

 
1

 

 
1

 

Total trust assets
161

 
161

 
6

 
155

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives:a
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Embedded derivatives in provisional sales/purchase
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
contracts in an asset positiond
131

 
131

 

 
131

 

Copper futures and swap contractse
11

 
11

 
10

 
1

 

Copper forward contractse
1

 
1

 
1

 

 

Total derivative assets
143

 
143

 
11

 
132

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total assets
 
 
$
3,848

 
$
3,125

 
$
723

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives:a
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Embedded derivatives in provisional sales/purchase
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
contracts in a liability positiond
$
74

 
$
74

 
$

 
$
74

 
$

Copper futures and swap contractsf
1

 
1

 
1

 

 

Copper forward contractsf
1

 
1

 
1

 

 

Total derivative liabilities
76

 
76

 
2

 
74

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term debt, including current portiong
3,523

 
3,632

 

 
3,632

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total liabilities
 
 
$
3,708

 
$
2

 
$
3,706

 
$



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Table of Contents                 

 
At December 31, 2011
 
Carrying
 
Fair Value
 
Amount
 
Total
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash equivalents:a
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Money market funds
$
4,007

 
$
4,007

 
$
4,007

 
$

 
$

 
Investment securities (current and long-term):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MMR investmentb
475

 
507

 

 
507

 

Equity securitiesa, c
9

 
9

 
9

 

 

Money market fundsa, c
2

 
2

 
2

 

 

Total investment securities
486

 
518

 
11

 
507

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Trust assets (long-term):a, c
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Government mortgage-backed securities
47

 
47

 

 
47

 

U.S. core fixed income fund
46

 
46

 

 
46

 

Government bonds and notes
21

 
21

 

 
21

 

Corporate bonds
19

 
19

 

 
19

 

Money market funds
9

 
9

 
9

 

 

Asset-backed securities
9

 
9

 

 
9

 

Municipal bonds
1

 
1

 

 
1

 

Total trust assets
152

 
152

 
9

 
143

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives:a
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Embedded derivatives in provisional sales/purchase
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
contracts in an asset positiond
72

 
72

 

 
72

 

Copper futures and swaps contractse
3

 
3

 
3

 

 

Copper forward contractse
2

 
2

 
1

 
1

 

Total derivative assets
77

 
77

 
4

 
73

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total assets
 
 
$
4,754

 
$
4,031

 
$
723

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives:a
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Embedded derivatives in provisional sales/purchase
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
contracts in a liability positiond
$
82

 
$
82

 
$

 
$
82

 
$

Copper futures and swap contractsf
13

 
13

 
11

 
2

 

Total derivative liabilities
95

 
95

 
11

 
84

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term debt, including current portiong
3,537

 
3,797

 

 
3,797

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total liabilities
 
 
$
3,892

 
$
11

 
$
3,881

 
$

a.
Recorded at fair value. 
b.
Recorded at cost and included in other assets.
c.
Current portion included in other current assets and long-term portion included in other assets. 
d.
Embedded derivatives are recorded in accounts receivable and/or accounts payable and accrued liabilities.
e.
Included in other current assets.
f.
Included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities.
g.
Recorded at cost except for long-term debt acquired in the FMC acquisition, which was recorded at fair value at the acquisition date.


15

Table of Contents                 

Valuation Techniques

Money market funds are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy because they are valued using quoted market prices in active markets.

MMR's 5¾% Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock is not actively traded; therefore, FCX's investment in the MMR 5¾% Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock is valued based on a pricing simulation model that uses the quoted market prices of MMR's publicly traded common stock as the most significant observable input and other inputs, such as expected volatility, expected settlement date, and risk-free interest rate. Therefore, this investment is classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Fixed income securities (government and agency securities, U.S. core fixed income funds, corporate bonds and asset-backed securities) are valued using a bid evaluation or a mid evaluation. A bid evaluation is an estimated price at which a dealer would pay for a security. A mid evaluation is the average of the estimated price at which a
dealer would sell a security and the estimated price at which a dealer would pay for a security. These evaluations are based on quoted prices, if available, or models that use observable inputs and, as such, are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Equity securities are valued at the closing price reported on the active market on which the individual securities are traded and, as such, are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.

FCX’s embedded derivatives on provisional copper concentrate, copper cathode and gold purchases and sales have critical inputs of quoted monthly LME or COMEX copper forward prices and the London PM gold forward price at each reporting date based on the month of maturity; however, FCX's contracts themselves are not traded on an exchange. Likewise, FCX’s embedded derivatives on provisional molybdenum purchases have critical inputs based on the latest average weekly Metals Week Molybdenum Dealer Oxide prices; however, FCX's contracts themselves are not traded on an exchange. As a result, these derivatives are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

FCX’s derivative financial instruments for copper futures and swap contracts and copper forward contracts that are traded on the respective exchanges are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy because they are valued using quoted monthly COMEX or LME forward prices at each reporting date based on the month of maturity (refer to Note 6 for further discussion). Certain of these contracts are traded on the over-the-counter market and are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Long-term debt, including current portion, is not actively traded and is valued using prices obtained from a readily available pricing source and, as such, is classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

The techniques described above may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values. Furthermore, while FCX believes its valuation techniques are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different techniques or assumptions to determine fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different fair value measurement at the reporting date. There have been no changes in the techniques used at September 30, 2012.
 
8.
CONTINGENCIES AND COMMITMENTS
Environmental. FCX's mining, exploration, production and historical operating activities are subject to stringent laws and regulations governing the protection of the environment. FCX reviews changes in facts and circumstances associated with its environmental and reclamation obligations at least quarterly. There have been no material changes to FCX's environmental and reclamation obligations since year-end 2011. However, updated cost assumptions, including increases and decreases to cost estimates, changes in the anticipated scope and timing of remediation activities and settlement of environmental matters may result in revisions to certain environmental obligations. As a result, FCX recorded adjustments to environmental obligations totaling net credits of $82 million in third-quarter 2012 and $36 million during the first nine months of 2012, and net charges of $31 million in third-quarter 2011 and $35 million during the first nine months of 2011.


16

Table of Contents                 

Gilt Edge Mine Site. On July 12, 2010, FCX was notified by the U.S. Department of Justice, acting at the request of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), that it was preparing to file suit in federal court against two of its wholly owned subsidiaries (Cyprus Mines Corporation and Cyprus Amax Minerals Company) and several other parties to recover costs incurred or to be incurred by the U.S. in remediating hazardous substances at the Gilt Edge mine site in Lawrence County, South Dakota. In September 2011, FCX reached an agreement in principle to settle this matter for an amount that is not material to FCX and less than the amount included for this matter in FCX's aggregate environmental obligations. The consent decree was finalized and approved by the court on October 10, 2012.

Asset Retirement Obligations (AROs). During third-quarter 2012, Cerro Verde updated its closure plan and increased its ARO by $77 million to reflect revised cost estimates and accelerated timing of certain closure activities.

Litigation. There have been no material updates to previously reported legal proceedings included in Note 13 of FCX's 2011 Annual Report and in Note 8 of FCX's quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the periods ended March 31, 2012, and June 30, 2012.

Other Contingencies. The Indonesian tax authorities issued assessments for various audit exceptions on
PT Freeport Indonesia's income tax returns as follows (in millions):
Date of assessment
 
Tax return year
 
Tax assessment
 
Interest assessment
 
Total
October 2010
 
2005
 
$
106

 
$
52

 
$
158

November 2011
 
2006
 
22

 
10

 
32

March 2012
 
2007
 
91

 
44

 
135

Total
 
 
 
$
219

 
$
106

 
$
325

 
PT Freeport Indonesia has filed objections to the assessments. During first-quarter 2012, PT Freeport Indonesia's objections to the assessments related to 2005 were substantially all rejected by the Indonesian tax authorities and, in May 2012, appeals were filed with the Indonesian Tax Court. As of September 30, 2012, PT Freeport Indonesia has paid $158 million (of which $124 million is included in long-term receivables) for the disputed tax assessments related to 2005, 2006 and 2007.

Mining Contracts. Effective March 26, 2012, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government issued a Presidential Decree approving the modifications to TFM's bylaws. As a result, FCX's effective ownership interest in TFM was reduced from 57.75 percent to 56.0 percent and $50 million of TFM's intercompany loans payable to FMC were converted to equity.

9.
NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
In May 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued an Accounting Standards Update (ASU) in connection with guidance for fair value measurements and disclosures. This ASU clarifies the FASB's intent on current guidance, modifies and changes certain guidance and principles, and expands disclosures concerning Level 3 fair value measurements in the fair value hierarchy (including quantitative information about significant unobservable inputs within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy). In addition, this ASU requires disclosure of the fair value hierarchy for assets and liabilities not measured at fair value in the statement of financial position, but whose fair value is required to be disclosed. This ASU became effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2011. FCX adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2012.


17

Table of Contents                 

In June 2011, FASB issued an ASU in connection with guidance on the presentation of comprehensive income. The objective of this ASU is to improve the comparability, consistency and transparency of financial reporting and to increase the prominence of items reported in other comprehensive income. This ASU requires an entity to present the components of net income and other comprehensive income and total comprehensive income (includes net income) either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. This ASU eliminates the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of equity, but does not change the items that must be reported in other comprehensive income. This ASU became effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2011. Effective January 1, 2012, FCX adopted this ASU and presented total comprehensive income in a separate statement. Additionally, in December 2011, FASB deferred the effective date in this ASU for presenting reclassification adjustments for each component of accumulated other comprehensive income in both net income and other comprehensive income on the face of the financial statements.
 
10.
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
FCX evaluated events after September 30, 2012, and through the date the consolidated financial statements were issued, and determined any events or transactions occurring during this period that would require recognition or disclosure are appropriately addressed in these consolidated financial statements.

11.
BUSINESS SEGMENTS
FCX has organized its operations into five primary divisions – North America copper mines, South America mining, Indonesia mining, Africa mining and Molybdenum operations. Notwithstanding this structure, FCX internally reports information on a mine-by-mine basis. Therefore, FCX concluded that its operating segments include individual mines or operations. Operating segments that meet certain thresholds are reportable segments.

Intersegment Sales. Intersegment sales between FCX’s operations are based on similar arms-length transactions with third parties at the time of the sale. Intersegment sales may not be reflective of the actual prices ultimately realized because of a variety of factors, including additional processing, timing of sales to unaffiliated customers and transportation premiums.

Allocations. FCX allocates certain operating costs, expenses and capital expenditures to its operating divisions and individual segments. However, not all costs and expenses applicable to a mine or operation are allocated. U.S. federal and state income taxes are recorded and managed at the corporate level, whereas foreign income taxes are recorded and managed at the applicable country. In addition, most exploration and research activities are managed at the corporate level, and those costs along with some selling, general and administrative costs are not allocated to the operating divisions or segments. Accordingly, the following segment information reflects management determinations that may not be indicative of what the actual financial performance of each operating division or segment would be if it was an independent entity.





18

Table of Contents                 

Business Segments
(In millions)
North America Copper Mines
 
South America
 
Indonesia
 
Africa
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Atlantic
 
Corporate,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Copper
 
Other &
 
 
 
 
 
Other
 
 
 
Cerro
 
Other
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Molyb-
 
Rod &
 
Smelting
 
Elimi-
 
FCX
 
Morenci
 
Mines
 
Total
 
Verde
 
Mines
 
Total
 
Grasberg
 
Tenke
 
denum
 
Refining
 
& Refining
 
nations
 
Total
Three Months Ended September 30, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unaffiliated customers
$
39

 
$
10

 
$
49

 
$
504

 
$
491

 
$
995

 
$
845

a 
$
365

 
$
308

 
$
1,221

 
$
633

 
$
1

 
$
4,417

Intersegment
456

 
811

 
1,267

 
71

 
126

 
197

 
146

 
2

 

 
7

 
5

 
(1,624
)
 

Production and delivery
268

 
492

 
760

 
197

 
333

 
530

 
587

 
172

 
273

 
1,222

 
624

 
(1,576
)
 
2,592

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
31

 
57

 
88

 
39

 
35

 
74

 
54

 
42

 
18

 
2

 
11

 
9

 
298

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 
1

 
1

 
1

 
1

 
2

 
31

 
2

 
3

 

 
4

 
67

 
110

Exploration and research expenses
1

 

 
1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
78

 
79

Environmental obligations and shutdown costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(73
)
 
(73
)
Operating income (loss)
195

 
271

 
466

 
338

 
248

 
586

 
319

 
151

 
14

 
4

 
(1
)
 
(128
)
 
1,411

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense, net
1

 
1

 
2

 

 

 

 
3

 

 

 

 
3

 
34

 
42

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes

 

 

 
(88
)
b 
72

 
(16
)
 
111

 
28

 

 

 

 
92

 
215

Total assets at September 30, 2012
2,297

 
5,528

 
7,825

 
5,704

 
4,232

 
9,936

 
6,393

 
4,490

 
2,580

 
330

 
1,192

 
1,771

 
34,517

Capital expenditures
108

 
164

 
272

 
180

 
87

 
267

 
237

 
131

 
44

 
2

 
4

 
14

 
971

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unaffiliated customers
$
78

 
$
44

 
$
122

 
$
396

 
$
570

 
$
966

 
$
1,275

a 
$
275

 
$
332

 
$
1,389

 
$
834

 
$
2

 
$
5,195

Intersegment
450

 
847

 
1,297

 
105

 
(18
)
 
87

 
87

 
1

 

 
7

 
3

 
(1,482
)
 

Production and delivery
252

 
412

 
664

 
196

 
282

 
478

 
503

 
142

 
260

 
1,390

 
826

 
(1,693
)
 
2,570

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
27

 
40

 
67

 
32

 
32

 
64

 
62

 
32

 
14

 
2

 
11

 
5

 
257

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 
1

 
1

 
1

 
1

 
2

 
29

 
1

 
3

 

 
5

 
61

 
102

Exploration and research expenses
3

 

 
3

 

 

 

 

 

 
1

 

 

 
74

 
78

Environmental obligations and shutdown costs
1

 
(15
)
 
(14
)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
52

 
38

Operating income (loss)
245

 
453

 
698

 
272

 
237

 
509

 
768

 
101

 
54

 
4

 
(5
)
 
21

 
2,150

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense, net

 
1

 
1

 

 

 

 
7

 
2

 

 

 
4

 
64

 
78

Provision for income taxes

 

 

 
154

 
48

 
202

 
333

 
20

 

 

 

 
253

 
808

Total assets at September 30, 2011
1,981

 
4,966

 
6,947

 
4,886

 
3,475

 
8,361

 
5,437

 
3,791

 
2,342

 
323

 
955

 
3,552

 
31,708

Capital expenditures
21

 
117

 
138

 
64

 
110

 
174

 
162

 
49

 
155

 
2

 
5

 
32

 
717

a.
Included PT Freeport Indonesia’s sales to PT Smelting totaling $520 million in third-quarter 2012 and $665 million in third-quarter 2011.
b.
Included a net credit of $234 million for the reversal of a net deferred tax liability (refer to Note 4 for further discussion).

19

Table of Contents                 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
North America Copper Mines
 
South America
 
Indonesia
 
Africa
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Atlantic
 
Corporate,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Copper
 
Other &
 
 
 
 
 
Other
 
 
 
Cerro
 
Other
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Molyb-
 
Rod &
 
Smelting
 
Elimi-
 
FCX
 
Morenci
 
Mines
 
Total
 
Verde
 
Mines
 
Total
 
Grasberg
 
Tenke
 
denum
 
Refining
 
& Refining
 
nations
 
Total
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unaffiliated customers
$
157

 
$
22

 
$
179

 
$
1,285

 
$
1,563

 
$
2,848

 
$
2,673

a 
$
985

 
$
982

 
$
3,802

 
$
2,023

 
$
5

 
$
13,497

Intersegment
1,374

 
2,646

 
4,020

 
349

 
265

 
614

 
224

 
9

 

 
20

 
22

 
(4,909
)
 

Production and delivery
803

 
1,446

 
2,249

 
575

 
908

 
1,483

 
1,676

 
456

 
812

 
3,800

 
1,988

 
(4,822
)
 
7,642

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
95

 
180

 
275

 
102

 
106

 
208

 
153

 
114

 
47

 
7

 
31

 
21

 
856

Selling, general and administrative expenses
1

 
2

 
3

 
2

 
3

 
5

 
91

 
5

 
9

 

 
14

 
184

 
311

Exploration and research expenses
1

 

 
1

 

 

 

 

 

 
2

 

 

 
211

 
214

Environmental obligations and shutdown costs

 
42

 
42

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(24
)
 
18

Operating income (loss)
631

 
998

 
1,629

 
955

 
811

 
1,766

 
977

 
419

 
112

 
15

 
12

 
(474
)
 
4,456

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense, net
1

 
3

 
4

 
5

 

 
5

 
6

 

 

 

 
9

 
124

 
148

Provision for income taxes

 

 

 
131

b 
244

 
375

 
387

 
79

 

 

 

 
287

 
1,128

Capital expenditures
204

 
365

 
569

 
365

 
294

 
659

 
624

 
428

 
197

 
5

 
11

 
25

 
2,518

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unaffiliated customers
$
371

 
$
154

 
$
525

 
$
1,662

 
$
1,803

 
$
3,465

 
$
4,112

a 
$
959

 
$
1,119

 
$
4,291

 
$
2,241

 
$
6

 
$
16,718

Intersegment
1,274

 
2,540

 
3,814

 
303

 
135

 
438

 
544

 
4

 

 
19

 
11

 
(4,830
)
 

Production and delivery
719

 
1,204

 
1,923

 
569

 
761

 
1,330

 
1,547

 
422

 
786

 
4,292

 
2,274

 
(5,070
)
 
7,504

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
85

 
111

 
196

 
102

 
85

 
187

 
179

 
98

 
44

 
6

 
30

 
16

 
756

Selling, general and administrative expenses
1

 
2

 
3

 
3

 
2

 
5

 
100

 
6

 
11

 

 
18

 
180

 
323

Exploration and research expenses
4

 

 
4

 

 

 

 

 

 
3

 

 

 
187

 
194

Environmental obligations and shutdown costs
4

 
(15
)
 
(11
)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
1

 

 
108

 
98

Operating income (loss)
832

 
1,392

 
2,224

 
1,291

 
1,090

 
2,381

 
2,830

 
437

 
275

 
11

 
(70
)
 
(245
)
 
7,843

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense, net
2

 
4

 
6

 
1

 

 
1

 
9

 
5

 

 

 
12

 
217

 
250

Provision for income taxes

 

 

 
476

 
353

 
829

 
1,234

 
100

 

 

 

 
535

 
2,698

Capital expenditures
69

 
273

 
342

 
120

 
311

 
431

 
463

 
89

 
317

 
7

 
29

 
71

 
1,749

a.
Included PT Freeport Indonesia’s sales to PT Smelting totaling $1.5 billion for the first nine months of 2012 and $2.0 billion for the first nine months of 2011.
b.
Included a net credit of $234 million for the reversal of a net deferred tax liability (refer to Note 4 for further discussion).


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Table of Contents                 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND STOCKHOLDERS OF
FREEPORT-McMoRan COPPER & GOLD INC.

We have reviewed the condensed consolidated balance sheet of Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. as of September 30, 2012, and the related consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, the consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, and the consolidated statement of equity for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2012. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.

We conducted our review in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the condensed consolidated financial statements referred to above for them to be in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We have previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet of Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. as of December 31, 2011, and the related consolidated statements of income, cash flows, and equity for the year then ended (not presented herein), and in our report dated February 27, 2012, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2011, is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.

/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Phoenix, Arizona
November 2, 2012

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Table of Contents                 

Item 2.
 Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

OVERVIEW

In Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. (FCX) and its consolidated subsidiaries. You should read this discussion in conjunction with our financial statements, the related Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and the discussion of our Business and Properties in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, filed with the United States (U.S.) Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). 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 all references to earnings or losses per share are on a diluted basis, unless otherwise noted.

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 the largest single recoverable copper reserve and the largest single gold reserve of any mine 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.

Our results for the third quarter and first nine months of 2012, compared with the 2011 periods, primarily reflected lower copper and gold sales volumes. Results for the first nine months of 2012 were also impacted by lower copper prices. Our net income attributable to common stockholders also includes net credits for adjustments to Cerro Verde's deferred income taxes and to our environmental and related litigation reserves totaling $168 million for third-quarter 2012 and $116 million for the first nine months of 2012, compared with net charges totaling $73 million for third-quarter 2011 and $113 million for the first nine months of 2011. Refer to “Consolidated Results” for further discussion of our consolidated financial results for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2012 and 2011.

In May 2012, our Climax molybdenum mine began commercial production. Depending on market conditions, production from the Climax mine may ramp up to a rate of 20 million pounds of molybdenum per year during 2013, with the potential to produce 30 million pounds of molybdenum per year.

At September 30, 2012, we had $3.7 billion in consolidated cash and cash equivalents and $3.5 billion in total debt. In February 2012, we sold $3.0 billion of 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 Note 5 and “Capital Resources and Liquidity – Financing Activities” 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). Refer to Note 5 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, including the underground development projects at Grasberg and the expansion projects at Morenci, Cerro Verde and Tenke, as well as to return cash to shareholders through common stock dividends and/or share repurchases.

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Table of Contents                 

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 with 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.

Sales Volumes. Consolidated sales from mines for the year 2012 are expected to approximate 3.6 billion pounds of copper, 1.0 million ounces of gold and 82 million pounds of molybdenum, including 930 million pounds of copper, 255 thousand ounces of gold and 20 million pounds of molybdenum for fourth-quarter 2012. Expected gold sales for 2012 are approximately 50,000 ounces less than the estimates provided in our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2012, because of lower gold production at Grasberg. Consolidated sales from mines for the year 2013 are expected to total 4.3 billion pounds of copper, 1.4 million ounces of gold and 90 million pounds of molybdenum. 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. Quarterly unit net cash costs will vary with fluctuations in sales volumes and average realized prices for gold and molybdenum. Assuming average prices of $1,700 per ounce of gold and $11 per pound of molybdenum for fourth-quarter 2012, and achievement of current 2012 sales volume and cost estimates, consolidated unit site production and delivery costs, before net noncash and other costs, for our copper mining operations are expected to average $2.03 per pound of copper and unit net cash costs (net of by-product credits) are expected to average $1.50 per pound of copper for the year 2012 (fourth-quarter 2012 consolidated site production and delivery costs are expected to average $2.11 per pound of copper and unit net cash costs (net of by-product credits) are expected to average $1.62 per pound of copper). The impact of price changes during fourth-quarter 2012 on consolidated unit net cash costs for the year 2012 would approximate $0.004 per pound for each $50 per ounce change in the average price of gold, and $0.004 per pound for each $2 per pound change in the average price of molybdenum. Assuming consistent commodity price assumptions, unit net cash costs for 2013 are expected to be lower than 2012 because of projected increased copper and gold volumes at Grasberg. 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 2012 sales volume and cost estimates, and assuming average prices of $3.70 per pound of copper, $1,700 per ounce of gold and $11 per pound of molybdenum for fourth-quarter 2012, consolidated operating cash flows are estimated to approximate $4.0 billion for the year 2012 (net of an estimated $1.4 billion in working capital uses and other tax payments). Projected operating cash flows for the year 2012 also reflect estimated taxes of $1.6 billion (refer to “Consolidated Results – Provision for Income Taxes” for further discussion of our projected consolidated effective annual tax rate for 2012). The impact of price changes for fourth-quarter 2012 on operating cash flows would approximate $80 million for each $0.10 per pound change in the average price of copper, $20 million for each $100 per ounce change in the average price of gold and $10 million for each $2 per pound change in the average price of molybdenum.

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Table of Contents                 

COPPER, GOLD AND MOLYBDENUM MARKETS

World prices for copper, gold and molybdenum can fluctuate significantly. During the period from January 2002 through October 2012, the London Metal Exchange (LME) spot copper price varied from a low of $0.64 per pound in 2002 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 $278 per ounce in 2002 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 $2.43 per pound in 2002 to a record 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 annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.


This graph presents LME spot copper prices and the combined reported stocks of copper at the LME, the New York Mercantile Exchange (COMEX) and the Shanghai Futures Exchange from January 2002 through October 2012. 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 the 2008 low are attributable to a combination of demand from emerging markets and limitations on available supply. During third-quarter 2012, LME spot copper prices ranged from $3.32 per pound to $3.81 per pound, averaged $3.50 per pound and closed at $3.75 per pound on September 30, 2012. While global economic concerns continue to influence prices, global exchange inventories have declined, representing 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 limited supplies. 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 $3.55 per pound on October 31, 2012.

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Table of Contents                 


This graph presents London p.m. gold prices from January 2002 through October 2012. During third-quarter 2012, gold prices ranged from $1,556 per ounce to $1,785 per ounce, averaged $1,652 per ounce and closed at $1,776 per ounce on September 30, 2012. Gold prices closed at $1,719 per ounce on October 31, 2012.

This graph presents the Metals Week Molybdenum Dealer Oxide weekly average prices from January 2002 through October 2012. In late 2008, molybdenum prices declined significantly as a result of the financial market turmoil and a decline in demand. During third-quarter 2012, the weekly average price of molybdenum ranged from $10.90 per pound to $12.95 per pound, averaged $11.93 per pound and closed at $11.65 on September 30, 2012. Average Metals Week Molybdenum Dealer Oxide prices were lower in third-quarter 2012, compared with second-quarter 2012, reflecting weaker demand and cautious buying activity in response to the global economic situation. The Metals Week Molybdenum Dealer Oxide weekly average price was $11.05 per pound on October 31, 2012.

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Table of Contents                 

CONSOLIDATED RESULTS
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
 
Financial Data (in millions, except per share amounts)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenuesa,b
$
4,417

 
$
5,195

 
$
13,497

 
$
16,718

 
Operating incomea,c
$
1,411

d 
$
2,150

d 
$
4,456

d 
$
7,843

d 
Net income attributable to FCX common stockholders
$
824

d,e 
$
1,053

d,e 
$
2,298

d,e,f 
$
3,920

d,e,f 
Diluted net income per share attributable to FCX common stockholders
$
0.86

d,e 
$
1.10

d,e 
$
2.41

d,e,f 
$
4.10

d,e,f 
Diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding
953

 
955

 
953

 
955

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mining Operating Data
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Copper (millions of recoverable pounds)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Production
938

 
951

 
2,658

 
2,868

 
Sales, excluding purchases
922

 
947

 
2,676

 
2,875

 
Average realized price per pound
$
3.64

 
$
3.60

 
$
3.63

 
$
3.94

 
Site production and delivery costs per poundg
$
2.03

 
$
1.71

 
$
2.00

 
$
1.65

 
Unit net cash costs per poundg
$
1.62

 
$
0.80

 
$
1.46

 
$
0.84

 
Gold (thousands of recoverable ounces)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Production
204

 
385

 
707

 
1,202

 
Sales, excluding purchases
202

 
409

 
756

 
1,245

 
Average realized price per ounce
$
1,728

 
$
1,693

 
$
1,666

 
$
1,565

 
Molybdenum (millions of recoverable pounds)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Production
20

 
23

 
61

 
65

 
Sales, excluding purchases
21

 
19

 
62

 
60

 
Average realized price per pound
$
13.62

 
$
16.34

 
$
14.79

 
$
17.57

 
a.
Refer to Note 11 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 periods (refer to “Revenues” below for further discussion). 
c.
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.
d.
Includes net (credits) charges for adjustments to environmental obligations and related litigation reserves totaling $(85) million ($(68) million to net income attributable to common stockholders or $(0.07) per share) for third-quarter 2012, $29 million ($23 million to net income attributable to common stockholders or $0.02 per share) for third-quarter 2011, $(19) million ($(16) million to net income attributable to common stockholders or $(0.02) per share) for the first nine months of 2012 and $78 million ($63 million to net income attributable to common stockholders or $0.07 per share) for the first nine months of 2011.
e.
The 2012 periods include a net tax credit of $100 million, net of noncontrolling interests ($0.11 per share), associated with adjustments to Cerro Verde's deferred income taxes. The 2011 periods include a tax charge of $50 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 stability agreement. Refer to Note 4 and "Provision for Income Taxes" below for further discussion of these amounts.
f.
Includes losses on early extinguishment of debt totaling $149 million ($0.16 per share) for the first nine months of 2012 and $60 million ($0.06 per share) for the first nine months of 2011 (refer to Note 5 for further discussion).
g.
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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Table of Contents                 

Revenues
Consolidated revenues totaled $4.4 billion in third-quarter 2012 and $13.5 billion for the first nine months of 2012, compared with $5.2 billion in third-quarter 2011 and $16.7 billion for the first nine months of 2011. Consolidated revenues include 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.

Following is a summary of changes in our consolidated revenues between periods (in millions):
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
 
 
Consolidated revenues - 2011 periods
$
5,195

 
$
16,718

 Higher (lower) price realizations from mining operations:
 
 
 
Copper
37

 
(830
)
Gold
7

 
76

Molybdenum
(57
)
 
(174
)
Silver
(16
)
 
(40
)
Cobalt
(14
)
 
(44
)
(Lower) higher sales volumes from mining operations:
 
 
 
Copper
(89
)
 
(783
)
Gold
(351
)
 
(765
)
Molybdenum
33

 
38

Silver
(27
)
 
(60
)
Cobalt
23

 

Favorable impact of net adjustments to prior period provisionally priced sales
216

 
132

Lower purchased copper
(51
)
 
(437
)
Lower Atlantic Copper revenues
(199
)
 
(207
)
Other, including intercompany eliminations
(290
)
 
(127
)
Consolidated revenues - 2012 periods
$
4,417

 
$
13,497


Price Realizations
Our consolidated revenues vary as a result of fluctuations in the market prices of copper, gold, molybdenum, silver and cobalt. Realized copper prices averaged $3.64 per pound in third-quarter 2012 (compared with $3.60 per pound in third-quarter 2011) and $3.63 per pound for the first nine months of 2012 (compared with $3.94 for the first nine months of 2011). Realized gold prices averaged $1,728 per ounce in third-quarter 2012 (compared with $1,693 per ounce in third-quarter 2011) and $1,666 per ounce for the first nine months of 2012 (compared with $1,565 per ounce for the first nine months of 2011). Realized molybdenum prices averaged $13.62 per pound in third-quarter 2012 (compared with $16.34 per pound in third-quarter 2011) and $14.79 per pound for the first nine months of 2012 (compared with $17.57 per pound for the first nine months of 2011).

Sales Volumes
Consolidated sales volumes totaled 922 million pounds of copper, 202 thousand ounces of gold and 21 million pounds of molybdenum in third-quarter 2012, compared with 947 million pounds of copper, 409 thousand ounces of gold and 19 million pounds of molybdenum in third-quarter 2011. For the first nine months of 2012, consolidated sales volumes totaled 2.7 billion pounds of copper, 756 thousand ounces of gold and 62 million pounds of molybdenum, compared with 2.9 billion pounds of copper, 1.2 million ounces of gold and 60 million pounds of molybdenum for the first nine months of 2011. Lower consolidated copper and gold sales volumes in the 2012 periods primarily reflected lower ore grades in Indonesia, partly offset by increased production in North America and Africa. Lower copper and gold sales volumes for the first nine months of 2012 also reflected lower production rates in Indonesia resulting from the first-quarter 2012 work interruptions and related temporary suspension of operations, and lower copper volumes in South America. Refer to “Operations” for further discussion of sales volumes at our operating divisions.


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Table of Contents                 

Provisionally Priced Copper Sales
During the first nine months of 2012, 45 percent of our mined copper was sold in concentrate, 28 percent as cathode and 27 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.

At June 30, 2012, we had provisionally priced copper sales at our copper mining operations, primarily South America and Indonesia, totaling 329 million pounds of copper (net of intercompany sales and noncontrolling interests) recorded at an average of $3.49 per pound. Higher prices during third-quarter 2012 resulted in adjustments to these provisionally priced copper sales that favorably impacted consolidated revenues by $24 million ($12 million to net income attributable to common stockholders or $0.01 per share) in third-quarter 2012, compared with adjustments to the June 30, 2011, provisionally priced copper sales that unfavorably impacted third-quarter 2011 revenues by $213 million ($100 million to net income attributable to common stockholders or $0.11 per share). Adjustments to the December 31, 2011, provisionally priced copper sales favorably impacted consolidated revenues by $101 million ($43 million to net income attributable to common stockholders or $0.05 per share) for the first nine months of 2012, compared with adjustments to the December 31, 2010, provisionally priced copper sales that unfavorably impacted consolidated revenues by $12 million ($5 million to net income attributable to common stockholders or $0.01 per share) for the first nine months of 2011.

At September 30, 2012, we had provisionally priced copper sales at our copper mining operations, primarily South America and Indonesia, totaling 325 million pounds of copper (net of intercompany sales and noncontrolling interests) recorded at an average of $3.72 per pound, subject to final pricing over the next several months. We estimate that each $0.05 change in the price realized from the September 30, 2012, provisional price recorded would have a net impact on our 2012 consolidated revenues of approximately $23 million ($11 million to net income attributable to common stockholders). The LME spot copper price closed at $3.55 per pound on October 31, 2012.

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

Atlantic Copper Revenues
The decrease in Atlantic Copper's revenues in the 2012 periods, compared with the 2011 periods, primarily reflected lower production in third-quarter 2012 and lower copper realizations for the first nine months of 2012. Refer to "Operations - Atlantic Copper Smelting & Refining" for further discussion.

Production and Delivery Costs
Consolidated production and delivery costs totaled $2.6 billion in both the third quarters of 2012 and 2011, $7.6 billion for the first nine months of 2012 and $7.5 billion for the first nine months of 2011.

Consolidated unit site production and delivery costs, before net noncash and other costs, for our copper mining operations averaged $2.03 per pound of copper in third-quarter 2012 and $2.00 per pound of copper for the first nine months of 2012, compared with $1.71 per pound of copper in third-quarter 2011 and $1.65 per pound of copper for the first nine months of 2011. Higher unit site production and delivery costs in the 2012 periods primarily reflected lower copper sales volumes in Indonesia and higher mining costs. Assuming average prices of $1,700 per ounce of gold and $11 per pound of molybdenum for fourth-quarter 2012, and achievement of current 2012 cost estimates, consolidated unit site production and delivery costs are expected to average $2.03 per pound of copper for the year 2012 ($2.11 for fourth-quarter 2012). Consolidated unit net cash costs for 2013 are expected to be lower than 2012 because of projected increased copper and gold 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.

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Our copper mining operations require significant energy, principally diesel, electricity, coal and natural gas. For the year 2012, energy costs are expected to approximate 21 percent of our consolidated copper production costs, which reflects projected purchases of approximately 255 million gallons of diesel fuel; 6,900 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. Energy costs for 2011 approximated 21 percent of our consolidated copper production costs.

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
Consolidated depreciation, depletion and amortization expense totaled $298 million in third-quarter 2012, $856 million for the first nine months of 2012, $257 million in third-quarter 2011 and $756 million for the first nine months of 2011. Depreciation will vary under the unit of production (UOP) method as a result of increases and decreases in sales volumes and the related UOP rates at our mining operations. Higher depreciation, depletion and amortization expense for the 2012 periods, compared with the 2011 periods, primarily reflected higher production and asset additions in North America, partly offset by lower production in Indonesia.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Consolidated selling, general and administrative expenses totaled $110 million in third-quarter 2012, $102 million in third-quarter 2011, $311 million for the first nine months of 2012 and $323 million for the first nine months of 2011.

Exploration and Research Expenses
Consolidated exploration and research expenses totaled $79 million in third-quarter 2012 and $214 million for the first nine months of 2012, compared with $78 million in third-quarter 2011 and $194 million for the first nine months of 2011. 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. 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 the year 2012, exploration and research expenditures are expected to total approximately $290 million, including approximately $255 million for exploration. Exploration activities will continue to focus primarily on the potential for future reserve additions in our existing mineral districts.

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. 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 $73 million in third-quarter 2012, and net charges of $18 million for the first nine months of 2012, $38 million in third-quarter 2011 and $98 million for the first nine months of 2011. Refer to Note 8 and "Contingencies" for further discussion of environmental obligations and litigation matters associated with closed facilities or operations.

Interest Expense, Net
Consolidated interest expense (excluding capitalized interest) totaled $56 million in third-quarter 2012 and $210 million for the first nine months of 2012, compared with $105 million in third-quarter 2011 and $325 million for the first nine months of 2011. Lower interest expense for the 2012 periods primarily reflected the impact of the first-quarter 2012 refinancing transaction.

Capitalized interest is primarily related to our development projects and totaled $14 million in third-quarter 2012 and $62 million for the first nine months of 2012, compared with $27 million in third-quarter 2011 and $75 million for the first nine months of 2011. Refer to “Operations” for further discussion of current development projects.

Losses on Early Extinguishment of Debt
We recorded losses on early extinguishment of debt totaling $168 million for the first nine months of 2012 associated with the redemption of our remaining 8.375% Senior Notes.


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We recorded losses on early extinguishment of debt totaling $68 million for the first nine months of 2011 associated with the redemption of our 8.25% Senior Notes, the revolving credit facilities that were replaced in March 2011 by a new senior unsecured revolving credit facility and open-market purchases of our 9.5% Senior Notes.

Refer to Note 5 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 2012 and 2011 periods (in millions, except percentages):
 
Nine Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
September 30, 2012
 
September 30, 2011
 
 
Incomea
 
Effective
Tax Rate
 
Income Tax
(Provision) Benefit
 
Incomea
 
Effective
Tax Rate
 
Income Tax
(Provision) Benefit
 
U.S.
$
1,231

 
24%
 
$
(291
)
 
$
1,772

 
24%
 
$
(421
)
 
South America
1,675

 
36%
 
(609
)
b 
2,326

 
36%
 
(829
)
c 
Indonesia
940

 
41%
 
(387
)
 
2,870

 
43%
 
(1,234
)
 
Africa
263

 
30%
 
(79
)
 
293

 
34%
 
(100
)
 
Eliminations and other
54

 
N/A
 
10

 
304

 
N/A
 
(127
)
 
Annualized rate adjustmentd
N/A

 
N/A
 
(6
)
 
N/A

 
N/A
 
13

 
 
4,163

 
33%
f 
(1,362
)
 
7,565

 
36%
 
(2,698
)
 
Deferred tax liability adjustmente

 
N/A
 
234

 

 
N/A
 

 
Consolidated FCX
$
4,163

 
27%
 
$
(1,128
)
 
$
7,565

 
36%
 
$
(2,698
)
 
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 after 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 $26 million ($23 million net of noncontrolling interest) in third-quarter 2012, which relates primarily to the assets recorded in connection with the 2007 acquisition of Freeport-McMoRan Corporation (FMC).
c.
In September 2011, Peru enacted a new mining tax and royalty regime and also created a special mining burden that companies with stability agreements could 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 $57 million ($50 million net of noncontrolling interest) in third-quarter 2011. The deferred portion of this accrual relates primarily to the assets recorded in connection with the 2007 acquisition of FMC.
d.
In accordance with applicable accounting rules, we adjust our interim provision for income taxes equal to our estimated annualized tax rate.
e.
With the exception of Tenke Fungurume 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. Reinvested profits are not expected to be distributed prior to December 31, 2013. Accordingly, a net deferred tax liability totaling $234 million ($123 net of noncontrolling interest) was reversed and recognized as an income tax benefit in third-quarter 2012.
f.
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 $3.70 per pound for copper, $1,700 per ounce for gold and $11 per pound for molybdenum for fourth-quarter 2012 and achievement of current sales volume and cost estimates, we estimate our consolidated effective tax rate, excluding the impact of the deferred tax liability adjustment in note e, will approximate 33 percent for the fourth quarter and the year 2012.




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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.

Operating and Development Activities. We have completed projects to increase production at our North America copper mines, including restarting certain mining and milling operations and increasing 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. We continue to evaluate a number of opportunities to invest in additional production capacity at several of our North America copper mines. Exploration results in recent years indicate the potential for significant additional sulfide development in North America.

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 through an increase in milling rates from the current level of 50,000 metric tons of ore per day to approximately 115,000 metric tons of ore per day, and mining rates from the current level of 700,000 short tons per day to 900,000 short tons per day. We have received material permits and have commenced engineering and initial construction, and procurement activities are in progress. Project costs of $211 million have been incurred as of September 30, 2012 ($184 million during the first nine months of 2012). Considering the large size of this project, actual costs could differ materially from these estimates.

Other Matters. As described further in “Critical Accounting Estimates” contained in Part II, Items 7. and 7A of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, 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 techniques. Processes and recovery rates are monitored regularly, and recovery rate estimates are adjusted periodically as additional information becomes available and as related technology changes. During third-quarter 2012, we completed an assessment of recovery rates 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.

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Operating Data. Following is summary operating data for the North America copper mines for the third quarters and first nine months of 2012 and 2011:
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
Operating Data, Net of Joint Venture Interest
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Copper (millions of recoverable pounds)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Production
337

 
322

 
1,005

 
917

Sales, excluding purchases
331

 
307

 
1,030

 
914

Average realized price per pound
$
3.58

 
$
4.05

 
$
3.66

 
$
4.19

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Molybdenum (millions of recoverable pounds)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Productiona
8

 
10

 
27

 
27

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
100% Operating Data
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SX/EW operations
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Leach ore placed in stockpiles (metric tons per day)
922,100

 
872,200

 
967,700

 
841,700

Average copper ore grade (percent)
0.22

 
0.25

 
0.22

 
0.25

Copper production (millions of recoverable pounds)
211

 
199

 
639

 
582

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mill operations
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ore milled (metric tons per day)
242,700

 
225,800

 
235,700

 
220,100

Average ore grade (percent):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Copper
0.37

 
0.38

 
0.37

 
0.37

Molybdenum
0.03

 
0.03

 
0.03

 
0.03

Copper recovery rate (percent)
85.4

 
84.5

 
83.5

 
83.5

Copper production (millions of recoverable pounds)
150

 
146

 
436

 
404

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

Copper sales volumes from our North America copper mines increased to 331 million pounds in third-quarter 2012 and 1.0 billion pounds for the first nine months of 2012, compared with 307 million pounds in third-quarter 2011 and 914 million pounds for the first nine months of 2011, primarily reflecting increased production at the Chino mine. The first nine months of 2012 also reflect increases in production at the Safford and Miami mines and timing of shipments at Morenci.

For the year 2012, copper sales volumes from our North America copper mines are expected to approximate 1.3 billion pounds, compared with 1.2 billion pounds in 2011. Molybdenum production from our North America copper mines is expected to approximate 35 million pounds for the year 2012, compared with 35 million pounds 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 generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) in the U.S. 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.


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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 third quarters and first nine months of 2012 and 2011. 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.
 
Three Months Ended
 
Three Months Ended
 
September 30, 2012
 
September 30, 2011
 
By- Product Method
 
Co-Product Method
 
By- Product Method
 
Co-Product Method
 
 
Copper
 
Molyb-
denuma
 
 
Copper
 
Molyb-
denuma
Revenues, excluding adjustments
$
3.58

 
$
3.58

 
$
12.58

 
$
4.05

 
$
4.05

 
$
15.22

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Site production and delivery, before net noncash and other costs shown below
1.97

 
1.77

 
8.60

 
1.86

 
1.65

 
6.68

By-product creditsa
(0.32
)
 

 

 
(0.55
)
 

 

Treatment charges
0.12

 
0.12

 

 
0.11

 
0.11

 

Unit net cash costs
1.77

 
1.89

 
8.60

 
1.42

 
1.76

 
6.68

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
0.25

 
0.23

 
0.63

 
0.21

 
0.19

 
0.34

Noncash and other costs, net
0.12

 
0.11

 
0.15

 
0.10

 
0.10

 
0.06

Total unit costs
2.14

 
2.23

 
9.38

 
1.73

 
2.05

 
7.08

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

 
0.01

 

 
(0.04
)
 
(0.04
)
 

Gross profit per pound
$
1.45

 
$
1.36

 
$
3.20

 
$
2.28

 
$
1.96

 
$
8.14

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Copper sales (millions of recoverable pounds)
330

 
330

 
 
 
307

 
307

 
 
Molybdenum sales (millions of recoverable pounds)b
 
 
 
 
8

 
 
 
 
 
10

 
Nine Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30, 2012
 
September 30, 2011
 
By- Product Method
 
Co-Product Method
 
By- Product Method
 
Co-Product Method
 
 
Copper
 
Molyb-
denuma
 
 
Copper
 
Molyb-
denuma
Revenues, excluding adjustments
$
3.66

 
$
3.66

 
$
13.58

 
$
4.19

 
$
4.19

 
$
16.30

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Site production and delivery, before net noncash and other costs shown below
1.88

 
1.74

 
6.18

 
1.80

 
1.61

 
6.77

By-product creditsa
(0.37
)
 

 

 
(0.52
)
 

 

Treatment charges
0.12

 
0.11

 

 
0.10

 
0.10

 

Unit net cash costs
1.63

 
1.85

 
6.18

 
1.38

 
1.71

 
6.77

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
0.26

 
0.24

 
0.45

 
0.20

 
0.19

 
0.38

Noncash and other costs, net
0.10

 
0.09

 
0.07

 
0.13

 
0.12

 
0.07

Total unit costs
1.99

 
2.18

 
6.70

 
1.71

 
2.02

 
7.22

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

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit per pound
$
1.68

 
$
1.48

 
$
6.88

 
$
2.48

 
$
2.17

 
$
9.08

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Copper sales (millions of recoverable pounds)
1,027

 
1,027

 
 
 
912

 
912

 
 
Molybdenum sales (millions of recoverable pounds)b
 
 
 
 
27
 
 
 
 
 
27

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

Our operating North America copper mines have varying cost structures because of differences in ore grades and characteristics, processing costs, by-products and other factors. Unit net cash costs (net of by-product credits) for our North America copper mines averaged $1.77 per pound of copper in third-quarter 2012 and $1.63 per pound of copper for the first nine months of 2012, compared with $1.42 per pound of copper in the third quarter and $1.38 in the first nine months of 2011. Higher average unit net cash costs in the 2012 periods primarily reflected lower molybdenum credits and increased mining rates, partly offset by higher copper sales volumes.


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Table of Contents                 

Because certain assets are depreciated on a straight-line basis, North America's unit depreciation rate varies with 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 fourth-quarter 2012, we estimate that average unit site production and delivery costs for our North America copper mines would approximate $1.90 per pound of copper and average unit net cash costs (net of by-product credits) would approximate $1.67 per pound of copper for the year 2012, compared with $1.41 per pound of copper in 2011 (fourth-quarter 2012 site production and delivery costs are expected to average $1.96 per pound of copper and unit net cash costs (net of by-product credits) are expected to average $1.77 per pound of copper). North America's average unit net cash costs for 2012 would change by approximately $0.01 per pound for each $2 per pound change in the average price of molybdenum during fourth-quarter 2012.

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 and cathode 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. Considering the long-term nature and large size of our South America development projects, actual costs could differ materially from the below estimates.

Cerro Verde Expansion. At Cerro Verde, we are engaged in a large-scale concentrator 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. An environmental impact assessment was filed in fourth-quarter 2011. Permitting is in an advanced stage and engineering and procurement of long-lead items is in progress. We expect to commence construction 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 its 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 expected to approximate 300 million pounds of copper per year, replacing the currently depleting oxide copper production. The aggregate capital investment for this project is expected to approximate $800 million through 2015, which included approximately $580 million for the initial phase of the project.

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 indicate the potential for a significant sulfide resource.

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 are constructing a desalination plant and pipeline that will supply Candelaria’s longer term water needs. The plant is expected to be completed in early 2013 at a cost of approximately $310 million. Project costs of $278 million have been incurred as of September 30, 2012 ($152 million during the first nine months of 2012).

Other Matters. In July 2012, Cerro Verde signed a new 15-year mining stability agreement with the Peruvian government, which is expected to become effective after the current mining stability agreement expires on December 31, 2013. See Note 10 and "Consolidated Results - Provision for Income Taxes" for further discussion.


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Table of Contents                 

Operating Data. Following is summary operating data for our South America mining operations for the third quarters and first nine months of 2012 and 2011:
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
Copper (millions of recoverable pounds)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Production
311

 
325

 
908

 
969

Sales
308

 
322

 
895

 
965

Average realized price per pound
$
3.68

 
$
3.45

 
$
3.63

 
$
3.82

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gold (thousands of recoverable ounces)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Production
20

 
25

 
57

 
73

Sales
21

 
23

 
56

 
72

Average realized price per ounce
$
1,736

 
$
1,664

 
$
1,678

 
$
1,556

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Molybdenum (millions of recoverable pounds)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Productiona
2

 
2

 
6

 
8

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SX/EW operations
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Leach ore placed in stockpiles (metric tons per day)
248,100

 
244,100

 
229,100

 
249,500

Average copper ore grade (percent)
0.55

 
0.54

 
0.55

 
0.48

Copper production (millions of recoverable pounds)
115

 
111

 
346

 
314

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

 
185,700

 
190,000

 
192,300

Average ore grade:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Copper (percent)
0.59

 
0.66

 
0.58

 
0.66

Gold (grams per metric ton)
0.09

 
0.12

 
0.09

 
0.12

Molybdenum (percent)
0.02

 
0.02

 
0.02

 
0.02

Copper recovery rate (percent)
90.7

 
89.1

 
89.5

 
90.0

Copper production (millions of recoverable pounds)
196

 
214

 
562

 
655

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

Copper sales from our South America mining operations declined to 308 million pounds in third-quarter 2012, compared with 322 million pounds in third-quarter 2011, primarily reflecting lower ore grades at Candelaria and timing of shipments. Lower copper sales volumes of 895 million pounds for the first nine months of 2012, compared with 965 million pounds for the first nine months of 2011, primarily reflected lower ore grades at Candelaria and Cerro Verde, partly offset by increased production at El Abra.

For the year 2012, consolidated sales volumes from our South America mining operations are expected to approximate 1.2 billion pounds of copper and 95 thousand ounces of gold, compared with 2011 sales of 1.3 billion pounds of copper and 101 thousand ounces of gold. Molybdenum production from Cerro Verde is expected to approximate 8 million pounds for the year 2012, compared with 10 million pounds 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.


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Table of Contents                 

Gross Profit per Pound of Copper

The following tables summarize unit net cash costs and gross profit per pound at the South America mining operations for the third quarters and first nine months of 2012 and 2011. 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.
 
Three Months Ended
 
Three Months Ended
 
September 30, 2012
 
September 30, 2011
 
By-Product
Method
 
Co-Product
Method
 
By-Product
Method
 
Co-Product
Method
Revenues, excluding adjustments
$
3.68

 
$
3.68

 
$
3.45

 
$
3.45

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Site production and delivery, before net noncash and other costs shown below
1.63

 
1.51

 
1.38

 
1.25

By-product credits
(0.25
)
 

 
(0.36
)
 

Treatment charges
0.17

 
0.17

 
0.13

 
0.13

Unit net cash costs
1.55

 
1.68

 
1.15

 
1.38

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
0.24

 
0.23

 
0.20

 
0.19

Noncash and other costs, net
0.07

 
0.04

 
0.09

 
0.07

Total unit costs
1.86

 
1.95

 
1.44

 
1.64

Revenue adjustments, primarily for pricing on prior period open sales
0.07

 
0.07

 
(0.45
)
 
(0.45
)
Gross profit per pound
$
1.89

 
$
1.80

 
$
1.56

 
$
1.36

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Copper sales (millions of recoverable pounds)
308

 
308

 
322

 
322

 
Nine Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30, 2012
 
September 30, 2011
 
By-Product
Method
 
Co-Product
Method
 
By-Product
Method
 
Co-Product
Method
Revenues, excluding adjustments
$
3.63

 
$
3.63

 
$
3.82

 
$
3.82

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Site production and delivery, before net noncash and other costs shown below
1.58

 
1.46

 
1.31

 
1.20

By-product credits
(0.26
)
 

 
(0.36
)
 

Treatment charges
0.16

 
0.16

 
0.17

 
0.17

Unit net cash costs
1.48

 
1.62

 
1.12

 
1.37

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
0.24

 
0.22

 
0.19

 
0.18

Noncash and other costs, net
0.07

 
0.05

 
0.07

 
0.06

Total unit costs
1.79

 
1.89

 
1.38

 
1.61

Revenue adjustments, primarily for pricing on prior period open sales
0.12

 
0.12

 
0.01

 
(0.01
)
Gross profit per pound
$
1.96

 
$
1.86

 
$
2.45

 
$
2.20

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Copper sales (millions of recoverable pounds)
895

 
895

 
965

 
965

Our South America mines have varying cost structures because of differences in ore grades and characteristics, processing costs, by-products and other factors. Unit net cash costs (net of by-product credits) for our South America mining operations averaged $1.55 per pound of copper in third-quarter 2012 and $1.48 per pound for the first nine months of 2012, compared with $1.15 per pound in third-quarter 2011 and $1.12 per pound for the first nine months of 2011. Higher average unit net cash costs in the 2012 periods primarily reflected higher mining and input costs, including energy, and lower by-product credits. Unit net cash cost were also impacted by the timing of profit sharing in third-quarter 2012 and lower sales volumes for the first nine months of 2012.

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


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Table of Contents                 

Revenue adjustments primarily result from changes in prices on provisionally priced copper sales recognized in prior periods. To the extent 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. Refer to “Consolidated Results - Revenues” for further discussion of adjustments to prior period 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 for fourth-quarter 2012, we estimate that average unit site production and delivery costs for our South America mining operations would approximate $1.61 per pound of copper and average unit net cash costs (net of by-product credits) would approximate $1.50 per pound of copper for the year 2012, compared with $1.20 per pound in 2011 (fourth-quarter 2012 site production and delivery costs are expected to average $1.70 per pound of copper and unit net cash costs (net of by-product credits) are expected to average $1.53 per pound of copper).

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 previously reported, because of the potential benefits of having additional Indonesian ownership in PT Freeport Indonesia's operations, we have agreed to consider a potential sale of a 9.36 percent interest in PT Freeport Indonesia at fair market value (refer to Note 14 in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, for further discussion). We are also considering a potential offering of PT Freeport Indonesia shares on the Indonesia stock exchange.

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 generally sold to affiliated smelters, Atlantic Copper and PT Smelting (PT Freeport Indonesia’s 25-percent owned copper smelter and refinery in Indonesia) and the remainder to other 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 in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, for discussion of our joint ventures with Rio Tinto.

Operating and Development Activities. We 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 2016. Over the next five years, aggregate capital spending on these projects is currently expected to average $700 million per year ($550 million per year net to PT Freeport Indonesia). Considering the long-term nature and large size of these projects, actual costs could differ materially from these estimates.

The following provides additional information on these projects, including the continued development of the Common Infrastructure project, the Grasberg Block Cave and Big Gossan underground mines, 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. 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 both the DMLZ and Grasberg Block Cave is advancing, and access to these underground ore bodies is complete.

The Grasberg Block Cave underground mine accounts for over one-third of our reserves in Indonesia. Production at the Grasberg Block Cave mine is currently scheduled to commence at the end of mining the Grasberg open pit, which is currently expected to continue until 2016. The timing of the transition to the underground Grasberg Block Cave mine will continue to be assessed. 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.


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Table of Contents                 

Aggregate mine development capital for the Grasberg Block Cave mine and associated Common Infrastructure is expected to approximate $4.2 billion (incurred between 2008 and 2021), with PT Freeport Indonesia’s share totaling approximately $3.8 billion. Aggregate project costs totaling $788 million have been incurred through September 30, 2012 ($219 million during the first nine months of 2012).

Big Gossan. The Big Gossan underground mine is a high-grade deposit located near PT Freeport Indonesia’s existing milling complex. Production, which began in fourth-quarter 2010, averaged 1,900 metric tons of ore per day in third-quarter 2012. Full rates of 7,000 metric tons of ore per day are expected in 2014 (equal to average annual aggregate incremental production of 125 million pounds of copper and 65,000 ounces of gold).

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, near completion of mining at the DOZ mine. Drilling efforts continue to determine the extent of this ore body. Aggregate mine development capital costs for the DMLZ mine are expected to approximate $2.2 billion (incurred from 2009 to 2020), with PT Freeport Indonesia’s share totaling approximately $1.3 billion. Aggregate project costs totaling $451 million have been incurred through September 30, 2012 ($182 million during the first nine months of 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 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 seek an extension of our COW to 2041, pursuant to the terms of the contract. Refer to Note 14 of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, for further discussion of PT Freeport Indonesia's COW.

Between July 2009 and October 2012, 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 Government of Indonesia 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, 2011, for further discussion.


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Table of Contents                 

Operating Data. Following is summary operating data for our Indonesia mining operations for the third quarters and first nine months of 2012 and 2011:
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
Operating Data, Net of Joint Venture Interest
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Copper (millions of recoverable pounds)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Production
199

 
233

 
495

 
778

Sales
195

 
253

 
512

 
796

Average realized price per pound
$
3.72

 
$
3.29

 
$
3.64

 
$
3.82

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gold (thousands of recoverable ounces)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Production
182

 
357

 
641

 
1,123

Sales
178

 
384

 
691

 
1,168

Average realized price per ounce
$
1,728

 
$
1,695

 
$
1,665

 
$
1,565

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
100% Operating Data
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ore milled (metric tons per day):a
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Grasberg open pit
136,500

 
107,000

 
116,700

 
137,200

DOZ underground mine
48,300

 
43,900

 
42,300

 
58,900

Big Gossan underground mine
1,900

 
1,300

 
1,400

 
1,800

Total
186,700

 
152,200

 
160,400

 
197,900

Average ore grades:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Copper (percent)
0.63

 
0.90

 
0.61

 
0.80

Gold (grams per metric ton)
0.46

 
1.14

 
0.60

 
0.92

Recovery rates (percent):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Copper
87.7

 
89.8

 
88.6

 
88.2

Gold
71.4

 
82.4

 
76.7

 
81.3

Production (recoverable):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Copper (millions of pounds)
199

 
237

 
495

 
803

Gold (thousands of ounces)
182

 
408

 
641

 
1,261

a.
Amounts represent the approximate average daily throughput processed at PT Freeport Indonesia’s mill facilities from each producing mine.

Sales volumes from our Indonesia mining operations declined to 195 million pounds of copper and 178 thousand ounces of gold in third-quarter 2012 and 512 million pounds of copper and 691 thousand ounces of gold for the first nine months of 2012, compared with 253 million pounds of copper and 384 thousand ounces of gold in third-quarter 2011 and 796 million pounds of copper and 1.2 million ounces of gold for the first nine months of 2011, primarily reflecting anticipated lower ore grades. The first nine months of 2012 were also impacted by lower production rates associated with the first-quarter 2012 work interruptions and the related temporary suspension of operations.

At the Grasberg mine, the sequencing in mining areas with varying ore grades causes fluctuations in the timing of ore production resulting in varying quarterly sales of copper and gold. Consolidated sales volumes from our Indonesia mining operations are expected to approximate 0.7 billion pounds of copper and 0.9 million ounces of gold for 2012, compared with 846 million pounds of copper and 1.3 million ounces of gold in 2011. Indonesia's current sales volume estimates for 2012 are approximately 40 million pounds of copper and 45,000 ounces of gold lower than the estimates provided in our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2012, because of mine plan changes in the Grasberg open pit, which delayed access to higher grade material, and a slower ramp-up of the DOZ mine. The slower than anticipated ramp-up reflects more extensive repairs required following the 2011 suspension of operations. The DOZ mine is expected to ramp up to 80,000 metric tons of ore per day in 2013. FCX expects sales from Indonesia to increase in the second half of 2013 as PT Freeport Indonesia gains access to higher ore grades.


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Table of Contents                 

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.

Gross Profit per Pound of Copper and per Ounce of Gold

The following tables summarize the unit net cash costs and gross profit per pound of copper and per ounce of gold at our Indonesia mining operations for the third quarters and first nine months of 2012 and 2011. 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.
 
Three Months Ended
 
Three Months Ended
 
September 30, 2012
 
September 30, 2011
 
By-Product Method
 
Co-Product Method
 
By-Product Method
 
Co-Product Method
 
 
Copper
 
Gold
 
 
Copper
 
Gold
Revenues, excluding adjustments
$
3.72

 
$
3.72

 
$
1,728

 
$
3.29

 
$
3.29

 
$
1,695

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Site production and delivery, before net noncash and other costs shown below
2.96

 
2.05

 
951

 
1.98

 
1.09

 
561

Gold and silver credits
(1.66
)
 

 

 
(2.80
)
 

 

Treatment charges
0.22

 
0.15

 
72

 
0.18

 
0.10

 
53

Royalty on metals
0.13

 
0.09

 
42

 
0.16

 
0.09

 
46

Unit net cash costs (credits)
1.65

 
2.29

 
1,065

 
(0.48
)
 
1.28

 
660

Depreciation and amortization
0.27

 
0.19

 
88

 
0.25

 
0.13

 
69

Noncash and other costs, net
0.05

 
0.04

 
15

 
0.01

 
0.01

 
4

Total unit costs (credits)
1.97

 
2.52

 
1,168

 
(0.22
)
 
1.42

 
733

Revenue adjustments, primarily for pricing on prior period open sales
0.04

 
0.04

 
11

 
(0.35
)
 
(0.35
)
 
74

Gross profit per pound/ounce
$
1.79

 
$
1.24

 
$
571

 
$
3.16

 
$
1.52

 
$
1,036

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Copper sales (millions of recoverable pounds)
195

 
195

 
 
 
253

 
253

 
 
Gold sales (thousands of recoverable ounces)
 
 
 
 
178

 
 
 
 
 
384

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30, 2012
 
September 30, 2011
 
By-Product Method
 
Co-Product Method
 
By-Product Method
 
Co-Product Method
 
 
Copper
 
Gold
 
 
Copper
 
Gold
Revenues, excluding adjustments
$
3.64

 
$
3.64

 
$
1,665

 
$
3.82

 
$
3.82

 
$
1,565

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Site production and delivery, before net noncash and other costs shown below
3.20

 
1.95

 
892

 
1.91

 
1.17

 
480

Gold and silver credits
(2.34
)
 

 

 
(2.39
)
 

 

Treatment charges
0.21

 
0.13

 
58

 
0.18

 
0.11

 
46

Royalty on metals
0.13

 
0.08

 
37

 
0.16

 
0.10

 
41

Unit net cash costs (credits)
1.20

 
2.16

 
987

 
(0.14
)
 
1.38

 
567

Depreciation and amortization
0.30

 
0.18

 
83

 
0.23

 
0.14

 
56

Noncash and other costs, net
0.08

 
0.05

 
22

 
0.04

 
0.02

 
8

Total unit costs
1.58

 
2.39

 
1,092

 
0.13

 
1.54

 
631

Revenue adjustments, primarily for pricing on prior period open sales
0.03

 
0.03

 
4

 
(0.01
)
 
(0.01
)
 
(15
)
Gross profit per pound/ounce
$
2.09

 
$
1.28

 
$
577

 
$
3.68

 
$
2.27

 
$
919

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Copper sales (millions of recoverable pounds)
512

 
512

 
 
 
796

 
796

 
 
Gold sales (thousands of recoverable ounces)
 
 
 
 
691

 
 
 
 
 
1,168


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Table of Contents                 

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 totaled $1.65 per pound of copper in third-quarter 2012 and $1.20 per pound of copper for the first nine months of 2012, compared with net credits of $0.48 per pound of copper in third-quarter 2011 and $0.14 per pound of copper for the first nine months of 2011. Higher unit net cash costs in the 2012 periods primarily reflected lower 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 the level of copper production and sales.

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

Quarterly unit net cash costs are expected to vary significantly with variations in quarterly metal sales volumes, as well as average realized gold prices during the period. Assuming achievement of current sales volume and cost estimates, and an average gold price of $1,700 per ounce for fourth-quarter 2012, we estimate that average unit site production and delivery costs for Indonesia would approximate $3.24 per pound of copper and average unit net cash costs (net of gold and silver credits) would approximate $1.34 per pound of copper for the year 2012, compared with $0.09 per pound in 2011 (fourth-quarter 2012 site production and delivery costs are expected to average $3.35 per pound of copper and unit net cash costs (net of by-product credits) are expected to average $1.70 per pound of copper). Indonesia's unit net cash costs for 2012 would change by $0.02 per pound for each $50 per ounce change in the average price of gold during fourth-quarter 2012. Assuming consistent commodity price assumptions, Indonesia's unit net cash costs for future periods are expected to be lower than 2012, as PT Freeport Indonesia accesses higher grade ore beginning in the second half of 2013.

Africa Mining
Africa mining includes the Tenke copper and cobalt mining concessions in the Katanga province of the DRC. The Tenke mine includes surface mining, leaching and SX/EW operations. Copper production from the Tenke mine is sold as copper cathode. In addition to copper, the Tenke mine produces cobalt hydroxide.

We hold an effective 56 percent interest in the Tenke copper and cobalt mining concessions and are the operator of Tenke. Effective March 26, 2012, the DRC government issued a Presidential Decree approving modifications to TFM's bylaws. As a result, our and Lundin Mining Corporation's ownership interest in Tenke totals 80 percent (previously 82.5 percent) and Gecamines' ownership interest totals 20 percent (previously 17.5 percent).

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 September 30, 2012.

We are nearing completion of a second phase of the project, which includes optimizing the current plant and increasing capacity. We are expanding the mill rate to 14,000 metric tons of ore per day and are completing construction of the related processing facilities that target the addition of approximately 150 million pounds of copper per year in 2013. The approximate $850 million project includes mill upgrades, additional mining equipment, a new tankhouse and a sulphuric acid plant expansion. Construction activities are progressing well and are expected to be substantially complete by year-end 2012. The addition of a second sulphuric acid plant is expected to be completed in 2015. The second phase of the project is being funded primarily with cash generated from operations, and for additional required funds, we are funding 70 percent and Lundin Mining Corporation is funding 30 percent. Project costs of $535 million have been incurred as of September 30, 2012 ($367 million during the first nine months of 2012).

During third-quarter 2012, Tenke achieved record mining, milling and copper production rates. Improved performance and the second phase expansion are expected to enable copper production to exceed 400 million pounds for the year 2013, compared with initial design capacity of 250 million pounds per year.


41

Table of Contents                 

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.

Other Matters. Salary scale for TFM's union-represented employees is negotiated outside of the Collective Labor Agreement. In September 2012, TFM successfully renegotiated a 4-year salary scale with union-represented employees.

Operating Data. Following is summary operating data for our Africa mining operations for the third quarters and first nine months of 2012 and 2011:
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
Copper (millions of recoverable pounds)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Production
91

 
71

 
250

 
204

Sales
88

 
65

 
239

 
200

Average realized price per pounda
$
3.55

 
$
3.46

 
$
3.54

 
$
3.89

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cobalt (millions of contained pounds)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Production
8

 
6

 
20

 
18

Sales
8

 
6

 
19

 
19

Average realized price per pound
$
8.24

 
$
10.05

 
$
8.36

 
$
10.71

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ore milled (metric tons per day)
13,600

 
12,000

 
12,900

 
10,800

Average ore grades (percent):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Copper
3.60

 
3.21

 
3.56

 
3.42

Cobalt
0.38

 
0.41

 
0.37

 
0.40

Copper recovery rate (percent)
92.9

 
91.4

 
91.6

 
92.0

a.
Includes point-of-sale transportation costs as negotiated in customer contracts.
 
Copper sales volumes from our Africa mining operations increased to 88 million pounds of copper in third-quarter 2012 and 239 million pounds of copper for the first nine months of 2012, compared with 65 million pounds in third-quarter 2011 and 200 million pounds of copper for the first nine months of 2011, primarily reflecting higher mining and milling rates principally related to the ramp-up of the second phase expansion.

For the year 2012, we expect sales volumes from our Africa mining operations to approximate 330 million pounds of copper and 25 million pounds of cobalt, compared with 283 million pounds of copper and 25 million pounds of cobalt 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.


42

Table of Contents                 

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 third quarters and first nine months of 2012 and 2011. 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.
 
Three Months Ended
 
Three Months Ended
 
September 30, 2012
 
September 30, 2011
 
By-Product Method
 
Co-Product Method
 
By-Product Method
 
Co-Product Method
 
 
Copper
 
Cobalt
 
 
Copper
 
Cobalt
Revenues, excluding adjustmentsa
$
3.55

 
$
3.55

 
$
8.24

 
$
3.46

 
$
3.46

 
$
10.05

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Site production and delivery, before net noncash and other costs shown below
1.63

 
1.45

 
4.96

 
1.55

 
1.40

 
5.71

Cobalt creditsb
(0.48
)
 

 

 
(0.51
)
 

 

Royalty on metals
0.08

 
0.07

 
0.14

 
0.08

 
0.06

 
0.15

Unit net cash costs
1.23

 
1.52

 
5.10

 
1.12

 
1.46

 
5.86

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
0.49

 
0.43

 
0.64

 
0.48

 
0.41

 
0.88

Noncash and other costs, net
0.07

 
0.06

 
0.08

 
0.29

 
0.25

 
0.53

Total unit costs
1.79

 
2.01

 
5.82

 
1.89

 
2.12

 
7.27

Revenue adjustments, primarily for pricing on prior period open sales
(0.02
)
 
(0.02
)
 
0.05

 
(0.01
)
 
(0.01
)
 
(0.10
)
Gross profit per pound
$
1.74

 
$
1.52

 
$
2.47

 
$
1.56

 
$
1.33

 
$
2.68

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Copper sales (millions of recoverable pounds)
88

 
88

 
 
 
65

 
65

 
 
Cobalt sales (millions of contained pounds)
 
 
 
 
8

 
 
 
 
 
6

 
Nine Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30, 2012
 
September 30, 2011
 
By-Product Method
 
Co-Product Method
 
By-Product Method
 
Co-Product Method
 
 
Copper
 
Cobalt
 
 
Copper
 
Cobalt
Revenues, excluding adjustmentsa
$
3.54

 
$
3.54

 
$
8.36

 
$
3.89

 
$
3.89

 
$
10.71

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Site production and delivery, before net noncash and other costs shown below
1.54

 
1.43

 
5.05

 
1.57

 
1.37

 
5.62

Cobalt creditsb
(0.39
)
 

 

 
(0.68
)
 

 

Royalty on metals
0.08

 
0.06

 
0.13

 
0.09

 
0.07

 
0.18

Unit net cash costs
1.23

 
1.49

 
5.18

 
0.98

 
1.44

 
5.80

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
0.48

 
0.42

 
0.68

 
0.49

 
0.41

 
0.82

Noncash and other costs, net
0.09

 
0.08

 
0.12

 
0.20

 
0.18

 
0.36

Total unit costs
1.80

 
1.99

 
5.98

 
1.67

 
2.03

 
6.98

Revenue adjustments, primarily for pricing on prior period open sales
0.03

 
0.03

 
0.12

 
(0.01
)
 
(0.01
)
 
0.12

Gross profit per pound
$
1.77

 
$
1.58

 
$
2.50

 
$
2.21

 
$
1.85

 
$
3.85

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Copper sales (millions of recoverable pounds)
239

 
239

 
 
 
200

 
200

 
 
Cobalt sales (millions of contained pounds)
 
 
 
 
19

 
 
 
 
 
19

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

Africa's unit net cash costs (net of cobalt credits) of $1.23 per pound of copper in third-quarter 2012 and for the first nine months of 2012, were higher than unit net cash costs of $1.12 per pound of copper in third-quarter 2011 and $0.98 per pound of copper for the first nine months of 2011. Higher unit net cash costs in third-quarter 2012 primarily reflected higher mining and input costs, including sulphuric acid and energy. Higher unit net cash costs in the first nine months of 2012 primarily reflected lower cobalt credits.

Assuming achievement of current sales volume and cost estimates, and an average market cobalt price of $12 per pound for fourth-quarter 2012, we estimate that average unit site production and delivery costs for Africa would

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approximate $1.53 per pound of copper and average unit net cash costs (net of cobalt credits) would approximate $1.25 per pound of copper for the year 2012, compared with $1.07 per pound in 2011 (fourth-quarter 2012 site production and delivery costs are expected to average $1.50 per pound of copper and unit net cash costs (net of by-product credits) are expected to average $1.28 per pound of copper). Africa's unit net cash costs for 2012 would change by $0.025 per pound for each $2 per pound change in the average price of cobalt during fourth-quarter 2012.

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 underground mine produces high-purity, chemical-grade molybdenum concentrates, which are typically further processed into value-added molybdenum chemical products. The Climax mine also produces high quality molybdenum concentrates. The Molybdenum operations include a sales company that purchases and sells molybdenum from our primary molybdenum mines and from certain of our North and South America copper mines that also produce molybdenum; and related conversion facilities that, at times, roast and/or process material on a toll basis for third-parties.

Operating and Development Activities. The newly commissioned Climax molybdenum mine, which includes a new 25,000 metric ton per day mill facility, began commercial production in May 2012. Depending on market conditions, production from Climax may ramp up to a rate of 20 million pounds of molybdenum per year during 2013, with the potential to produce 30 million pounds of molybdenum per year. 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 third quarters and first nine months of 2012 and 2011:
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
Molybdenum (millions of recoverable pounds)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Production
10

a 
11

 
28

a 
30

Sales, excluding purchasesb
21

 
19

 
62

 
60

Average realized price per pound
$
13.62

 
$
16.34

 
$
14.79

 
$
17.57

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Henderson molybdenum mine
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ore milled (metric tons per day)
21,400

 
24,500

 
21,100

 
23,300

Average molybdenum ore grade (percent)
0.23

 
0.24

 
0.23

 
0.24

Molybdenum production (millions of recoverable pounds)
9

 
11

 
26

 
30

a.
The 2012 periods include production from the Climax molybdenum mine totaling 1 million pounds in third-quarter 2012 and 2 million pounds for the first nine months of 2012 reflecting production since the start of commercial operations in May 2012 (the 2011 periods only reflect production from the Henderson molybdenum mine).
b.
Includes sales of molybdenum produced at our North and South America copper mines.

Consolidated molybdenum sales volumes totaled 21 million pounds in third-quarter 2012 and 62 million pounds for the first nine months of 2012, compared with 19 million pounds in third-quarter 2011 and 60 million pounds for the first nine months of 2011. For the year 2012, we expect molybdenum sales volumes to approximate 82 million pounds (of which approximately 43 million pounds represents molybdenum production from our North and South America copper mines), compared with 79 million pounds in 2011 (of which 45 million pounds represented molybdenum production from our North and South America copper mines).

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 third quarters and first nine months of 2012 and 2011. 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.
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
Revenues, excluding adjustments
$
13.69

 
$
15.38

 
$
14.61

 
$
16.66

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Site production and delivery, before net noncash and other costs shown below
6.23

 
5.21

 
6.06

 
5.26

Treatment charges and other
0.88

 
1.03

 
0.88

 
0.93

Unit net cash costs
7.11

 
6.24

 
6.94

 
6.19

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
1.00

 
0.94

 
0.95

 
0.90

Noncash and other costs, net
0.52

 
0.03

 
0.21

 
0.04

Total unit costs
8.63

 
7.21

 
8.10

 
7.13

Gross profita
$
5.06

 
$
8.17

 
$
6.51

 
$
9.53

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Molybdenum sales (millions of recoverable pounds)b
9

 
11

 
26

 
30

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 production at the Henderson molybdenum mine.

Henderson’s higher unit net cash costs of $7.11 per pound of molybdenum in third-quarter 2012 and $6.94 per pound of molybdenum for the first nine months of 2012, compared with $6.24 per pound of molybdenum in third-quarter 2011 and $6.19 per pound of molybdenum for the first nine months of 2011, primarily reflected lower production volumes.

Assuming achievement of current 2012 sales volume and cost estimates, we estimate unit net cash costs for Henderson to approximate $7.00 per pound of molybdenum for the year 2012, compared with $6.34 per pound in 2011.

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 the first nine months of 2012, Atlantic Copper purchased approximately 31 percent of its concentrate requirements from our South America mining operations, approximately 15 percent from our North America copper mines and approximately 8 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, PT Freeport Indonesia's 25 percent owned smelter and refinery. 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.

Atlantic Copper had an operating loss of $1 million in third-quarter 2012 and operating income of $12 million for the first nine months of 2012, compared with operating losses of $5 million in third-quarter 2011 and $70 million for the first nine months of 2011. Atlantic Copper’s improved operating results in the 2012 periods, compared with the 2011 periods, primarily reflected higher gold credits. Atlantic Copper's operating results for the first nine months of 2011

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also reflected higher operating costs primarily associated with the April 2011 scheduled shutdown.

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 Atlantic Copper and PT Smelting to be recognized in future periods’ net income after taxes and noncontrolling interests totaled $105 million at September 30, 2012. Changes in these deferrals attributable to variability in intercompany volumes resulted in net reductions to net income attributable to common stockholders totaling $34 million ($0.04 per share) in third-quarter 2012 and $69 million ($0.07 per share) for the first nine months of 2012, compared with net additions of $99 million ($0.10 per share) in third-quarter 2011 and $116 million ($0.12 per share) for the first nine months of 2011. 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.

Cash and Cash Equivalents
At September 30, 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 September 30, 2012, and December 31, 2011 (in billions):
 
September 30, 2012
 
December 31, 2011
Cash at domestic companiesa
$
1.2

 
$
2.4

Cash at international operations
2.5

 
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 to FCX
$
2.7

 
$
3.9

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

Cash held at our international operations is generally used to support our foreign operations' capital expenditures, operating expenses, working capital or other cash needs. At September 30, 2012, management believed that sufficient liquidity was available in the U.S. With the exception of Tenke, 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, which are subject to applicable withholding taxes and noncontrolling interests' share.

Operating Activities
We generated operating cash flows totaling $2.5 billion for the first nine months of 2012, net of $1.5 billion for working capital uses and other tax payments, compared with operating cash flows totaling $5.9 billion for the first nine months of 2011, net of $126 million for working capital uses and other tax payments. Lower operating cash flows for the first nine months of 2012, compared with the first nine months of 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. As discussed in "Consolidated Results - Revenues," substantially all of our copper concentrate and cathode sales contracts are provisionally priced; accordingly, the quarter-end forward price is a major determinate of recorded revenues and the resulting receivables. At September 30, 2012, our provisionally priced copper sales we recorded at an average of $3.72 per pound of copper, compared with $3.18 per pound at September 30, 2011.

Based on current mine plans and subject to future copper, gold and molybdenum prices, we expect estimated operating cash flows for the year 2012 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

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“Outlook” for further discussion of projected operating cash flows for the year 2012.

Investing Activities
Capital expenditures, including capitalized interest, totaled $2.5 billion for the first nine months of 2012, compared with $1.7 billion for the first nine months of 2011, primarily reflecting higher capital spending associated with the expansion projects at Tenke, Cerro Verde and Morenci. Refer to “Operations” for further discussion.

Capital expenditures for the year 2012 are expected to approximate $3.6 billion, including $2.2 billion for major projects and $1.4 billion for sustaining capital. Major projects for 2012 primarily include underground development activities at Grasberg and the expansion projects at Tenke, 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.

Financing Activities
Debt and Equity Transactions. At September 30, 2012, debt totaled $3.5 billion, and we have no significant debt maturities through 2014. At September 30, 2012, we had no borrowings and $44 million of letters of credit issued under our revolving credit facility, resulting in availability of approximately $1.5 billion ($956 million of which could be used for additional letters of credit).

In February 2012, we sold $3.0 billion of 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. Refer to Note 5 for further discussion.

In April 2011, we redeemed the remaining $1.1 billion of our outstanding 8.25% Senior Notes. In addition, during second-quarter 2011, we made open-market purchases of $35 million of our 9.5% Senior Notes and repaid the remaining $85 million of our 8.75% Senior Notes, which matured in June 2011 (refer to Note 5 for further discussion).

Annual interest cost savings associated with debt repayments since January 1, 2009, including the first-quarter 2012 refinancing transaction, approximate $415 million per year, based on current interest rates.

We have an open-market share purchase program for up to 30 million shares, of which 23.7 million shares remain available. There have been no purchases since 2008. The timing of future purchases of our common stock is dependent on many factors, including our operating results, cash flows and financial position; copper, gold and molybdenum prices; the price of our common shares; future development and expansion opportunities; and general economic and market conditions.

Dividends. We paid common stock dividends totaling $832 million for the first nine months of 2012 and $1.2 billion for the first nine months of 2011 (which included $474 million for a supplemental common stock dividend paid in June 2011).

The current annual dividend rate for our common stock is $1.25 per share ($0.3125 per share quarterly). Refer to Note 5 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 and other factors deemed relevant by the Board. The Board will continue to review our financial policy on an ongoing basis.

Cash dividends paid to noncontrolling interests primarily include the noncontrolling interest owners of PT Freeport Indonesia and our South America mines, and totaled $76 million for the first nine months of 2012 and $350 million for the first nine months of 2011.

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

There have been no material changes in our contractual obligations since year-end 2011. Refer to Item 7 in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, for further information regarding our contractual obligations.


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CONTINGENCIES

Environmental and Reclamation Matters
Our mining, exploration, production and historical operating activities are subject to stringent laws and regulations governing the protection of the environment. We review changes in facts and circumstances associated with our environmental and reclamation obligations at least quarterly. There have been no material changes to our environmental and reclamation obligations since year-end 2011. However, updated cost assumptions, including increases and decreases to cost estimates, changes in the anticipated scope and timing of remediation activities and settlement of environmental matters may result in revisions to certain of our environmental obligations. As a result, we recorded adjustments to environmental obligations totaling net credits of $82 million in third-quarter 2012 and $36 million during the first nine months of 2012, compared with net charges of $31 million in third-quarter 2011 and $35 million during the first nine months of 2011.

Refer to Note 13 in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, for further information regarding our environmental and reclamation obligations.

Litigation and Other Contingencies
Other than as disclosed in Note 8 and Part II, Item 1. "Legal Proceedings" of our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the periods ended June 30, 2012, and March 31, 2012, there have been no material changes to our contingencies associated with legal proceedings and other matters since year-end 2011. Refer to Note 13 in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, for further information regarding legal proceedings and other matters.

NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

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

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 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.



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North America Copper Mines Product Revenues and Production Costs

Three Months Ended September 30, 2012
 
 
 
(In millions)
By-Product
 
Co-Product Method
 
Method
 
Copper
 
Molybdenuma
 
Otherb
 
Total
Revenues, excluding adjustments
$
1,183

 
$
1,183

 
$
103

 
$
21

 
$
1,307

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Site production and delivery, before net noncash and other costs shown below
649

 
584

 
71

 
13

 
668

By-product creditsa
(105
)
 

 

 

 

Treatment charges
40

 
39

 

 
1

 
40

Net cash costs
584

 
623

 
71

 
14

 
708

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
84

 
78

 
5

 
1

 
84

Noncash and other costs, net
40

 
38

 
1

 
1

 
40

Total costs
708

 
739

 
77

 
16

 
832

Revenue adjustments, primarily for pricing on prior period open sales
5

 
5

 

 

 
5

Gross profit
$
480

 
$
449

 
$
26

 
$
5

 
$
480

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliation to Amounts Reported
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
 
Production and Delivery
 
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
 
 
 
 
Totals presented above
$
1,307

 
$
668

 
$
84

 
 
 
 
Treatment charges
N/A

 
40

 
N/A

 
 
 
 
Net noncash and other costs
N/A

 
40

 
N/A

 
 
 
 
Revenue adjustments, primarily for pricing on prior period open sales
5

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
 
 
 
Eliminations and other
4

 
12

 
4

 
 
 
 
North America copper mines
1,316

 
760

 
88

 
 
 
 
South America mining
1,192

 
530

 
74

 
 
 
 
Indonesia mining
991

 
587

 
54

 
 
 
 
Africa mining
367

 
172

 
42

 
 
 
 
Molybdenum
308

 
273

 
18

 
 
 
 
Rod & Refining
1,228

 
1,222

 
2

 
 
 
 
Atlantic Copper Smelting & Refining
638

 
624

 
11

 
 
 
 
Corporate, other & eliminations
(1,623
)
 
(1,576
)
 
9

 
 
 
 
As reported in FCX’s consolidated financial statements
$
4,417

 
$
2,592

 
$
298

 
 
 
 
a.
Molybdenum credits and revenues reflect volumes produced at market-based pricing and also include tolling revenues at Sierrita. 
b.
Includes gold and silver product revenues and production costs.

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North America Copper Mines Product Revenues and Production Costs (continued)

Three Months Ended September 30, 2011
 
 
 
(In millions)
By-Product
 
Co-Product Method
 
Method
 
Copper
 
Molybdenuma
 
Otherb
 
Total
Revenues, excluding adjustments
$
1,240

 
$
1,240

 
$
146

 
$
40

 
$
1,426

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Site production and delivery, before net noncash and other costs shown below
569

 
506

 
64

 
15

 
585

By-product creditsa
(170
)
 

 

 

 

Treatment charges
36

 
34

 

 
2

 
36

Net cash costs
435

 
540

 
64

 
17

 
621

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
64

 
59

 
4

 
1

 
64

Noncash and other costs, net
31

 
31

 

 

 
31

Total costs
530

 
630

 
68

 
18

 
716

Revenue adjustments, primarily for pricing on prior period open sales
(11
)
 
(11
)
 

 

 
(11
)
Gross profit
$
699

 
$
599

 
$
78

 
$
22

 
$
699

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliation to Amounts Reported
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
 
Production and Delivery
 
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
 
 
 
 
Totals presented above
$
1,426

 
$
585

 
$
64

 
 
 
 
Treatment charges
N/A

 
36

 
N/A

 
 
 
 
Net noncash and other costs
N/A

 
31

 
N/A

 
 
 
 
Revenue adjustments, primarily for pricing on prior period open sales
(11
)
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
 
 
 
Eliminations and other
4

 
12

 
3

 
 
 
 
North America copper mines
1,419

 
664

 
67

 
 
 
 
South America mining
1,053

 
478

 
64

 
 
 
 
Indonesia mining
1,362

 
503

 
62

 
 
 
 
Africa mining
276

 
142

 
32

 
 
 
 
Molybdenum
332

 
260

 
14

 
 
 
 
Rod & Refining
1,396

 
1,390

 
2

 
 
 
 
Atlantic Copper Smelting & Refining
837

 
826

 
11

 
 
 
 
Corporate, other & eliminations
(1,480
)
 
(1,693
)
 
5

 
 
 
 
As reported in FCX’s consolidated financial statements
$
5,195

 
$
2,570

 
$
257

 
 
 
 
 
a.
Molybdenum credits and revenues reflect volumes produced at market-based pricing and also include tolling revenues at Sierrita. 
b.
Includes gold and silver product revenues and production costs.



50

Table of Contents                 

North America Copper Mines Product Revenues and Production Costs (continued)

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
 
 
 
(In millions)
By-Product
 
Co-Product Method
 
Method
 
Copper
 
Molybdenuma
 
Otherb
 
Total
Revenues, excluding adjustments
$
3,755

 
$
3,755

 
$
363

 
$
63

 
$
4,181

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Site production and delivery, before net noncash and other costs shown below
1,932

 
1,782

 
165

 
37

 
1,984

By-product creditsa
(374
)
 

 

 

 

Treatment charges
120

 
115

 

 
5

 
120

Net cash costs
1,678

 
1,897

 
165

 
42

 
2,104

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
262

 
247

 
12

 
3

 
262

Noncash and other costs, net
98

 
95

 
2

 
1

 
98

Total costs
2,038

 
2,239

 
179

 
46

 
2,464

Revenue adjustments, primarily for pricing on prior period open sales
6

 
6

 

 

 
6

Gross profit
$
1,723

 
$
1,522

 
$
184

 
$
17

 
$
1,723

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliation to Amounts Reported
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
 
Production and Delivery
 
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
 
 
 
 
Totals presented above
$
4,181

 
$
1,984

 
$
262

 
 
 
 
Treatment charges
N/A

 
120

 
N/A

 
 
 
 
Net noncash and other costs
N/A

 
98

 
N/A

 
 
 
 
Revenue adjustments, primarily for pricing on prior period open sales
6

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
 
 
 
Eliminations and other
12

 
47

 
13

 
 
 
 
North America copper mines
4,199

 
2,249

 
275

 
 
 
 
South America mining
3,462

 
1,483

 
208

 
 
 
 
Indonesia mining
2,897

 
1,676

 
153

 
 
 
 
Africa mining
994

 
456

 
114

 
 
 
 
Molybdenum
982

 
812

 
47

 
 
 
 
Rod & Refining
3,822

 
3,800

 
7

 
 
 
 
Atlantic Copper Smelting & Refining
2,045

 
1,988

 
31

 
 
 
 
Corporate, other & eliminations
(4,904
)
 
(4,822
)
 
21

 
 
 
 
As reported in FCX’s consolidated financial statements
$
13,497

 
$
7,642

 
$
856

 
 
 
 
a.
Molybdenum credits and revenues reflect volumes produced at market-based pricing and also include tolling revenues at Sierrita. 
b.
Includes gold and silver product revenues and production costs.


51

Table of Contents                 

North America Copper Mines Product Revenues and Production Costs (continued)

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011
 
 
 
(In millions)
By-Product
 
Co-Product Method
 
Method
 
Copper
 
Molybdenuma
 
Otherb
 
Total
Revenues, excluding adjustments
$
3,820

 
$
3,820

 
$
429

 
$
84

 
$
4,333

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Site production and delivery, before net noncash and other costs shown below
1,637

 
1,466

 
178

 
33

 
1,677

By-product creditsa
(473
)
 

 

 

 

Treatment charges
97

 
93

 

 
4

 
97

Net cash costs
1,261

 
1,559

 
178

 
37

 
1,774

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
185

 
173

 
10

 
2

 
185

Noncash and other costs, net
117

 
114

 
2

 
1

 
117

Total costs
1,563

 
1,846

 
190

 
40

 
2,076

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

 

 
(1
)
Gross profit
$
2,256

 
$
1,973

 
$
239

 
$
44

 
$
2,256

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliation to Amounts Reported
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
 
Production and Delivery
 
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
 
 
 
 
Totals presented above
$
4,333

 
$
1,677

 
$
185

 
 
 
 
Treatment charges
N/A

 
97

 
N/A

 
 
 
 
Net noncash and other costs
N/A

 
117

 
N/A

 
 
 
 
Revenue adjustments, primarily for pricing on prior period open sales
(1
)
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
 
 
 
Eliminations and other
7

 
32

 
11

 
 
 
 
North America copper mines
4,339

 
1,923

 
196

 
 
 
 
South America mining
3,903

 
1,330

 
187

 
 
 
 
Indonesia mining
4,656

 
1,547

 
179

 
 
 
 
Africa mining
963

 
422

 
98

 
 
 
 
Molybdenum
1,119

 
786

 
44

 
 
 
 
Rod & Refining
4,310

 
4,292

 
6

 
 
 
 
Atlantic Copper Smelting & Refining
2,252

 
2,274

 
30

 
 
 
 
Corporate, other & eliminations
(4,824
)
 
(5,070
)
 
16

 
 
 
 
As reported in FCX’s consolidated financial statements
$
16,718

 
$
7,504

 
$
756

 
 
 
 
a.
Molybdenum credits and revenues reflect volumes produced at market-based pricing and also include tolling revenues at Sierrita. 
b.
Includes gold and silver product revenues and production costs.


52

Table of Contents                 

South America Mining Product Revenues and Production Costs

Three Months Ended September 30, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
By-Product
 
Co-Product Method
 
Method
 
Copper
 
Other
 
Total
Revenues, excluding adjustments
$
1,132

 
$
1,132

 
$
84

a 
$
1,216

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Site production and delivery, before net noncash and other costs shown below
503

 
464

 
45

 
509

By-product credits
(78
)
 

 

 

Treatment charges
52

 
52

 

 
52

Net cash costs
477

 
516

 
45

 
561

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
74

 
71

 
3

 
74

Noncash and other costs, net
22

 
14

 
8

 
22

Total costs
573

 
601

 
56

 
657

Revenue adjustments, primarily for pricing on prior period open sales
23

 
23

 

 
23

Gross profit
$
582

 
$
554

 
$
28

 
$
582

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliation to Amounts Reported
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
 
Production and Delivery
 
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
 
 
Totals presented above
$
1,216

 
$
509

 
$
74

 
 
Treatment charges
(52
)
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
 
Net noncash and other costs
N/A

 
22

 
N/A

 
 
Revenue adjustments, primarily for pricing on prior period open sales
23

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
 
Eliminations and other
5

 
(1
)
 

 
 
South America mining
1,192

 
530

 
74

 
 
North America copper mines
1,316

 
760

 
88

 
 
Indonesia mining
991

 
587

 
54

 
 
Africa mining
367

 
172

 
42

 
 
Molybdenum
308

 
273

 
18

 
 
Rod & Refining
1,228

 
1,222

 
2

 
 
Atlantic Copper Smelting & Refining
638

 
624

 
11

 
 
Corporate, other & eliminations
(1,623
)
 
(1,576
)
 
9

 
 
As reported in FCX’s consolidated financial statements
$
4,417

 
$
2,592

 
$
298

 
 
 
a.
Includes gold sales of 21 thousand ounces ($1,736 per ounce average realized price), silver sales of 811 thousand ounces ($27.99 per ounce average realized price) and molybdenum sales of 2 million pounds ($9.71 per pound average realized price), which reflects molybdenum produced by Cerro Verde at market-based pricing.


53

Table of Contents                 

South America Mining Product Revenues and Production Costs (continued)

Three Months Ended September 30, 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
By-Product
 
Co-Product Method
 
Method
 
Copper
 
Other
 
Total
Revenues, excluding adjustments
$
1,112

 
$
1,112

 
$
124

a 
$
1,236

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Site production and delivery, before net noncash and other costs shown below
445

 
402

 
50

 
452

By-product credits
(117
)
 

 

 

Treatment charges
43

 
43

 

 
43

Net cash costs
371

 
445

 
50

 
495

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
64

 
60

 
4

 
64

Noncash and other costs, net
27

 
22

 
5

 
27

Total costs
462

 
527

 
59

 
586

Revenue adjustments, primarily for pricing on prior period open sales
(147
)
 
(147
)
 

 
(147
)
Gross profit
$
503

 
$
438

 
$
65

 
$
503

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliation to Amounts Reported
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
 
Production and Delivery
 
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
 
 
Totals presented above
$
1,236

 
$
452

 
$
64

 
 
Treatment charges
(43
)
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
 
Net noncash and other costs
N/A

 
27

 
N/A

 
 
Revenue adjustments, primarily for pricing on prior period open sales
(147
)
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
 
Eliminations and other
7

 
(1
)
 

 
 
South America mining
1,053

 
478

 
64

 
 
North America copper mines
1,419

 
664

 
67

 
 
Indonesia mining
1,362

 
503

 
62

 
 
Africa mining
276

 
142

 
32

 
 
Molybdenum
332

 
260

 
14

 
 
Rod & Refining
1,396

 
1,390

 
2

 
 
Atlantic Copper Smelting & Refining
837

 
826

 
11

 
 
Corporate, other & eliminations
(1,480
)
 
(1,693
)
 
5

 
 
As reported in FCX’s consolidated financial statements
$
5,195

 
$
2,570

 
$
257

 
 
 
a.
Includes gold sales of 23 thousand ounces ($1,664 per ounce average realized price), silver sales of 834 thousand ounces ($40.75 per ounce average realized price) and molybdenum sales of 2 million pounds ($13.53 per pound average realized price), which reflects molybdenum produced by Cerro Verde at market-based pricing.

54

Table of Contents                 

South America Mining Product Revenues and Production Costs (continued)

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
By-Product
 
Co-Product Method
 
Method
 
Copper
 
Other
 
Total
Revenues, excluding adjustments
$
3,247

 
$
3,247

 
$
249

a 
$
3,496

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Site production and delivery, before net noncash and other costs shown below
1,411

 
1,307

 
122

 
1,429

By-product credits
(231
)
 

 

 

Treatment charges
147

 
147

 

 
147

Net cash costs
1,327

 
1,454

 
122

 
1,576

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
208

 
197

 
11

 
208

Noncash and other costs, net
63

 
41

 
22

 
63

Total costs
1,598

 
1,692

 
155

 
1,847

Revenue adjustments, primarily for pricing on prior period open sales
105

 
105

 

 
105

Gross profit
$
1,754

 
$
1,660

 
$
94

 
$
1,754

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliation to Amounts Reported
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
 
Production and Delivery
 
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
 
 
Totals presented above
$
3,496

 
$
1,429

 
$
208

 
 
Treatment charges
(147
)
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
 
Net noncash and other costs
N/A

 
63

 
N/A

 
 
Revenue adjustments, primarily for pricing on prior period open sales
105

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
 
Eliminations and other
8

 
(9
)
 

 
 
South America mining
3,462

 
1,483

 
208

 
 
North America copper mines
4,199

 
2,249

 
275

 
 
Indonesia mining
2,897

 
1,676

 
153

 
 
Africa mining
994

 
456

 
114

 
 
Molybdenum
982

 
812

 
47

 
 
Rod & Refining
3,822

 
3,800

 
7

 
 
Atlantic Copper Smelting & Refining
2,045

 
1,988

 
31

 
 
Corporate, other & eliminations
(4,904
)
 
(4,822
)
 
21

 
 
As reported in FCX’s consolidated financial statements
$
13,497

 
$
7,642

 
$
856

 
 
 
a.
Includes gold sales of 56 thousand ounces ($1,678 per ounce average realized price), silver sales of 2.2 million ounces ($28.84 per ounce average realized price) and molybdenum sales of 6 million pounds ($11.26 per pound average realized price), which reflects molybdenum produced by Cerro Verde at market-based pricing.


55

Table of Contents                 

South America Mining Product Revenues and Production Costs (continued)

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
By-Product
 
Co-Product Method
 
Method
 
Copper
 
Other
 
Total
Revenues, excluding adjustments
$
3,688

 
$
3,688

 
$
372

a 
$
4,060

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Site production and delivery, before net noncash and other costs shown below
1,268

 
1,159

 
128

 
1,287

By-product credits
(353
)
 

 

 

Treatment charges
164

 
164

 

 
164

Net cash costs
1,079

 
1,323

 
128

 
1,451

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
187

 
175

 
12

 
187

Noncash and other costs, net
68

 
60

 
8

 
68

Total costs
1,334

 
1,558

 
148

 
1,706

Revenue adjustments, primarily for pricing on prior period open sales
14

 
(6
)
 
20

 
14

Gross profit
$
2,368

 
$
2,124

 
$
244

 
$
2,368

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliation to Amounts Reported
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
 
Production and Delivery
 
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
 
 
Totals presented above
$
4,060

 
$
1,287

 
$
187

 
 
Treatment charges
(164
)
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
 
Net noncash and other costs
N/A

 
68

 
N/A

 
 
Revenue adjustments, primarily for pricing on prior period open sales
14

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
 
Eliminations and other
(7
)
 
(25
)
 

 
 
South America mining
3,903

 
1,330

 
187

 
 
North America copper mines
4,339

 
1,923

 
196

 
 
Indonesia mining
4,656

 
1,547

 
179

 
 
Africa mining
963

 
422

 
98

 
 
Molybdenum
1,119

 
786

 
44

 
 
Rod & Refining
4,310

 
4,292

 
6

 
 
Atlantic Copper Smelting & Refining
2,252

 
2,274

 
30

 
 
Corporate, other & eliminations
(4,824
)
 
(5,070
)
 
16

 
 
As reported in FCX’s consolidated financial statements
$
16,718

 
$
7,504

 
$
756

 
 
 
a.
Includes gold sales of 72 thousand ounces ($1,556 per ounce average realized price), silver sales of 2.3 million ounces ($38.70 per ounce average realized price) and molybdenum sales of 8 million pounds ($14.59 per pound average realized price), which reflects molybdenum produced by Cerro Verde at market-based pricing.


56

Table of Contents                 

Indonesia Mining Product Revenues and Production Costs

Three Months Ended September 30, 2012
 
 
 
(In millions)
By-Product
 
Co-Product Method
 
Method
 
Copper
 
Gold
 
Silver
 
Total
Revenues, excluding adjustments
$
729

 
$
729

 
$
307

 
$
15

a 
$
1,051

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Site production and delivery, before net noncash and other costs shown below
578

 
401

 
169

 
8

 
578

Gold and silver credits
(324
)
 

 

 

 

Treatment charges
44

 
30

 
13

 
1

 
44

Royalty on metals
25

 
18

 
7

 

 
25

Net cash costs
323

 
449

 
189

 
9

 
647

Depreciation and amortization
54

 
37

 
16

 
1

 
54

Noncash and other costs, net
9

 
7

 
2

 

 
9

Total costs
386

 
493

 
207

 
10

 
710

Revenue adjustments, primarily for pricing on prior period open sales
7

 
7

 
2

 

 
9

Gross profit
$
350

 
$
243

 
$
102

 
$
5

 
$
350

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliation to Amounts Reported
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
 
Production and Delivery
 
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
 
 
 
 
Totals presented above
$
1,051

 
$
578

 
$
54

 
 
 
 
Treatment charges
(44
)
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
 
 
 
Royalty on metals
(25
)
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
 
 
 
Net noncash and other costs
N/A

 
9

 
N/A

 
 
 
 
Revenue adjustments, primarily for pricing on prior period open sales
9

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
 
 
 
Indonesia mining
991

 
587

 
54

 
 
 
 
North America copper mines
1,316

 
760

 
88

 
 
 
 
South America mining
1,192

 
530

 
74

 
 
 
 
Africa mining
367

 
172

 
42

 
 
 
 
Molybdenum
308

 
273

 
18

 
 
 
 
Rod & Refining
1,228

 
1,222

 
2

 
 
 
 
Atlantic Copper Smelting & Refining
638

 
624

 
11

 
 
 
 
Corporate, other & eliminations
(1,623
)
 
(1,576
)
 
9

 
 
 
 
As reported in FCX’s consolidated financial statements
$
4,417

 
$
2,592

 
$
298

 
 
 
 

a.
Includes silver sales of 469 thousand ounces ($33.04 per ounce average realized price).

57

Table of Contents                 

Indonesia Mining Product Revenues and Production Costs (continued)

Three Months Ended September 30, 2011
 
 
 
(In millions)
By-Product
 
Co-Product Method
 
Method
 
Copper
 
Gold
 
Silver
 
Total
Revenues, excluding adjustments
$
831

 
$
831

 
$
650

 
$
27

a 
$
1,508

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Site production and delivery, before net noncash and other costs shown below
499

 
275

 
215

 
9

 
499

Gold and silver credits
(707
)
 

 

 

 

Treatment charges
47

 
26

 
20

 
1

 
47

Royalty on metals
41

 
23

 
17

 
1

 
41

Net cash (credits) costs
(120
)
 
324

 
252

 
11

 
587

Depreciation and amortization
62

 
34

 
27

 
1

 
62

Noncash and other costs, net
4

 
2

 
2

 

 
4

Total (credits) costs
(54
)
 
360

 
281

 
12

 
653

Revenue adjustments, primarily for pricing on prior period open sales
(88
)
 
(88
)
 
28

 
2

 
(58
)
Gross profit
$
797

 
$
383

 
$
397

 
$
17

 
$
797

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliation to Amounts Reported
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
 
Production and Delivery
 
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
 
 
 
 
Totals presented above
$
1,508

 
$
499

 
$
62

 
 
 
 
Treatment charges
(47
)
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
 
 
 
Royalty on metals
(41
)
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
 
 
 
Net noncash and other costs
N/A

 
4

 
N/A

 
 
 
 
Revenue adjustments, primarily for pricing on prior period open sales
(58
)
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
 
 
 
Indonesia mining
1,362

 
503

 
62

 
 
 
 
North America copper mines
1,419

 
664

 
67

 
 
 
 
South America mining
1,053

 
478

 
64

 
 
 
 
Africa mining
276

 
142

 
32

 
 
 
 
Molybdenum
332

 
260

 
14

 
 
 
 
Rod & Refining
1,396

 
1,390

 
2

 
 
 
 
Atlantic Copper Smelting & Refining
837

 
826

 
11

 
 
 
 
Corporate, other & eliminations
(1,480
)
 
(1,693
)
 
5

 
 
 
 
As reported in FCX’s consolidated financial statements
$
5,195

 
$
2,570

 
$
257

 
 
 
 

a.
Includes silver sales of 807 thousand ounces ($34.05 per ounce average realized price).

58

Table of Contents                 

Indonesia Mining Product Revenues and Production Costs (continued)

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
 
 
 
(In millions)
By-Product
 
Co-Product Method
 
Method
 
Copper
 
Gold
 
Silver
 
Total
Revenues, excluding adjustments
$
1,863

 
$
1,863

 
$
1,150

 
$
43

a 
$
3,056

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Site production and delivery, before net noncash and other costs shown below
1,637

 
998

 
616

 
23

 
1,637

Gold and silver credits
(1,196
)
 

 

 

 

Treatment charges
107

 
65

 
40

 
2

 
107

Royalty on metals
68

 
42

 
25

 
1

 
68

Net cash costs
616

 
1,105

 
681

 
26

 
1,812

Depreciation and amortization
153

 
93

 
58

 
2

 
153

Noncash and other costs, net
39

 
24

 
15

 

 
39

Total costs
808

 
1,222

 
754

 
28

 
2,004

Revenue adjustments, primarily for pricing on prior period open sales
13

 
13

 
3

 

 
16

Gross profit
$
1,068

 
$
654

 
$
399

 
$
15

 
$
1,068

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliation to Amounts Reported
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
 
Production and Delivery
 
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
 
 
 
 
Totals presented above
$
3,056

 
$
1,637

 
$
153

 
 
 
 
Treatment charges
(107
)
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
 
 
 
Royalty on metals
(68
)
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
 
 
 
Net noncash and other costs
N/A

 
39

 
N/A

 
 
 
 
Revenue adjustments, primarily for pricing on prior period open sales
16

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
 
 
 
Indonesia mining
2,897

 
1,676

 
153

 
 
 
 
North America copper mines
4,199

 
2,249

 
275

 
 
 
 
South America mining
3,462

 
1,483

 
208

 
 
 
 
Africa mining
994

 
456

 
114

 
 
 
 
Molybdenum
982

 
812

 
47

 
 
 
 
Rod & Refining
3,822

 
3,800

 
7

 
 
 
 
Atlantic Copper Smelting & Refining
2,045

 
1,988

 
31

 
 
 
 
Corporate, other & eliminations
(4,904
)
 
(4,822
)
 
21

 
 
 
 
As reported in FCX’s consolidated financial statements
$
13,497

 
$
7,642

 
$
856

 
 
 
 

a.
Includes silver sales of 1.4 million ounces ($31.04 per ounce average realized price).


59

Table of Contents                 

Indonesia Mining Product Revenues and Production Costs (continued)

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011
 
 
 
(In millions)
By-Product
 
Co-Product Method
 
Method
 
Copper
 
Gold
 
Silver
 
Total
Revenues, excluding adjustments
$
3,040

 
$
3,040

 
$
1,829

 
$
92

a 
$
4,961

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Site production and delivery, before net noncash and other costs shown below
1,521

 
932

 
561

 
28

 
1,521

Gold and silver credits
(1,903
)
 

 

 

 

Treatment charges
145

 
89

 
53

 
3

 
145

Royalty on metals
130

 
79

 
48

 
3

 
130

Net cash (credits) costs
(107
)
 
1,100

 
662

 
34

 
1,796

Depreciation and amortization
179

 
110

 
66

 
3

 
179

Noncash and other costs, net
26

 
16

 
10

 

 
26

Total costs
98

 
1,226

 
738

 
37

 
2,001

Revenue adjustments, primarily for pricing on prior period open sales
(12
)
 
(12
)
 
(17
)
 
(1
)
 
(30
)
Gross profit
$
2,930

 
$
1,802

 
$
1,074

 
$
54

 
$
2,930

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliation to Amounts Reported
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
 
Production and Delivery
 
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
 
 
 
 
Totals presented above
$
4,961

 
$
1,521

 
$
179

 
 
 
 
Treatment charges
(145
)
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
 
 
 
Royalty on metals
(130
)
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
 
 
 
Net noncash and other costs
N/A

 
26

 
N/A

 
 
 
 
Revenue adjustments, primarily for pricing on prior period open sales
(30
)
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
 
 
 
Indonesia mining
4,656

 
1,547

 
179

 
 
 
 
North America copper mines
4,339

 
1,923

 
196

 
 
 
 
South America mining
3,903

 
1,330

 
187

 
 
 
 
Africa mining
963

 
422

 
98

 
 
 
 
Molybdenum
1,119

 
786

 
44

 
 
 
 
Rod & Refining
4,310

 
4,292

 
6

 
 
 
 
Atlantic Copper Smelting & Refining
2,252

 
2,274

 
30

 
 
 
 
Corporate, other & eliminations
(4,824
)
 
(5,070
)
 
16

 
 
 
 
As reported in FCX’s consolidated financial statements
$
16,718

 
$
7,504

 
$
756

 
 
 
 

a.
Includes silver sales of 2.5 million ounces ($36.44 per ounce average realized price).


60

Table of Contents                 

Africa Mining Product Revenues and Production Costs

Three Months Ended September 30, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
By-Product
 
Co-Product Method
 
Method
 
Copper
 
Cobalt
 
Total
Revenues, excluding adjustmentsa
$
312

 
$
312

 
$
64

 
$
376

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Site production and delivery, before net noncash and other costs shown below
143

 
127

 
39

 
166

Cobalt creditsb
(41
)
 

 

 

Royalty on metals
7

 
6

 
1

 
7

Net cash costs
109

 
133

 
40

 
173

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
42

 
38

 
4

 
42

Noncash and other costs, net
6

 
5

 
1

 
6

Total costs
157

 
176

 
45

 
221

Revenue adjustments, primarily for pricing on prior period open sales
(2
)
 
(2
)
 

 
(2
)
Gross profit
$
153

 
$
134

 
$
19

 
$
153

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliation to Amounts Reported
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
 
Production and Delivery
 
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
 
 
Totals presented above
$
376

 
$
166

 
$
42

 
 
Royalty on metals
(7
)
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
 
Net noncash and other costs
N/A

 
6

 
N/A

 
 
Revenue adjustments, primarily for pricing on prior period open sales
(2
)
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
 
Africa mining
367

 
172

 
42

 
 
North America copper mines
1,316

 
760

 
88

 
 
South America mining
1,192

 
530

 
74

 
 
Indonesia mining
991

 
587

 
54

 
 
Molybdenum
308

 
273

 
18

 
 
Rod & Refining
1,228

 
1,222

 
2

 
 
Atlantic Copper Smelting & Refining
638

 
624

 
11

 
 
Corporate, other & eliminations
(1,623
)
 
(1,576
)
 
9

 
 
As reported in FCX’s consolidated financial statements
$
4,417

 
$
2,592

 
$
298

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


61

Table of Contents                 

Africa Mining Product Revenues and Production Costs (continued)

Three Months Ended September 30, 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
By-Product
 
Co-Product Method
 
Method
 
Copper
 
Cobalt
 
Total
Revenues, excluding adjustmentsa
$
226

 
$
226

 
$
56

 
$
282

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Site production and delivery, before net noncash and other costs shown below
101

 
92

 
31

 
123

Cobalt creditsb
(34
)
 

 

 

Royalty on metals
5

 
4

 
1

 
5

Net cash costs
72

 
96

 
32

 
128

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
32

 
27

 
5

 
32

Noncash and other costs, net
19

 
15

 
4

 
19

Total costs
123

 
138

 
41

 
179

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

 
(1
)
Gross profit
$
102

 
$
87

 
$
15

 
$
102

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliation to Amounts Reported
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
 
Production and Delivery
 
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
 
 
Totals presented above
$
282

 
$
123

 
$
32

 
 
Royalty on metals
(5
)
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
 
Net noncash and other costs
N/A

 
19

 
N/A

 
 
Revenue adjustments, primarily for pricing on prior period open sales
(1
)
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
 
Africa mining
276

 
142

 
32

 
 
North America copper mines
1,419

 
664

 
67

 
 
South America mining
1,053

 
478

 
64

 
 
Indonesia mining
1,362

 
503

 
62

 
 
Molybdenum
332

 
260

 
14

 
 
Rod & Refining
1,396

 
1,390

 
2

 
 
Atlantic Copper Smelting & Refining
837

 
826

 
11

 
 
Corporate, other & eliminations
(1,480
)
 
(1,693
)
 
5

 
 
As reported in FCX’s consolidated financial statements
$
5,195

 
$
2,570

 
$
257

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

62

Table of Contents                 

Africa Mining Product Revenues and Production Costs (continued)

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
By-Product
 
Co-Product Method
 
Method
 
Copper
 
Cobalt
 
Total
Revenues, excluding adjustmentsa
$
845

 
$
845

 
$
157

 
$
1,002

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Site production and delivery, before net noncash and other costs shown below
368

 
341

 
95

 
436

Cobalt creditsb
(91
)
 

 

 

Royalty on metals
18

 
16

 
2

 
18

Net cash costs
295

 
357

 
97

 
454

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
114

 
101

 
13

 
114

Noncash and other costs, net
20

 
18

 
2

 
20

Total costs
429

 
476

 
112

 
588

Revenue adjustments, primarily for pricing on prior period open sales
8

 
8

 
2

 
10

Gross profit
$
424

 
$
377

 
$
47

 
$
424

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliation to Amounts Reported
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
 
Production and Delivery
 
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
 
 
Totals presented above
$
1,002

 
$
436

 
$
114

 
 
Royalty on metals
(18
)
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
 
Net noncash and other costs
N/A

 
20

 
N/A

 
 
Revenue adjustments, primarily for pricing on prior period open sales
10

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
 
Africa mining
994

 
456

 
114

 
 
North America copper mines
4,199

 
2,249

 
275

 
 
South America mining
3,462

 
1,483

 
208

 
 
Indonesia mining
2,897

 
1,676

 
153

 
 
Molybdenum
982

 
812

 
47

 
 
Rod & Refining
3,822

 
3,800

 
7

 
 
Atlantic Copper Smelting & Refining
2,045

 
1,988

 
31

 
 
Corporate, other & eliminations
(4,904
)
 
(4,822
)
 
21

 
 
As reported in FCX’s consolidated financial statements
$
13,497

 
$
7,642

 
$
856

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


63

Table of Contents                 

Africa Mining Product Revenues and Production Costs (continued)

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
By-Product
 
Co-Product Method
 
Method
 
Copper
 
Cobalt
 
Total
Revenues, excluding adjustmentsa
$
779

 
$
779

 
$
201

 
$
980

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Site production and delivery, before net noncash and other costs shown below
313

 
275

 
105

 
380

Cobalt creditsb
(136
)
 

 

 

Royalty on metals
18

 
14

 
4

 
18

Net cash costs
195

 
289

 
109

 
398

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
98

 
83

 
15

 
98

Noncash and other costs, net
42

 
35

 
7

 
42

Total costs
335

 
407

 
131

 
538

Revenue adjustments, primarily for pricing on prior period open sales
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
2

 
1

Gross profit
$
443

 
$
371

 
$
72

 
$
443

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliation to Amounts Reported
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
 
Production and Delivery
 
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
 
 
Totals presented above
$
980

 
$
380

 
$
98

 
 
Royalty on metals
(18
)
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
 
Net noncash and other costs
N/A

 
42

 
N/A

 
 
Revenue adjustments, primarily for pricing on prior period open sales
1

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
 
Africa mining
963

 
422

 
98

 
 
North America copper mines
4,339

 
1,923

 
196

 
 
South America mining
3,903

 
1,330

 
187

 
 
Indonesia mining
4,656

 
1,547

 
179

 
 
Molybdenum
1,119

 
786

 
44

 
 
Rod & Refining
4,310

 
4,292

 
6

 
 
Atlantic Copper Smelting & Refining
2,252

 
2,274

 
30

 
 
Corporate, other & eliminations
(4,824
)
 
(5,070
)
 
16

 
 
As reported in FCX’s consolidated financial statements
$
16,718

 
$
7,504

 
$
756

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


64

Table of Contents                 

Henderson Molybdenum Mine Product Revenues and Production Costs

 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
 
(In millions)
2012
 
2011
 
 
Revenues, excluding adjustments
$
119

 
$
163

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Site production and delivery, before net noncash and other costs shown below
54

 
55

 
 
Treatment charges and other
8

 
11

 
 
Net cash costs
62

 
66

 
 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
9

 
10

 
 
Noncash and other costs, net
4

 

 
 
Total costs
75

 
76

 
 
Gross profita
$
44

 
$
87

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliation to Amounts Reported
Revenues
 
Production and Delivery
 
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
Three Months Ended September 30, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
Totals presented above
$
119

 
$
54

 
$
9

Treatment charges and other
(8
)
 
N/A

 
N/A

Net noncash and other costs
N/A

 
4

 
N/A

Henderson mine
111

 
58

 
9

Other molybdenum operations and eliminationsb
197

 
215

 
9

Molybdenum
308

 
273

 
18

North America copper mines
1,316

 
760

 
88

South America mining
1,192

 
530

 
74

Indonesia mining
991

 
587

 
54

Africa mining
367

 
172

 
42

Rod & Refining
1,228

 
1,222

 
2

Atlantic Copper Smelting & Refining
638

 
624

 
11

Corporate, other & eliminations
(1,623
)
 
(1,576
)
 
9

As reported in FCX’s consolidated financial statements
$
4,417

 
$
2,592

 
$
298

 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2011
 
 
 
 
 
Totals presented above
$
163

 
$
55

 
$
10

Treatment charges and other
(11
)
 
N/A

 
N/A

Net noncash and other costs
N/A

 

 
N/A

Henderson mine
152

 
55

 
10

Other molybdenum operations and eliminationsb
180

 
205

 
4

Molybdenum
332

 
260

 
14

North America copper mines
1,419

 
664

 
67

South America mining
1,053

 
478

 
64

Indonesia mining
1,362

 
503

 
62

Africa mining
276

 
142

 
32

Rod & Refining
1,396

 
1,390

 
2

Atlantic Copper Smelting & Refining
837

 
826

 
11

Corporate, other & eliminations
(1,480
)
 
(1,693
)
 
5

As reported in FCX’s consolidated financial statements
$
5,195

 
$
2,570

 
$
257

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.
Primarily includes amounts associated with the molybdenum sales company, which includes sales of molybdenum produced by our North and South America copper mines. Also includes the results of the Climax molybdenum mine, which commenced commercial production in May 2012.



65

Table of Contents                 


Henderson Molybdenum Mine Product Revenues and Production Costs (continued)

 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
(In millions)
2012
 
2011
 
 
Revenues, excluding adjustments
$
383

 
$
499

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Site production and delivery, before net noncash and other costs shown below
159

 
158

 
 
Treatment charges and other
23

 
28

 
 
Net cash costs
182

 
186

 
 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
25

 
27

 
 
Noncash and other costs, net
5

 
1

 
 
Total costs
212

 
214

 
 
Gross profita
$
171

 
$
285

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliation to Amounts Reported
Revenues
 
Production and Delivery
 
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
Totals presented above
$
383

 
$
159

 
$
25

Treatment charges and other
(23
)
 
N/A

 
N/A

Net noncash and other costs
N/A

 
5

 
N/A

Henderson mine
360

 
164

 
25

Other molybdenum operations and eliminationsb
622

 
648

 
22

Molybdenum
982

 
812

 
47

North America copper mines
4,199

 
2,249

 
275

South America mining
3,462

 
1,483

 
208

Indonesia mining
2,897

 
1,676

 
153

Africa mining
994

 
456

 
114

Rod & Refining
3,822

 
3,800

 
7

Atlantic Copper Smelting & Refining
2,045

 
1,988

 
31

Corporate, other & eliminations
(4,904
)
 
(4,822
)
 
21

As reported in FCX’s consolidated financial statements
$
13,497

 
$
7,642

 
$
856

 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011
 
 
 
 
 
Totals presented above
$
499

 
$
158

 
$
27

Treatment charges and other
(28
)
 
N/A

 
N/A

Net noncash and other costs
N/A

 
1

 
N/A

Henderson mine
471

 
159

 
27

Other molybdenum operations and eliminationsb
648

 
627

 
17

Molybdenum
1,119

 
786

 
44

North America copper mines
4,339

 
1,923

 
196

South America mining
3,903

 
1,330

 
187

Indonesia mining
4,656

 
1,547

 
179

Africa mining
963

 
422

 
98

Rod & Refining
4,310

 
4,292

 
6

Atlantic Copper Smelting & Refining
2,252

 
2,274

 
30

Corporate, other & eliminations
(4,824
)
 
(5,070
)
 
16

As reported in FCX’s consolidated financial statements
$
16,718

 
$
7,504

 
$
756

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.
Primarily includes amounts associated with the molybdenum sales company, which includes sales of molybdenum produced by our North and South America copper mines. Also includes the results of the Climax molybdenum mine, which commenced commercial production in May 2012.

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Table of Contents                 

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT

Our discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements in which we discuss factors we believe may affect our 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, 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 our Board of Directors and will depend on our financial results, cash requirements, future prospects, and other factors deemed relevant by the Board.

We caution readers 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 can cause our 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 DRC, weather- and climate-related risks, labor relations, environmental risks, litigation results, currency translation risks and other factors described in more detail under the heading “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, filed with the SEC as updated by our subsequent filings with the SEC.

Investors are cautioned that many of the assumptions on which our forward-looking statements are based are likely to change after our forward-looking statements are made, including for example commodity prices, which we cannot control, and production volumes and costs, some aspects of which we may or may not be able to control. Further, we may make changes to our business plans that could or will affect our results. We caution investors that we do not intend to update our forward-looking statements more frequently than quarterly notwithstanding any changes in our assumptions, changes in our business plans, our actual experience, or other changes, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.


67

Table of Contents                 

Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

There have been no material changes in our market risks during the three-month period ended September 30, 2012. For additional information on market risks, refer to “Disclosures About Market Risks” included in Part II, Item 7A. of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011. For projected sensitivities of our operating cash flow to changes in commodity prices, refer to “Outlook” in Part I, Item 2. of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2012; for projected sensitivities of our provisionally priced copper sales to changes in commodity prices refer to “Consolidated Results – Revenues” in Part I, Item 2. of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2012.

Item 4.
Controls and Procedures.

(a)
Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures. Our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, with the participation of management, have evaluated the effectiveness of our “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15(d)-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report on Form 10-Q. Based on their evaluation, they have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of September 30, 2012.

(b)
Changes in internal control over financial reporting. During second-quarter 2011, we began a phased implementation of a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) information technology system to upgrade our information technology infrastructure and enhance operating efficiency and effectiveness. Implementation has been completed at our North America, South America and Africa mining operations, and has recently commenced at our Indonesia mining operations. We expect implementation of the ERP system to be completed at all of our operations over an approximate two-year period. During each phase of the implementation, an appropriate level of training of employees, testing of the system and monitoring of the financial results recorded in the system is conducted. Management has updated our system of internal control over financial reporting for the impacted operating business units.

With the exception of the ERP implementation described above, there has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2012, that materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Part II.
OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.
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 - formerly Phelps Dodge Corporation) and its affiliates. We are also involved from time to time in other reviews, investigations and proceedings by 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 proceeding reported in Note 13 and incorporated by reference into Part I, Item 3. “Legal Proceedings” of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 (as updated by our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q) 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. Refer to Note 8 for discussion of updates to previously reported legal proceedings.


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Table of Contents                 

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

There have been no material changes to our risk factors during the three-month period ended September 30, 2012. For additional information on risk factors, refer to Part I, Item 1A. "Risk Factors" of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, as updated by Part II, Item 1A. "Risk Factors" of our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2012.

Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

(c)
The following table sets forth information with respect to shares of Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. (FCX) common stock purchased by us during the three months ended September 30, 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
 
 
July 1-31, 2012
 

 
 

 
23,685,500

 
August 1-31, 2012
 

 
 

 
23,685,500

 
September 1-30, 2012
 

 
 

 
23,685,500

 
Total
 

 
 
 

 
23,685,500

a.
On July 21, 2008, our Board of Directors approved an increase in our open-market share purchase program for up to 30 million shares, of which 23.7 million shares remain available for purchase. There have been no purchases under this program since 2008. This program does not have an expiration date.
 
Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosure.

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 safety and health of our workforce is to continuously improve performance through implementing robust management systems and providing adequate training, safety incentive and occupational health programs. The information concerning mine safety violations or other regulatory matters required by Section 1503(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and Item 104 of Regulation S-K is included in Exhibit 95.1 to this quarterly report on Form 10-Q.
 
Item 6.
Exhibits.

The exhibits to this report are listed in the Exhibit Index beginning on Page E-1 hereof.

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Table of Contents                 

FREEPORT-McMoRan COPPER & GOLD INC.

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
 
FREEPORT-McMoRan COPPER & GOLD INC.
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ Kathleen L. Quirk
 
 
Kathleen L. Quirk
 
 
Executive Vice President,
 
 
Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer
 
 
(authorized signatory
 
 
and Principal Financial Officer)



Date:  November 2, 2012

70

Table of Contents                 

FREEPORT-McMoRan COPPER & GOLD INC.
EXHIBIT INDEX
 
 
Filed
 
Exhibit
 
with this
Incorporated by Reference
Number
Exhibit Title
Form 10-Q
Form
File No.
Date Filed
3.1
Composite Certificate of Incorporation of FCX.
 
10-Q
001-11307-01
8/6/2010
3.2
Amended and Restated By-Laws of FCX, as amended through February 2, 2010.
 
8-K
001-11307-01
2/5/2010
4.1
Indenture dated as of February 13, 2012, between FCX and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee.
 
8-K
001-11307-01
2/13/2012
4.2
First Supplemental Indenture dated as of February 13, 2012, between FCX and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee.
 
8-K
001-11307-01
2/13/2012
4.3
Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of February 13, 2012, between FCX and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee.
 
8-K
001-11307-01
2/13/2012
4.4
Third Supplemental Indenture dated as of February 13, 2012, between FCX and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee.
 
8-K
001-11307-01
2/13/2012
Letter from Ernst & Young LLP regarding unaudited interim financial statements.
X
 
 
 
Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d – 14(a).
X
 
 
 
Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d – 14(a).
X
 
 
 
Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.
X
 
 
 
Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C Section 1350.
X
 
 
 
Mine Safety and Health Administration Safety Data.
X
 
 
 
101.INS
XBRL Instance Document.
X
 
 
 
101.SCH
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema.
X
 
 
 
101.CAL
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase.
X
 
 
 
101.DEF
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase.
X
 
 
 
101.LAB
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase.
X
 
 
 
101.PRE
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase.
X
 
 
 


E-1