Operating Plans Remain On Target With 929 Million Pounds Of Copper Sales In Second Quarter

PHOENIX, AZ - Richard C. Adkerson, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Of Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (FCX), said, "Our global team continues to execute our operating plans safely, efficiently and responsibly, providing strong cash flows and a solid foundation for future profitability and growth. During the first half of 2021, we reduced our net debt by $2.7 billion and achieved our targeted net debt level, positioning us for increasing cash returns to shareholders and investments in future growth in accordance with our financial policy. As a leading responsible producer of copper, we are optimistic about the prospects for our business and our role in supporting a growing global economy and the transition to clean energy. We remain focused on building value for all stakeholders through solid management of our long-lived and high-quality portfolio of copper assets."

Second-quarter 2021 copper sales of 929 million pounds and gold sales of 305 thousand ounces were approximately 5 percent and 8 percent lower, respectively, than the April 2021 estimates of 975 million pounds of copper and 330 thousand ounces of gold, primarily reflecting the timing of shipments from Indonesia. The copper sales were 22 percent higher and gold sales were 66 percent higher than second-quarter 2020 sales of 759 million pounds of copper and 184 thousand ounces of gold, primarily reflecting continued progress of the ramp-up of underground mining at PT-FI and increased operating rates at Cerro Verde.The Second-quarter 2021 molybdenum sales of 22 million pounds approximated the April 2021 estimate. Second-quarter 2021 molybdenum sales were higher than second-quarter 2020 sales of 18 million pounds of molybdenum, primarily reflecting increased demand and timing of shipments. Consolidated sales volumes for the year 2021 are expected to approximate 3.85 billion pounds of copper, 1.3 million ounces of gold and 86 million pounds of molybdenum, including 1.035 billion pounds of copper, 360 thousand ounces of gold and 21 million pounds of molybdenum in third-quarter 2021. Projected sales volumes are dependent on operational performance, continued progress of the ramp-up of underground mining at PT-FI, impacts and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, weather-related conditions, timing of shipments, and other factors.

The Company operates seven open-pit copper mines in North America - Morenci, Bagdad, Safford (including Lone Star), Sierrita and Miami in Arizona, and Chino and Tyrone in New Mexico. In addition to copper, certain of these mines produce molybdenum concentrate, gold and silver. All of the North America mining operations are wholly owned, except for Morenci. FCX records its 72 percent undivided joint venture interest in Morenci using the proportionate consolidation method. The North America operating sites continue to achieve strong execution of operating plans. FCX successfully completed the initial development of the Lone Star copper leach project in the second half of 2020 and achieved design capacity approximating 200 million pounds annually. Current operations are exceeding the initial design. FCX continues to advance opportunities to increase Lone Star operating rates and is evaluating a potential additional incremental oxide expansion to increase volumes to over 300 million pounds of copper per year. The oxide project advances the opportunity for development of the large-scale sulfide resources at Lone Star. FCX's consolidated copper sales volumes from North America of 389 million pounds in second-quarter 2021 were higher than second-quarter 2020 copper sales volumes of 368 million pounds, primarily reflecting timing of shipments. North America copper sales are estimated to approximate 1.47 billion pounds for the year 2021, compared with 1.4 billion pounds for the year 2020.The two copper mines in South America - Cerro Verde in Peru (in which FCX owns a 53.56 percent interest) and El Abra in Chile (in which FCX owns a 51 percent interest), are consolidated in FCX's financial statements. In addition to copper, the Cerro Verde mine produces molybdenum concentrate and silver. During second-quarter 2021, milling rates at Cerro Verde's concentrator facilities were slightly above forecast and averaged 374,100 metric tons of ore per day. Cerro Verde expects milling rates to return to pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels of approximately 400,000 metric tons of ore per day in 2022. El Abra is implementing plans to increase operating rates to pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels, subject to ongoing monitoring of public health conditions in Chile. Stacking rates at El Abra averaged 94,200 metric tons per day in second-quarter 2021, approximately 25 percent higher than second-quarter 2020. Increased stacking rates are expected to result in incremental annual production of approximately 70 million pounds of copper beginning in mid-2022, compared with 2020 levels. A new leach pad is under construction to accommodate planned stacking rates for the next several years.FCX continues to evaluate a large-scale expansion at El Abra to process additional sulfide material and to achieve higher copper recoveries. El Abra's large sulfide resource could potentially support a major mill project similar to facilities constructed at Cerro Verde in 2015. Technical and economic studies continue to be evaluated to determine the optimal scope and timing for the sulfide project. FCX is monitoring potential changes in government fiscal matters in Chile and will defer major investment decisions pending clarity on these matters

FCX's consolidated copper sales volumes from South America of 230 million pounds in second-quarter2021 were higher than second-quarter 2020 copper sales volumes of 219 million pounds, primarily reflecting higher milling rates at Cerro Verde, partly offset by timing of shipments. Copper sales from South America mining are expected to approximate 1.05 billion pounds for the year 2021, slightly higher than the year 2020.PT-FI operates one of the world’s largest copper and gold mines at the Grasberg minerals district in Papua, Indonesia. PT-FI produces copper concentrate that contains significant quantities of gold and silver. FCX has a 48.76 percent ownership interest in PT-FI and manages its mining operations. Under the terms of the shareholders agreement, FCX’s economic interest in PT-FI approximates 81 percent through 2022. PT- FI's results are consolidated in FCX's financial statements. PT-FI continues to operate with protocols designed to protect the health and safety of its workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic. During second-quarter 2021, PT-FI began to administer vaccines to its workforce and expects this program to accelerate through the second half of 2021. Following an increase in COVID-19 cases in Indonesia, PT-FI has recently reinstituted heightened protocols and travel restrictions to protect the health of its workforce and the surrounding community. Operating and Development Activities. The ramp-up of underground production at the Grasberg minerals district in Indonesia continues to advance on schedule. Second-quarter 2021 highlights include: Production approximated 78 percent of the projected ultimate annualized level and is expected to reach 100 percent by year-end 2021; A total of 41 new drawbells were constructed at the Grasberg Block Cave and Deep Mill Level Zone (DMLZ) underground mines, bringing cumulative open drawbells to over 460; and Combined average production from the Grasberg Block Cave and DMLZ underground mines approximated 118,300 metric tons of ore per day. During second-quarter 2021, Grasberg Block Cave achieved a daily record of 107,000 metric tons of ore per day.The successful completion of this ramp up is expected to enable PT-FI to generate average annual production of 1.55 billion pounds of copper and 1.6 million ounces of gold for the next several years at an attractive unit net cash cost, providing significant margins and cash flows. PT-FI expects production for the year 2021 to approximate 1.3 billion pounds of copper and 1.3 million ounces of gold, nearly double 2020 levels.During 2020, PT-FI notified the Indonesia government of schedule delays resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to review with the government a revised schedule for the project.To fulfill its obligation for new domestic smelter capacity in Indonesia, PT-FI is planning the following: Expansion of annual capacity at PT Smelting (PT-FI's 39.5-percent owned copper smelter and refinery in Gresik, Indonesia) by 300,000 metric tons of concentrate, a 30 percent increase. PT-FI is advancing agreements with the majority owner of PT Smelting to implement the expansion plans with a target completion date of year-end 2023. PT-FI would fund the cost of the expansion, estimated to approximate $250 million, and increase its ownership in PT Smelting to a majority ownership interest; Construction of a new greenfield smelter in Gresik, Indonesia with a capacity to process approximately 1.7 million metric tons of concentrate per year. In July 2021, PT-FI awarded a construction contract to Chiyoda with an estimated cost of $2.8 billion. The smelter construction is expected to be completed as soon as feasible in 2024, which is dependent on no further pandemic-related disruptions; and Construction of a precious metals refinery to process gold and silver from PT Smelting and the new greenfield smelter in Gresik, at an estimated cost of $250 million.PT-FI has recently entered into a $1 billion, five-year, unsecured bank credit facility to advance these projects. Additional debt financing is being planned to fund the projects with the cost of all such debt shared 49 percent by FCX and 51 percent by PT Inalum. Construction of the new smelter capacity would result in the elimination of export duties, providing an offset to the economic cost associated with the smelter development.

The molybdenum mines in Colorado, Henderson underground mine and the Climax open-pit mine produce high-purity, chemical- grade molybdenum concentrate, which is typically further processed into value-added molybdenum chemical products. The majority of the molybdenum concentrate produced at the Henderson and Climax mines, as well as from FCX's North America and South America copper mines, is processed at FCX's conversion facilities. Production from the molybdenum mines of 7 million pounds of molybdenum in second-quarter 2021 was slightly higher than production of 6 million pounds of molybdenum in second-quarter 2020.

The Company’s mining exploration activities are generally associated with its existing mines, focusing on opportunities to expand reserves and resources to support development of additional future production capacity. Exploration results continue to indicate opportunities for significant future potential reserve additions in North America and South America. Exploration expenditures for the year 2021 are expected to approximate $60 million. FCX has long-lived reserves and a significant resource position in its existing portfolio.In June FCX commenced the Copper Mark assessment process at five additional operating sites, including Bagdad, Chino, Tyrone, Safford and Sierrita. Each of these sites will complete an external assurance process to assess conformance with the Copper Mark’s 32 ESG requirements, with a goal of being awarded the Copper Mark. The Copper Mark is a robust assurance framework that demonstrates the copper industry's responsible production practices and contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. To date, FCX has six sites that have achieved the Copper Mark (the Morenci operations, Miami smelter and mine, and El Paso refinery in North America; Cerro Verde and El Abra mines in South America; and Atlantic Copper smelter and refinery in Spain). FCX has future plans to validate all of its copper producing sites with the Copper Mark requirements.Ongoing COVID-19 Management. FCX continues its vigilant operating protocols at each of its operating sites to contain and mitigate the risk of spread of COVID-19. FCX’s protocols have been effective in mitigating and preventing a major outbreak of COVID-19 at its operating sites. FCX is continuing to monitor, assess and update its COVID-19 related response and is providing assistance to employees in obtaining vaccinations.