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SUPPLEMENTARY MINERAL RESERVE INFORMATION (UNAUDITED) SUPPLEMENTARY MINERAL RESERVE INFORMATION
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Supplementary Mineral Reserve Information [Abstract]  
Estimated Recoverable Proven and Probable Reserves by Location SUPPLEMENTARY MINERAL RESERVE INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
Recoverable proven and probable reserves have been estimated as of December 31, 2020, in accordance with Industry Guide 7 as required by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. FCX’s proven and probable reserves may not be comparable to similar information regarding mineral reserves disclosed in accordance with the guidance in other countries. Proven and probable reserves were determined by the use of mapping, drilling, sampling, assaying and evaluation methods generally applied in the mining industry, as more fully discussed below. The term “reserve,” as used in the reserve data presented here, means that part of a mineral deposit that can be economically and legally extracted or produced at the time of the reserve determination. The term “proven reserves” means reserves for which (i) quantity is computed from dimensions revealed in outcrops, trenches, workings or drill holes; (ii) grade and/or quality are computed from the results of detailed sampling; and (iii) the sites for inspection, sampling and measurements are spaced so closely and the geologic character is sufficiently defined that size, shape, depth and mineral content of reserves are well established. The term “probable reserves” means reserves for which quantity and grade are computed from information similar to that used for proven reserves but the sites for sampling are farther apart or are otherwise less adequately spaced. The degree of assurance, although lower than that for proven reserves, is high enough to assume continuity between points of observation.

FCX’s reserve estimates are based on the latest available geological and geotechnical studies. FCX conducts ongoing studies of its ore bodies to optimize economic values and to manage risk. FCX revises its mine plans and estimates of proven and probable mineral reserves as required in accordance with the latest available studies.

Estimated recoverable proven and probable reserves at December 31, 2020, were determined using metals price assumptions of $2.50 per pound for copper, $1,200 per ounce for gold and $10 per pound for molybdenum. For the three-year period ended December 31, 2020, LME copper settlement prices averaged $2.83 per pound, London PM gold prices averaged $1,477 per ounce and the weekly average price for molybdenum quoted by Metals Week averaged $10.65 per pound.

The recoverable proven and probable reserves presented in the table below represent the estimated metal quantities from which FCX expects to be paid after application of estimated metallurgical recovery rates and smelter recovery rates, where applicable. Recoverable reserves are that part of a mineral deposit that FCX estimates can be economically and legally extracted or produced at the time of the reserve determination.
Estimated Recoverable Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves
at December 31, 2020
Coppera
(billion pounds)
Gold
(million ounces)
Molybdenum
(billion pounds)
North America47.1 0.6 3.01 
South America32.7 — 0.70 
Indonesiab
33.4 28.3 — 
Consolidatedc
113.2 28.9 3.71 
Net equity interestd
81.8 15.5 3.39 
a.Estimated consolidated recoverable copper reserves included 1.7 billion pounds in leach stockpiles and 0.3 billion pounds in mill stockpiles.
b.Reflects estimates of minerals that can be recovered through 2041. Refer to Note 13 for discussion of PT-FI’s IUPK.
c.Consolidated reserves represent estimated metal quantities after reduction for joint venture partner interests at the Morenci mine in North America (refer to Note 3 for further discussion). Excluded from the table above were FCX’s estimated recoverable proven and probable reserves of 362 million ounces of silver, which were determined using $15 per ounce.
d.Net equity interest reserves represent estimated consolidated metal quantities further reduced for noncontrolling interest ownership (refer to Note 3 for further discussion of FCX’s ownership in subsidiaries). FCX's net equity interest for estimated metal quantities in Indonesia reflects approximately 81 percent from 2021 through 2022 and 48.76 percent from 2023 through 2041. Excluded from the table above were FCX’s estimated recoverable proven and probable reserves of 247 million ounces of silver.
Estimated Recoverable Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves
at December 31, 2020
Average Ore Grade
Per Metric Tona
Recoverable Proven and
Probable Reservesb
Orea
(million metric tons)
Copper (%)Gold (grams)Molybdenum (%)Copper
(billion pounds)
Gold
(million ounces)
Molybdenum
(billion pounds)
North America         
Developed and producing:        
Morenci4,300 0.23 —  — 
c
14.3 —  0.20 
Sierrita3,240 0.22 — 
c
0.02 13.2 0.2  1.28 
Bagdad2,591 0.31 — 
c
0.02 15.2 0.2  0.92 
Safford, including
Lone Star
777 0.45 — — 5.7 —  — 
Chino, including Cobre313 0.44 0.03 — 2.5 0.2  — 
Climax156 — —  0.15 — —  0.48 
Henderson60 — —  0.17 — —  0.20 
Tyrone33 0.27 —  — 0.2 —  — 
Miami— — —  — 0.1 —  — 
South America         
Developed and producing:        
Cerro Verde4,077 0.36 —  0.01 28.6 —  0.70 
El Abra779 0.41 —  — 4.2 —  — 
Indonesiad
        
Developed and producing:      
Grasberg Block Cave874 1.08 0.73  — 17.5 13.1  — 
Deep Mill Level Zone439 0.89 0.72  — 7.4 8.1  — 
Big Gossan53 2.30 0.98  — 2.5 1.1  — 
Deep Ore Zone0.55 0.47  — 0.1 0.1  — 
Undeveloped:        
Kucing Liar351 0.92 0.90  — 6.0 6.0  — 
Total 100% basis18,052 
e
117.2 
e
28.9 
e
3.77 
e
Consolidatedf
     113.2 28.9  3.71 
FCX’s equity shareg
     81.8 15.5  3.39 
a.Excludes material contained in stockpiles.
b.Includes estimated recoverable metals contained in stockpiles.
c.Amounts not shown because of rounding.
d.Estimated recoverable proven and probable reserves from Indonesia reflect estimates of minerals that can be recovered through 2041. Refer to Note 13 for discussion of PT-FI’s IUPK.
e.Does not foot because of rounding.
f.Consolidated reserves represent estimated metal quantities after reduction for joint venture partner interests at the Morenci mine in North America. Refer to Note 3 for further discussion.
g.Net equity interest reserves represent estimated consolidated metal quantities further reduced for noncontrolling interest ownership. FCX's net equity interest for estimated metal quantities in Indonesia reflects an approximate 81 percent from 2021 through 2022 and 48.76 percent from 2023 through 2041. Refer to Note 3 for further discussion of FCX’s ownership in subsidiaries.