Environment

Freeport-McMoRan Conserves Biodiversity

Nov 4, 2014 6:40 AM ET
Campaign: Freeport-McMoRan: Annual Report on Sustainability
The Salar de Ascotán springs are a biologically diverse wetland habitat. Environmental engineers regularly monitor the water quality and quantity to ensure the springs remain a thriving habitat. Pictured: Andean flamingos (foreground) and a vicuña (background).

The natural resources that Freeport-McMoRan produces are essential to the world's economies. As population growth and urbanization continue to accelerate, Freeport-McMoRan’s products are critical to a rising standard of living on a global scale. The foundation of Freeport-McMoRan’s plans for production growth and resource expansions includes their commitment to join with stakeholders in working toward sustainable development.

Freeport-McMoRan is committed to identifying the impacts of their operations and, where practicable, implementing actions that conserve and enhance biodiversity.

As of December 2013, 11 Freeport-McMoRan sites were certified by the Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC) Wildlife at Work program, which recognizes activities that create, conserve and restore wildlife habitat on corporate lands, and five sites were certified by the WHC Corporate Lands for Learning program, which recognizes activities to promote environmental education and outreach initiatives in local communities. Cerro Verde was also nominated for the 2013 Corporate Habitat of the Year Award. In Colorado, Freeport-McMoRan is working with Trout Unlimited and the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety to restore historic abandoned mines that are impacting fish habitats.

In 2013, the Arizona Game and Fish Commission awarded Freeport-McMoRan its Award of Excellence for environmental stewardship and wildlife management, specifically noting the Mexican free-tail bat habitat conservation efforts at Morenci. During the year, the U.S. Mine Safety Health Administration–Arizona State Mine Inspector also awarded Morenci the Best Reclamation Project award for closing over 300 mine opening and adits around the historic mining district. The project not only promotes public safety, but bat gates installed at larger openings promote bat conservation efforts in the region. Cerro Verde also hosted a workshop involving a number of international experts to promote management of the Peruvian long-snouted bat.

For information about Freeport-McMoRan’s commitments to biodiversity enhancement and conservation, please see http://www.fcx.com/sd/env/biodiversity.htm

Please see the 2013 Working Toward Sustainable Development Report for more information on all of their social, economic and environmental efforts.