Education

Freeport-McMoRan’s Community Investments

Jul 22, 2014 7:00 AM ET
Campaign: Freeport-McMoRan: Annual Report on Sustainability

July 22, 2014 /3BL Media/ - 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’s community investment strategy addresses high-priority needs and facilitates local capacity building to sustain communities after mine closure.

  • In 2013, PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) continued to fulfill its community infrastructure development commitments in the three Amungme villages in the Highlands (Tiga Desa Project). This community infrastructure project started in 2000 as a recognition program for the highlands Amungme tribe, and PTFI committed to constructing housing and public facilities such as bridges, airstrips, roads, churches, sewage systems and clean water piping installations. Infrastructure either completed or in progress in 2013 included an airstrip, micro-hydro project, school and dormitory, and other community support facilities. LPMAK also funded renovations to an existing clinic in Tsinga village. PTFI invested $4.2 million on infrastructure through the Tiga Desa Project in 2013, and a total of $40.6 million has been spent since the inception of the project.
  • As part of its investment in improved education in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tenke Fungurume Mining (TFM) supports the operation of six elementary schools on the concession, which serve approximately 3,000 students. For the second consecutive year, TFM organized summer activities including indoor and outdoor games, educational films and computer lessons for over 4,200 children in Fungurume and Tenke. TFM also completed construction of the administration building, four classrooms, a multipurpose workshop and latrines for Institut Technique de Garenganze in Bunkeya. Once complete, the school will improve access to higher education in the region and increase the skill level of the local labor supply.
  • Freeport-McMoRan’s Cerro Verde operation near Arequipa, Peru continues to invest in a number of infrastructure and service improvements. In 2013, 21 female entrepreneurs completed the DreamBuilder: Creator of Businesses for Women, in partnership with Thunderbird School of Global Management in Arizona. The women gained the knowledge and skills necessary to start and/or grow their own small businesses in the Arequipa Region. The entrepreneurs who completed the program reported an increase in their incomes and an improvement in their family’s quality of life.

To learn more about these public health initiatives and others, please see http://www.fcx.com/sd/community/comm_invest.htm

Please see the 2013 Working Toward Sustainable Development Report for more information on all of Freeport-McMoRan’s  social, economic and environmental efforts.