In an effort to address the growing need for technical, skilled and unskilled workers, Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. has entered into partnerships with community colleges in our operating communities in the United States, with the goal of increasing vocational training to meet the current and future needs of maintenance at our operations, while supporting local workforce development and training needs.

In May 2006, we entered into a partnership with Eastern Arizona College near our Safford and Morenci operations to implement a technical training program in the fields of diesel technology, electrical/instrumental technology and industrial plant technology. The scholarship based program prepares students for entry-level positions and requires participants to complete a paid summer internship to evaluate performance and potential for permanent placement. In the program’s first year, 53 students were enrolled. In 2007, 68 students were enrolled and 41 continued training the second year.

Following the same program model, we also developed a partnership with Yavapai Community College near the Bagdad mine in Prescott, Arizona. Thirty-three students were enrolled in the program during the last school year.

A third partnership with Gila Community College near the Miami operations was added in late 2007, and we expect to enroll 24 students in 2008.

In Peru, the Cerro Verde mine formed a partnership with the Institute Tecsup to support and fund a 13-month training program for local citizens in anticipation of the opening of a new concentrator at the site. The program graduated 328 participants, allowing them to achieve certification in the areas of plant operations and mechanical and electrical maintenance. Upon completion, the top 199 graduates were hired to work at the Cerro Verde concentrator, which opened in early 2007. Additionally, the program allowed us to fulfill our agreement with the government to hire as many local employees as possible. Skilled graduates of the program who were not hired were able to use their training to find employment formerly not available to them elsewhere in the region.

In 2007, the Nemangkawi Mining Institute graduated its first 20 female heavy equipment operators who are now on the job at the Grasberg operations. Founded by PT Freeport Indonesia, the Institute provides pre-apprentice, apprenticeship and advanced career development opportunities for hundreds of indigenous Papuans each year.

 

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