We are the world's largest producer of continuous cast copper rod. We also produce copper sulfate, electrode and bare wire, and magnetite. We are among the world's largest producers of molybdenum and molybdenum-based chemicals.

Copper

Freeport-McMoRan produces copper for market in seven principal forms:

Bayway Operations Specialty Copper Products. Our Bayway operation in Elizabeth, N.J., produces a complete line of ETP copper and oxygen-free copper products in custom made sizes and configurations. These include tubular bus conductors, rod and bar, billets, round wire, flat wire, tin coated wire and trolley wire, as well as components for resistance welding.

Continuous Cast Copper Rod. Freeport-McMoRan copper rod is used as feedstock to produce electrical wire, cable and other products. Freeport-McMoRan is the largest manufacturer of continuous-cast copper rod in the world.

Copper Cathodes. Freeport-McMoRan copper cathodes are used as the raw material input for continuous cast copper rod and for brass mill products.

Copper Concentrate. Copper concentrate is a dry powder that is used as a feedstock for smelters. We supply it to our own smelters and to smelters operated by others.

Copper Electrode & Bare Wire. Freeport-McMoRan electrode wire is used in welding machines to manufacture three-piece cans and to produce metal ducting. Freeport-McMoRan bare wire is used as a feed source to wire and cable manufacturers.

Copper Sulfate. Freeport-McMoRan copper sulfate pentahydrate is used in a variety of applications including animal feed, pesticides and industrial applications. 

Magnetite. Freeport-McMoRan magnetite is used as a dense aggregate for civil engineering, applications in building foundations, ground stabilization and vibration dampening in structures. 

Molybdenum

Molybdenum demand depends heavily on the world wide steel industry and, to a lesser degree, on the chemical markets. More than 80% of all molybdenum, commonly referred to as “moly,” is used in these markets. We are the world’s largest producer of molybdenum and molybdenum-based chemicals through our subsidiary, Climax Molybdenum Co.

For more on our molybdenum engineered materials and their uses, go here.

Cobalt

Freeport-McMoRan is one of the world's largest suppliers of cobalt. Cobalt is produced at Tenke Fungurume Mining in the form of a cobalt hydroxide intermediate product. It is further refined into various cobalt chamicals, metal powders and metallic cobalt to satisfy a diverse end market. In metallic form cobalt is used for its wear, corrosion and high temperature characteristics while its chemical uses continue to grow lead by the use of cobalt in Lithium ion batteries that power everything from cell phones to electric vehicles.

How we Mine it

To learn more about our mining process, click here.

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