Name: Morenci mine.

Location: Greenlee County, Arizona, in the US.

Holding and Controlling Company: Freeport McMoRan (72%), Sumitomo (15%) and SMM Morenci (13%).

Brief Description: Morenci is an openpit copper mining complex that has been in continuous operation since 1939 and was previously an underground operation.

Brief History: Phelps Dodge & Company invested $50 000 in the Morenci property in 1881, marking the New York mercantile’s first venture into mining. Through acquisition, Phelps Dodge & Company consolidated all mining operations in the district by 1921.

Initially an underground mine, Morenci transitioned to openpit mining beginning in 1937. Morenci’s first solvent extraction/electrowinning plant was commissioned in 1987. Once home to two smelters, the last smelter ceased operation in 1984.

Freeport McMoRan acquired Phelps Dodge in March 2007.

Products: Copper cathode and copper and molybdenum concentrates.

Geology/Mineralisation: The Morenci mine is a porphyry copper deposit that has oxide and primary and secondary sulphide mineralisation. The predominant oxide copper mineral is chrysocolla. Chalcopyrite is the dominant primary copper sulphide, and chalcocite the most important secondary copper sulphide mineral.

Reserves: Total proven and probable reserves as at December 31, 2016, were estimated at 3.27-million tons grading 0.27% copper.

Mining Method: Openpit.

Major Infrastructure and Equipment: The Morenci operation comprises two concentrators capable of milling 115 000 t/d, which produce copper and molybdenum concentrates; a 68 000 t/d crushed-ore leach pad and stacking system; a low-grade run-of-mine leaching system; four solution extract plants; and three electrowinning tank houses that produce copper cathode. Total electrowinning tank house capacity is about 900-million pounds of copper a year.

Prospects: None stated.

Contact Person: Director investor relations David Joint.

Contact Details:
Freeport McMoRan
Tel +1 602 366 8400
Email ir@fmi.com
Website https://www.fcx.com