Photo By Freeport-McMoRan
Contributed Article
PHOENIX – Freeport-McMoRan Inc. announced today that it has completed a sale of its interests in the Kisanfu undeveloped project to a wholly-owned subsidiary of China Molybdenum Co., Ltd. (CMOC) for $550 million. After-tax net cash proceeds approximate $415 million.
The Kisanfu project, located in the Democratic Republic of Congo, is a large, undeveloped cobalt and copper resource discovered by Freeport’s exploration team. Following Freeport’s sale of its interest in the adjacent Tenke Fungurume mine in 2016, the Kisanfu project was no longer strategic to Freeport’s long-term strategy.
“We are pleased to announce this transaction, which enhances our financial position,” said Richard C. Adkerson, President and Chief Executive Officer. “We continue to execute our strategy focused on our attractive portfolio of large and high-quality copper assets with strong and established franchises in North America, South America and Indonesia.”
As of Dec. 31, 2019, FCX did not have any proven and probable reserves associated with the Kisanfu project.
FCX expects to record an after-tax gain of approximately $350 million in the fourth quarter of 2020 associated with this sale.
Freeport: Foremost in Copper
Freeport is a leading international mining company with headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona. FCX operates large, long-lived, geographically diverse assets with significant proven and probable reserves of copper, gold, and molybdenum. Freeport is one of the world’s largest publicly traded copper producers.
Freeport’s portfolio of assets includes the Grasberg minerals district in Indonesia, one of the world’s largest copper and gold deposits; and significant mining operations in North America and South America, including the large-scale Morenci minerals district in Arizona and the Cerro Verde operation in Peru.
By supplying responsibly produced copper, Freeport is proud to be a positive contributor to the world well beyond its operational boundaries. Additional information about Freeport McMoran Inc. is available on its website at fcx.com.
