SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): December 13, 2001
FREEPORT-McMoRan COPPER & GOLD INC.
Delaware 1-9916 74-2480931
(State or other (Commission (IRS Employer
jurisdiction of File Number) Identification
incorporation or Number)
organization)
1615 Poydras Street
New Orleans, Louisiana 70112
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (504) 582-4000
Item 5. Other Events and Regulation FD Disclosures
NEW ORLEANS, LA, December 13, 2002 - In connection with a
presentation to financial analysts, Freeport-McMoRan Copper &
Gold Inc. (FCX) is disclosing its preliminary estimates of copper
and gold sales for 2002 to be 1.5 billion pounds of copper (100
million pounds higher than estimated 2001 sales volumes) and 2.0
million ounces of gold (600,000 ounces less than estimated 2001
sales volumes). FCX estimates quarterly copper sales in 2002 to
approximate 320 million pounds during the first quarter, 370
million pounds during the second quarter, 390 million pounds
during the third quarter, and 430 million pounds during the
fourth quarter. FCX estimates quarterly gold sales in 2002 to
approximate 260,000 ounces during the first quarter, 450,000
ounces during the second quarter, 610,000 ounces during the third
quarter and 720,000 ounces during the fourth quarter. The lower
gold volumes in 2002 reflect the anticipated mining of lower
grade ore during the first half of the year. FCX estimates 2003
through 2005 sales volumes will average approximately 1.4 billion
pounds of copper and 2.4 million ounces of gold. FCX projects
its net cash production cost to be below 20 cents per pound in
2002, based on estimated gold sales presented above and current
gold prices of $270 per ounce. Unit net cash production costs
vary with the volume of gold sales and the price of gold, as gold
revenues are deducted in calculating unit net cash production
costs.
FCX explores for, develops, mines and processes ore
containing copper, gold and silver in Indonesia, and smelts and
refines copper concentrates in Spain and Indonesia. Additional
information about FCX is available on our Internet web site
"fcx.com".
Cautionary Statement. This press release contains forward-
looking statements in which we discuss factors we believe may
affect our performance in the future. Forward-looking statements
are all statements other than historical facts, such as
statements regarding anticipated sales volumes and net cash
production costs. Important factors that might cause future
results to differ from these projections include industry risks,
commodity prices, Indonesian political risks and other factors
described in FCX's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed
on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
FREEPORT-McMoRan COPPER & GOLD INC.
By: \s\ C. Donald Whitmire, Jr.
------------------------------
C. Donald Whitmire, Jr.
Vice President and Controller-
Financial Reporting
(authorized signatory and
Principal Accounting Officer)
Date: December 13, 2001