Facility

Morenci Copper Mine

Morenci (Greenlee County, Arizona; FCX 72%, Sumitomo Metal Mining/Sumitomo Corporation 28%) is the largest copper mine in the United States, producing approximately 430,000-490,000 tonnes/year of copper — primarily as copper cathode via sulfuric acid heap leach/SX-EW (solvent extraction-electrowinning) rather than as copper ore concentrate. Morenci is an open-pit porphyry copper deposit first mined by Phelps Dodge (founded 1834) from 1872; it is one of the oldest continuously operating copper mines in North America. FCX acquired Phelps Dodge (and Morenci) in 2007 for $25.9B. Morenci represents approximately 50% of total US domestic copper mine production — making FCX the dominant US copper miner by a wide margin. The town of Morenci (company town built by Phelps Dodge) was demolished and rebuilt multiple times as the open pit expanded. Source: FCX Annual Report 2024; USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2024.