Absolute results remain low overall and Freeport-McMoRan’s results are largely dependent on the formal commitments it has made: to prevent bribery and corruption, to respect human rights, to ensure safe and healthy working conditions, to manage its environmental impacts systematically, and to not explore or mine in World Heritage Sites and to respect other protected areas. The company’s results also stem in part from its public disclosure of information on the location and safety of its tailings storage facilities, along with other companies and following the recent investor request.

Freeport-McMoRan ranks 13th among the 38 companies on its mine-site-level results, with an average score of only 15% in the mine-site assessment.

In evidence of Freeport-McMoRan’s continuous improvement efforts since the RMI Report 2018, the company has produced a revised environmental policy that incorporates the concept of a lifecycle approach.

However, Freeport-McMoRan’s results are below the average across all 38 companies in two thematic areas: Economic Development and Business Conduct, and the company’s results are limited by a lack of evidence of action on a number of issues. For example, Freeport-McMoRan shows no evidence of supporting procurement from local or national suppliers in producing countries, or assessing and addressing any adverse impacts on land use and land access by affected communities. In addition, the company shows no evidence of collaborative R&D in producing countries on socio-economic or environmental issues related to mining.

Moreover, none of the five Freeport-McMoRan mine sites assessed show any relevant evidence on three of the ten issues covered in the mine-site assessment: post-closure planning, air quality and emergency preparedness.