Freeport CEO Urged Revision in U.S. Copper Mine Permitting Process

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Richard Adkerson, CEO, Freeport-McMoRan urged the U.S. government authorities to bring forth major improvement in the country’s copper mine permitting process, in order to ensure domestic supplies of critical minerals to aid its clean energy transition drive.

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Speaking on the sidelines of the CERAWeek energy conference in Houston, he urged the U.S. government to stop giving lip service to permitting. He called for more clarity by authorities on the procedures by which permits are approved or rejected. Any easing in environmental regulations or dropping of any standard is not what is requested for, but what is required is more transparency on processes, he added.

Adkerson said that he had a productive conversation with U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm about permitting reforms.

The miner said that it is open to expansion projects at its Miami, Arizona copper smelter. However, it remains focused on expanding its use of copper leaching in the near-term. It must be noted that the company’s U.S. copper production has recorded decline in 2022 and 2023, primarily due to its failure to attract workers within the U.S.

Freeport noted that the company is focused on earning the support of people living near its mine sites.