<html>
<head>
    <title>fcx051710-8k.htm</title>
<!-- Licensed to: FCX-->
<!-- Document Created using EDGARizer 5.2.0.0 -->
<!-- Copyright 1995 - 2009 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved. -->
</head>
<body bgcolor="#ffffff" style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">
<hr style="COLOR: black" align="left" noshade size="3" width="100%">
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>

<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">UNITED STATES</font></div>

<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</font></div>

<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Washington, D.C.&#160;&#160;20549</font></div>

<div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br>
</div>

<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 18pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">FORM 8-K</font></div>

<div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br>
</div>

<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">CURRENT REPORT</font></div>

<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934</font></div>

<div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br>
</div>

<div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br>
</div>

<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):&#160;&#160;May 17, 2010</font></div>

<div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br>
</div>

<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><img src="fcx_logo.jpg" alt=""></div>

<div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br>
</div>

<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 18pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">FREEPORT-McMoRan COPPER &amp; GOLD INC.</font></div>

<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</font></div>

<div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br>
</div>

<div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br>
</div>

<div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%" style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="18%">
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Delaware</font></div>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="4%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160; </font></td>
<td valign="top" width="18%">
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">1-9916</font></div>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="4%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160; </font></td>
<td valign="top" width="18%">
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">74-2480931</font></div>
</td>
</tr><tr>
<td valign="top" width="18%">
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)</font></div>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="4%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160; </font></td>
<td valign="top" width="18%">
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">(Commission File Number)</font></div>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="4%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160; </font></td>
<td valign="top" width="18%">
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)</font></div>
</td>
</tr></table>
</div>

<div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br>
</div>

<div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%" style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="36%">
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: -5.4pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">333 North Central Avenue</font></div>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="36%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160; </font></td>
</tr><tr>
<td valign="top" width="36%">
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: -5.4pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Phoenix, Arizona</font></div>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="36%">
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">85004-4414</font></div>
</td>
</tr><tr>
<td valign="top" width="36%">
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: -5.4pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">(Address of principal executive offices)</font></div>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="36%">
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">(Zip Code)</font></div>
</td>
</tr></table>
</div>

<div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br>
</div>

<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Registrant's telephone number, including area code:&#160;&#160;(602) 366-8100</font></div>

<div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br>
</div>

<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:</font></div>

<div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br>
</div>

<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">[ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)</font></div>

<div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br>
</div>

<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)</font></div>

<div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br>
</div>

<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))</font></div>

<div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br>
</div>

<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))</font></div>

<div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br>
</div>

<br>
<div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
<div id="FTR">
<div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160; </font></div>
</div>

<div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always; WIDTH: 100%">
<div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160; </font></div>

<div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
<hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
</div>
</div>

<div id="HDR">
<div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160; </font></div>
</div>
</div>

<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Item 3.03.&#160;&#160;<font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Material Modification to Rights of Security Holders.</font></font></div>

<div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">&#160;</div>

<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 18pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(a)&#160;&#160;The information set forth in Item 5.03 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference.</font></div>

<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>

<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Item 5.03.&#160;&#160;<font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.</font></font></div>

<div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br>
</div>

<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(a)&#160;&#160;Freeport-McMoRan Copper &amp; Gold Inc. (the &#8220;Company&#8221;) previously reported that on February 2, 2010, its Board of Directors adopted a resolution to allow the Rights Agreement, dated as of May 3, 2000, between the Company and Mellon Investor Services LLC, successor to ChaseMellon Shareholder Services, L.L.C., as Rights Agent (the &#8220;Rights Agreement&#8221;), as amended by Amendment No. 1 to the Rights Agreement, effective as of February 26, 2002, to expire in accordance with its terms.</font></div>

<div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br>
</div>

<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The Rights Agreement expired on May 16, 2010.&#160;&#160;As a result, each outstanding share of the Company&#8217;s common stock, par value $0.10 per share (the &#8220;Common Stock&#8221;), is no longer accompanied by a right to purchase one one-hundredth of a share of the Company&#8217;s Series A Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock (the &#8220;Right&#8221;).&#160;&#160;The holders of Common Stock are not entitled to any payment as a result of the expiration of the Rights Agreement and the Rights issued thereunder.</font></div>

<div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br>
</div>

<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">In connection with the expiration of the Rights Agreement, on May 17, 2010, the Company filed a Certificate of Elimination (the &#8220;Certificate of Elimination&#8221;) with the Secretary of State of Delaware to eliminate all references in the Company&#8217;s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to the Company&#8217;s Series A Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock.&#160;&#160;A copy of the Certificate of Elimination is attached hereto as Exhibit 3.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.</font></div>

<div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br>
</div>

<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Item 9.01&#160;&#160;<font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Financial Statements and Exhibits.</font></font></div>

<div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br>
</div>

<div>
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(d)&#160;&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Exhibits.</font></div>
</div>

<div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br>
</div>

<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The Exhibit included as part of this Current Report is listed in the attached Exhibit Index.</font></div>

<div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
<div id="FTR">
<div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160; </font></div>
</div>

<div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always; WIDTH: 100%">
<div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160; </font></div>

<div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
<hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
</div>
</div>

<div id="HDR">
<div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160; </font></div>
</div>
</div>

<br>
<div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br>
</div>

<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">SIGNATURE</font></div>

<div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br>
</div>

<div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br>
</div>

<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">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 hereunto duly authorized.</font></div>

<div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br>
</div>

<div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br>
</div>

<div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%" style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="34%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160; </font></td>
<td align="left" valign="top" width="45%">
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">FREEPORT-McMoRan COPPER &amp; GOLD INC.</font></div>
</td>
</tr><tr>
<td valign="top" width="34%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160; </font></td>
<td valign="top" width="45%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160; </font></td>
</tr><tr>
<td align="right" valign="top" width="34%">
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="right"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">By:</font></div>
</td>
<td align="left" valign="top" width="45%">
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;&#160;<font style="TEXT-DECORATION: underline">/s/ C. Donald Whitmire, Jr.</font></font></div>
</td>
</tr><tr>
<td valign="top" width="34%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160; </font></td>
<td valign="top" width="45%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160; </font></td>
</tr><tr>
<td valign="top" width="34%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160; </font></td>
<td align="left" valign="top" width="45%">
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">C. Donald Whitmire, Jr.</font></div>
</td>
</tr><tr>
<td valign="top" width="34%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160; </font></td>
<td valign="top" width="45%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160; </font></td>
</tr><tr>
<td valign="top" width="34%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160; </font></td>
<td align="left" valign="top" width="45%">
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Vice President and Controller - Financial Reporting</font></div>
</td>
</tr><tr>
<td valign="top" width="34%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160; </font></td>
<td align="left" valign="top" width="45%">
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 18pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">(authorized signatory and Principal Accounting Officer)</font></div>
</td>
</tr><tr>
<td valign="top" width="34%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160; </font></td>
<td valign="top" width="45%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160; </font></td>
</tr><tr>
<td valign="top" width="34%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160; </font></td>
<td valign="top" width="45%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160; </font></td>
</tr><tr>
<td valign="top" width="34%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160; </font></td>
<td valign="top" width="45%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160; </font></td>
</tr><tr>
<td valign="top" width="34%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160; </font></td>
<td valign="top" width="45%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160; </font></td>
</tr><tr>
<td align="left" valign="top" width="34%">
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Date:&#160;&#160;May 17, 2010</font></div>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="45%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160; </font></td>
</tr></table>
</div>

<div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br>
</div>

<br>
<div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
<div id="FTR">
<div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160; </font></div>
</div>

<div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always; WIDTH: 100%">
<div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160; </font></div>

<div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
<hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
</div>
</div>

<div id="HDR">
<div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160; </font></div>
</div>
</div>

<br>
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Freeport-McMoRan Copper &amp; Gold Inc.</font></div>

<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Exhibit Index</font></div>

<div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br>
</div>

<div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br>
</div>

<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Exhibit Number</font></font></div>

<div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br>
</div>

<div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%" style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">
<tr>
<td align="left" valign="top" width="3%">
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman"><a href="ex3-1.htm">3.1</a></font></div>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="1%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160; </font></td>
<td align="left" valign="top" width="74%">
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Certificate of Elimination of Series A Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock.</font></div>
</td>
</tr><tr>
<td valign="top" width="3%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160; </font></td>
<td valign="top" width="1%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160; </font></td>
<td valign="top" width="74%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160; </font></td>
</tr></table>
</div>

<div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br>
</div>

<br>
<div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
<div id="FTR">
<div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160; </font></div>
</div>

<div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always; WIDTH: 100%">
<div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160; </font></div>

<div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
<hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
</div>
</div>

<div id="HDR">
<div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160; </font></div>
</div>
</div>

<br>
</body>
</html>
[{"type": "8-K", "sequence": "1", "filename": "fcx051710-8k.htm", "description": "FCX FORM 8-K 5-17-2010", "secsgml_size_bytes": 24743}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "FREEPORT MCMORAN COPPER & GOLD INC", "cik": "0000831259", "assigned-sic": "1000", "irs-number": "742480931", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "001-11307-01", "film-number": "10839914"}, "business-address": {"street1": "333 NORTH CENTRAL AVENUE", "city": "PHOENIX", "state": "AZ", "zip": "85004", "phone": "6023668100"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "333 NORTH CENTRAL AVENUE", "city": "PHOENIX", "state": "AZ", "zip": "85004"}, "former-company": {"former-conformed-name": "FREEPORT MCMORAN COPPER COMPANY INC", "date-changed": "19910114"}}
fcx051710-8k.htm
UNITED STATES
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):  May 17, 2010
FREEPORT-McMoRan COPPER & GOLD INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
1-9916
74-2480931
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
(Commission File Number)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
333 North Central Avenue
Phoenix, Arizona
85004-4414
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (602) 366-8100
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
[ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item 3.03.
Material Modification to Rights of Security Holders.
(a)  The information set forth in Item 5.03 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 5.03.
Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.
(a)  Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. (the "Company") previously reported that on February 2, 2010, its Board of Directors adopted a resolution to allow the Rights Agreement, dated as of May 3, 2000, between the Company and Mellon Investor Services LLC, successor to ChaseMellon Shareholder Services, L.L.C., as Rights Agent (the "Rights Agreement"), as amended by Amendment No. 1 to the Rights Agreement, effective as of February 26, 2002, to expire in accordance with its terms.
The Rights Agreement expired on May 16, 2010.  As a result, each outstanding share of the Company's common stock, par value $0.10 per share (the "Common Stock"), is no longer accompanied by a right to purchase one one-hundredth of a share of the Company's Series A Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock (the "Right").  The holders of Common Stock are not entitled to any payment as a result of the expiration of the Rights Agreement and the Rights issued thereunder.
In connection with the expiration of the Rights Agreement, on May 17, 2010, the Company filed a Certificate of Elimination (the "Certificate of Elimination") with the Secretary of State of Delaware to eliminate all references in the Company's Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to the Company's Series A Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock.  A copy of the Certificate of Elimination is attached hereto as Exhibit 3.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 9.01
Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d)
Exhibits.
The Exhibit included as part of this Current Report is listed in the attached Exhibit Index.
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 hereunto 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:  May 17, 2010
Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc.
Exhibit Index
Exhibit Number
3.1
Certificate of Elimination of Series A Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock.