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    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">&#160;</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">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;January 11,
      2008</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=""><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>
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            </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%">
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            </td>
          </tr>
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              <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>
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                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%">
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              <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">One
                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>
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              <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>
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              <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>
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      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>
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    <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>
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    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Item
      1.01&#160;&#160;<font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Entry
      into a Material Definitive Agreement</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">On
      January 11, 2008, FM Services Company (FM Services), a wholly owned subsidiary
      of Freeport-McMoRan Copper &amp; Gold Inc. (FCX), entered into a consulting
      agreement with Dr. J. Taylor Wharton. Under the consulting agreement, Dr.
      Wharton will receive an annual fee of $400,000 for consulting services rendered
      in connection with all medical and health affairs affecting FM Services, its
      affiliates and their respective directors, officers and
      employees.&#160;&#160;The initial term of the consulting agreement is from
      January 11, 2008 through December 31, 2008, and is subject to automatic renewal
      on the same terms and conditions for successive one-year 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">In
      connection with entering into the consulting agreement, effective January 11,
      2008, Dr. Wharton has resigned as a member of the Corporate Personnel Committee
      of the Board of Directors of FCX and as the Chairman of the Public Policy
      Committee of the Board of Directors of FCX.&#160;&#160;Dr. Wharton will continue
      to serve as a member of the Board of Directors of FCX and as a member of the
      Public Policy Committee of the Board of Directors of FCX.&#160;&#160;Effective
      January 11, 2008, the FCX Board appointed Stephen H. Siegele to serve as the
      Chairman of the Public Policy Committee of the Board.&#160;&#160;The FCX Board
      consists of sixteen directors, nine of whom are independent as defined under
      the
      New York Stock Exchange director independence standards.</font></div><br>
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    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">&#160;</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="left"><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; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 216pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">FREEPORT-McMoRan
      COPPER &amp; GOLD INC.</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: 216pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">By:
      /s/
      C. Donald Whitmire, Jr.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 234pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">----------------------------------------</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 252pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">C.
      Donald
      Whitmire, Jr.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 252pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Vice
      President and Controller -</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 252pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Financial
      Reporting</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 252pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(authorized
      signatory and</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 252pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Principal
      Accounting Officer)</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="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Date:&#160;&#160;January
      14, 2008</font></div><br>
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{"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": "08528959"}, "business-address": {"street1": "ONE NORTH CENTRAL AVENUE", "city": "PHOENIX", "state": "AZ", "zip": "85004-4414", "phone": "6023668100"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "1615 POYDRAS STREET", "city": "NEW ORLEANS", "state": "LA", "zip": "70112"}, "former-company": {"former-conformed-name": "FREEPORT MCMORAN COPPER COMPANY INC", "date-changed": "19910114"}}
fcx011108-8k.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):  January 11,
      2008
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)
(IRS
                Employer Identification Number)
One
                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
      1.01
Entry
      into a Material Definitive Agreement
.
On
      January 11, 2008, FM Services Company (FM Services), a wholly owned subsidiary
      of Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. (FCX), entered into a consulting
      agreement with Dr. J. Taylor Wharton. Under the consulting agreement, Dr.
      Wharton will receive an annual fee of $400,000 for consulting services rendered
      in connection with all medical and health affairs affecting FM Services, its
      affiliates and their respective directors, officers and
      employees.  The initial term of the consulting agreement is from
      January 11, 2008 through December 31, 2008, and is subject to automatic renewal
      on the same terms and conditions for successive one-year terms.
In
      connection with entering into the consulting agreement, effective January 11,
      2008, Dr. Wharton has resigned as a member of the Corporate Personnel Committee
      of the Board of Directors of FCX and as the Chairman of the Public Policy
      Committee of the Board of Directors of FCX.  Dr. Wharton will continue
      to serve as a member of the Board of Directors of FCX and as a member of the
      Public Policy Committee of the Board of Directors of FCX.  Effective
      January 11, 2008, the FCX Board appointed Stephen H. Siegele to serve as the
      Chairman of the Public Policy Committee of the Board.  The FCX Board
      consists of sixteen directors, nine of whom are independent as defined under
      the
      New York Stock Exchange director independence standards.
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:  January
      14, 2008