Freeport McMoran

Freeport-McMoRan donates medical supplies and more to COVID-19 relief efforts.

April 29, 2020

When you're big, strong and good at something, you can be a powerful force and the neighbor everyone turns to when people are most in need.

Building on years of partnering with communities, Freeport-McMoRan is using the strength of its considerable global supply chain to acquire, purchase, donate and deliver much needed medical supplies and more to COVID-19 relief efforts after Community Development reached out to its community partners to see what they needed most and coordinated the effort. Watch the video.

"The safety of our employees and our communities are of the utmost importance to us. We are pleased to help address our community's most urgent needs and will work in collaboration with all our partners to address the longer-term recovery," said Tracy Bame, Director-Social Responsibility and Community Development.

This is particularly significant, as many of the health-care clinics and hospitals in communities where the company operates are in rural, remote locations, both in North America and around the world. 

"This is a way we can leverage one of our strengths to benefit health-care providers in our communities, locating supplies they were really struggling to acquire," said Danny Hughes, Vice President-Supply Chain. "I'm really proud of our Global Supply Chain. Once we mobilized the teams, it was inspiring to see how everybody jumped in, helped secure and distribute these much needed items."

Delivering the goods in North America
From the company's Sierrita operations in Arizona, GSC has been boxing and sending out thousands of items to hospitals, health clinics and organizations in three states and six tribal nations over the last two weeks.

"We looked at the list of everything the hospitals and first responders had requested when the company reached out and targeted those resources to ensure our support addressed critical community needs," said Morgan Johnson, Manager-Strategic Category Management.

Donations sent throughout North America include personal protective equipment such as 1,500 pairs of unvented goggles and 1,000 clear face shields. Many of the items donated also point to the preparation hospitals are making to accommodate an anticipated influx of patients by modifying facilities. These included 46 tents with side panels, Tyvek material to make many more tents and side panels, heavy duty tape, folding tables, wire racks, and ice chests. 

One of the recipients, Green Valley Fire District in southern Arizona, thanked the company for always supporting the community.  "During these trying times, it's so encouraging to experience such strong partnerships that strengthen our community's resolve," said L.T. Pratt, Green Valley Fire District Public Information Officer. "Our friends at Freeport-McMoRan always have demonstrated their commitment to that partnership! Thank you once again for your help in this time of need."

Worldwide relief
In Arequipa, Peru, Cerro Verde operations donated funds for the purchase of 10 non-invasive CPAP ventilators to assist patients diagnosed with coronavirus in the region. 

Cerro Verde also has contributed to the acquisition of half a million test kits for the Peruvian government and tens of thousands of coveralls, face masks, disposable boots and gloves to regional health centers. In addition, the company provided bus transportation for health-care workers and donated 1,000 food baskets to families in an area directly impacted by COVID-19. 

In Chile, El Abra is donating three respirators and a fully equipped ambulance to Carlos Cisternas Hospital, the public hospital of Calama, as well as other medical supplies to local organizations.

More than five villages of the Amungme and Kamoro tribes in Papua near the company's operations at PT Freeport Indonesia are receiving significant help with food, COVID-19 prevention and monetary donations. In addition, PTFI's Malaria Center disinfected more than 38 tons of aircraft cargo, passenger luggage and relief packages sent to Jayapura, Tisnga village and Tembagapura. 

"We are continuing to help the local community meet their critical needs during this pandemic in coordination with the Mimika Regency COVID-19 Task Force and other entities," said Claus Wamafma, Senior Vice President-Social Responsibility and Community Development at PTFI. "The first phase of donations went out April 9 and included staples for more than 4,500 people, and we will continue those donations."

The Atlantic Copper Foundation in Huelva, Spain, where the company operates a smelter, has donated more than $20,000 for the acquisition and installation of video surveillance systems in their community's three public hospitals. This makes it possible to carry out faster and more effective health-care screenings of patients, significantly reducing the risk of infection and favoring the safety of health-care personnel against COVID-19.  

The Atlantic Copper Foundation is also collecting employee donations for the Food Bank of Huelva, with the commitment to double the amount raised. 

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