Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Awarded for Environmental Efforts

Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold has received recognition from the Arizona Game and Fish Commission for exemplary environmental stewardship and wildlife management. The Commission particularly noted Freeport-McMoRan's habitat conservation efforts for the Mexican free-tail bat in Morenci, AZ.

The Award for Excellence to Freeport-McMoRan is a prestigious award that recognizes individuals and organizations for contributing significantly to the conservation of wildlife and outdoor heritage in Arizona, as well as support for Arizona Game and Fish's mission to conserve, restore and enhance diverse wildlife resources and habits.

Morenci Mine of Freeport-McMoRan is also engaged with Arizona Game and Fish on its management program, called the Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep management. The goal of the program is to ensure sustainable population levels for wildlife viewing and hunting, while reducing human-wildlife conflicts, including wildlife-vehicle collisions in the area.

Morenci Mine partnered with Arizona Game and Fish and others in 2010 to specially design and build a bat-compatible gate at the entrance of the Eagle Creek Bat Cave. Historically, this cave has served as one of the biggest maternity roosts in the Southwest for Mexican free-tail bats. The roost, which was earlier exposed to the risk of human traffic and vandalism, is now secure because the gate protects it from external disturbances, while ensure free movement of the bats.

Photo Credit: boogy_man