Freeport cranks up copper output as rivals scour for deals to grow

Freeport-McMoRan is turbo-charging its copper output across three continents with no plans to join a buyout frenzy sweeping the mining industry, a strategy that analysts say positions the company well to capitalize on the clean energy transition's rising demand for the red metal.

Used widely across the global economy, copper is an ideal conductor of electricity and easily malleable, qualities that have made it widely popular for use in wiring, engines, construction equipment, electronics and other devices.