Premises Description

Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (founded 1912; today headquartered Phoenix AZ following 2007 acquisition of Phelps Dodge), Phelps Dodge Corporation (founded 1834; acquired by Freeport-McMoRan 2007), and Cyprus Amax Minerals (formed 1993 by merger of Cyprus Minerals and Amax Inc.; acquired by Phelps Dodge 1999) collectively operated through the 20th century the largest U.S. copper, molybdenum, and metals mining and smelter network.

Major asbestos-era U.S. mining and smelter operations included:

  • Bagdad AZ, Morenci AZ, Sierrita AZ, Miami AZ, Bisbee AZ — Arizona copper mines and smelters
  • Chino NM, Tyrone NM — New Mexico copper mines
  • Climax CO, Henderson CO — Colorado molybdenum mines
  • Douglas AZ, El Paso TX, Playas NM — smelter operations
  • Grasberg Indonesia — international copper operations
  • Additional international operations

Non-ferrous metals mining and smelting through the asbestos era was among the most asbestos-intensive heavy industry categories documented in U.S. asbestos litigation (see also: Anaconda Copper, ASARCO).

Plaintiffs alleged in publicly filed U.S. asbestos personal-injury and wrongful-death litigation that Freeport-McMoRan / Phelps Dodge / Cyprus Amax mining and smelter operations exposed miners, smelter workers, and contractor pipefitters, insulators, boilermakers, and trade workers to extensive asbestos.

Freeport-McMoRan / Phelps Dodge / Cyprus Amax have been named as Premises Defendants in publicly filed U.S. asbestos personal-injury and wrongful-death litigation.

Workers Exposed

  • United Steelworkers Local members at Freeport / Phelps Dodge / Cyprus Amax mines and smelters
  • Underground and open-pit miners at Arizona copper mines
  • Molybdenum miners at Climax and Henderson CO
  • Insulators (HFIAW Local members) on Freeport / Phelps Dodge construction and turnaround crews
  • Refinery pipefitters and millwrights working Freeport / Phelps Dodge capital projects

If You Worked at a Freeport / Phelps Dodge / Cyprus Amax Mine or Smelter

If you worked at a Freeport-McMoRan, Phelps Dodge, or Cyprus Amax copper, molybdenum, or metals mining or smelter operation during the asbestos era — as an employee or as a dispatched contractor trade worker — and have since been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, lung cancer, or another asbestos-related illness, you may have legal rights.

Free, confidential case evaluation: Speak with O’Brien Law Firm — (314) 936-2956