Freeport does not want to be 'distracted' by buyout offers, CFO says
Freeport-McMoRan does not want to be distracted by any buyout offers and is focused on expanding its Grasberg copper-and-gold mine in Indonesia and boosting cash flow, CFO Kathleen Quirk said on Tuesday.
Executives at rival miner Barrick Gold have openly talked in recent months about their interest in buying all or part of Freeport, especially Grasberg, the world's largest copper mine.
No official offer has been made, and Freeport CEO Richard Adkerson has said he has no interest in any sale.
Quirk's comments on Tuesday underscored that opposition.