Environment

President of Atlantic Copper, a Subsidiary of Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, wins the Spanish Environment Club Medal

Jan 1, 2013 10:00 AM ET
Campaign: Freeport-McMoRan: Environment & Ecology

President of Atlantic Copper Javier Targhetta was honored with a Spanish Environment Club medal for his longtime efforts to promote environmental responsibility and sustainable development.

Targhetta received the honor at a special medal ceremony in Madrid, Spain, and later was personally congratulated by the King of Spain H.M. Juan Carlos I, who held a Royal Audience for the occasion.

The Spanish Environment Club was formed in 1997 to promote environmental responsibility and sustainable development in Spain.

Club board members unanimously voted that Targhetta receive the medal, with Club president Rafael Fernández Rubio saying that Atlantic Copper’s work, “is based on a profound respect for the right of this and future generations to enjoy a healthy environment and a habitable planet, in accordance with the Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold philosophy.”

Under Targhetta’s leadership, Atlantic Copper has marked several environmental firsts, including:

  • The first multinational company in the copper industry to receive ISO 50001 certification (for its energy management system)
  • One of the first companies in Andalucía to be awarded the Integrated Environment Authorization
  • One of the first companies to sign a voluntary agreement with the Andalucía regional government to reduce environmental impacts below the legally established norms

During the past two decades, Atlantic Copper has invested more than $250 million for environmental improvement efforts and has obtained several certifications in addition to ISO 50001.

It also has partnered with the Huelva provincial government on conservation and education efforts for the Marismas del Odiel Natural Park. The park is the second most significant wetland reserves in Andalucía and is located near the site.

For further information about how Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. minimizes environmental impacts in the areas in which they operate, please visit their website at http://www.fcx.com/envir/envir.htm

Please see the 2011 Working Toward Sustainable Development Report for more information on all of their social, economic and environmental efforts. http://www.fcx.com/envir/wtsd/pdf-wtsd/2011/WTSD_Bk_2011.pdf