VOL. 09 | ISSUE 2 | Summer 2026
Our Voices
What role do you see the metals Freeport produces playing in America’s next 250 years?
Kris Cole
Infrastructure Technician II-Henderson
“Leveraging our unique position at the Henderson underground molybdenum mine, Freeport supplies a large amount of the highest quality molybdenum on the market. These materials will be essential to strengthening America’s energy infrastructure—supporting power generation, transmission and advanced low carbon technologies for the next 250 years.”
Jeff Duerr
Senior Supervisor Operations-El Paso
“I would say that the metals Freeport produces are critical to national security. I see a company like ours supplying the crucial materials needed to build and manufacture electric vehicles, AI infrastructure and power solutions such as solar panels over the next 250 years.”
Edgar Gomez
Manager, Human Resources-Morenci
“From an HR perspective in the mining industry, the metals Freeport produces – specifically copper – are critical to America’s future, supporting infrastructure development, clean energy initiatives, long-term economic growth, etc. With a strong and sustained demand for all metals the company produces, it also enables quality jobs, workforce development and long-term community stability, particularly in rural regions where mining operations play a vital economic role.”
Raven Jackson
Senior Metallurgist-Chino
“The metals that Freeport produces will play a critical role in America’s next 250 years by enabling the expansion of power grid infrastructure. As new technology increases, the demand for electricity, power grid reliability becomes increasingly important.”
Zach Maneri
Product Support and Development Technician-Technology Center Tucson
“Freeport will have a long-lasting impact on the metals we produce, and copper will have a great influence on technology for years to come. Molybdenum will provide a great deal on new and future buildings and machines.”
Mindy Martin
Planner II-Sierrita
“In the next 250 years, I think we will continue to see our metals being used to power our country, whether that be with new batteries or in electric vehicle infrastructure including in cars, planes, trains and boats. I think 3D printing technology will evolve to where products can be easily made from copper and molybdenum. I also think we’ll see the antimicrobial properties of copper being harnessed even more.”
Jacob May
Metallurgist II-Safford
“When looking at a timeline as long as 250 years, I feel that the trajectory of AI must be taken into consideration, more specifically data centers. On a long enough timeline, there will be advancements in construction and infrastructure of these data centers. However, cooling strategies such as air conditioning are well established and will continue to require copper and the construction material will continue to incorporate steel alloyed with molybdenum for structural properties and corrosion resistance.”
Dakota Oberman
Production Operator I-Fort Madison
“I see the metals produced by Freeport playing a foundational role to America’s next 250 years. Copper will power electrification – power grids, electric vehicles and renewable energy. Gold will remain important for financial stability and advanced electronics. Molybdenum will strengthen infrastructure, defense systems and high-tech manufacturing. The metals Freeport produce will be critical to energy transition, national security, and long-term industrial growth for our great nation.”
David Olivas
Supervisor, Maintenance-El Paso
“I see Freeport playing a part in innovation by extracting and processing metals for mankind’s daily use and applications and by supplying necessary metals to clients working to advance technologies.”
Stefan O’Neal
Senior Supervisor, Technical Training-Miami
“When I think about Freeport in the next 250 years, I think about continuity. Every generation builds on the physical work of the one before it, and that work depends on materials that are reliable and foundational. Copper and other metals that Freeport produces have played that role since the earliest days of this country, and it’s not going away.”
Heather Veasey
Senior Geologist-Safford
“Metals like copper are only going to increase in demand with continued innovations in technology and green energy. Since I got into this industry, the ways we conduct exploration and mining have changed rapidly, and I look forward to seeing how Freeport continues to adapt to these changes and steps up to meet the increased demand.”