Exhibit 99


                         	NYSE Common Stock Symbols:
                         	Class A shares - FCX.A     Class B shares - FCX


Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc.	   Financial Contacts:
P.O. Box 61119	                        Chris D. Sammons	 Paul A Connolly
New Orleans, Louisiana  70161 	        (504) 582-4474	   (504) 582-4204

                                       Media Contact:
                                       Garland Robinette
                                       (504) 582-1627

         FREEPORT-McMoRan COPPER & GOLD INC. ADOPTS
               STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN

NEW ORLEANS, LA, May 4, 2000 - Freeport-McMoRan Copper &
Gold Inc. (NYSE:FCX) today announced that its Board of
Directors has adopted a shareholder rights plan.  The
rights plan is designed to enable all FCX stockholders to
realize the full value of their investment and to provide
for fair and equal treatment for stockholders in the
event of an unsolicited attempt to acquire FCX.  This
plan does not prohibit the Board from considering any
offer that might be advantageous to its stockholders.
FCX has no knowledge of any unsolicited attempt to
acquire FCX.

     One right will be distributed as a dividend to
shareholders of record on May 16, 2000 for each share of
Class A and Class B common stock held.  Subject to
certain conditions, the rights will be exercisable if a
person, other than Rio Tinto plc, acquires or announces
the intent to acquire 20 percent or more of either FCX's
Class A or Class B common stock.  FCX's 1995 Shareholder
Agreement with Rio Tinto, which currently owns 23.9
million shares of FCX's Class A common stock, provides
that Rio Tinto will not acquire voting rights to elect
more than 50 percent of the members of FCX's Board of
Directors without negotiating with FCX's Board.

     If exercisable, each right would give the holder,
other than the acquirer, the ability to purchase an
additional share of FCX Class B common stock from the
company at 50 percent of the market price.  The effect
would be to discourage acquisition of 20 percent or more
of FCX's Class A or Class B common stock without
negotiations with the Board of Directors.

     The rights will expire on May 3, 2010, unless
redeemed or exchanged at an earlier date.  A notice
explaining the rights plan will be mailed to stockholders
of record in the near future.  The rights initially will
trade with shares of FCX's common stock and will have no
impact on the way in which FCX's shares are traded.
There are currently no separate certificates and there is
no market for the rights.

    	FCX is engaged in mineral exploration and
development, mining and milling of copper, gold and
silver in Indonesia, and the smelting and refining of
copper concentrates in Spain and Indonesia.  A copy of
this press release and additional information about FCX
are available on our web site at www.fcx.com.