Exhibit 23.1              


               CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


 As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation
 by reference of our reports included herein or incorporated by reference 
 in this Form 10-K, into Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc.'s previously 
 filed Registration Statements on Form S-3 (File Nos. 33-45787, 33-63376, 
 33-52503 and 333-02699) and on Form S-8 (File Nos. 33-63267, 33-63269 and 
 33-63271).


                               /s/ Arthur Andersen LLP
                               -----------------------
                                   Arthur Andersen LLP


New Orleans, Louisiana,
  March 19, 1999