For Immediate Release
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NEWS RELEASE
[PHELPS DODGE LOGO]
Media: Peter J. Faur
(602) 366-7993
Investors: Stanton K. Rideout
(602) 366-8589
Phelps Dodge Agrees to Acquire Heisei's Interest in Chino Mines Co.
PHOENIX, July 31, 2003 - Phelps Dodge Corp. (NYSE: PD) announced today that one
of its wholly owned subsidiaries has agreed to acquire Heisei Minerals
Corp.'s one-third general partnership interest in Chino Mines Co. ("Chino") in
New Mexico. Phelps Dodge Chino, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Phelps Dodge
Corp., owns the remaining two-thirds general partnership interest in Chino.
In connection with this transaction, Heisei will pay, on behalf of Chino,
approximately $62 million in cash to a trust to fund closure, closeout and
reclamation obligations of Chino. Heisei's payment to the trust represents a
one-third share of an estimate by the State of New Mexico of the amount of
financial assurance Chino must provide in connection with its current permits.
If one third of the actual financial assurance amount initially required exceeds
$62 million, Heisei will make an additional payment to the trust to fulfill its
agreement to pay one third of Chino's financial assurance obligations.
Under terms of the agreement with Heisei, Chino Acquisition Inc., a wholly owned
subsidiary of Phelps Dodge, will assume all liabilities of Heisei related to the
transferred partnership interest except for certain liabilities relating to
reclamation and other environmental obligations in New Mexico. Phelps Dodge has
agreed to provide, if necessary, Chino Acquisition Inc. with funds sufficient to
discharge such assumed liabilities. In addition, Heisei will pay $50 million to
Chino Acquisition Inc. for its share of other obligations related to Chino.
Completion of the transaction, which is subject to certain closing conditions,
is expected to occur this fall. Heisei is a joint venture between Mitsubishi
Materials Corp. and Mitsubishi Corp.
Under the proposed trust arrangement, if Chino were unable to complete any
required closure, closeout and reclamation work, New Mexico would gain access to
the trust funds to complete the work. Funds in the proposed trust can be used
only for Chino closure, closeout and reclamation work; they also will serve as a
component of the financial assurance agreement with New Mexico that Phelps Dodge
and the state announced on May 22.
PHELPS DODGE/HEISEI PAGE 2 OF 2
Timothy R. Snider, president of Phelps Dodge Mining Co., said: "We are pleased
to be acquiring Heisei's one-third interest in Chino Mines Co. The Chino
operation is an important piece of Phelps Dodge's portfolio, and owning 100
percent gives us additional operating flexibility. We are looking forward to
many years of copper production from these facilities.
"The agreement announced today also represents a significant step toward
fulfilling the commitment of Phelps Dodge and Heisei to provide full and
substantial financial assurance for their mined land reclamation obligations in
New Mexico. The cash to be contributed to the trust provides assurance that
funds will be available for closure, closeout and reclamation of Chino Mines
properties far into the future.
"We have enjoyed our partnership with Heisei and wish them all the best. We have
weathered some difficult times together during this downturn in the copper price
cycle. Through our partnership, we have developed a property at Chino that we
believe will be economically viable for many years."
Phelps Dodge Corp. is the world's second-largest producer of copper, a
world leader in the production of molybdenum, the largest producer of
molybdenum-based chemicals and continuous-cast copper rod, and among the leading
producers of magnet wire and carbon black. The company's two divisions, Phelps
Dodge Mining Co. and Phelps Dodge Industries, employ approximately 13,500 people
in 27 countries.
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