Freeport Q3 2026 update: copper output in line, about 60,000 oz of gold sales deferred
Freeport-McMoRan said third-quarter 2026 copper production was about 830 million pounds, in line with its expectations. Gold sales timing at PT Freeport Indonesia moved about 60 thousand ounces of refined gold into fourth-quarter 2026, and unit net cash costs are expected to be about 5% above the July estimate. The update points to steady operations but higher costs and lower gold sales for the quarter, and full third-quarter results are due October 27, 2026.
Key points
- Third-quarter copper production of about 830 million pounds and gold production of about 230 thousand ounces, both in line with expectations.
- Third-quarter gold sales are expected to be about 100 thousand ounces, below the July 2026 estimate, due to deferred sales.
- Unit net cash costs are expected to be about 5% above the July 2026 estimate of $2.00 per pound of copper, mainly from lower by-product credits.
- Full third-quarter 2026 earnings results are scheduled for release before the market opens on October 27, 2026.
The filing
Written by AI on Nov 8, 2026, 1:21 AM ET, from this filing only. Written later: this filing was briefed after the fact, when past filings were added to the site, so the brief may be read with hindsight; the filing itself is the record of what was known on October 02, 2026.
Briefs are written by AI from the filing text and can contain mistakes — open the filing before acting on anything. Impact (1-5) and tone are the AI's reading of the filing for shareholders, not a price forecast. Not investment advice.