PHOENIX – Richard Adkerson, chairman and chief executive officer of Freeport-McMoRan, has been selected for induction into the National Mining Hall of Fame in recognition of his lifetime contributions to the company and the global mining industry.

Adkerson has been a longtime champion of responsible mining. As a founding member and past chair of the International Council on Mining and Metals, he advanced initiatives to strengthen environmental and social performance in the mining sector. Today, all 12 of the company’s copper producing sites globally have achieved the Copper Mark, a comprehensive responsible production assurance framework developed specifically for the copper industry.

Adkerson was the primary architect of the “dream come true” acquisition of Phelps Dodge Corporation in a $26 billion transaction that created one of the world’s largest publicly traded copper companies. More than 15 years later, he has continued to lead the company and champion its reputation as a responsible producer and leader in technological advances.

Promoting the safety and the well-being of employees and their communities has been a top priority for Adkerson. His commitment to transparency and ethics, and the ripple effect of his decisions on employees, communities and the environment has been the heart of his success.

He and other 2023 inductees will be honored at the 2023 induction gala scheduled for October 28 in Aurora, Colorado.