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Ong, J.J. Fri, 4 Apr 2025 21:06 :51 +0000 Russell, Richard; Winberg, Steven [EXTERNAL] RE: DOE Freeport
Richard, thanks so much .
Hi Steve- you don't remember me, but we first met when you were Asst. Sec. for Fossil Energy and I was at Chevron here in DC. I have since moved to Freeport-McMoRan, a large multinational copper producer, with operations in the U.S. in Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado.
As I think Richard mentioned to you, we are concerned about funding for our MILESHIGH project in southeast Arizona. The project will utilize geothermal energy to support increased copper production. See description below.*
I welcome any advice you have on how to demonstrate our project's alignment with the Administration energy dominance agenda, especially for increasing copper production here in the U.S. As you know, copper is both a Critical Material as defined by DOE and now a Critical Mineral under the executive order issued recently. I am happy to discuss this further at your convenience.
Best, JJ
J.J. Ong
Vice President
Federal Government Relations & International Affairs
jong1@fmi.com I Mobile: (b) (6)
I Direct: (b) (6)
FREEPCNIT-MCMOIIAN
50 F Street NW, Suite 720 Washington, DC 20001
* Clean Energy Demonstration Program on Curre nt and Former Mine Land
Sierra Club v. Dept of Energy, 4:25-cv-5027
SC_EVERSPLIT0020233
MILESHIGH Project OCED awarded the MILESHIGH Project, led by Freeport Minerals Corporation, with more than $3.5 million (of the total project federal cost share of up to $80 million) to begin Phase 1 activities. The project plans to demonstrate the technical viability of direct-use, geothermal, clean heat to enable lowemission recovery of copper from previously mined material. Located at FMC's Morenci and Safford active copper mines in southeast Arizona, this project would use the area's naturally occurring geothermal heat to offset the need for fossil-based heat to increase residual copper yields. FMC also plans to install and operate a microgrid and a utility-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) at the active Morenci copper mine to increase energy resilience and reliability both onsite and for the surrounding community. The MILESHIGH project plans to decrease the mines' reliance for onsite fossil fuel backup generators and eliminate the need to add new natural gas-fired sources of heat to reduce the mines' greenhouse gas emissions and improve the energy and climate resilience of local communities. During Phase 1, Freeport Minerals Corporation will make substantial progress on business agreements, conduct a risk assessment and prepare for local, state, and federal permitting.
Sierra Club v. Dept of Energy, 4:25-cv-5027
SC_EVERSPLIT0020234
From: Russell, Richard <RRussell@nma.org> Sent: Friday, April 4, 2025 4:49 PM To: steven.winberg@hq.doe.gov; Ong, J.J. <jongl@f mi.com> Subject: DOE Freeport
Steve - meet JJ JJ - Steve.
Steve -- JJ works for Freeport and is a great resource on the mineral side. As I mentioned, he is concerned about the non-list. Appreciate any guidance you can share with him.
Thanks again and see you both in Sea Island.
Best, Richard
M! NMA National
Mining Association
Richard M. Russell Senior Vice President of Government and Political Affairs
National Mining Association
101 Constitution Ave. NW, Suite 500 East Washington, D.C. 20001 Direct: (b) (6) rrussell@nma.org
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Sierra Club v. Dept of Energy, 4:25-cv-5027
SC_EVERSPLIT0020235