SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION







SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION


Washington, D.C.  20549




FORM 8-K


CURRENT REPORT


Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the


Securities Exchange Act of 1934


Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  July 14, 2004




FREEPORT-McMoRan COPPER & GOLD INC.



           Delaware   

  1-9916

                      74-2480931


       (State or other

            

(Commission

            

        (IRS Employer

        jurisdiction of

           

  File Number)

      

         Identification

        incorporation or

      

         Number)

        organization)



1615 Poydras Street

New Orleans, Louisiana  70112


Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (504) 582-4000




Item 5.  Other Events and Regulation FD Disclosure.


Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. (FCX) issued a press release dated July 14, 2004, reporting additional successful drilling results at its “Deep MLZ” underground exploration target and an update of Grasberg open pit operations (see exhibit 99).


                                



SIGNATURE



Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.


FREEPORT-McMoRan COPPER & GOLD INC.



By: \s\ C. Donald Whitmire, Jr.

     ----------------------------------------

           C. Donald Whitmire, Jr.

      Vice President and Controller -

         Financial Reporting

         (authorized signatory and

        Principal Accounting Officer)


Date:  July 14, 2004











Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc.

Exhibit Index


Exhibit

Number


99

 

Press release dated July 14, 2004, titled “Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. Updates Exploration Activities at Deep MLZ and Grasberg Open Pit Operations.”