Kathleen Lynne Quirk
Summary
Kathleen Lynne Quirk is Freeport-McMoRan’s President, Chief Executive Officer and a director, having joined the company in 1989 and become CEO in June 2024. ([fcx.com](https://www.fcx.com/node/122?utm_source=openai))
Biography
Quirk has spent more than three decades at Freeport-McMoRan, working across tax, investor relations, corporate development and treasury before becoming Chief Financial Officer in 2003. She was named President in 2021, joined the board in 2023 and succeeded Richard Adkerson as CEO effective June 11, 2024. ([fcx.com](https://www.fcx.com/node/122?utm_source=openai)) Her background combines corporate finance, capital markets, regulatory matters and mining-industry strategy rather than direct operating leadership at a single mine. She is a Louisiana State University graduate, serves on the board of Vulcan Materials Company, and is a member of The Business Council and the Business Roundtable. ([fcx.com](https://www.fcx.com/node/122?utm_source=openai)) Quirk has received industry recognition including The Copper Club’s 2024 Ankh Award and induction into the American Mining Hall of Fame in 2025. During her tenure as CEO, she has overseen efforts to restart Freeport Indonesia’s Manyar smelter after a 2024 fire and to manage the recovery of the Grasberg operation after a deadly 2025 mine accident. ([fcx.com](https://www.fcx.com/freeport-features/022324?utm_source=openai))
Notable achievements
- Built a long tenure across Freeport-McMoRan’s finance, investor-relations, treasury and corporate-development functions before becoming CEO. ([fcx.com](https://www.fcx.com/node/122?utm_source=openai))
- Led the CEO succession from Richard Adkerson in June 2024 while retaining continuity in Freeport’s copper-focused strategy. ([sec.gov](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/831259/000083125924000023/fcx-20240611.htm?utm_source=openai))
- Helped oversee the accelerated repair and restart of the Manyar smelter in Indonesia after its October 2024 fire. ([ptfi.co.id](https://ptfi.co.id/id/news/detail/smelter-beroperasi-lebih-cepat-ceo-freeport-mcmoran-pastikan-langsung-ke-gresik?utm_source=openai))
- Received The Copper Club’s 2024 Ankh Award for contributions to the copper industry. ([fcx.com](https://www.fcx.com/freeport-features/022324?utm_source=openai))
- Was inducted into the American Mining Hall of Fame in 2025. ([fcx.com](https://www.fcx.com/node/122?utm_source=openai))
Problem areas / controversies
- The Grasberg operation suffered a major 2025 mud-flow accident that killed seven workers, shut much of the mine and reduced Freeport’s production outlook; the incident occurred during her tenure as CEO. ([m.investing.com](https://m.investing.com/news/stock-market-news/freeportmcmoran-beats-quarterly-profit-estimates-on-higher-copper-prices-4808736?ampMode=1&utm_source=openai))
- The Manyar smelter experienced a fire in October 2024, delaying its ramp-up and requiring repairs before operations resumed in 2025. ([pwc.com](https://www.pwc.com/id/en/media-centre/infrastructure-news/may-2025/fcx-monitors-initial-operations-of-manyar-smelter.html?utm_source=openai))
- Freeport-McMoRan continues to face longstanding criticism and regulatory scrutiny connected with environmental impacts, community relations and workplace safety at some mining operations; much of this history predates Quirk’s CEO tenure. ([violationtracker.goodjobsfirst.org](https://violationtracker.goodjobsfirst.org/parent/freeport-mcmoran?utm_source=openai))
- Public reporting has not identified a major personal misconduct controversy involving Quirk; the principal concerns associated with her role are operational execution, safety and the company’s broader environmental and social record.