![]() BBC News | Freeport Mines Wall St. for Copper Houston Chronicle - By CHRIS KAHN AP Business Writer. © 2006 AP. PHOENIX - By bidding $25.9 billion for Phelps Dodge Freeport-McMoRan is trying to boost its copper reserves the only way possible as precious metal prices soar. UPDATE 2-Investors love Phelps Dodge after Freeport deal $26B deal creates world's largest copper firm |