SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION






UNITED STATES

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):  October 7, 2004




FREEPORT-McMoRan COPPER & GOLD INC.



           Delaware   

  1-9916

                      74-2480931


       (State or other

            

(Commission

            

        (IRS Employer

        jurisdiction of

           

 File Number)

      

         Identification

        incorporation)

      

         Number)

        



1615 Poydras Street

New Orleans, Louisiana  70112


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



Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:


[ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)


[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)


[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))


[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))





Item 8.01.  Other Events.


Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. (FCX) issued a press release dated October 7, 2004, announcing that its Board of Directors has authorized an increase in its annual common stock dividend from $0.80 per share to $1.00 per share (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 hereunto 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:  October 7, 2004











Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc.

Exhibit Index


Exhibit

Number


99

 

Press release dated October 7, 2004, titled “Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. Announces Increase in Annual Common Stock Dividend to $1.00 per Share.”