While the strike at Cerro Verde has not had affected production as seriously as Grasberg, Freeport is working with a skeleton crew of workers which could eventually take its toll on production.

FORBES: Freeport Strikes Further Limiting Supply For Copper Market

The growth in production next year will come from the Grasberg mine in Indonesia as well as brownfield expansion programs at Morenci in North America, Cerro Verde in South America, and Tenke Fungurume in Africa.

FORBES: Freeport Banks Future On Better Copper Production And Energy Exploration