Cerro Verde Copper Coin Honors U.S.-Peru Relations

August 8, 2026 - A commemorative coin crafted from copper produced at Cerro Verde was unveiled during a recent ceremony at Miami Dade College in Florida, celebrating the bicentennial of diplomatic relations between the United States and Peru.

U.S. Ambassador to Peru Bernie Navarro unveiled the copper replica of the official commemorative coin issued by the Central Reserve Bank of Peru. Julia Torreblanca, Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs-Cerro Verde, was among a group of dignitaries who spoke at the event.

Created specifically for the bicentennial celebration, the unique piece was made from 136 pounds of high-purity copper (99.999 percent) produced at Cerro Verde's electrowinning plant in Arequipa. Measuring 35 inches in diameter and almost half an inch thick, the replica of the official coin features two iconic landmarks: Miami, Florida’s Freedom Tower and Peru's Machu Picchu. Peruvian artist Gino Torres transformed the Arequipa copper into a work of historical importance.

"Freeport's significant presence in Arequipa reflects a long-term, responsible U.S. investment, thousands of Peruvian jobs and decades of collaboration,” Torreblanca said to those in attendance at the ceremony. “When we were asked to help commemorate 200 years of diplomatic relations between the United States and Peru, we did not hesitate.

“This copper comes from Peruvian soil, was produced by proud and responsible miners in Arequipa, shaped by a Peruvian artist and now honors a bond between two nations that continues to grow stronger."

Torreblanca also thanked the more than 5,400 Cerro Verde employees and contract workers whose efforts helped make the project possible. She also noted that, in addition to supplying copper and molybdenum, Cerro Verde supports water infrastructure and community development in Arequipa and across Peru.