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):  April 9, 1997



                         FREEPORT-McMoRan COPPER & GOLD INC.


           Delaware                  1-9916            74-2480931

        (State or other           (Commission        (IRS Employer          
         jurisdiction of           File Number)       Identification
         incorporation or                             Number)
         organization)


                                 1615 Poydras Street
                            New Orleans, Louisiana  70112

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


Item 5.  Other Events.


The following news  release was  issued by  Freeport-McMoRan Copper  &
Gold Inc. on April 9, 1997:

Freeport-McMoRan Copper &  Gold Inc. (FCX)  and Freeport-McMoRan  Inc.
(FTX) announced today that the U.S. District Court has ruled in  favor
of FCX's and  FTX's motions to  dismiss the $6  billion lawsuit  filed
against them.  This ruling confirms  that the lawsuit, filed by a  New
Orleans attorney on behalf of Tom  Beanal, an Indonesian citizen,  had
no basis in law.

      On  March  12,  1997,  a  Louisiana  state  court  dismissed  an
identical  lawsuit  filed  on  behalf  of  Yosefa  Alomang,  also   an
Indonesian citizen.  The state lawsuit was filed by the same  attorney
and contained the same baseless  allegations as the dismissed  federal
lawsuit.

     FCX intends to continue  its work with the  local people and  the
Government of  Indonesia  to  implement  the  Government's  Integrated
Timika Development Plan to meet the needs of the local people in Irian
Jaya.  FCX remains  committed to working with  all groups and  parties
for the benefit of the  indigenous people through educational,  health
care, job  creation  and  job  training  programs  and  infrastructure
enhancement projects.

    FCX is engaged in mineral exploration and development, mining  and
milling of copper, gold  and silver in Irian  Jaya, Indonesia and  the
smelting and refining of  copper concentrates in Spain.   FCX is  also
involved  in   a   joint   venture  to   construct   and   operate   a
smelter/refinery in Indonesia.




                              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, thereunto duly authorized.

                              FREEPORT-McMoRan COPPER & GOLD INC.


                              By:  /s/ Michael A. Weaver
                                   ----------------------------------
                                         Michael A. Weaver
                                    Controller - Financial Reporting
                                       (authorized signatory and
                                      Principal Accounting Officer)

Date:  April 10, 1997