DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-40,103

ASARCO INCORPORATED
MISSION COMPLEX
SAHUARITA, ARIZONA

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance

In accordance with Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19
USC 2273) as amended by the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act
of 1988 (P. L. 100-418), the Department of Labor herein presents
the results of an investigation regarding certification of eligi-
bility to apply for worker adjustment assistance.
In order to make an affirmative determination and issue a
certification of eligibility to apply for adjustment assistance
each of the group eligibility requirements of Section 222 of the
Act must be met. It is determined in this case that all of the
requirements have been met.


The investigation was initiated in response to a petition
received on September 24, 2001, and filed by a company official on
behalf of workers of the Mission Complex of Asarco Incorporated at
Sahuarita, Arizona. The workers are engaged in the production of
copper ore and concentrate.
The investigation revealed that production, sales and
employment declined. The company is a major domestic producer of
refined copper in the United States. Layoffs at the Mission
Complex were caused by a reduced demand for copper ore and
concentrate from affiliated facilities whose workforce has been
adversely impacted by imports of refined copper, as demonstrated in
the concurrent investigation, TA-W-40,104. Aggregate U.S. imports
of refined copper increased significantly during the year 2000,
followed by further increases in January through September 2001.
U.S. production of refined copper declined during the corresponding
period. The U.S. import to production ratio of refined copper
increased significantly during the relevant period.
A certification applicable to the petitioning workers was
issued on September 30, 1999 (TA-W-36,629). That certification
remained in effect until September 30, 2001.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the investiga-
tion, I conclude that increases of imports of articles like or
directly competitive with copper produced at Asarco, Incorporated
contributed importantly to the decline in sales or production and
to the total or partial separation of workers of that firm. In
accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make the following
certification:




"All workers of Asarco, Incorporated at the Mission Complex in
Sahuarita, Arizona who became totally or partially separated
from employment on or after October 1, 2001, through two years
from the date of certification are eligible to apply for
adjustment assistance under Section 223 of the Trade Act of
1974."
Signed in Washington, D. C. this 20th day of February, 2002.

/s/ Linda G. Poole
_______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance