Facing Various Asbestos Related Lawsuits ---------------------------------------- Published November 01, 2002 American Smelting and Refining Co. Inc. and two subsidiaries, as of September 30, 1999, are defendants in 1,377 lawsuits brought by 5,950 primary and 1,036 secondary plaintiffs seeking substantial actual and punitive damages for personal injury or death allegedly caused by exposure to asbestos. Three of these lawsuits are purported class actions, two of which are allegedly brought on behalf of persons who are not known to have asbestos-related injury. The third is purportedly brought on behalf of persons suing both tobacco-related and asbestos-related entities claiming damages for personal injury or death arising from exposure to asbestos and cigarette smoke. In addition, the Company and certain subsidiaries are defendants in product liability lawsuits involving various other products, including metals. COMPANY PROFILE ASARCO Inc. 2575 E. Camelback Rd., Ste. 500 Phoenix, AZ 85016 Phone: 602-977-6500 Fax: 602-977-6701 http://www.asarco.com Revenues : $777,400,000.00 As of December 31, 2001 Description: ASARCO Inc., a subsidiary of diversified mining firm Grupo Mexico, is a leading miner, refiner, and smelter. Each year it produces around 850 million pounds of copper, 330 million pounds of zinc, and 20 million ounces of silver. ASARCO's mines are primarily in the Southwestern US. The company also produces semi-finished copper products such as rod, cake, and billet. Several of ASARCO's assets, including its 54% stake in Southern Peru Copper Corp. (SPCC), were shifted to Grupo Mexico after the company's acquisition.