HIGH MINERAL PRICES BOOST PROSPECTS FOR ASARCO CLEANUPS, EPA SAYS

High mineral prices -- especially for copper -- are boosting EPA and state prospects for collecting the majority of cleanup liabilities from bankrupt mining giant ASARCO, EPA and state sources say, pointing to several recent agreements where ASARCO is pledging to pay significant cleanup costs. Last month, EPA and ASARCO, which is a potentially responsible party (PRP) at 100 separate mining sites across the country, filed an amended consent decree covering sites in Colorado. Under the agreement, ASARCO is agreeing...