Asarco will take a $216-million special charge.

The New York-based firm said the charge, which will be taken against its fourth-quarter results, reflects the shutdown of mines and plants and a write-down in other asset values. As a result of the charge, the metals mining and refining company said it expects to post a loss for the fourth quarter and the full year. It said that, even without the charge, it would have had an operating loss for both periods.