Asarco Inc. reported a net loss of...

Asarco Inc. reported a net loss of $24.9 million for the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31, down from a loss of $236.3 million a year earlier. The fourth-quarter results include an unusual charge of $4.5 million to provide for the planned closing of the Columbus, Ohio, zinc-oxide plant in the second quarter of 1986. The 1984 fourth-quarter results included unusual charges of $216 million resulting from the indefinite suspension or permanent closing of some of Asarco’s plants and mines and other write-downs.