ASARCO INC
8-A12B/A, 1999-11-08
PRIMARY SMELTING & REFINING OF NONFERROUS METALS
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                     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                           Washington, D.C. 20549

                                 FORM 8-A/A
                              Amendment No. 4

             FOR REGISTRATION OF CERTAIN CLASSES OF SECURITIES
                  PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE
                      SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


                            ASARCO Incorporated
     ------------------------------------------------------------------
           (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

      New Jersey                                13-492440
 -----------------------------------    ----------------------------
 (State or other jurisdiction                    (IRS Employer
      of incorporation)                         Identification No.)

 180 Maiden Lane, New York, New York                   10038
 ------------------------------------   --------------------------
 (Address of principal executive offices)            (Zip Code)


 If this Form relates to the registration of a class of debt securities and
 is effective upon filing pursuant to General Instruction A.(c)(1), please
 check the following box. [ ]

 If this Form relates to the registration of a class of debt securities and
 is to become effective simultaneously with the effectiveness of a
 concurrent registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933 pursuant
 to General Instruction A.(c)(2), please check the following box. [ ]

     Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

      Title of each class              Name of each exchange on which
      to be so registered              each class is to be registered

      Rights to purchase Junior
      Participating Preferred Stock      New York Stock Exchange
      -----------------------------      ---------------------------

     Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

                                    None
     -----------------------------------------------------------------
                              (Title of class)


 Item 1.   Description of Securities to be Registered.

      Item 1 is amended by adding the following:

           "On October 5, 1999, the  Company entered into an amendment to
      the rights plan in connection with the transactions contemplated by
      the agreement and plan of merger between the Company and Phelps Dodge
      Corporation, which agreement was subsequently terminated.  On October
      25, 1999, the Company entered into an amendment to the rights plan in
      connection with the transactions contemplated by the agreement and
      plan of merger between the Company and Grupo Mexico, S.A. de C.V.
      Copies of such amendments are attached hereto as Exhibits 4.4 and 4.5
      and are incorporated herein by reference."

 Item 2.   Exhibits.

           Item 2 is hereby amended by adding the following exhibits:


 EXHIBIT NO.         EXHIBIT

  4.4      Amendment Number Two dated as of October 5, 1999, to Rights
           Agreement, dated as of January 28, 1998, between ASARCO
           Incorporated and The Bank of New York, as Rights Agent.

 4.5       Amendment Number Three dated as of October 25, 1999, to Rights
           Agreement, dated as of January 28, 1998, between ASARCO
           Incorporated and The Bank of New York, as Rights Agent.


                                 SIGNATURES

           Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities
 Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be
 signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

                               ASARCO Incorporated
                                    (Registrant)

                               By: /s/ Francis R. McAllister
                                   -------------------------------
                                    Name:  Francis R. McAllister
                                    Title: Chairman & CEO
 Dated:    November 8, 1999



                             INDEX TO EXHIBITS



 EXHIBIT NO.         EXHIBIT

  4.4      Amendment Number Two dated as of October 5, 1999, to Rights
           Agreement, dated as of January 28, 1998, between ASARCO
           Incorporated and The Bank of New York, as Rights Agent.

 4.5       Amendment Number Three dated as of October 25, 1999, to Rights
           Agreement, dated as of January 28, 1998, between ASARCO
           Incorporated and The Bank of New York, as Rights Agent.



                     AMENDMENT TO 1998 RIGHTS AGREEMENT


            Amendment Number Two, dated as of October 5, 1999, to the
Rights Agreement, dated as of January 28, 1998 (the "Rights Agreement"),
between ASARCO Incorporated, a New Jersey corporation (the "Company"), and
The Bank of New York, as Rights Agent (the "Rights Agent").

            WHEREAS, the Company and the Rights Agent entered into the
Rights Agreement specifying the terms of the Rights (as defined therein);

            WHEREAS, the Company desires to amend the Rights Agreement in
accordance with Section 26 of the Rights Agreement;

            WHEREAS, the Company proposes to enter into the Agreement and
Plan of Merger, dated as of October 5, 1999 (the "Phelps Dodge Merger
Agreement"), among Phelps Dodge Corporation, AAV Corporation and the
Company;

            WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company deems it
advisable and in the best interest of its shareholders to amend the Rights
Agreement to enable the Company to enter into the Phelps Dodge Merger
Agreement and consummate the transactions contemplated thereby without
causing the Rights to become exercisable.

            NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual
agreements set forth herein and in the Rights Agreement, the parties hereby
agree as follows:

            Section 1.  Definitions.  Capitalized terms used and not
otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning assigned to such terms in
the Rights Agreement.

            Section 2.  Amendments to Rights Agreement.  The Rights
Agreement is hereby amended as set forth in this Section 2.

                  (a) The definition of "Acquiring Person" in Section 1(a)
      of the Rights Agreement is hereby amended by adding the following
      sentence at the end thereof:

          "Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, none
          of Phelps Dodge Corporation, AAV Corporation or any Subsidiary of
          either shall be deemed an Acquiring Person solely by reason or as
          a result of the execution or delivery of the Phelps Dodge Merger
          Agreement, the Phelps Dodge Offer or the consummation of the
          Phelps Dodge Offer or the Phelps Dodge Merger or any other
          transaction contemplated by the Phelps Dodge Merger Agreement."

                  (b) The definition of "Stock Acquisition Date" in Section
      1 of the Rights Agreement is hereby amended by adding the following
      sentence to the end of paragraph (l) of Section 1:

          "A Stock Acquisition Date shall not occur as a result of the
          execution or delivery of the Phelps Dodge Merger Agreement, the
          Phelps Dodge Offer or the consummation of the Phelps Dodge Offer,
          the Phelps Dodge Merger or any other transaction contemplated by
          the Phelps Dodge Merger Agreement"

                  (c) Section 3 of the Rights Agreement is hereby amended
      by adding the following sentence to the end of the paragraph (a) in
      Section 3:

          "Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, a
          Distribution Date shall not be deemed to have occurred as a
          result of the execution or delivery of the Phelps Dodge Merger
          Agreement, the Phelps Dodge Offer, or the consummation of the
          Phelps Dodge Offer, the Phelps Dodge Merger or any other
          transaction contemplated by the Phelps Dodge Merger Agreement."

                  (d) Section 7 of the Rights Agreement is hereby amended
      by deleting in its entirety clause (ii) to paragraph (a) in Section 7
      and inserting in lieu thereof the following new clause (ii) to
      paragraph (a) in Section 7 as follows:

          ", (ii) the Effective Time (as such term is defined in the Phelps
          Dodge Merger Agreement)"

                  (e) The following definitions are hereby added to Section
      1 of the Rights Agreement in the appropriate alphabetical order:

          ""Phelps Dodge Merger" means the merger of the Company with and
          into AAV Corporation upon the terms and conditions set forth in
          the Phelps Dodge Merger Agreement."

          ""Phelps Dodge Merger Agreement" means the Agreement and Plan of
          Merger, dated as of October 5, 1999, among Phelps Dodge
          Corporation, AAV Corporation and the Company."

          ""Phelps Dodge Offer" means the exchange offer to acquire all of
          the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock on the terms
          and conditions set forth in the Phelps Dodge Merger Agreement."

            Section 3.  Miscellaneous.
                        -------------

                  (a) The term "Agreement" as used in the Rights Agreement
      shall be deemed to refer to the Rights Agreement as amended hereby.

                  (b) The foregoing amendment shall be effective as of the
      date first above written, and, except as set forth herein, the Rights
      Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall be
      otherwise unaffected hereby.

                  (c) This Amendment may be executed in two or more
      counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but
      all for which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

                  (d) This Amendment shall be deemed to be a contract made
      under the laws of the State of New Jersey and for all purposes shall
      be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of such
      State applicable to contracts to be made and performed entirely
      within such State.


            IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this
Amendment Number Two to be duly executed and attested, all as of the day
and year first above written.


Attest:                             ASARCO INCORPORATED


By: ----------------------          By:/s/ Francis R. McAllister
    Name:                               Name: Francis R. McAllister
    Title:                              Title: Chairman of the Board



Attest:                             THE BANK OF NEW YORK


By: ----------------------          By: /s/ Joe Varga
    Name:                               Name:  Joe Varga
    Title:                              Title:  Vice President



                     AMENDMENT TO 1998 RIGHTS AGREEMENT


            Amendment Number Three, dated as of October 25, 1999, to the
Rights Agreement, dated as of January 28, 1998 (the "Rights Agreement"),
between ASARCO Incorporated, a New Jersey corporation (the "Company"), and
The Bank of New York, as Rights Agent (the "Rights Agent").

            WHEREAS, the Company and the Rights Agent entered into the
Rights Agreement specifying the terms of the Rights (as defined therein);

            WHEREAS, the Company desires to amend the Rights Agreement in
accordance with Section 26 of the Rights Agreement;

            WHEREAS, the Company proposes to enter into the Agreement and
Plan of Merger, dated as of October 25, 1999 (the "Grupo Mexico Merger
Agreement"), among Grupo Mexico, S.A. de C.V., ASMEX Corporation and the
Company;

            WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company deems it
advisable and in the best interest of its shareholders to amend the Rights
Agreement to enable the Company to enter into the Grupo Mexico Merger
Agreement and consummate the transactions contemplated thereby without
causing the Rights to become exercisable.

            NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual
agreements set forth herein and in the Rights Agreement, the parties hereby
agree as follows:

            Section 1.  Definitions.  Capitalized terms used and not
otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning assigned to such terms in
the Rights Agreement.

            Section 2.  Amendments to Rights Agreement.  The Rights
Agreement is hereby amended as set forth in this Section 2.

                  (a) The definition of "Acquiring Person" in Section 1(a)
      of the Rights Agreement is hereby amended by adding the following
      sentence at the end thereof:

            "Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary,
            none of Grupo Mexico, S.A. de C.V., ASMEX Corporation or any
            Subsidiary of either shall be deemed an Acquiring Person solely
            by reason or as a result of the execution or delivery of the
            Grupo Mexico Merger Agreement, the Grupo Mexico Offer or the
            consummation of the Grupo Mexico Offer or the Grupo Mexico
            Merger or any other transaction contemplated by the Grupo Mexico
            Merger Agreement."

                  (b) The definition of "Stock Acquisition Date" in Section
      1 of the Rights Agreement is hereby amended by adding the following
      sentence to the end of paragraph (l) of Section 1:

            "A Stock Acquisition Date shall not occur as a result of the
            execution or delivery of the Grupo Mexico Merger Agreement, the
            Grupo Mexico Offer or the consummation of the Grupo Mexico
            Offer, the Grupo Mexico Merger or any other transaction
            contemplated by the Grupo Mexico Merger Agreement"

                  (c) Section 3 of the Rights Agreement is hereby amended
      by adding the following sentence at the end of the paragraph (a) in
      Section 3:

            "Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, a
            Distribution Date shall not be deemed to have occurred as a
            result of the execution or delivery of the Grupo Mexico Merger
            Agreement, the Grupo Mexico Offer, or the consummation of the
            Grupo Mexico Offer, the Grupo Mexico Merger or any other
            transaction contemplated by the Grupo Mexico Merger Agreement."

                  (d) Section 7 of the Rights Agreement is hereby amended
      by deleting in its entirety clause (ii) to paragraph (a) in Section 7
      and inserting in lieu thereof the following new clause (ii) to
      paragraph (a) in Section 7:

            ", (ii) the Effective Time (as such term is defined in the
            Grupo Mexico Merger Agreement)

                  (e) The following definitions are hereby added to Section
      1 of the Rights Agreement in the appropriate alphabetical order:

            ""Grupo Mexico Merger" means the merger of ASMEX Corporation
            with and into the Company upon the terms and conditions set
            forth in the Grupo Mexico Merger Agreement."

            ""Grupo Mexico Merger Agreement" means the Agreement and Plan of
            Merger, dated as of October 25, 1999, among Grupo Mexico, S.A. de
            C.V., ASMEX Corporation and the Company."

            ""Grupo Mexico Offer" means the tender offer to acquire all of
            the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock on the terms
            and conditions set forth in the Grupo Mexico Merger Agreement."

            Section 6.  Miscellaneous.
                        -------------

                  (a) The term "Agreement" as used in the Rights Agreement
      shall be deemed to refer to the Rights Agreement as amended hereby.

                  (b) The foregoing amendment shall be effective as of the
      date first above written, and, except as set forth herein, the Rights
      Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall be
      otherwise unaffected hereby.

                  (c) This Amendment may be executed in two or more
      counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but
      all for which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

                  (d) This Amendment shall be deemed to be a contract made
      under the laws of the State of New Jersey and for all purposes shall
      be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of such
      State applicable to contracts to be made and performed entirely
      within such State.


            IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this
Amendment Number Three to be duly executed and attested, all as of the day
and year first above written.


                                    ASARCO INCORPORATED


                                    By:  /s/ Francis R. McAllister
                                        ------------------------------
                                        Name: Francis R. McAllister
                                        Title: Chairman of the Board



                                    THE BANK OF NEW YORK


                                    By: /s/ Joe Varga
                                        ------------------------------
                                        Name:  Joe Varga
                                        Title: Vice President




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