Freeport-McMoRan Avoids Federal Suit for Zinc Smelter Pollution

Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. won’t face a federal suit for damages associated with its zinc smelter in Blackwell, Okla., a federal district court said.

Identical claims were the subject of a state suit that was settled by the parties, the opinion by Judge Charles B. Goodwin of the Western District of Oklahoma said.

Two plaintiffs claimed they weren’t covered by the settlement because they bought their property after the final judgment was approved. But they acquired their property from owners who had notice of the litigation and declined to opt out, the court said.

Two other plaintiffs argued they ...