Former Asarco Workers React

For 27-years adolfo estorga spent his days at the asarco smelter.
"i started working at the very lowest job ugliest job you could say."
Adolfo was the youngest out of family - who'd made copper making their career.
His brothers both put in more than 40 years of service. A tradition started by his grandpa back in 1900.

"they would pay him a dollar a day so he just worked half day got 50 cents."

For his family... the plant stirs up nothing but good memories.. old softball games... parties... and awards.
Adolfo says workers formed a tight bond, "It was family oriented really everybody knew everybody." Adolfo says the smelter's closing in 1999 - forced hundreds of lay offs. At the plant - and businesses who depended on it.
He hoped a reopening was on it's way, "especially right now... we need anything and everything we can get."
Adolfo says a reopening would mean hundreds of high paying jobs and economic growth. Opportunities now gone. "it's too bad honestly it's too bad i feel real disappointed they gave up a lot of stuff against them."
He feels if the plant cleaned up it's act.. it should be allowed to reopen. "There's pollution right now if you pass by the freeway you'll see it and asarco isn't even working."
As for the land... Adolfo only hopes the community can get something out of it.
"It's bad for everybody that was very hopeful for it to open and it's bad for el paso because of all the money that would be coming to el paso."