Asarco seeks delay to file bankruptcy plan

PHOENIX, March 24 (Reuters) - Copper company Asarco is seeking to delay until June 10 the deadline to file its plan to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy, as officials work to find a potential buyer for the Arizona-based company.

The company, a subsidiary of Grupo Mexico (GMEXICOB.MX: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), said in a filing late last week in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Corpus Christi, Texas, that it needs the two-month extension to field offers that are due April 21. If granted, this would be the 10th extension in the large and complex case.

An April 7th hearing on the company's request is scheduled before Judge Richard Schmidt.

Asarco filed for bankruptcy protection in 2005 under the weight of massive environmental cleanups and asbestos claims. (Reporting by David Schwartz in Phoenix; editing by Carol Bishopric)