SYDNEY, Jan 31- Rio Tinto's Sam Walsh faces his first difficult decision as chief executive-- whether to shut the 1,400- staff Gove alumina refinery in Australia-- as under-performing units come under tougher scrutiny following $14 billion in writedowns this month.
*China copper production up by 10.8 pct to 6.1 MT in 2012. *China aluminium output climbs by 13.2 pct to 19.9 MT in 2012.
DUSHANBE, Jan 21- Tajikistan said its economy grew 7.5 percent last year, slightly faster than in 2011 and buoyed by remittances from migrant workers and growth in its mining industry despite a slump in key export, aluminium.
*Tom Albanese sacked with no pay-off. LONDON, Jan 17- Rio Tinto sacked chief executive Tom Albanese on Thursday and revealed a $14 billion writedown in connection with his two most significant acquisitions, the Alcan aluminium group and Mozambican coal. Doug Ritchie, who led the acquisition of Mozambique- focused miner Riversdale, was also shown the door.
*China airlines lifted by Citi upgrade. HONG KONG, Jan 10- Hong Kong shares posted their best day in a week on Thursday, with Aluminum Corporation of China leading gains among growth-sensitive counters after data showing a far stronger than expected trade performance by China in December.
NEW YORK, Jan 9- U.S. crude futures edged lower on Wednesday in choppy trading as rising oil inventories and increasing domestic crude oil production applied pressure and countered any lift from equities prices boosted by a better-than-expected outlook from aluminum producer Alcoa.
*World shares rise as Alcoa points to rising global demand. NEW YORK Jan 9- Global equities climbed on Wednesday after aluminum maker Alcoa opened the U.S. earnings season with a brighter outlook for global demand, while the dollar rose against the yen on expectations of more easing from the Bank of Japan this month.
*World shares rise as Alcoa points to rising global demand. NEW YORK Jan 9- Global equities climbed on Wednesday after aluminum maker Alcoa opened the U.S. earnings season with a brighter outlook for global demand, while the dollar rose against the yen on expectations of more easing from the Bank of Japan this month.
*Alcoa shares rise after positive outlook for the year. NEW YORK, Jan 9- Wall Street rose on Wednesday after Alcoa got the earnings season under way with better-than-expected revenue and an encouraging outlook for the year. Shares of Alcoa, the largest aluminum producer in the United States, rose 0.5 percent to $9.18.
*World shares rise as Alcoa points to solid global demand. LONDON, Jan 9- World shares staged a modest recovery from two days of losses on Wednesday after aluminium giant Alcoa opened the U.S. earnings season with an optimistic outlook for global demand.
*Alcoa moves 4 percentage points down aluminium smelting cost curve. LONDON, Jan 9- Copper edged higher on Wednesday in the second day of modest gains after solid results from the biggest U.S. aluminium producer Alcoa and as investors directed fresh cash into the sector.
LONDON, Jan 9- European shares rose slightly on Wednesday, ending two days of losses after aluminium giant Alcoa opened the U.S. earnings season with an optimistic outlook for world demand.
*China copper exports seen flat to lower for Dec. *Alcoa cautiously optimistic about aluminium demand. LONDON, Jan 9- Copper closed flat on Wednesday as concerns about Europe and U.S. economies offset optimism about further recovery in the world's biggest metals consumer China and as investors earmarked New Year cash allocations for metals.
Jan 8- Alcoa Inc, the largest aluminum producer in the U.S., expressed cautious optimism that demand for the metal will continue to grow in 2013, helped in part by global growth in the aerospace and construction markets.
Jan 8- Alcoa Inc reported a fourth-quarter profit on Tuesday, in line with analysts' expectations, as cost cuts helped offset a drop in realized aluminum prices. Shares of Alcoa rose 1.2 percent to $9.21 in after-hours trading.
Jan 8- Alcoa Inc reported a fourth-quarter profit on Tuesday as cost cuts helped offset a drop in aluminum prices. For the fourth quarter, the company reported net income of $242 million, or 21 cents per share, compared with a net loss of $191 million, or 18 cents per share, in the year-ago period.
Jan 8- Alcoa Inc reported a fourth-quarter profit on Tuesday as cost cuts helped offset a drop in aluminum prices. For the fourth quarter, the company reported net income of $242 million, or 21 cents per share, compared with a net loss of $191 million, or 18 cents per share, in the year-ago period. BRIDGET FREAS, ANALYST WITH MORNINGSTAR INC, CHICAGO:.
Jan 8- Alcoa Inc reported a fourth-quarter profit on Tuesday as cost cuts helped offset a drop in aluminum prices. For the fourth quarter, the company reported net income of $242 million, or 23 cents per share, compared with a net loss of $191 million, or 18 cents per share, in the year-ago period.