JAKARTA, May 18- Freeport McMoRan Copper& Gold Inc said on Saturday that rockfalls were hampering rescue efforts after a tunnel collapse four days ago at its giant Indonesian copper mine, with hopes fading of finding alive any of the 23 still missing.
*Tension between union, Freeport could spook investors. JAKARTA, May 17- Freeport McMoRan Copper& Gold Inc's Indonesian copper mine should remain closed for an investigation into a tunnel collapse that has left five dead and 23 missing, a trade union leader said on Friday.
PHOENIX-- Mining company Freeport-McMoRan Copper& Gold, which is on the process of acquiring Plains Exploration& Production Co., said Thursday that about 46 percent of that company's shareholders have elected to receive stock for their shares, while 29 percent have chosen to receive cash.
*Hopes for China policy easing fade, weak data in focus. LONDON, May 14- Copper fell nearly 2 percent on Tuesday hit by a sharp rise in London Metal Exchange stocks and as markets digested Monday's softer-than-expected factory growth data from top copper consumer China.
SINGAPORE, May 14- London copper fell 1.4 percent on Tuesday after comments in China's official media suggested Beijing is unlikely to ease monetary policy, dashing hopes that the government would stimulate an economy that is the world's top user of the metal.
May 13- The chief executive of Plains Exploration& Production Co urged shareholders on Monday to vote in favor of Freeport McMoRan Copper& Gold Inc's proposed takeover of the energy company.
Among exchange-traded funds, SPDR Gold shares were down $1.90 at $138.91. _ NovaGold Resources Inc., down 16 cents, or 6.2 percent, to $2.43. _ Kinross Gold Corp., down 18 cents, or 3.2 percent, to $5.41.
NEW YORK-- A look at New York Stock Exchange 10 most-active stocks at 1 p.m.:. Advanced Micro Devices Inc. rose 1.4 percent to $3.88 with 29,944,300 shares traded. Bank of America Corp. fell. 3 percent to $12.98 with 58,962,300 shares traded.
May 9- Freeport-McMoRan Copper& Gold Inc said on Thursday it does not plan to raise its more than $6 billion offer for Plains Exploration& Production Co, calling the terms of the friendly deal "best and final." That was below the value of Freeport's cash and stock bid for the company, currently worth around $46.50.
May 9- Freeport-McMoRan Copper& Gold Inc said on Thursday it does not plan to raise its offer for Plains Exploration& Production Co, calling the terms of the friendly deal "best and final." CR Intrinsic, a unit of high-profile hedge fund SAC Capital Advisors, has said it plans to vote its 3.8 percent stake against the acquisition.
*Plains shares rise, trade at premium to Freeport offer. *Freeport says committed to completing deal, no reason to raise bid.
*Plains shares rise, now trading at premium to Freeport offer. Institutional Shareholder Services agreed in its report that the Freeport offer is too low, adding that "even at the announcement day valuation of $49.55, the transaction would offer little or no takeover premium to the current stand-alone value.
May 7- Proxy advisory firm ISS said Plains Exploration& Production Co. shareholders should vote against the more than $6 billion proposed takeover of the oil and gas company by Freeport-McMoRan Copper& Gold Inc., dealing a blow to the miner as shareholder resistance to the deal intensifies.
May 7- Proxy advisory firm ISS said Plains Exploration& Production Co. shareholders should vote against the more than $6 billion proposed takeover of the oil and gas company by Freeport-McMoRan Copper& Gold Inc., dealing a blow to the miner as shareholder resistance to the deal intensifies.
May 7- Proxy advisory firm ISS said Plains Exploration& Production Co shareholders should vote against the proposed takeover of the oil and gas company by Freeport-McMoRan Copper& Gold Inc, arguing that the mining company's more than $6 billion bid is too low.
May 7- Proxy advisory firm ISS said Plains Exploration& Production Co shareholders should vote against the proposed takeover of the oil and gas company by Freeport-McMoRan Copper& Gold Inc, arguing that the mining company's more than $6 billion bid is too low.
**Germany's Hochtief AG has agreed to the 1.1 billion euros sale of its airports division, ending a lengthy quest for a buyer and giving fresh impetus to a strategy rethink led by its CEO appointed just six months ago.