Isra-Mart srl: BASE METALS HIGHLIGHTS

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Brazilian mining company Vale SA (VALE, VALE5.BR) is "carefully looking" at its investment program and "could make announcements in the near future," amid global market uncertainties, said Will Landers, manager of the Latin America portfolio at BlackRock Inc. (BLK), the largest publicly-traded fund manager in the U.S., and a large investor in Vale shares.

Rio Tinto Director Calls On Australia To Rethink Carbon Scheme

MELBOURNE (Dow Jones)--Australia's government should reconsider its approach to deterring carbon emissions, which as plans stand will undermine the country's competitiveness and hurt trade-exposed industries, an executive at mining giant Rio Tinto PLC (RIO) said Wednesday.

Eramet SA To Invest $6 Bln In Nickel Mining In Indonesia

JAKARTA (Dow Jones)--Eramet SA (ERA.FR) plans to invest $6 billion in a nickel mining project in Indonesia, the French mining group's chief executive told reporters after meeting with Indonesia's President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Wednesday.

Russia Regulator Probes Rusal Over Market Abuse Allegation

MOSCOW (Dow Jones)--Russian Federal Anti-Monopoly Service, or FAS, said Wednesday it has launched an investigation against the world's biggest aluminum producer United Co. Rusal PLC (0486.HK), suspecting the company of abusing its dominant position on the local market.

Mining M&A Slows After Busiest 1H On Record - PwC

LONDON (Dow Jones)--Merger and acquisition activity in the global mining sector appears to be slowing after the busiest half-year on record, PricewaterhouseCoopers said Wednesday.

STORIES OF INTEREST:

Peru's Cerro Verde Union To Proceed With Strike Plans

LIMA (Dow Jones)--Union workers at Peruvian copper miner Sociedad Minera Cerro Verde are proceeding with plans to strike on Wednesday, following unsuccessful talks with the company to avert a 48-hour work stoppage.

China To Remain Net Importer Of Nickel In 2011 -Jinchuan Executive

SHANGHAI (Dow Jones)--China will remain a net importer of nickel this year as demand outstrips production, Jinchuan Group vice president Wu Jun said Wednesday.

China Stainless Steelmakers Face 'Tough' 2H -Baoshan Iron Executive

SHANGHAI (Dow Jones)--Chinese stainless steelmakers face a "tough" second half this year, as the global economy may continue to slow, a senior executive at Baoshan Iron and Steel Co. (600019.SH) said Wednesday.

China Jinchuan, MacroAsia To Invest $1 Bln In Philippine Nickel Mines

MANILA (Dow Jones)--China'sJinchuan Group Ltd. and MacroAsia Corp. (MAC.PH) expect to invest up to $1 billion in a nickel project in Palawan in central Philippines, MacroAsia told the stock exchange Wednesday.

Zambia Mulyanshi Contractor Threatens To Fire Striking Workers -Officials

African Construction and Trade, the contractor developing Zambia's Chinese- owned Mulyanshi Copper project, has threatened to fire hundreds of striking construction workers if they don't return to work, company and labor union officials said Tuesday.

Zambia Mulyanshi Miners Agree Deal On Pay Dispute, End Strike-Union

Construction workers at Zambia's Chinese-owned Mulyanshi Copper project reached a deal over a pay dispute with management late Tuesday, and agreed to end a two-day strike action which had stalled construction works on the $370 million mine project, a union official told Dow Jones Newswires Wednesday.

Kloeckner & Co Seeks Cost Cuts, Disposals As Economy Slows Down

FRANKFURT (Dow Jones)--Steel and metals distributor Kloeckner & Co. (KCO.XE) Wednesday announced a package of measures aimed at protecting its profitability amid signs that global economic growth is slowing down.

MARKETS:

LME Metals Move Higher In Subdued Trade

LONDON (Dow Jones)--Base metals are higher on the London Metal Exchange Wednesday, although trade is subdued and relatively directionless as market players continue to chase currency moves and sentiment in the stock markets.