STORIES OF INTEREST:

Rio Tinto Chairman Urges End to Spiralling Executive Remuneration

MELBOURNE--The chairman of Rio Tinto PLC (RIO), one of the world's largest mining companies, has called for an end to excessive remuneration for corporate executives and for companies to better communicate the need for big businesses.

Australian Regulator Won't Block Glencore-Xstrata Merger

MELBOURNE--Australia's antitrust regulator has said it won't oppose Glencore International PLC's (GLEN.LN) takeover of Xstrata PLC (XTA.LN), a deal that stands to create a mining juggernaut with a market capitalization of US$57 billion.

China Hongda: Halt of Metals Plant Construction To Affect Earnings

SHANGHAI--China's Sichuan Hongda Co. (600331.SH), which was at the center of recent protests in the southwestern province of Sichuan, said Thursday that a halt in the construction of its metals project in the province will have an impact on its earnings.

China's Hongda Says Project Halt to Hit Profits, Shares Slide

SHANGHAI--Sichuan Hongda Co. (600331.SH) said on Thursday it has halted work on a $1.6 billion copper alloy plant in southwest China after violent protests erupted, adding that the move will have an impact on earnings.

Peru Anti-Mining Activist Marco Arana Released from Jail-Reports

LIMA--Police on Thursday released Peruvian anti-mining activist Marco Arana, who is leading protests against the planned Minas Conga copper and gold mine, after detaining him the day before, various reports said.

Sierra Rutile 2Q Production Up 60% On Year, Sees FY Target on Track

LONDON--Sierra Leone-focused titanium miner Sierra Rutile Ltd. (SRX.LN) said Thursday that second quarter production of rutile, a titanium dioxide, rose 60% compared with the same period a year earlier, leaving the group on track to meet its full year production guidance of 80,000 to 85,000 tons.

Cove: Preparing to Release Details of Finland Titanium Project Acquisition

MELBOURNE--Australian metal explorer Cove Resources Ltd. (CVE.AU) said Thursday that it is preparing to release details of an acquisition of a significant titanium project in Finland.

MARKETS:

BASE METALS: Comex Copper Slumps After Europe, China Rate Cuts

NEW YORK--Copper futures fell Thursday on worries about the health of the global economy after a set of stimulus measures announced by world central banks.

Write to Nina Bains at nina.bains@dowjones.com