Citigroup hit the shares of Southern Copper (PCU: sentiment, chart, options) with a downgrade this morning, moving the security from "buy" to "hold." The mining company isn't a particular favorite on Wall Street, as the stock has earned 2 "strong buy" ratings, 2 "sells," and 4 "strong sells," according to Zacks...( Read More )

TOKYO, Jan 5 (Reuters) - Sumitomo Metal Mining Co Ltd , Japan's second-largest copper smelter, said it has cut its copper production plan by 7 percent for the six months to March as the economic slump eats into demand for the metal.

MANILA, Jan. 6 (PNA)

SYDNEY, Jan 6 (Reuters) - Xstrata Plc , the world's fourth largest copper miner, said on Tuesday mining operations at its Ernest Henry copper and gold project were not expected to resume until later in the week as rain continued to fall.

Jan. 5 (Bloomberg) -- Xstrata Plc , the world

TORONTO - Ontario's embattled northerners shouldn't lose hope for prosperity amid shutdowns and layoffs in their once-mighty mining industry because there are signs the downturn is temporary, says the minister responsible for the region and its mines.

SYDNEY, Jan 5 (Reuters) - Heavy rain has halted open pit mining operations at Xstrata Plc's Ernest Henry copper and gold mine in Australia's north, an Xstrata Copper spokeswoman said on Monday. "Normal pit operations are expected to re-commence later this week," the spokeswoman said. She said while rain had delayed mining for the past three days it had not affected Ernest Henry's concentrator ...

TOKYO, Jan 5 (Reuters) - Sumitomo Metal Mining Co Ltd , Japan's second-largest copper smelter, said it has cut its copper production plan by 7 percent for the six months to March as the economic slump eats into demand for the metal.

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Jan. 5 (PNA) -

Associated Press - January 2, 2009 12:25 PM ET SILVER CITY, N.M. (AP) - Freeport-McMoRan Copper and Gold Inc. has won a reduced bond for reclamation work at it Tyrone mine near Silver...