MONTREAL - Semafo Inc. (TSX:SMF) posted a first-quarter loss Monday after it was hit by a US$35.1-million impairment charge related to a decision to wind down operations at its Samira Hill mine in Niger. The West African-focused gold producer says it net loss attributable to equity shareholders was US$7.3 million or three cents per share in the three months ended March 31. That compared with a year-earlier profit of US$28.1 million or 10 cents per share.

MONTREAL - Alcoa said it may curtail about one quarter of its global aluminum production as the company and its industry rivals continue to adjust to low metal prices. The U.S.-based company said Wednesday it may curtail an additional 460,000 tonnes of aluminum capacity, or 11 per cent of its global output. Alcoa (NYSE:AA) has already idled 568,000 tonnes of production capacity, or 13 per cent of its global network. The company, which has large operations in Quebec, did not say what countries or regions of the world are being considered as part of its 15-month review.

By Sinead Cruise LONDON, Jan 17 (Reuters) - Top shareholders in crisis-hit Rio Tinto have identified an unusual scapegoat for the hapless takeovers that triggered the company's eye-watering $14 billion writedown - each other. Chief Executive Tom Albanese, who led a top-dollar purchase of the Alcan aluminium group, and Doug Ritchie, the executive who secured Mozambican coal business Riversdale, both lost their jobs on Thursday after Rio confessed how badly their deals had turned sour.