Rio Tinto, Japan set Q1 aluminium deal at $240/T premium

　　Japanese buyers have agreed an aluminium premium for some January-March shipments of $240 per tonne with Rio Tinto Alcan, down from a record $254-$255 in the previous quarter, three sources directly involved in the talks said on Wednesday.

　　Rio Tinto Alcan offered the premium of $240 last month. It was lower than Alcoa’s offer of $247 and BHP’s $249, two of the sources said.