Rio Tinto economist sees "very rough" year ahead

CANBERRA (Reuters) - Global miner Rio Tinto (RIO.AX) (RIO.L) expects 2009 to be a "very rough" year in terms of both prices and volumes for key commodities, the firm's chief economist told Reuters on Wednesday. Vivek Tulpule, speaking to Reuters on the sidelines of a conference, said a pickup was "quite possible" in 2010.

Rio Tinto's major commodities are iron ore, aluminum and copper.

(Reporting by Bruce Hextall, editing by Mark Bendeich)