Last checked at 
* Barrios experience in trading could benefit Rio-analyst
* Cote with Alcan since 1988
* Some fear Rio focusing less on aluminium (Adds comments from Canaccord analyst, details)
By Silvia Antonioli
LONDON, May 27 (Reuters) - Rio Tinto , theworld's second-largest diversified miner, said on Tuesday it hadappointed an oil industry executive as the new head of itsaluminium business, starting from June 1.
Alfredo Barrios, 48, who has held various senior positions atBP Plc since joining the UK oil company in 1992, willreplace aluminium industry veteran Jacynthe Cote, who will leaveto pursue other interests, Rio Tinto said in a statement.
Barrios' most recent role was at the joint venture TNK-BP,one of Russia's biggest vertically integrated oil and gascompanies, where he was in charge of the refining, trading,supply, logistics and marketing businesses.
Some think bringing in an outsider could offer Rio freshideas on how to improve its aluminium business. The business, like others in the market, suffers from a supply glut which isweighing on prices.
"Given the fact that he comes from the trading, logisticsand marketing side he may bring some new ideas on how they canfurther improve those parts of the business within aluminium andtake a bit of extra margin by being more creative," saidCanaccord analyst Peter Mallin-Jones.
Others, however, felt that Cote's departure might signalRio's reduced commitment to aluminium. After abandoning effortsto sell the loss-making Pacific Aluminium business last year,Rio executives have ruled out any new investments in the nearterm in aluminium.
"The fact that Cote left, in my opinion, confirms thataluminium has a limited timeframe within the Rio group. She hasbeen there too long to either watch it being sold off piecemealor underinvested in. That is probably rather unacceptable toher," a second company analyst, who declined to be named, said.
"I don't see the background or the fit with Barrios for thealuminium business so it probably says that the split up or thedivestment of the aluminium business is higher up in Rio'sagenda than people anticipated."
Cote had been with aluminium producer Alcan since 1988 andjoined Rio when it bought Alcan in 2007. She has been chiefexecutive of Rio Tinto Alcan since 2009 and will continue in anadvisory role until Sep. 1 to ensure a smooth transition, Riosaid.
Barrios will be based in Montreal, subject to immigrationapprovals, Rio Tinto said.
Aluminium accounts for about 4 percent of Rio's earningsbefore interest and tax, against almost 90 percent from its ironore division. (Editing by Susan Thomas and Keiron Henderson)
