MX reported a fourthquarter net loss of 9

EconomyIn Chile, where copper mining is a major contributor to the economy, unions estimated 14,000 jobs have been lost. But he does not forecast a wave."Not unless the steel market completely collapses," he added.As for thermal coal, which is used for electricity generation, Smith sees few layoffs."Steam coal They can't hire enough people," he said.MINERAL WEALTHThe economic downturn is hitting particularly hard in Latin America, where economies depend on mineral wealth. Chile's Sonami mining group estimates at least 14,000 jobs have been lost."Mining is concentrated mostly in the country's north, where for many cities it's the only source of jobs, so the impact of the crisis will be very significant for many people," said Alfredo Ovalle, president of the Sonami."We think these will not be the final (job cut) figures," Ovalle told a news conference in Santiago.BHP Billiton Ltd (BHP.AX)(BLT.L), the world's largest diversified miner, has already cut 2,000 people from its Chile operations alone. That came on the heels of other job cuts announced by Chile's Antofagasta Minerals (ANTO.L).Chile's government has committed $1 billion in capital injection for Codelco, the state-owned copper producer that employs more than 40,000 workers. Codelco is not expected to turn to lay-offs like the private sector.Peru's National Federation of Mine and Steel Workers says more than 5,500 workers have lost jobs since December, while the Labor Ministry says at least 4,000."The mining sector .. has lost most jobs," Labor Minister Jorge Villasante said. "We've asked businesses to reduce other costs instead of eliminating jobs."Mexico's Mining Chamber says about 2,000 jobs have been lost.

Some smaller projects have been cut, but major miners, Grupo Mexico (GMEXICOB.MX), Penoles and its precious metals miner Fresnillo, and GoldCorp Inc (G.TO) have not announced cutbacks yet."We are all worried about the economic crisis ... but we have to look at what prices were like four years ago and what they are today," said mine union official Carlos Pavon."Miners (companies) are still profiting. It is true that they have lost money, but the price of copper, for example, is not yet below the cost of production. We have room to negotiate."(Editing by Andre Grenon) Economy.

MEXICO CITY, Jan 29 (Reuters) - Mexican conglomerate Alfa(ALFAA.MX) reported a fourth-quarter net loss of 9.62 billionpesos ($696 million) on Thursday, hurt by large financiallosses. ($1 13.8150 as of end-Dec) (Reporting by Cyntia Barrera Diaz) Stocks Stocks. Board Declares $0.14 per Share Quarterly DividendBRYN MAWR, Pa.(Business Wire)Bryn Mawr Bank Corporation (NASDAQ:BMTC), (the "Corporation"), parent of TheBryn Mawr Trust Company (the "Bank"), today announced financial results for thefourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2008. The Corporation reported twelve month 2008 diluted earnings pershare of $1.08 compared to $1.58 for 2007. Net income for the year endedDecember 31, 2008 was $9.3 million compared to $13.6 million one year ago.Excluding a real estate gain recognized in the first quarter of 2007, dilutedearnings per share were $1.48 and net income was $12.7 million. Ted Peters, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "Bryn Mawr BankCorporation and Bryn Mawr Trust Company are both well-capitalized forregulatory capital purposes. Peters continued, "We successfully opened our West Chester Regional Officeand The Bryn Mawr Trust Company of Delaware, completing a year of progresstowards our long-term growth strategy.

These openings expanded our footprintinto two attractive geographic markets and provide us with a broader portfolioof products to serve the affluent markets we target. We are confident that ourdisciplined strategies to maintain a strong financial position and to build ourbrand have strengthened Bryn Mawrs banking and wealth management servicesleadership, the foundation of our growth and prosperity for over 100 years." Significant items: Total quarter end portfolio loans and leases were up 12.0 to $899.6 millioncompared to $802.9 million at December 31, 2007, led by strong growth incommercial mortgages, commercial and industrial loans, residential mortgages andhome equity loans. However, fees in our core wealth businessdecreased due to a down-turn in the fair value of financial markets. The rapid decline in long-term conforming mortgage rates in the fourth quarterof 2008 resulted in a decline in the value of our mortgage servicing portfoliodue to projected increases in mortgage refinancing. The outcome was a write-downin the value of our mortgage servicing assets by approximately $640 thousand to$2.2 million. The net interest margin was 3.63 for the fourth quarter and 3.84 for thefull year of 2008, down from the comparable year earlier periods. At December 31, 2008, the allowance for loan and lease losses of $10.33million was 1.15 of portfolio loans and leases, compared with $8.12 million or1.01 of portfolio loans and leases at December 31, 2007.