Stocks to watch on the Australian stock exchange on Tuesday:

LYC – LYNAS CORPORATION LTD – up nine cents, or 14.4 per cent, at 71.5 cents

Rare earths miner Lynas expects to be producing finished products from its controversial plant in Malaysia within weeks.

PAG – PRIMEAG AUSTRALIA – up one cent to $1.15

Rural investor PrimeAg Australia has reached a $2.2 million insurance settlement relating to losses it incurred during the 2011 Queensland floods.

RIO – RIO TINTO LTD – down $1.15, or 1.7 per cent, at $67.40

Mining giant Rio Tinto is considering halting operations at its alumina refinery in Arnhem Land.

WHC – WHITEHAVEN COAL LTD – down two cents, or 0.57 per cent, at $3.55

Whitehaven Coal shares fell heavily on Monday following a hoax announcement on funding for its Maules Creek project.

The shares have since gained back most of the lost ground after Whitehaven said the release was a hoax and the corporate watchdog will investigate the incident.