UPDATE 1-Rio Tinto Alcan CEO to retire, replaced by Cote

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LONDON Jan 12 (Reuters) - The head of Rio Tinto's (RIO.L) (RIO.AX) aluminium unit Alcan is retiring and will be replaced by Jacynthe Cote, another executive at the firm, Rio said on Monday.

Rio, the world's fourth-biggest diversified mining group by market value, said Cote would take over from Evans on Feb. 1.

Evans, 60, will step down from the boards of Rio Tinto on April 20 following its annual general meetings.

Cote, 50, is president and CEO of primary metal at Canadian-based Alcan, which Rio Tinto acquired in 2007 for $38 billion.

Cote joined Alcan, one of the world's two biggest aluminium producers along with Russia's UC Rusal, in 1988 and previously was CEO of the Bauxite and Alumina business group.

She has a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Laval University in Quebec. (Reporting by Eric Onstad; Editing by Erica Billingham)