Unclear if US copper demand has bottomed-Codelco

SANTIAGO, March 31 (Reuters) - It is unclear whether U.S. demand for copper has hit bottom, Jose Pablo Arellano, chief executive of Chile's No.1 global copper miner Codelco, said on Tuesday, adding Chinese consumption had not fallen.

"It is uncertain," Arellano told foreign correspondents at a breakfast meeting, saying he was watching the U.S. manufacturing, construction and auto sectors for signs. (Reporting by Pav Jordan. Writing by Simon Gardner)