IRONORE/ Sector behemoths Rio Tinto RIO.AX, BHP Group BHP.AX and Fortescue Metals Group FMG.AX added between 2.3% and 2.8%. By Echha Jain Dec 9 (Reuters) - Australian shares snapped a three-day losing streak on Friday, buoyed by gains in mining stocks, on hopes that easing COVID-19 restrictions in China would boost global demand and growth outlook. China loosened its domestic COVID-19 curbs earlier this month following civil unrest, raising hopes that the move could reinvigorate its sagging economy and spur demand, although challenges from aggressive interest rate hikes and soaring inflation still persist.