Ecuador mineral exports could fall by some 20% this year, says official
Mining exports were worth $3.3 billion for Ecuador in 2023.
Gold and silver continued down a slippery slope early on Friday in European trading, but by midday in New York had turned positive.
Gold futures touched fresh multi-year lows of $1,269 an ounce before clawing back some of the dramatic losses of yesterday to hit a day best of $1,302.
Spot silver prices tumbled as low as $19.41 an ounce, the lowest level since September 2010, but by early afternoon trade in New York was back above $20 an ounce.
The sell-off on precious metals markets began Thursday on the heels of chairman Ben Bernanke comments that seemed to indicate the US Federal Reserve’s could start dialing back its stimulus program as soon as this year.
