Meanwhile, gold ETFs saw inflows again after two straight months of outflows.

Continued exploration and the conversion of resources to reserves have allowed Barrick to extend the Ivory Coast mine's life.

It has received temporary relief in the arbitration proceedings against Rio Tinto, which prevents the mining giant from restricting Turquoise's funding talks.

Shares in the Northern Ireland-focused miner soared on the announcement of deal to expand blasting at its Omagh gold mine.