Lower demand from India could weigh on global prices that are trading near their highest level in six years.

Mining activity in May dropped 2.3% compared with the same month in 2018 as the sector continued to confront sharply falling ore grades at its largest deposits.

Dealers in India, the world's second biggest gold consumer after China, were offering discounts of up to $30 an ounce

The most heavily traded shares by volume were Barrick Gold Corp, B2Gold Corp and Encana Corp.

Power Resources Group mines in Rwanda for tantalum, used in mobile phones, and niobium, needed for high-strength alloys.

The move was a precautionary action after it ran a new risk evaluation of a dam close to the mine.

Zambia is Africa's second-largest copper producer, with copper mining accounting for around 70% of foreign currency earnings.

The deal is expected to enable cost savings of at least 100 million euros and revenue synergies, stemming from cross-sales opportunities, of at least 150 million euros a year.

Mergers and acquisitions by Canadian companies fell to $38.6 billion in the second quarter, the lowest level since the third quarter of 2017.

The mid-tier gold miner is waiting for the renewal of its operating licence for the Didipio gold and copper mine.

Rio Tinto restarted the sale process for the assets in late 2018 after Norwegian aluminium company Norsk Hydro pulled out of buying them.

Congolese security forces began evicting illegal miners from the mine on Thursday.