G-Resources sells $218 mln shares to fund Indonesia gold project

Rival Young Poong and private equity firm MBK Partners have been trying to take over the world's biggest zinc refiner.

Bullion traded near $2,626 an ounce in thin trading after closing 1.1% higher on Friday.

Nigeria has lifted a ban on mining exploration in the northwestern state after a five-year suspension.

The group said it will consider the base metals business demerger at a later stage.