South Africa police standoff with illegal gold miners escalates
The police sealed off access to the Buffelsfontein gold mine in Stilfontein several weeks ago to deny the miners access to food and other essentials.
Gold prices hit a record $1,578.50 an ounce on Wednesday as concerns over the euro zone debt crisis deepened, and after minutes to the Federal Reserve’s June meeting suggested some members were pondering the possible need for additional easing.
Spot gold was bid at $1,572.99 an ounce at 1:03 p.m.
