Global benchmark spot gold prices were on course for a fourth straight monthly rise.

The South Asian economy will allow 100% foreign direct investment in mining and sale of coal, said India's trade minister.

Talk of the ban has sent prices of nickel soaring on the Shanghai and London markets.

The Canadian miner applied for new prospecting rights applications in the Southern Kyushu Epithermal Gold Province.

Nickel prices rallied over 34% from the beginning of July, mainly on the back of a flurry of speculative activity spurred by supplyside fears in Indonesia.

Gold bars fraudulently stamped with the logos of major refineries are in the global market to launder smuggled or illegal gold.

Consultancy Roskill estimates most new greenfield nickel projects would need prices at $22,000 a tonne or above.

Gold has surged 19% this year as the trade war flared up, bond markets signaled that a US recession may be on the horizon, and the Federal Reserve cut rates.