One of the world’s largest clean energy projects closer to becoming reality

Foreign purchases fell just 1.1 percent in August to the equivalent of 925,161 metric tons a day, compared with 935,806 the previous month.

In India, the world's second-biggest consumer of the metal after China, gold futures rose to 30,700 rupees per 10 grams on Thursday, a peak since July 9.

India, the world's second-largest coal importer, has defied its prior history of being a price-sensitive buyer and boosted its imports this year.

Chinese coking coal futures rose their most in a month on Thursday, buoyed by firm physical prices.

But rising gold imports could widen India's trade deficit and further pressure its currency, the rupee, which hit a record low of 71.95 against the dollar on Wednesday.

The Central Asia-focused explorer and developer said Tulkubash’s measured and indicated resource is now over 1.4 million ounces of gold, while the grade also rose 57% to 1.35g/t gold.

Contracts held by investors in China's iron ore futures have fallen to the lowest in more than three years.

Some in the industry see this move as a prelude to a potentially broader deal with bigger miner Anglo American.

The year-to-date gain is 16.6 per cent, and the metal used to power nuclear reactors is on track to record a second annual increase.