The companies have formed an alliance, with the aim of reducing the global environmental footprint of concentrate processing.

The five banks that clear gold trades are considering expanding their network of storage locations to other countries if it becomes impossible to fly enough gold in and out of London.

Lead, trading in London at $1,725 per tonne, is down by just 10.1% so far this year.

With large swathes of the globe shut down, the M&A pipeline remains patchy and likely to be dominated by rescue deals.

With gold prices near a seven-year high and international investors clamoring for a safe haven, Russian dealers are probably eager to sell.

The company sees no grounds to change its 2020 budget assumptions.