The miner removed de Montessus after discovering an alleged “irregular payment instruction” of $5.9 million related to an asset sale.

Commodity analysts said technical factors also played a part.

The removal of Sébastien de Montessus follows an investigation by the board into an irregular payment instruction of $5.9 million issued by him.

Alrosa accounts for over 90% of all Russian diamond production.

Russia’s monthly coal sales to China have declined since peaking at more than 10 million tons in June.

Bullion was steady on the final trading day, putting it on track to end the year about 13% higher.

Nickel is poised to post an annual drop of more than 40% on the London Metal Exchange, the biggest decline since 2008.