The world's biggest gold deposit –Pebble mine project in Alaska – just got a lifeline.

Shares in small nickel and cobalt explorer GME Resources also jumped as much as 53%, apparently driven by the similarity of its stock ticker code to the US videogame retailer.

Bullion's slow start to the year may be explained by weaker demand for gold during the past quarter.

Spot silver soared as much as 6.8%, the biggest jump since August.

Wood Mackenzie says commodities will increasingly be marketed on their green credentials.

The drill highlights include 18.3 metres of 0.84 g/t gold starting at 170.7 metres.