Why has gold lost its shine?

Rival Young Poong and private equity firm MBK Partners have been trying to take over the world's biggest zinc refiner.

Bullion traded near $2,626 an ounce in thin trading after closing 1.1% higher on Friday.

Nigeria has lifted a ban on mining exploration in the northwestern state after a five-year suspension.

The group said it will consider the base metals business demerger at a later stage.