Copper was lower amid reports of an extended negotiation that could avert a strike at the BHP-operated copper mine in Chile.
Meanwhile the US dollar climbed back to a 14-month high, Bloomberg reported, adding the bull market in US stocks was a week away from becoming the longest in history.
The strengthening US dollar saw the gold price fall further and it was worth just over US$1,187 an ounce on the spot market earlier.
Metals and mining stocks closed 0.7% lower on the S&P500 yesterday and down 0.94% in London, where Randgold Resources (LSE: RRS) closed down 1.34%.
Toronto's metals and mining stocks finished 1.41% lower yesterday and the copper sector was lower still, down 2.43% with First Quantum Minerals (TSX: FM) closing 3.42% lower.
Pretium Resources (TSX: PVG) was a standout in the downbeat gold sector, closing up more than 8% as it announced a board change.
Australia's metals and mining stocks were down 1.43% at the time of writing.
The gold subset was hardest hit after yesterday's resilience, down more than 2.6% mid-afternoon.
Yesterday's investor favourite St Barbara (ASX: SBM) was today down about 4.7% towards the end of the day's trading.
