Gold futures inched past $1,540 per ounce on Monday as the euro zone sovereign debt crisis remained at the forefront of financial headlines.
COMEX gold futures, per the August contract, finished higher by $2.90, or 0.2%, at $1,542.00 per ounce.
Silver followed a similar path to gold, with the COMEX July contract settling with a gain of $0.32, or 0.9%, at $36.07 per ounce.
Gold and silver held firm after euro zone finance ministers postponed their decision on providing Greece with 12 billion euros ($17 billion) of bailout funds until the debt-ravaged country agrees to new measures to reduce government spending.
Currency markets were relatively quiet as well on Monday, with the euro holding near unchanged at 1.4276 against the U.S. dollar in afternoon trading.
Platinum Group Metals Reports Acceptance of WBJV Mining Rights Application
Platinum Group Metals (PLG.NYSE AMEX) announcement that the South African Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) has accepted the Company’s application for a mining right for the WBJV Project 1 Platinum Mine. This development indicates that the company has complied with submission requirements and can now proceed with the completion and submission of its Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environmental Management Programme Report.
On March 28, the emerging platinum producer received the consent of the South African Department of Mineral Resources for the company's detailed underground development plans and environmental management program, including the mining of a bulk sample. Civil engineering contractors are mobilizing and development is advancing on the project, which is strategically located on the world’s most prolific platinum-producing belt.
Platinum Group Metals is also conducting exploration work on its Canadian properties located near Thunder Bay, Ontario. Full Platinum Group Metals News Release.
PLATINUM TO FOLLOW SILVER?
