Gold stocks have fared well among the fluctuations, with Torex Gold Resources (CN:TXG) the standout on Friday in Toronto, rising more than 51% as it regained full access to its Mexican mine and assets after an illegal blockade over union representation was removed.

Others to gain in Toronto included Yamana Gold (CN:YRI)  and Eldorado Gold (CN:ELD), up 3.51% and 3.33% respectively, as the S&P/TSX Composite Index gold sector closed up 1.1%.

In Australian trade this afternoon, gold miner Resolute Mining (AU:RSG) was up more than 2.5% in the wake of Friday's announcement it would take a 27% stake in Canadian-listed explorer Loncor Resources (CN:LN).

Randgold Resources (LN:RRS) finished Friday up 1.54% in London while the diversified  sector on the FTSE100 was 1.99% lower.

Rio Tinto (LN:RIO) was down 2.35% and fellow diversified major BHP (AU:BHP) was little changed near the close of Australia trade today.

Copper major Freeport-McMoRan was down 4.31% on Friday in the US as the copper price slid more than 0.7%.