Copper bounced back over US$7,000 a tonne and gold hit its highest point in more than a year, reaching $1,364 an ounce on the spot market earlier today.

Unsurprisingly, miners were among the top five gainers on the S&P/ASX 200 today with gold producers Resolute Mining (AU:RSG) up close to 6% and Saracen Mineral Holdings (AU:SAR) gaining more than 5%, and nickel miner Western Areas (AU:WSA) rising over 4%.

Meanwhile in Brazil, diversified major Vale (BZ:VALE3) was among the rising stocks as ex-president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's corruption and money laundering charges were upheld and his jail sentence increased.

Among other mining majors, BHP (AU:BHP) gained more than 0.5% in Australia today, whereas Rio Tinto (LN:RIO) lost almost 0.6% yesterday in London and Glencore (LN:GLEN) rose 1.6%.