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However lithium junior Kidman Resources (ASX: KDR) was a standout, up 44% at the time of writing, in the wake of Australian conglomerate Wesfarmers' proposed takeover bid.
Gold was worth about US$1,274 an ounce on the spot market earlier, around $6/oz lower than this point yesterday.
Meanwhile base metals sank on the London Metal Exchange yesterday, reacting to disappointing US manufacturing data.
"First day of the month sees a sea of red with lead, copper and zinc the hardest hit," Marex Spectron's Dee Perera on the LME desk said.
In New York, the S&P 500 ended its record-breaking streak, closing lower.
Its metals and mining stocks all finished lower, with Freeport-McMoRan's (NYSE: FCX) dropping 4.87%.
It had missed earnings expectations last week as it starts transitioning from openpit to large-scale underground mining at its Grasberg joint venture in Indonesia.
Canadian diversified miner Teck Resources (TSX: TECK.B) closed down a similar amount, 4.99%, in Toronto.
Metals and mining stocks were off 1% in afternoon Australian trade.
US market futures were pointing to an upbeat start today but Toronto and European indices looked set for a lower opening.
Most European markets were closed for May Day yesterday while Asian markets are closed for much of this week for various holidays.
