Gold prices down; platinum gains

Metals prices were mixed on Wednesday

Gold was lower in New York, ending the session $2.30 lower to $662.10 per troy ounce after the US dollar declined against the euro once again.

One analyst said that the decline of both the dollar and gold, which usually move in opposite directions, meant that the euro will not likely maintain its gains.

Gold had gained a total of $13.80 in the past three sessions.

In other precious metals, September silver ended the day in New York even at $12.98 per troy ounce, while October platinum added $2.60 to close at $1,316.10 per troy ounce.

Among base metals, September copper traded at $3.62 per pound in New York, 1 cent higher on the session, while in London it was 0.4 percent higher, or $35, to $7,940 per tonne.

Copper prices were up on continuing strike worries as actions continue at two mines in Chile and as inventories in London Metal Exchange warehouses declined again.

LME stockpiles of copper are down to 99,350 tonnes and have dropped 46 percent over the year to date.

In other base metals, lead added 1 percent in London to $2,965 per tonne and nickel gained 2.2 percent to $33.350 per tonne.