Miners drive FTSE higher as gold price rises

Gold miners and their peers helped push the UK's leading index higher today, enjoying gains as precious metal prices rose.

With gold starting to trend upwards after a sustained sell-off over the first half of the year, miners led the FTSE 100 higher on the first day of September trading. By mid-afternoon the FTSE 100 was up 43 points at 5,754.8, with resources stocks dominating the risers. Gold was up marginally to $1,691 per ounce, while silver and copper were both up more sharply, giving miners the impetus to move higher. Among the biggest risers on the day were Fresnillo - the world's largest primary silver producer which also runs a substantial gold mining business - which saw shares rise 4% to £16...