MINING MARKETS & INVESTMENT NEWS -- EASTERN MARKETS -- Gold rally takes a breather as base metal miners gain ground

The shine was off the precious metals this past week, with gold dropping $2.25 to US$296.60 per oz., platinum slumping $5.50 to US$340.50 per oz., palladium slipping $5 to US$276 per oz. and silver sliding 33 cents to US$4.80 per...