LONDON - Gold was little changed in Europe on Thursday as the U.S. dollar held its ground against a basket of currencies, with the metal awaiting direction from foreign exchange markets in the absence of strong external drivers.

Platinum prices were unchanged but supported at the lower levels by a wage dispute at South Africa's Impala Platinum, whose chief executive said on Thursday that thousands of striking workers could be sacked.

LONDON, Aug 28 (Reuters) - Copper climbed to a two-week high
on Friday, buoyed by improving economic and demand expectations,
although analysts warned that weak fundamentals and rising
inventories could lead to price corrections.

By 0925 GMT, copper for three month delivery on the
London Metal Exchange rose to $6,450 a tonne from $6,275 at the
close on Thursday and compared with a session high at $6,468.50.

Lead rose more than 5 percent to a high of $2,110 a tonne,
as doubts over Chinese supply also aided prices.

Aluminium added $33 to a $1,917. LME inventories in the
metal, used in transport and packaging, gained 625 tonnes to
remain at record levels above 4.6 million tonnes.

Nickel, Steel making ingredient traded at $19,410 from
$18,755 while battery material lead was at $2,110 from
$2,010.

	24 Hour Base Metals