The ASX 200 gained a modest 0.1%, with Mining and Metals up by about the same.

The majors gained about 0.5% each, while gold miners were mixed as the high Australian dollar kept the local spot price at A$2444 an ounce.

The standout in the ASX 200 was lithium miner Pilbara Minerals, which reached its highest level since January.

Syrah Resources jumped 23% to a three-month high.

Contractor NRW Holdings and Perenti Global also had a good session.

It was a quite news day ahead of the long weekend.

Juniors Coziron Resources and Metalsearch each rose 40% on no news and decent turnover.

De Grey Mining reached its highest point since 2011, rising 31% to 52.5c, as its Hemi discovery in the Pilbara continued to grow.

The rise pushed the company's market capitalisation through $600 million.

Finally, West African Resources shares hit an all-time high, rising by 7% to 91.5c, pushing its market cap towards $800 million.

There will be no MNN newsletters on Monday as the ASX will be closed.