Gold prices settled lower in Wednesday trading prior to the release of the minutes of the Federal Reserve’s March meeting. However, spot gold prices climbed slightly in after-hours trading after a reading of the minutes showed no sign that the Fed was in a hurry to raise interest rates.

Among mining stocks, Hecla Mining (HL) jumped almost 5% after posting first-quarter silver production of 2.5 million ounces, up 32% from the same period last year. Hecla also said that gold production hit 46,269 ounces, nearly triple the amount produced during prior-year quarter.

Gold futures for June delivery dipped 0.2% to $1,305.90 per ounce on Wednesday, according to CME Group. Gold prices were as high as $1,314.30 and as low as $1,301.10. Bullion closed in London at $1,313, according to BullionVault.

Silver futures for May delivery dropped 1.4% to settle at $19.77 per ounce. Wednesday’s high for silver was $20.10, while the low was $19.60.

Metal funds were mixed on Wednesday.

• The SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) inched up 0.2%.
• The iShares Gold Trust (IAU) added 0.2%.
• The iShares Silver Trust (SLV) fell 0.6%.

Mining ETFs gained during the day.

• The Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF (GDX) rose 0.7%.
• The Market Vectors Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ) increased 0.7%.
• The Global X Silver Miners ETF (SIL) climbed 0.5%.

Gold stocks mostly advanced on Wednesday.

• Agnico-Eagle Mines (AEM) fell 1.6%.
• Barrick Gold (ABX) added 0.8%.
• Eldorado Gold (EGO) slipped 0.5%.
• Goldcorp (GG) rose 1.4%.
• Kinross Gold (KGC) gained 1.7%.
• Newmont Mining (NEM) edged up 0.1%.
• NovaGold Resources (NG) dropped 1.1%.
• Yamana Gold (AUY) climbed 1.2%.

Like HL stock, other silver mining shares improved during the day.

• Coeur d’Alene Mines (CDE) increased 1.6%.
• Hecla Mining jumped 4.8%.
• Pan American Silver (PAAS) rose 0.6%.
• Silver Wheaton (SLW) added 0.9%.
• Silver Standard Resources (SSRI) climbed 1.2%.

As of this writing, Christopher Freeburn did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities. Adrian Ash of BullionVault contributed to this report.