Mining leads Aust shares higher as copper, gold surges

Digital market boards at the ASX in Sydney (file image)
The energy sector was the biggest gainer on Monday, while health care lost the most ground. -AAP Image

The mining giants have led the Australian bourse higher as gold and copper hit all-time highs and the local currency reached its highest level since the start of the year.

The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index on Monday made up most of Friday's losses, gaining 49.3 points, or 0.63 per cent, to 7,863.7, while the broader All Ordinaries rose 49.8 points, or 0.62 per cent, to 8,132.1.

Copper was trading at over $US5 a pound for the first time following an apparent short squeeze last week, while gold was at an all-time high of $US2,430 an ounce, up $15 from last week.

The Australian dollar was at its highest level since early January against its American counterpart, buying 66.96 US cents, from 66.74 US cents at Friday's ASX close.