Gold miners down as bullion prices extend declines

** Shares of gold miners down, tracking decline in bullion prices GOL/

** Spot gold XAU= down 0.7% at $3,322.83/ounce, after hitting session low of $3,309.59/ounce

** Gold prices extended declines and fell nearly 1% after upbeat U.S. economic data aided Federal Reserve's cautious stance on resuming monetary easing this year

** The U.S. dollar gained 0.3%, making greenback-priced gold more expensive for foreign currency holders USD/

** Top miners Newmont NEM.N down 2.1% and Barrick Mining ABX.TO down 2.6%

** South African miners Gold Fields GFI.N down ~1%, Harmony Gold HMY.N down 1.9% and AngloGold Ashanti AU.N down 1.4%

** Canadian miners Agnico Eagle Mines AEM.TO down 1.3% and Kinross Gold K.TO down 1.6%