Gold miners gain as bullion prices edge higher

** Shares of gold miners up, tracking rise in bullion prices GOL/

** Spot gold XAU= up 0.5% at $3,661.56/ounce, headed for a fifth straight weekly gain, with market attention focused on further U.S. rate cut cues after the Federal Reserve's first of the year

** The Fed cut its key interest rate by 25 basis points on Wednesday but tempered the move with warnings about persistent inflation, casting doubt over the pace of future easing

** Bullion prices are up 0.3% so far this week

** Top miner Newmont NEM.N up 3.2% and Barrick Mining ABX.TO up 5.3%

** Newmont sold its stake in Orla Mining OLA.TO for $439 million on Friday

** South African miners Gold Fields GFI.N up 4.1%, AngloGold Ashanti AU.N up 2.4%, Harmony Gold HMY.N gains 5.7% and Sibanye Stillwater SBSW.N up 5.6%

** Canadian miners Agnico Eagle Mines AEM.TO up 2% and Kinross Gold K.TO up 3.3%