CANADA STOCKS-TSX dips as fall in metal prices hurt mining shares

By Avinash P and Nivedita Balu

Dec 29 (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index closed lower on Monday as the precious metals rally paused and weighed heavily on mining stocks, starting the last week of the year on a somber note.

The S&P/TSX index closed down 0.32% at 31,896.59 points. However, the benchmark was poised for a gain of about 2% in December, marking its eighth consecutive monthly gain — a streak not witnessed since 2014.

Mining shares led Monday's losses, giving back some of their yearly gains as the gold .SPTTGD sub-index fell 4.02%, while materials shares .GSPTTMT, down 2.88%.

Gold prices slipped 4.3%, while silver slid 8.3% after touching a record peak above $80 an ounce earlier in the session as investors booked profits amid perceptions of easing geopolitical tensions, which reduced safe-haven buying. GOL/

Mining and financial shares have driven TSX's gains this year, lifting the index to a third consecutive annual gain and its strongest performance since 2009, with a 29% rise.

"This year was phenomenal. That was really driven by two key factors. The mining stocks- gold had a phenomenal year and silver had an even better year. What also helped the TSX was the Canadian bank stocks," said Alfred Lee, deputy chief investment officer at Toronto-based Q Wealth Partners.

"Because gold and silver have gone on such a phenomenal run this year, I wouldn't be surprised if we get a short term pullback some point next year," Lee said.

Shares of Kinross Gold K.TO were down 3.6%, while those of Agnico Eagle AEM.TO fell 5.3% and Barrick Mining ABX.TO fell 2.8%. Endeavour Silver EDR.TO closed down 1.9% and Silvercorp Metals SVM.TO fell 3.4%.

Capping the decline, energy shares .SPTTEN gained 1.01%, tracking oil prices that rose above 2% as investors weighed Ukrainian peace talks against potential oil supply disruption in the Middle East. O/R

Market participants await Tuesday's release of U.S. Federal Reserve meeting minutes during an otherwise quiet data week.