Toronto stocks were firmly higher Monday, lifted by strength in mining issues. At midday, the S&P/TSX composite index was up 39.30 points, or 0.43%, at 9,161.92. Volume was 101.8 million shares.

Eight of the TSX index’s 10 groups were higher, led by a 1.29% boost from the materials group, which comprises base-metal and precious-metal miners. Gold miners were up 1.26% hike and base metals up 2.06%.

Among mining companies climbing higher were uranium producer Cameco, which was up $3.03, or 2.62%, at $118.88. Teck Cominco, climbed $1.15, or 3.14%, to $37.75.

Gold companies also got into the act on Monday, climbing higher in response to the rising price for the precious metal.

Barrick Gold jumped 49¢, or 1.72%, to $29.04, and takeover target Goldcorp was up 39¢, or 2.12%, at $18.75.

A 0.41% dip in the utilities sector tempered the gains. Canadian Utilities fell 79¢, or 1.27%, to $61.20.

In New York, blue chips edged higher at as oil prices fell more than US$1 a barrel.

The Dow Jones industrial average was up 32.15 points, or 0.30%, at 10,682.14. The S&P 500 index was up 2.15 points, or 0.18%, at 1,196.38. The technology-laced Nasdaq Composite index was down 3.75 points, or 0.18%, at 2,131.41.