The FTSE 100 closed the day just 5 points lower at 6184.58 after swinging between losses and gains.
Mining company Antofagasta was the biggest loser, falling 3.6% to 495.7p, while peers Anglo American and Centrica also dropped.
Shares in the supermarket Sainsbury's finished 1.2% higher after it moved closer to acquiring retailer Argos.
A rival suitor for Home Retail Group, the owner of Argos, withdrew late on Friday, leaving Sainsbury's the only bidder with a Â£1.4bn offer.
On the broader 250 index, shares in the cycling retailer Halfords dropped almost 5% after the broker UBS downgraded the company to a "sell".
On the currency markets, the pound was 0.66% lower against the dollar at $1.43870. Against the euro, it was 0.33% lower at â‚¬1.28010.
(Close): Falls in mining company shares held back gains on the FTSE 100 following a choppy day of trading.