The miners closed between 2.4% and 2.9% up, helping the FTSE finish 0.5% higher at 7,321.8 points.
Morrison and Sainsbury fell 2.8% and 2.4% respectively after research from Kantar suggested more pricing pressures were facing supermarkets.
The pound was down 0.37% against the dollar at $1.244, and fell 0.29% against the euro to 1.166 euros.
Old Mutual, whose shares have fallen in wake of political turmoil in South Africa, regained their poise.
The South Africa-focused insurer, whose shares fell in early trading, ended 0.10% higher.
Outside the top flight, Imagination Technologies, jumped 13%.
Shares in the computer chip maker had plunged 62% on Monday after the tech giant Apple said it would end a deal to use its products.
Mining stocks led a rise for the FTSE 100, with Fresnillo, Anglo American and Rio Tinto among the four main gainers.