producers of metals and other raw materials fell as uncertain progress in ceasefire talks between russia and ukraine weighed on investors gold futures finished higher posting their first gain in four sessions in cautious trading as russia shelled areas near the ukraine capital of kyiv despite an earlier pledge to scale back military options president biden is considering invoking the defense production act as soon as this week to boost domestic production of minerals used in batteries needed for electric vehicles the wall street journal reported citing a person familiar with his plans the administration would include minerals like lithium nickel and graphite cobalt and manganese under the korean warera national security mobilization law the person said the designation could help mining companies access government funding for feasibility studies on mining development productivity and safety improvements or on how to wring more of these metals out of ore already produced at facilities operating in the us it could also prompt congress to dedicate more money to such efforts the person said in deal news canadian miner kinross gold is in exclusive talks to sell its giant arctic russian mine to fortiana holdings the wall street journal said citing people familiar with the matter a deal that  if consummated  could mark the first sale of an asset a western company is leaving behind in russia