Mining shares also prospered as gold and platinum soared to record highs earlier.

Disruption at the mine, the world's third biggest, pushed the price of copper higher than ever and so buoyed mining shares generally.

This, in turn, has led to a huge selloff of mining shares in recent months.

The index retreated 108.9 points to 5,259.6, predictably led by banking and mining shares.

Overall, the stock market ended the week with a whimper as a better day for the banks was countered by weakness among mining shares.