Randgold hit hard by fears of Mali coup Randgold Resources tumbled 15 per cent on the FTSE 100 on Thursday as traders dumped the stock amid fears of a military coup in Mali, where the company operates several mines. The political turmoil in the Malian capital Bamko included gunfire at the presidential palace and state broadcasting services were taken off the air. Unrest was also reported in the strategic northern town of Gao. Randgold operates four mines in the country - Syama, Morila, Loulo and most recently Gountoko, the commission for which was signed by Mark Bristow, Randgold's chief executive and Amadou Cisse, Mali's minister of mines, as recently as Wednesday. Randgold's stock fell to £56.15, the biggest fall on London's benchmark index by a clear margin. Miners led the FTSE 100 lower overall as more disappointing economic data from China knocked sentiment towards the sector and came as the latest sign that economic growth in the country could be slowing, and with it, demand for metals. ENRC was the sector's biggest single faller, down 1.8 per cent to 632p. The London index lost 40 points to 5,851.63, a fall of 0.7 per cent. "With Chinese manufacturing continuing to slow, fears of its acute impact on the global economy have investors taking flight," said Mike McCudden, head of derivatives at Interactive Investor. Traders still banking on the FTSE breaking 6000 soon will need to look out the lucky rabbit foot and hope the US can pull some exceptional employment numbers out of the hat today. With risk appetite waning on global markets, London's financial stocks also fell. Lloyds Banking Group was 1.9 per cent weaker at 35.2p. Royal Bank of Scotland fell 1.7 per cent to 28.1p. The selling was broad-based. Only six stocks with defensive properties did not fall. Vodafone was the most resilient, up 0.8 per cent at 172½p. Next fell 1.1 per cent to £28.88, caught in the general downdraft even after a positive trading statement in which it forecast profits a the top end of existing ranges and said there were signs of improving conditions for consumers. The fashion retailer's shares were up 12 per cent from the start of the year to the close of trade on Thursday.