According to Mining News Pro - The exchange, the world’s oldest and largest market for industrial metals, said in a statement it tests the site in Chelmsford twice a year and that Friday’s move was not part of its coronavirus contingency planning.

The 143-year-old LME, owned by Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Ltd., runs the last open-outcry trading venue in Europe.

The exchange has said it has contingency plans to relocate or ditch open-outcry trading if the coronavirus outbreak worsens in Britain.