** Shares of gold miners rise, tracking higher prices GOL/

** Spot gold XAU= up nealy 2% at $4,977.42/oz

** Gold prices rise as investors assessed simmering geopolitical risks, while markets also awaited the U.S. Federal Reserve's January meeting minutes due later in the day

** Miners: Newmont NEM.N up 2.2% and Barrick Mining ABX.TO gains ~2%

** South African miner Gold Fields GFIJ.J, GFI.N rises 1%, Harmony Gold HARJ.J, HMY.N inches up ~2%

** Canadian miners: Agnico Eagle Mines AEM.TO and Kinross Gold K.TO advance 2.3% and ~2%, respectively

(Reporting by Dharna Bafna in Bengaluru)

((Dharna.bafna@thomsonreuters.com))