China’s Shandong in advanced talks to buy half of Barrick’s Veladero mine: sources – by John Tilak and Nicole Mordant (Reuters U.S. – April 5, 2017)

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TORONTO/VANCOUVER – China’s Shandong Gold Mining Co Ltd (600547.SS) is in advanced talks to buy a 50 percent stake in Barrick Gold Corp’s (ABX.TO) (ABX.N) Veladero gold mine in Argentina, people familiar with the process told Reuters even as the Canadian miner grappled with a pipe rupture at the site.

Barrick is no longer in discussions with China’s Zijin Mining Group Co Ltd (601899.SS) about the Veladero mine stake sale, the sources said. A sale could fetch more than $1 billion, they added.

Veladero, one of Barrick’s five core mines, was the site of a pipe rupture last week – the third incident in 18 months at the mine involving cyanide-bearing solution. In the wake of the incident, the government of Argentina’s San Juan province, where Veladero is located, said on Wednesday it has rejected a work plan presented by Barrick.

San Juan’s governor and provincial mining minister met with Barrick President Kelvin Dushnisky and other company executives, according to a statement on the province’s website. A second meeting is expected to be scheduled soon, it said.

Barrick will “work with the authorities to understand their concerns and make adjustments as needed,” a spokesman said in an emailed response. Barrick’s shares were down 1 percent in Toronto at C$25.85 in early afternoon trading, falling more than its peers.

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