buying out junior close to their own operations Think about it, major oppertunity for Waseco with NEWMONT on a (or 1) rock away :)
"while gold appreciated for most of the year, the large miners have generally depreciated. Junior gold miner stocks, which are even more volatile than the seniors, have shown the worst performance relative to the price of gold, leaving them more vulnerable to being taken over.
In order to increase their gold reserves without the expense of exploring for new mines themselves, top producers such as Barrick Gold (ABX), Goldcorp (GG), Newmont Mining (NEM), AngloGold Ashanti (AU), Kinross Gold (KGC), AuRico Gold (AUQ) and Rio Tinto (RIO) could be interested in buying out small mining companies, particularly those with projects located in areas close to their own operations. Low interest rates should also encourage miners with large cash positions to acquire gold resources now, as long as the demand for gold still exceeds supply. This may be an even better way to play what we think will be a new price level of $2000 for gold.
A major gold deal in 2011 was the acquisition by Newmont Mining of Fronteer Gold for about $2.3 billion in cash. Another notable transaction was the $1.5 billion takeover of Northgate Minerals by AuRico Gold via a share exchange. The deal will double AuRico Gold’s production and give it a foothold in Canada, and Australia. The pending $2.4 billion acquisition by Eldorado Gold (EGO) of European Goldfields (EGFDF.PK) will help it to surpass the annual output of its rivals Agnico-Eagle Mines (AEM) and Yamana Gold (AUY).