Newmont Signs Secrecy Pact With Placer Dome - Source
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November 22, 2005
LONDON -(Dow Jones)- Newmont Mining Corp. (NEM), the world's number-one mining company, has signed a secrecy agreement with takeover target Placer Dome Inc. (PDX) that will allow it to look over Placer's assets, a person familiar with the matter said Tuesday.
"Newmont is leading the charge of companies that have signed a confidentiality agreement with Placer to access the Placer data room and information," the person said.
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11-22-05 1139ET
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Canadian-based Barrick Gold Corp. (ABX) made a $9.2 billion hostile bid for Placer Dome Oct. 31, with the aim of creating the world's largest gold mining company.
The person said a number of companies are showing interest in Placer's portfolio.
"Most of the bigger players are looking at one or more of the assets," he said without elaborating. The Zaldivar mine in northern Chile is seen as Placer Dome's most attractive asset, the person added.
Neither Newmont nor Placer were immediately available to comment.
Company Web sites: http://www.placerdome.com
http://www.newmont.com
http://www.barrick.com
-By Jackie Range, Dow Jones Newswires; +44 20 7842 9257; jackie.range@dowjones.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires