Barrick talking to First Quantum holders about possible buyout, Bloomberg says

Barrick Gold (GOLD) CEO Mark Bristow spoke to some of First Quantum Minerals’ (FQVLF) major investors late last year to gauge their support for a potential takeover, Thomas Biesheuvel, Dinesh Nair and Alfred Cang of Bloomberg report, citing people familiar with the situation. It is not clear if Barrick has made a fresh approach to First Quantum, and there’s no guarantee it will make a formal offer, Bloomberg adds. Bristow has said he is confident that Barrick could resolve the situation in Panama as well as run First Quantum’s African mines, sources told the news agency. China’s Jiangxi Copper Co. owns 18% of First Quantum and is among those that have been approached by Barrick, the people added. Shares of Barrick Gold are down 4% to $17.16 following the report.