Barrick and Randgold to create world’s biggest miner

Canada’s Barrick Gold is buying Randgold Resources, creating the world’s biggest gold miner with a value of about $18bn (£14bn).

The firms own some of the world’s most valuable gold fields, producing more than 6.6 million ounces of gold a year.

Barrick shareholders will end up own two-thirds of the combined firm and Randgold will own the remaining third.

Shares of both firms have fallen almost 30% this year, amid falling gold prices and questions over their strategy.

“Our industry has been criticised for its short-term focus, undisciplined growth and poor returns on invested capital. The merged company will be very different,” said Mark Bristow, Chief Executive of Randgold.

“Its goal will be to deliver sector leading returns, and in order to achieve this, we will need to take a very critical view of our asset base and how we run our business, and be prepared to make tough decisions,” he added.

The price of gold has fallen more than 8% this year, putting all gold producers under pressure.

‘Two drunks’

Barrick and Randgold will be hoping that their combination will allow them to cut costs and drive up profit margins.

Analysts also say that Barrick’s mines which are in relatively stable countries complement Randgold’s assets in riskier locations.

“From Randgold’s perspective the deal diversifies exposure away from high-risk African markets and towards Barrick’s more stable North American assets. Given recent headwinds that’s welcome,” said Nicholas Hyett, an analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown.

However, other analysts were less impressed by the deal.

“Our opinion is that the proposed merger, instead of being based on merit, strength and strategic integration, is more akin to the proverbial ‘two drunks supporting each other at closing time’,” said Kieron Hodgson from Panmure Research.

In a research note, Mr Hodgson pointed out that Barrick’s own production had fallen in recent years and that combined the firms would be “over leveraged” – a technical term for having heavy debts.

The new company will keep the Barrick name and be listed in New York and Toronto, while Randgold’s London listing will be cancelled.