Barrick Gold, Randgold said to be in advanced merger talks

Barrick Gold is said to be in advanced negotiations to merge its operations with Africa-focused rival Randgold Resources, protecting the Toronto-based miner’s crown as the world’s largest producer of the metal. A deal is imminent, according to one of the three people familiar with the negotiations. They declined to provide more details. Talks could still fall apart should the parties fail to agree on the terms. Executives from Barrick and Randgold are in Colorado Springs for the Denver Gold Forum.