The largest Chinese gold miner Zijin Mining has agreed to acquire the Canadian company Allied Gold. The deal is worth approximately $4 billion in cash.
Chinese mining group Zijin Mining Group continues to expand its international presence. The company agreed to purchase 100% of the shares of the Canadian manufacturer gold Allied Gold. The deal is valued at approximately C$5.5 billion (about US$4 billion) and will be paid entirely in cash.
Zijin is offering C$44 for each Allied Gold share. This is 5.4% higher than the closing price before the deal was announced and about 27% higher than the average over the past 30 days. Allied Gold shares rose on the New York Stock Exchange following the news.
The purchase will allow Zijin to gain control of Allied Gold’s three operating mines in Africa. Last year these assets were expected to produce up to 400 thousand ounces gold. The key one is the Sadiola field in Mali, which accounts for about half of the total. The portfolio will also include assets in Côte d’Ivoire and the promising Kurmuk project in Ethiopia.
Analysts note that the proposed premium may not seem high enough to investors given record gold prices and the potential increase in the value of Allied Gold as the project in Ethiopia develops. However, the all-cash nature of the transaction eliminates the risks for shareholders associated with potential operational difficulties in Mali.
For Zijin, this acquisition will be part of a strategy to expand its portfolio of long-term assets. The company previously spun off its gold mining business into a separate entity, Zijin Gold, to speed up its overseas expansion.
The transaction is expected to be completed by the end of April 2026, subject to approval by regulators and Allied Gold shareholders.
Acquisition of Allied Gold strengthens Zijin Mining’s position as one of the world’s largest producers gold. The deal reflects a general trend of consolidation in the mining industry amid high metal prices.
Source: MINING.COM
Image: Allied Gold
