I would suggest this is closer to a done deal than people would...

I would suggest this is closer to a done deal than people would like to think. I believe talks with other parties such as Barrick and Newmont are a bit of a pipe dream. NCM is originally an "off shoot" of Newmont and I don't think this will change. Barrick have the mighty Porgera gold mine and Kainantu exploration lease in PNG which always threatens to have the company fronting the UN for alleged human rights abuses and a plethora of other localised issues. I doubt Barrick will want to increase their exposure in PNG any further for the time being. Not sure about Anglo.