Comment- apologies folks-seems the AFR link doesn't open for non AFR subscribers so below is a partial cut and pastefrom the article:-
Extract-Ramelius Resources has added fuel to the fire under merger and acquisitions in the gold sector with an aggressive $59 million bid for a junior explorer sitting on a 485,000-ounce ore reserve in Western Australia.The bid, which met with a hostile response from Explaurum Limited, follows Northern Star's recent $US260 million ($356 million) acquisition of Sumitomo's Pogo mine in Alaska as cashed-up gold miners look to boost production, reserves and secure significant exploration projects.Ramelius chief executive Mark Zeptner said the all-scrip bid for Explaurum could mark the start of a hectic round of M&A activity in the sector."We have seen asset acquisition happening, with Northern Star's recent one getting a lot of attention," he said."I think M&A activity has been talked about for the last six months quite strongly and potentially this is the start of that.