Acquisition spending rises from 2013 lows: report
By Rachel Dally-Watkins 20 April, 2015 DESPITE an almost double year-on-year increase from 2013, gold and base metal asset acquisitions in 2014 were the third lowest in a decade. According to the SNL Metals & Mining report Base Metals and Gold Acquisitions Activity, 2005-2014 there was a “welcome improvement” in mining asset transactions, but noted that the caution shown by mining companies in 2014 was surpassed only by results from 2013 and 2009. “Since 2012 have bought fewer assets that require large capital investment,” SNL stated. “Instead, companies have opted to maximise the value of assets they already own, and to enter joint ventures that reduce costs while at least maintaining production.” According to the report, there were…