Newmont Mining (TSX: NGT; NYSE: NEM), the world's largest gold producer, and Canada's Agnico Eagle Mines (TSX: AEM; NYSE: AEM) have formed a 50-50 joint venture in Colombia to explore the Mid-Cauca belt, in the country's northwest.
The partners will focus on the Anz?? gold project, in which Newmont has earn-in rights, as well as other prospective gold targets of district-scale potential in Colombia.
Newmont reached a three-phase deal with Orosur Mining (TSX: OMI; LSE: OMI) in 2018, which granted it the right to earn up to a 75% stake in the Canadian junior's Anz?? project.
The asset, comprising contracts and applications totalling 200 sq. km, is located 50 km west of Medellin and 60 km south of Zijin Mining's Buritica operation.
"Agnico Eagle has been actively looking at Colombia for some time, and this low-cost entry is consistent with our exploration strategy," Agnico Eagle vice president of exploration Guy Gosselin said in a press release.
The executive added the partnership was also in line with the company's existing investment in Royal Road Minerals (TSXV: RYR), in which it has a 19.9% stake.
Agnico will sole fund the joint venture until it equals Newmont's previous investment in the Anza project of about $2.9 million. After that, the parties will continue funding exploration activities on a 50-50 basis.
- This article first appeared in MINING.com, part of Glacier Resource Innovation Group.