The deal is subject to approval by the shareholders of both companies, regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.

The world's largest gold mining company has decided to temporarily suspend construction of its troubled Pascua-Lama gold mine that straddles the border between Chile and Argentina.

The Supreme Court of Chile has upheld a decision by regulators that stopped construction at Barrick Gold Corp.'s troubled Pascua-Lama project until it completes work to keep it from contaminating the watershed below.