The Globe and Mail reports in its Friday edition that Barrick Gold could have nine of the world's top gold mines in a "relatively short" time under its $6.1-billion (U.S.) acquisition of African miner Randgold Resources Ltd., Barrick executive chairman John Thornton said on Thursday. A Reuters dispatch to The Globe says that Barrick and Randgold will focus on Tier 1 assets which produce 500,000 ounces of gold annually, have a mine life of more than 10 years and are low cost. The combined company, subject to a Nov. 5 shareholder vote, will have five of the world's top-10 Tier 1 assets, Mr. Thornton said. "This combination could have as many as nine Tier 1 assets within a relatively short period of time," he said on a conference call with analysts to discuss third-quarter financial results. Barrick's Fourmile project and Turquoise Ridge mine in Nevada have "high potential" to become Tier 1 assets, Mr. Thornton said. Talks with the government of Tanzania to resolve a long-running tax dispute affecting Barrick's London-traded Acacia Mining unit are continuing but have slowed, senior vice-president Kevin Thomson said on the call. A third Acacia employee was charged this week with corruption and money laundering.