The Globe and Mail reports in its Saturday edition that Barrick Gold confirmed Friday that it has examined an all-stock takeover offer to acquire Colorado-based Newmont. The Globe's Niall McGee writes that Barrick said the bid it was contemplating would not contain a takeover premium, but the news sent Newmont shares 3 per cent higher, indicating some investors believe a formal offer will come. Barrick is mulling a $19-billion takeover of Newmont that would involve the company flipping some Newmont assets to another company, possibly Australia's Newcrest Mining (all figures U.S.). A successful takeover by Barrick of Newmont would thwart the latter's plan to acquire Vancouver's Goldcorp in a $10-billion deal announced last month. Newmont says it can save $100-million a year by combining with Goldcorp, and hopes to be able to turn around the miner. Goldcorp and Newmont shareholders are scheduled to vote on the union on April 4. A deal with Barrick, however, may be attractive to some Newmont shareholders because the companies have adjacent mines in Nevada that likely could lead to substantial cost savings through shared operations. About 25 per cent of Newmont's stock is owned by U.S.-based BlackRock and Vanguard.