The Globe and Mail reports in its Wednesday edition that after exchanging insults this week, the chief executive officers of Barrick Gold and Newmont Mining are working to reach agreement on a joint-venture deal that could stave off a high-stakes takeover battle. The Globe's Niall McGee and Rachelle Younglai write that Barrick's Mark Bristow and Newmont's Gary Goldberg were scheduled to meet in New York on Tuesday evening to discuss terms of a possible joint venture at their adjacent Nevada mining operations, according to a source familiar with the talks who was not authorized to speak publicly. Major shareholders of both companies are urging the two sides to solve long-standing disagreements. Newmont on Monday rejected Barrick's $17.8-billion (U.S.) all-stock, zero-premium takeover offer, and instead proposed a joint-venture agreement in Nevada. Mr. Bristow said he was skeptical the two could reach agreement considering neither has been able to hash out a deal after going back and forth on the idea for two decades but added he was willing to give it "one last try." He has insisted that the JV can only work if Barrick is named the sole operator. Investors are skeptical about the benefits of combining the two.