The Globe and Mail reports in its Thursday edition that Barrick Gold posted generally better-than-expected first quarter financials. The Globe's Niall McGee writes that net profit fell 30 per cent year-over-year to $111-million from $158-million for the three months ended March 31 (all figures U.S.). On an adjusted basis, Barrick reported a profit of 11 cents a share, two cents better than analysts surveyed by Refinitiv expected. The company's all-in sustaining cost was $825-million, better than estimates. Barrick also gave a tighter timeline Wednesday on $1.5-billion in planned non-core asset sales after the Randgold deal, saying it is hoping to have them wrapped up by the middle of next year. Chief executive officer Mark Bristow told The Globe that asset sales could include Barrick's 50-per-cent share in the Kalgoorlie mine in Australia, as well as Lumwana, a low-grade copper mine in Zambia. Barrick tried to sell its Lagunas Norte mine in Peru, but was unable to reach acceptable terms with any interested parties. Barrick may also emerge as a buyer of assets over the next year. Mr. Bristow made it clear he covets Canadian miner B2Gold's Fekola mine in Mali, calling it a "genuine high-quality asset."