Good evening,

Long-talked-about gold sector M&A is back on the agenda, with mining hopeful Genesis Minerals pouncing on neighbour Dacian Gold in a deal expected to be announced as early as Monday.

The deal would see Genesis Minerals take control of Dacian Gold’s troublesome Mt Morgans mine, in Western Australia’s northern goldfields region, and, most importantly, its impressive mill, which is said to have about a $175 million replacement value.

Genesis Minerals, run by former Saracen Mineral Holdings boss Raleigh Finlayson since February, has been in the market for a chunky M&A deal in recent months, running the ruler over its neighbours and rivals, including Dacian Gold and St Barbara Mining.

Genesis Minerals is expected to fund the bid with a $100 million equity raising via Canaccord and Euroz.

Elsewhere, we check in with some mining analysts to tap their brains ahead of reporting season.

One of the things they’re mulling is BHP’s mounting cash pile, and whether it could use some of it for M&A. We take a look at the contenders.

We also pick up on some pitching around Tyro Payments, and spotted a debt deal at AusNet.

Happy reading,
Anthony Macdonald, Sarah Thompson and Kanika Sood
Street Talk editors