my thinking was

if Newmont sells 50% interest in a mine that Barrick is the other partner

chances are Barrick won't want another partner

therefore they pay Newmont cash so they own it outright

since Barrick has more cash on hand at the moment than Newmont

this levels the playing field a bit for both Barrick & Newmont

to bid on Aurelian before the deadline

safeharbour