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