That would be a laugh, but AEM is less than half the size of G (cap: $9B compared to $25B for G). Hence its mouth would be too small (unless the small fish has a big mouth) to swallow the much big fish. I had similar speculation: ABX could wade in to muddy the water with a counter-offer for PRB. Or, it can wait for G to choke up on PRB, then sneak in from behind to gobble up the whole thing.

However, I was not sure about this scenario, since G and ABX (cap~$20B) seem to work well together (at least when Jaime was with ABX). They have a 40-60 JV in Dominican Republic, but this might not mean a thing...business is business! may be this would be a good way to get the other 40% of that huge mine (Pueblo Viejo) in DR.

ABX has incurred some hefty write-down (many $B), but it's still the largest gold company and has a reputation as a predator (ABX/Newmont proposed merger that failed, due to personal conflicts at the tops...it all boils down to personal relationship).

goldhunter