Clearly we would like to work with the Placer board to complete this transaction.

We are pleased to reach this significant milestone. The powerful combination of these companies will bring the assets, people and projects together to deliver value to all stakeholders.

I think it's very important to the Canadian national interest to have strong, leading global competitors in as many industries as we can. I think it's important to keep Canada visible on the global economic map, I think it's important for our capital markets to have industry leaders, I think it's important from an employment and a technology standpoint, and I think it rolls right back into Canada's competitiveness.

It certainly allows us to execute the business plan much more effectively and much more quickly.

Today represents a milestone day in the gold mining industry.

We are very excited about the coming together of two great gold mining companies. We can now move forward and deliver - together - from our assets, people and projects.