TORONTO/VANCOUVER, April 5 (Reuters) - China's Shandong Gold Mining Co Ltd 600547.SS is in advanced talks to buy a 50 percent stake in Barrick Gold Corp 's ABX.TO Veladero gold mine in Argentina, in a deal that could fetch more than $1 billion, people familiar with the process told Reuters.
Barrick ABX.N is no longer in discussions with China's Zijin Mining Group Co Ltd 601899.SS about the Veladero mine stake sale , which is one of the Canadian miner's five core mines, the people said.
Shandong did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters, but the company halted trading in its shares in Shanghai late on Wednesday pending an announcement. Barrick and Zijin declined to comment.