Decade of gold mine declines poised to spur deals, prices

Melbourne

GOLD'S dwindling pipeline of new mines is poised to usher in a decade- long output slump, spurring prices and delivering a new impetus for dealmaking and industry consolidation, according to Goldcorp Inc, the third-largest gold producer.

Mine supply may fall about a third in the 10 years to 2025, according to Bloomberg calculations based on forecasts from BMO Capital Markets and Randgold Resources Ltd. The number of newly discovered primary gold deposits fell to three in 2014, from a peak of 37 in 1987, according to Melbourne-based industry adviser MinEx Consulting Pty.