March 28 (Reuters) - Australian gold miner Ramelius
Resources Ltd ( RMLRF ) said on Thursday it had ended discussions
with Karora Resources ( KRRGF ) for a potential acquisition of
the Canada-based mine operator.
Shares of Ramelius rose as much as 2.2% to hit their highest
level since June 16, 2021 by 0034 GMT, while the broader market
was up 0.8%.
"Following its usual disciplined due diligence process,
Ramelius advises that no final agreement, including on value,
was reached," the company said.
Earlier this month, Ramelius confirmed that it was in talks
with Karora, but did not disclose any deal value.
However, a local report estimated the transaction value to
be between A$700 million ($456.40 million) and A$1 billion.
Karora Resources ( KRRGF ), which is focussed on increasing gold
production at its Beta Hunt gold mine and Higginsville gold
operations in Western Australia, confirmed in a separate
statement that it had ended discussions with Ramelius.
Karora said it was engaged in exclusive negotiations with a
new third party regarding a potential merger.
($1 = 1.5337 Australian dollars)
(Reporting by Sherin Sunny in Bengaluru; Editing by Alan Barona
and Subhranshu Sahu)