More consolidation happening. Most of this is related to gold, but the sector continues the trend.

KINROSS has been on a buying spree. This year alone;

2010:

January: Kinross announces $368-million (U.S.) deal to buy the Dvoinoye deposit and the Vodorazdelnaya property in Russia, near its Kupol mine

February: Kinross sells 25 per cent of its 50-per-cent stake in B the Cerro Casale gold and copper project in Chile to Barrick Gold Corp. as part of a $475-million (U.S.) deal. Barrick will have 75 per cent, Kinross 25 per cent

March: Kinross takes over Underworld Resources in deal valued at $137.5-million to receive full control of the White Gold project in the Yukon, marking a return to Canada after a two-year absence.

May: Kinross buys 9.4 per cent stake in African-focused Red Back Mining Inc. for $600-million

July: Kinross sells stake in the Diavik diamond mine and reduces its equity interest in the operation’s part-owner, Harry Winston Diamond Corp., after a near tripling of its initial investment within 16 months.

Aug. 2: Kinross announces bid to buy the shares of Red Backit doesn’t already own in a share-swap deal valued at $7.1-billion (U.S.) With Red Back, Kinross’s annual gold production is slated to reach 3.9 million ounces by 2015, up from and expected 2.2 million ounces in 2010.