VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- A bidding war for Canplats Resources, a Canadian junior gold-mining outfit, grew hotter Monday after the company said it received a bid that was "financially superior" to the already-sweetened offer from its original suitor, Goldcorp

Late Sunday, Canplats issued a press release saying it had received a sweetened offer from Minera Penmont, a joint venture between Mexico-based silver miner Fresnillo and Denver's Newmont Mining.

Penmont is now offering C$4.60 , up from C$4.20 a share

Under the terms of Goldcorp's original deal with Canplats, Goldcorp has until Jan. 5 to make a counteroffer.

Canplats shareholders are scheduled to vote on the proposal on Jan. 14.