Goldcorp To Acquire Canplats Resources For $228M

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Goldcorp Inc. says it is acquiring mining company Canplats Resources Corp. in a deal valued at 238 million Canadian dollars ($228 million).

The gold producer, based in Vancouver, British Columbia, said Monday it will assume ownership of Canplats' Camino Rojo project in Mexico, expanding its operations there.

Goldcorp also said a new exploration company will be created with 90.1 percent of its shares distributed to Canplats' shareholders at a value of 18 Canadian cents per share.

The new company will hold CA$10 million ($9.57 million) in cash and Canplats' existing interests in precious and base metal projects in Mexico. A 9.9 percent equity interest in the company will be held by Goldcorp.

The deal is expected to close in January 2010.