Barrick strikes deal for Equinox, tops Minmetals

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Barrick Gold Corp <ABX.TO> <ABX.N> said on Monday that it had struck a deal to buy Australia's Equinox for more than C$7 billion, topping a proposed takeover offer by China's Minmetals Resources <1208.HK>.

Barrick said Equinox had agreed to be acquired for C$8.15 a share, an 8.7 percent premium over the company's Thursday closing price.

Barrick said Equinox would also withdraw its bid for fellow copper miner Lundin Mining <LUN.TO> as part of the deal.

(Reporting by Michael Erman; Editing by Lisa Von Ahn)