Barrick Gold (NYSE:GOLD) has vehemently disputed a report regarding a recent meeting between one of its executives and officials at First Quantum Minerals (OTCPK:FQVLF) in Panama.

The Globe and Mail had reported that Juana Barceló, president of Barrick’s (GOLD) Pueblo Viejo operations in the Dominican Republic, was in Panama recently and met with First Quantum (OTCPK:FQVLF) officials, citing a former advisor with the Panamanian government as the source.

In response, a Barrick (GOLD) spokesperson told the Globe and Mail that Barceló was last in Panama in early 2023 for a mining conference, and she has not been in contact with anyone from First Quantum (OTCPK:FQVLF).

Bloomberg and The Globe and Mail have both reported recently that Barrick (GOLD) approached the First Quantum (OTCPK:FQVLF) late last year to gauge its interest in being acquired.

The Canadian copper miner said earlier this week it is considering the sale of some smaller mines, and potentially selling stakes in larger operations, as it attempts to mitigate the financial damage from the closure of its giant Cobre Panama mine.