Amara Mining’s Ivory Coast gold mine to start production in 2017

As part of the deal, the Lundin Family Trust also agreed increase its stake in the company from 17.7% to 19.9%.

Bullion is now 18% higher for the year, boosted by anticipation of Fed loosening as well as significant buying by central banks.

The planned Grand Inga hydropower complex in the DRC has been stalled for decades.

Barrick Gold's second-quarter gold output edged up by almost 0.9% from the previous three months.