{"text":[[{"start":7.75,"text":"Hong Kong-listed Zijin Gold International’s $4bn takeover of Canada’s Allied Gold is facing delays because of opposition from regulators in Beijing, threatening the Chinese group’s first major deal since its initial public offering."}],[{"start":21.75,"text":"China’s powerful regulator, the National Development and Reform Commission, has questioned the premium Zijin is paying as well as the geopolitical risks associated with Allied’s gold mine in Mali, according to people familiar with its thinking. "}],[{"start":35.15,"text":"The company’s biggest mine by current production is Sadiola in the West African country, which was rocked by political violence last month. "}],[{"start":43.5,"text":"The all-cash transaction, agreed in January, was seen as a high-water mark for the gold fever that sent bullion prices to records of more than $5,500 per troy ounce just three days after the deal was announced. Prices have since fallen to about $4,500 per troy ounce. "}],[{"start":62.45,"text":"A delay in the Chinese regulatory approval process has become a major problem, causing people close to the transaction to question whether it will proceed as planned. The original agreement had a closing deadline of Friday May 29, which can be extended if both sides agree. "}],[{"start":79.45,"text":"A spokesperson for Allied said: “There is strong industrial and commercial logic for this transaction, and both parties continue to work diligently towards closing.” "}],[{"start":88.7,"text":"Toronto-listed Allied produces bullion in Mali and Côte d’Ivoire, and is on the cusp of commissioning the large Kurmuk mine in Ethiopia. "}],[{"start":97.75,"text":"In April, Mali experienced violent attacks by separatist and jihadist rebels, which killed several senior government officials. "}],[{"start":106.4,"text":"The military government has also arrested several foreign mining executives over the past two years and renegotiated its contracts with miners including Barrick Gold and Resolute Mining. "}],[{"start":116.85000000000001,"text":"That history is making Chinese regulators hesitant for the country’s companies to get more deeply involved in Mali, according to people close to the regulator. "}],[{"start":125.60000000000001,"text":"Allied’s shares have dropped about 13 per cent since the violence broke out, though the company said last month that the Sadiola mine was not directly affected."}],[{"start":134.8,"text":"Allied’s share price is currently at C$37.31 — far below Zijin’s offer price of C$44 per share — implying the market is already pricing in the possibility of the deal collapsing. The offer represented a 27 per cent premium to Allied’s undisturbed 30-day average when the deal was struck."}],[{"start":155.75,"text":"For Zijin Gold, which listed last autumn in a blockbuster public offering, the transaction was supposed to be its first major foray into international dealmaking following the IPO. "}],[{"start":167.7,"text":"With a market capitalisation of $44bn, Zijin Gold is a subsidiary of Fujian-based Zijin Mining and holds overseas gold assets spanning from Africa to South America and Australia."}],[{"start":181.39999999999998,"text":"China’s NDRC is one of the world’s most powerful and far-reaching regulators for global resources deals, and its approval is required for the Zijin-Allied deal under the country’s outbound investment review process. "}],[{"start":194.49999999999997,"text":"Zijin Gold declined to comment. The NDRC could not be reached for comment. "}],[{"start":200.19999999999996,"text":"Additional reporting by Cheng Leng in Beijing"}],[{"start":211.34999999999997,"text":""}]],"url":"https://audio.ftcn.net.cn/album/a_1780106708_6073.mp3"}