Joining forces: What does the Newmont-Barrick Gold mega merger mean for Nevada's mining future?

Nevada Gold Mines Executive Managing Director Greg Walker, who started with Barrick in 2002, has seen his share of failed merger discussions over the years. Just this year, Barrick tendered an $18 billion stock offer to acquire Newmont outright. That plan, like many others, was scuttled — but with so many assets and ore bodies in proximity, it didn't take a crystal ball to see that pooling those assets could increase value and extend mining capabilities.