Equinox Minerals Limited announced that 729 million common shares of Equinox representing approximately 83% of the outstanding Equinox Shares on a fully diluted basis have been deposited into the offer by Barrick Gold Corporation to acquire all of the Equinox Shares at a price of CAD 8.15 per Equinox Share byway of a takeover bid.

All of the conditions of the Offer have been satisfied and Barrick has taken up all such deposited shares and will pay for all such shares by June 6th 2011. Barrick and its affiliates now collectively own about 747 million Equinox Shares, representing approximately 85% of the outstanding Equinox Shares on a fully diluted basis.

The Offer has also been extended to enable the remaining Equinox shareholders to receive prompt payment of CAD 8.15 per Equinox Share. Barrick will take up and pay for any Equinox Shares validly tendered within three business days of such tender.

Barrick intends to acquire all Equinox Shares not tendered to the Offer following its expiry pursuant to a compulsory acquisition or a subsequent acquisition transaction. The Offer is now open for acceptance until 5:00 PM on June 14th 2011 unless the Offer is further extended. Barrick expects to mail a formal notice of extension shortly.