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Barrick Gold Corporation (NYSE:ABX)(TSX:ABX) will release its Fourth Quarter 2017 Results on February 14, 2018, followed by a conference call and webcast on February 15 at 8:00 am ET. Fourth Quarter Results Release � February 14, after market close Conference Call and Webcast � February 15, 8:00 am ET Happy Valentine?

CLLN's problems were compounded by the relentless onslaught of Hedge funds. National Grid are currently buying their own shares. The market seems to have a downer on utilities at the moment, possibly influenced by Labours stated policies of Nationalisation. As that relies on them winning an election in 2020 and then implementing (and paying for) the utilities, there's lot of time for reconsideration. I cannot imagine the USA will be very pro John McDonnell running and providing their power. Contemplating a fine for outages caused by a violent unpresidented storm, gives an insight into their mindset.

I don't think you will get the answers you seek in the short term. Remember Magufuli said at an early stage that he wanted ore to be smelted there, he wanted the company on the Tanzanian stock market with a degree of local ownership. Add to that the latest Barrick concessions and a 'mid 2018' resolution and it becomes unlikely there will be a Barrick take up of the Acacia shares it does not own, (I suspect it would love to offload the lot). It could be that they are planning a revamped Acacia, additionally listed in Tanzania, maybe with an element of raising capital, possibly tied in with a new small smelting unit. The incentive might be exploration licences. I reckon this would take the lawyers/advisors/banks about four to six months to put together, say about mid 2018. In the meantime, the SP will probably stay in the 170-195 range with the price of gold, about its worth.

I think it went something like - Barrick/Acacia got a very good deal when they first started in Tanzania. But fair dues, they did stump up the cash to make the mine(s) work. As the years have gone by, the profits have not gone unnoticed. The problem was for the Government had a contract. But contracts are not unbreakable and along came a bold politician who portrayed the big rich mining companies as the baddies and a situation was engineered whereby Tanzania gets a bigger slice of the profits and a lump sum for profits it missed in previous years. The commission to value the ore and the estimated tax bill and the implication of the missing gold bars was a crowbar to arrive at this new deal. The question is, will there be enough profit for Acacia. They make roughly $300 a ounce of gold profit, take the taxes off this and then give a further 16% to the government. Still a profit for Acacia, but how long will that take to balance out the $300m they(or Barrick or both) have got to pay. I wouldn't have thought it would have take 'a long period of time' to get the calculator out, I suspect there's some serious board meetings taking place

I dont think there is tax issue, I dare say the declared accounts are correct. There was a well published admission that Barrack/ Acacica got a very good deal. We may not like it, but John Magufuli had all the aces and has won the hand. Barrick own 63.9% of Acacia, so a shareholder vote may not be a deciding issue, (assuming they have equal voting rights). If it�s the usual 75%, it will just take a couple of big funds to tip the scales. I suspect the Barrick deal is a �fait accompli� and Acacia will have mulled it over this weekend and there will be an RNS in the next couple of days �welcoming a new and exciting future working with the Tanzanian Government�, sic

Its just a matter of looking at this lodgically. Barrack have an agreement with Tanzania, Barrack own a little under two thirds of Acacia. If Barrack stump up a little under two thirds of �300m and Acacia stump up the remainder, (which it just about has). The bill will be covered. Why should Barrack pay two thirds? It made the original agreements that have caused the problem. And it is better to own two thirds of a viable company than two thirds of a stagnent company with limited production a huge pile of Ore that�s going nowhere. Other options might include Barrack buying up the remaining third of Acacia, (which it was trying to offload last year). But then it ther would be takeover issues and a greater expense than �200m. Or maybe a rights issue, (which could end up a dead duck). With the bill paid, Acacia would still be getting 84% (less taxes) of the profit from the gold mined and might, just might be the preferred company to mine those other Tanzanian resources. Usually no news is good news, but not in this case.

From South African news - Tanzanian President John Magufuli on Wednesday ordered the army to build a wall around the country's tanzanite mines to prevent smuggling and better control exports of the precious gems unique to the East African country. The deep blue or royal purple stones are mined in the Mererani hills near Mount Kilimanjaro. Magufuli ordered the army to "start building a wall around this whole area," insisting the work be done as soon as possible. But he did not specify exactly where the wall should be built. "Surveillance cameras will be installed and there will be only one entrance," Magufuli said. "Even if you swallow tanzanite, it will be detected". The order seems to be the latest move by Magufuli - who swept to power in 2015 on an anti-corruption platform - to regulate the mining sector, which has faced allegations of fraud and underreporting of production and profits. A commission of enquiry set up Magufuli estimated in June that $90bn had been lost in tax evasion arising from mining operations since 1998. And a parliamentary report published earlier this month revealed that smugglers and mining operators are the ones reaping the benefits of the country's tanzanite riches due to corruption and unfavourable contracts. "This country is rich in natural resources. God has given us minerals which exist nowhere else but are we benefiting?" Magufuli said. "The theft of tanzanite is immeasurable. It has been going on for years and it must stop". Magufuli has locked horns with foreign mining companies, accusing them of under-valuing their production of gold, diamonds and tanzanite, resulting in a loss of billions of dollars in taxes and royalties since 1998. The Tanzanian government this month seized diamonds worth nearly $30m after accusing British company Petra Diamonds of under-estimating their value when trying to export the gems.

I used the term "we" because "we" are an investment club. Sorry I didn't get the exact figure, it was was from memory and I did quote the exact £1012.50p dividend. The point I was making was that "we" have lost money, (about £2k to date) I cannot help but feel that the way the special dividend was handed contributed to our loss. This is echo'd by some others here. Yes I note the 11/12 difference, yes hindsight is wonderful, but this special dividend seems to be the catalyst for the current demise of the NG. SP. As to Corbyn, I can just imagine the Trump tweet if he found out the UK had nationalised a chunk of the US power supplies.

I think the £4b was the total sale proceeds, not what was returned as a dividend. The fact remains that after "returning" this cash, we are worse off. Forgetting the current dividend, which we would have had anyway, the 100 shares that NG "bought" from us was replaced by 97 shares (re-invested). I would have preferred them to have not consolidated and just given a 87p dividend. With hindsight we should have sold all in April thereby avoiding the special dividend (as I suspect many people did rather than incur breaching the £5k rule). I just hope that NG don't do us any more favours!

In April we had 1200 NG shares worth (then) £12474. Our 1200 shares became 1100, and we received a special dividend of £1012.50p Re-invested our holding is now 1197, worth £11730. Ignoring the latest dividend, (which we would have had anyway), we have lost £743. I hear you say but the SP has fallen and SP's go up and down. But even taking that into consideration the then share price of £10.40p, we are still £25 down. So no more special "return of £1b" dividends, we cannot afford them!

Managed to get some at spot on 8am from H & L, but H & L now showing cannot deal. Market price not available. Might calm down later

The Nine Elms £600m deal fell through. You have to wonder if those inscrutable Chinese noticed that they could buy the whole company for £706m, its current market Cap at 317p, according to HL. Interesting times.

I wonder how that urgent enquiry is proceeding. It must be sitting in the in tray at the Tanzania Ministry of Mining. Do they hold all the aces? There's nothing to be made from gold and copper in the ground. They may be looking to have the copper processed in Tanzania. I cannot see what they can do about the gold, its sold to the highest bidder and the government get their cut, (maybe they just want a bigger cut). I wonder if its the African equivalent of Yes Minister, I bet there's a fair bit of lobbying going off.

I bought LXI for my grandsons SIPP, he's 12 and won't be able to take his pension (current rules) until 2074. I wonder what the price of the average house or commercial premises will be worth then?

I did wonder if these sales are strategic and relate to the share save scheme. I believe the directors are in such a scheme, so it would be in their interests for the share price to fall at the time the share save scheme reaches a strike price. Looking back over directors sales and buys, there does seem to be similar across the board sales, certainly in 2015. There might also be a capital gain issue. Interesting that the new chairman bought in today, I am beginning to wish I had grabbed a few more at today's low of £2.96.

I suppose the one positive factor of their (the directors) share sale, because of those Insider trading laws you mention. If there is some major problem ahead that they are aware of, they should not have sold. I wondered if they are a little pee'd off. They have all done everything right, produced some good results and still had their investment bombed. The Brexit and China factor has overshadowed the SP fall. Yet if my washer/TV/Cooker/kettle/vacuum gives up tomorrow, the likely-hood is that I will go and buy another. Have it repaired, I hear you say - false economy, probably fail again. Yes, I will regret I did not take expensive maintenance contract, but I will grit my teeth and go and get a replacement, even if it does mean the credit card gets another bashing!

Ouch, I topped up before this RNS popped up. These sales don't fill me with confidence for the future, the price does seem to be very cheap at these levels, does anyone know why they have sold? I do think some of the preceding comments on service are unfounded. I recently went to Currys to see a particular TV. I spoke to an assistant who suggested a different TV and then went on to point out all of its superior qualities. I bought it, there was no hard sell, nothing was too much trouble and they took it to and placed it in my car. Previously, I bought a dishwasher which I was very pleased with, service contracts were mentioned, (as they are in Argos and just about everywhere else). Also an Iphone, where the guy worked out every possible combination of contract/ no contract costs, then arranged number change over, brilliant service. Every electrical item I've bought online has been defective, refurbished rubbish or damaged.

Your right oldbadger, I shouldn't have mentioned the parking, nightmare! The Assura website and published results are all the company will probably refer you to. Our Investment Club bought Assura on the basis of a steady yield, increasing property values and steady growth. Although other services may become available and even charges made for a visits, in the long term, when something hurts, swells, aches, get spots or goes a funny colour, the NHS GP is the first port of call for me and most other people. Buy on the dips, reinvest dividends and one day you might be able to afford to go private.

Could be a number of factors. Spire announcing they are to introduce paid visits to GP's at their hospitals. General perceived downturn in property values. Many other REITS now trading below NAV with bigger yields. Squeeze on NHS to reduce costs. Aps to see a GP, such as Babylon (and many more) now becoming prevalent. After all, putting your phone between your legs to show a Doctor in India your piles for twenty quid certainly beats, trying to get an appointment, trying to find a place to park, waiting thirty minutes for a quick once over by an NHS GP., followed by another thirty minutes wait at the chemist. Top up and wait for the wall of money to flow into the NHS before the next election.

A downgrade by Credit Suisse, their experts suggest the share price might fall to 680 (H&L). Which tends to differ from it being recommended as one of the five shares to watch in 2017 (H&L) or Pennons tip in Investors Chronicle. Perhaps Credit Suisse have heard that people are going to stop using water, needing waste removed or want to stop them producing electricity from waste at their 12 sites. Experts....