Reuters had reported on Feb. 7 that Newmont was open to slightly increasing its offer amid concerns its current bid was too low after recent leadership changes at the Australian company. Already the world's largest gold producer by market value and ounces produced, Newmont would become a gold mining behemoth should it prevail in its bid for Newcrest. The newly combined company would produce nearly twice as much of the yellow metal as closest rival Barrick Gold Corp. (Reporting by Savyata Mishra in Bengaluru; Editing by Shailesh Kuber)