This is the third recent merger announcement among gold miners. The big one Newcrest Mining's $8.4 billion acquisition of Australian miner Lihir. Then came Kinross Gold Corp.'s (NYSE:KGC) acquisition of Red Back Mining for $7 billion. The acquisitions come as gold prices continue a steady climb toward $1,300/ounce. The SPDR Gold Shares ETF (NYSE:GLD) is threatening its 52-week high of $123.56, currently trading at $123.00, and the Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF (NYSE:GDX) is within a dollar of its 52-week high. The Market Vectors Junior Gold Miners ETF (NYSE:GDXJ) is also with $0.25 of its 52-week high.