Massive cash piles could see miners chase unwieldy empires

Another option is to return cash to investors in the form of dividends. That is, unless they are taxed to death.

S&P Gold (Formerly Precious Metals Mining)*
*S&P Gold from 1945, Barron's Gold Stock Index from 1939-1945, 1922-1939 Homestake Mining:

Recent takeover bids by BHP Billiton (BLT.L) (BHP.AX) and Vedanta (VED.L) show that a bounty of cash from high metals prices may entice miners to chase pricey takeovers and build unwieldy conglomerates.

Source: mineweb.co.za

From Bob