Goldman Sachs is advising Canadian gold mining company Placer Dome as its board has approved a $10.4bn (€9.1bn) offer from rival Barrick Gold that would create the world's largest gold producer.

Goldman Sachs replaces RBC Capital Markets in the top spot of global mining league tables compiled by Dealogic, the investment banking research provider. RBC is advising Barrick in the deal. Morgan Stanley, which also acted as an adviser to Placer Dome, is ranked third. CIBC World Markets, Placer Dome's third adviser, ranks fourth.