Yamana Gold Inc. announced its fourth quarter dividend of $0.01 per share. Shareholders of record at the close of business on December 31, 2009 will be entitled to receive payment of this dividend on January 14, 2010. The dividend is an 'eligible dividend' for Canadian tax purposes.

Compañía Minera Meridian Ltda. has presented an EIA for a $23 million plan to extend mining areas at its El Peñón gold mine in region II. In May the company presented an EIA for a $7.08 million project to expand El Peñón's processing plant. The new plan involves expanding the Bonanza zone in order for it to produce 14,500t/m of ore including waste ore; building three support mining areas called A1, A2 and A3; and constructing a waste ore dumping area of 9.55ha. The company also plans to expand El Peñón's explosives storage capacity. The project is expected to have a nine year life, employ 163 workers during construction and 74 once in operation.

Yamana Gold, Inc. said that it prefers to buy undeveloped mining properties, principally in Latin America, rather than seek corporate takeovers. Peter Marrone, Chief Executive Officer of the firm said that acquisitions would be undeveloped projects or licenses, and “we have excellent prospects in the countries we’re in.” He added, “It’s highly likely that it will be for at least a two-year horizon that we’re not looking for” corporate acquisitions. He noted, “Our focus is organic growth.” Firm’s third-quarter net income dropped to $60.8 million or 8 cents a share, because of a loss on derivative positions. A year earlier, the company reported a profit of $150.2 million, or 21 cents.