Message : Required fields JOHANNESBURG/HONG KONG (Reuters) - Chinese gold mining companies are on a buying spree in West Africa and South America, outbidding rivals for assets in less familiar regions as the governments in their usual hunting grounds turn against them. China's overseas mining M&A activity fell overall in 2020, Refinitiv data shows, but the number of acquisitions in the gold sector tripled from 2019 even though a surge in the gold market to record levels inflated premiums. Bankers and lawyers predicted the focus would continue on the emerging economies that welcome Chinese investment as Australia, Canada, and the United States increase scrutiny of Chinese acquisitions.