Northgate Minerals files $250 mln mixed shelf

WASHINGTON, May 16 (Reuters) - Canada's Northgate Minerals Corp (NGX.TO: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) on Friday said it may periodically sell up to $250 million in debt securities, common shares, warrants, contractions and units.

It plans to use the proceeds for capital, development and construction spending, as well as exploration, potential acquisitions and general corporate purposes, according to a shelf registration filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Under a shelf registration, a company may sell securities in one or more separate offerings with the size, price and terms to be determined at the time of sale.

(Reporting by John Poirier)