Barrick Gold boss Mark Bristow has anointed Northern Star Resources as one of the frontrunners in the sale of part or all of Kalgoorlie’s Superpit as doubts emerge about the value of what was once Australia's biggest gold mine.

Mr Bristow talked up Bill Beament-led Northern Star as a Superpit buyer and said there was no lack of interest from others in the historic West Australian mine after declaring Barrick wanted to divest its 50 per cent stake.