Detour said yesterday it would hold the meeting in Toronto on December 11 in response to the requisition by Paulson, which has a 5.4% interest and is recommending a team of eight to replace Detour's entire board.

Paulson started calling for change in June but Detour said its management and board were "highly focused" on operational improvements, with the pair then trading a series of barbs in July.

When requisitioning the special meeting on July 26, Paulson said it was taking action as a result of Detour's persistent failures in both operations and governance.

"In the past three years alone, the company released three different mine plans with progressively worse economics in each iteration," the investment firm said.

"Detour Gold's response of frivolous lawsuits and public attacks are a waste of corporate resources and an appalling way for a company to treat one of its longest standing shareholders, but are even worse considering Detour Gold's record of value destruction and lack of alignment with shareholders."

Paulson said it was not advocating a fire sale but a comprehensive review of all alternatives, including a sale.

In response, Detour had said it was focused on implementing its life of mine plan at its flagship Detour Lake gold mine, not a fire sale.

"Shareholders should be very concerned about Paulson's inexperienced handpicked nominees being elected to the board, as a sale at this time will result in a substantial amount of value being left on the table," Detour said at the time.

The miner yesterday said it would send how to vote information prior to the meeting and in the meantime, there was "no need for shareholders to take any action".

In its June quarterly report, Detour reiterated its 2018 revised guidance of 595,000-635,000oz at an all-in sustaining cost of US$1,200-$1,280/oz and said it was focused on operational improvements.

Detour shares were trading around C$17 a year ago and plunged close to $9 in May as it forecast higher costs and lower mill throughput at Detour Lake. 

Shares in the company closed up 3.82% yesterday to $11.15, capitalising it at $1.95 billion.