SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the month of September 2003
ASHANTI GOLDFIELDS COMPANY LIMITED
(Translation of Registrant's Name Into English)
Gold House, Patrice Lumumba Road
Roman Ridge, P.O. Box 2665
Accra, Ghana
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file
annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.)
Form 20-F [X] Form 40-F [ ]
(Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the
information contained in this form is also thereby furnishing the information to
the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934.)
Yes [ ] No [X]
(If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the
registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-_____.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Date: September 23, 2003 ASHANTI GOLDFIELDS COMPANY LIMITED
By: /s/ Ernest Abankroh
--------------------------------
Name: Ernest Abankroh
Title: Company Secretary
(ASHANTI GOLDFIELDS COMPANY LIMITED LOGO)
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 23 SEPTEMBER 2003
CONFIRMATION OF FURTHER APPROACH BY RANDGOLD
The board of Ashanti Goldfields Company Limited ("Ashanti") notes the
announcement earlier today by Randgold Resources Limited ("Randgold"). Ashanti
confirms that it has today received a formal merger proposal from Randgold to
acquire the issued share capital of Ashanti at an exchange ratio of one new
Randgold ordinary share for every two Ashanti ordinary shares ("the Proposal").
The Proposal is subject to a number of pre-conditions including the
recommendation of the board of Ashanti, entering into a satisfactory transaction
agreement with Ashanti and the receipt of an undertaking to accept the offer
from the Government of Ghana.
Ashanti is, together with its advisers, currently evaluating the terms of the
Proposal. A further announcement will be made as and when appropriate.
The board of Ashanti continues to recommend the proposed merger with AngloGold
Limited ("AngloGold") and has agreed with AngloGold to extend the transaction
agreement entered into on 4 August 2003. The transaction agreement originally
provided that it would terminate if certain approvals and undertakings were not
received from the Government before 30 September 2003, or such later date as may
be agreed by Ashanti and AngloGold. This date has now been extended to 31
October 2003, or such later date as may be agreed by Ashanti and AngloGold.
There can be no assurance that an agreement with Randgold will be reached or
that a transaction with either Randgold or AngloGold will be implemented.
Consequently, shareholders of Ashanti are advised to exercise caution when
dealing in the relevant securities.
END
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
ASHANTI GOLDFIELDS COMPANY LIMITED
Kweku Awotwi Tel: +233 21 772 331
Ernest Abankroh Tel: +233 21 774 977
Corinne Gaisie Tel: +44 20 7256 9938
GRANDFIELD
UK Investors and Media
Charles Cook Tel: +44 20 7417 4170
Matthew Jervois
THE GLOBAL CONSULTING GROUP
North American Contact
Allan Jordan Tel: +1 646 284 9452
CIBC WORLD MARKETS
Andy Quinn Tel: +44 20 7234 6000
Certain statements in this announcement are forward-looking within the meaning
of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Although Ashanti believes that the
expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, no
assurance can be given that such expectations will prove to have been correct.
For a discussion of the important factors and risks involved in Ashanti's
business refer to Ashanti's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission"), including Ashanti's amended annual report on Form
20-F/A for the year ended 31 December 2002, filed with the Commission on 17 June
2003.
Ashanti does not undertake any obligation to update publicly any forward-looking
statements discussed in this announcement, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise.