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 August 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: August 8, 2003 ASHANTI GOLDFIELDS COMPANY LIMITED
By: /s/ Ernest Abankroh
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Name: Ernest Abankroh
Title: Company Secretary
[ASHANTI LOGO]
P R E S S R E L E A S E
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 8 August 2003
CONFIRMATION OF APPROACH FROM RANDGOLD
The board of Ashanti Goldfields Company Limited ("Ashanti") notes recent press
comment and confirms that it has received an indicative proposal from Randgold
Resources Limited ("Randgold") to acquire the issued share capital of Ashanti
through a scheme of arrangement at a proposed ratio of one Randgold ordinary
share for every two Ashanti ordinary shares. This indicative proposal is
conditional on, amongst other things, mutual due diligence by the two
companies.
These preliminary discussions are at an early stage and may or may not lead to
a formal proposal being made or an agreement being reached. Consequently,
holders of Ashanti securities are advised to exercise caution when dealing in
the relevant securities.
As announced on 4 August 2003, Ashanti has entered into a transaction agreement
with AngloGold Limited ("AngloGold") which it continues to progress.
A further announcement will be made in due course.
End
For further information contact:
Ashanti Goldfields Company Limited
Kweku Awotwi Tel: +233 21 772 331
Corinne Gaisie Tel: +44 20 7256 9938
Grandfield
UK Investors and Media
Matthew Jervois Tel: +44 20 7417 4170
Golin Harris
North American Contact
Kevin Kirkeby Tel: +1 212 697 9191
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 or release any
revisions to publicly update any forward-looking statements discussed in this
announcement, whether as a result of new information, future events or
otherwise.