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 February 2004
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: February 20, 2004 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 20 February 2004
MERGER UPDATE
Ashanti Goldfields Company Limited ("Ashanti") notes the announcement by
AngloGold Limited ("AngloGold") earlier today that it has signed a stability
agreement with the Government of Ghana, details of which were announced by
AngloGold on 12 December 2003. Ashanti has today filed an application with the
High Court of the Republic of Ghana (the "High Court") to convene the meeting at
which Ashanti shareholders will consider and vote on the scheme of arrangement
required to implement the merger (the "Scheme Meeting"). If Ashanti shareholders
approve the merger at the Scheme Meeting then the High Court will be asked to
confirm the scheme of arrangement at a subsequent hearing (the "Court Hearing").
Documents describing the merger and the scheme of arrangement will be posted to
shareholders as soon as practicable once the dates for the Scheme Meeting and
Court Hearing have been scheduled. It is currently anticipated that the Scheme
Meeting will take place in early April and the merger with AngloGold will be
completed by the end of April.
Ashanti shareholders are reminded that there can be no assurance that the merger
with AngloGold will be completed. The implementation of the merger remains
subject to, amongst other things, the approval by Ashanti shareholders and the
confirmation of the scheme by the High Court.
End
For further information contact:
Ashanti Goldfields Company Limited
Srinivasan Venkatakrishnan (Venkat) Tel: +233 21 778 171
Kwaku Akosah-Bempah Tel: +233 21 778 173
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.