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 December 2002.
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-_____.
[ASHANTI LOGO]
P R E S S R E L E A S E
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 9 DECEMBER 2002
ASHANTI ANNOUNCES FILING OF F-1 REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Ashanti Goldfields Company Limited ("Ashanti") announces that it has, on Friday
6 December 2002, filed an F-1 registration statement with the US Securities and
Exchange Commission ("SEC") in connection with a Rights Issue in the form of
ordinary shares or global depositary securities. The registration statement has
not yet been declared effective by the SEC and is therefore subject to
amendment. The UK Listing Authority has not approved the registration statement.
Neither the size nor the pricing of the offering is yet decided.
When available, a copy of the prospectus may be obtained from the offices of
Ashanti at 3rd Floor, Roman House, Wood Street, London EC2Y 5BA.
ENDS
ENQUIRIES :
ASHANTI GOLDFIELDS COMPANY LIMITED
Sam Jonah, Chief Executive + 00 233 21 774913
S. Venkatakrishnan, Chief Financial Officer + 00 233 21 778171
Ernest Abankroh, Company Secretary + 00 233 21 774 977
GOLIN HARRIS - NORTH AMERICAN CONTACT
Alan Jordan +1 212 897 9191
The draft registration statement may be viewed upon the US Securities and
Exchange Commission website, EDGAR, and on the UK Listing Authority's document
viewing facility. A registration statement relating to these securities has been
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission but has not yet become
effective. These securities may not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted
prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective. This release
shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy,
nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such
an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or
qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.
This announcement contains a number of statements relating to Ashanti that are
considered "forward looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act 1995 of the United States of America. Such statements are
based on current plans, information and intentions and certain external factors
which may be beyond the control of Ashanti and, therefore, undue reliance should
not be placed on them. Forward looking statements speak only as of the date they
are made, and Ashanti undertakes no obligation to update publicly any of them in
light of new information or future events. These statements are subject to risks
and uncertainties that could cause actual occurrences to differ materially from
the forward looking statements. Additional risk factors affecting Ashanti are
set out in Ashanti's filings with the US Securities and Exchange Commission.
A copy of this release is available at http://www.ashantigold.com/release.htm
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: December 9, 2002 ASHANTI GOLDFIELDS COMPANY LIMITED
By: /s/ Ernest Abankroh
-------------------
Name: Ernest Abankroh
Title: Corporate Secretary