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 November 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___
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(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
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(If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the
registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-_____.
[ASHANTI GOLDFIELDS COMPANY LIMITED LOGO]
P R E S S R E L E A S E
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 14 NOVEMBER 2003
MERGER UPDATE
On 27 October 2003, Ashanti Goldfields Company Limited ("Ashanti") announced
that the Board of Ashanti continued to recommend the revised merger proposal
from AngloGold Limited ("AngloGold"). As set out in the detailed announcements
of 4 August and 14 October 2003, the merger is conditional on the support of the
Government of Ghana ("Government"), both in its capacity as regulator and
shareholder of Ashanti. On 30 October 2003, AngloGold announced that the
Government had confirmed the principal terms of the agreement that it will enter
into as regulator of, and shareholder in, Ashanti.
In order to allow AngloGold and the Government time to finalise the formal
agreements regarding such undertakings and support, AngloGold and Ashanti have
agreed to extend the date on which the transaction agreement would have
otherwise terminated to 12 December 2003, or such later date as may be agreed by
AngloGold and Ashanti.
There can be no assurance that a transaction with AngloGold will be completed.
Consequently, shareholders of Ashanti are advised to exercise caution when
dealing in the relevant securities.
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
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.
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: November 14, 2003 ASHANTI GOLDFIELDS COMPANY LIMITED
By: /s/ Ernest Abankroh
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Name: Ernest Abankroh
Title: Company Secretary