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 May 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 [ ]
(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
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 16 MAY 2003
STATEMENT REGARDING SHARE PRICE MOVEMENT
The board of Ashanti Goldfields Company Limited ("Ashanti") notes the recent
movement in its share price. It confirms that the boards of Ashanti and
AngloGold Limited ("AngloGold") are in discussions regarding a proposed merger
of the two companies at a ratio of 26 AngloGold shares for every 100 Ashanti
ordinary shares or global depositary securities. These discussions may or may
not lead to a proposal being made for the entire issued share capital of
Ashanti.
The boards of the two companies have initiated discussions with certain
stakeholders and a further announcement will be made in due course. However,
there can be no assurance that agreement will be reached. Consequently,
shareholders of Ashanti are advised to exercise caution when dealing in the
relevant securities until a further announcement is made.
END
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
ASHANTI GOLDFIELDS COMPANY LIMITED
Srinivasan Venkatakrishnan, Chief Financial Officer Tel: +233 21 778 171
Ernest Abankroh, Company Secretary Tel: +233 21 774 977
Mark Arnesen, MD - International Treasury Tel: +44 207 256 9938
NORTH AMERICAN CONTACT:
Allan Jordan - Golin Harris Tel: +1 212 697 9191
CIBC WORLD MARKETS PLC
Andy Quinn, Managing Director Tel: +44 20 7234 6400
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 2001, filed with the Commission on 27
January 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.
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: May 16, 2003 ASHANTI GOLDFIELDS COMPANY LIMITED
By: /s/ Ernest Abankroh
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Name: Ernest Abankroh
Title: Company Secretary