Statement re Possible Offer

RNS Number:5172O
Ashanti Goldfields Company Ld
08 August 2003

          P    R    E    S    S        R    E    L    E    A    S    E


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:       [phone]
Corinne Gaisie                                  Tel:       [phone]

Grandfield
UK Investors and Media
Matthew Jervois                                 Tel:       [phone]

Golin Harris
North American Contact
Kevin Kirkeby                                   Tel:       [phone]

CIBC World Markets
Andy Quinn                                      Tel:       [phone]

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.

                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END

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