Supreme Court Approves Merger

RNS Number:7496R
Ballarat Goldfields N.L.
22 February 2007

BALLARAT GOLDFIELDS NL
ACN 006 245 441
ASX and Media release: 23 February 2007


                  Supreme Court Approves Scheme of Arrangement

             for the Merger of Ballarat Goldfields with Lihir Gold


Ballarat Goldfields NL (ASX, AIM: BGF) advises that the Supreme Court of
Victoria today issued an Order approving the Scheme of Arrangement relating to
the proposed merger of Ballarat Goldfields NL with Lihir Gold Limited which was
approved by BGF shareholders at the Scheme Meeting on 12 February 2007.


The Scheme will become effective on Monday 26 February 2007 following the
lodgement by BGF of a copy of the Court Order referred to above with the
Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC). Trading of shares in BGF
will be suspended from close of trading on that day.


BGF expects to make a further announcement after the Scheme becomes effective on
Monday 26 February 2007.


The key dates from today are:

26 February 2007     Scheme Effective Date (Court Order approving the Scheme 
                     lodged with ASIC).

                     Trading in BGF shares on ASX suspended from Close of 
                     trading on ASX. BGF shares will also be suspended from 
                     trading on AIM prior to commencement of trading on AIM.

27 February 2007     Trading of New Lihir Shares on a deferred settlement basis.

5 March 2007         Record Date for determining entitlements to Scheme 
                     Consideration.

8 March 2007         Implementation Date - Allotment of New Lihir Shares to 
                     Scheme Participants.

9 March 2007         Trading of New Lihir Shares on a normal settlement basis.




Amber Rivamonte

Company Secretary



For further information, please visit our website www.ballarat-goldfields.com.au
or contact Joel Forwood, Manager Corporate and Markets, on 03 5327 1111



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

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