SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, DC 20549 FORM 6-K REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUE PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the month of April 2004 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 GOLDFIELDS COMPANY LIMITED LOGO] P R E S S R E L E A S E ------------------------- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 26 April 2004 ASHANTI AND ANGLOGOLD MERGER BECOMES EFFECTIVE Ashanti Goldfields Company Limited ("Ashanti") is pleased to announce that at the court hearing held on 23 April 2004, the High Court of Ghana confirmed the scheme of arrangement required to implement the merger with AngloGold Limited. A copy of the court order confirming the scheme has been delivered to the Ghanaian Registrar of Companies today and the merger has now become effective. Dealings in the new AngloGold Ashanti securities are expected to commence tomorrow, 27 April 2004. Sam Jonah, Chief Executive Officer of Ashanti, who will be President of AngloGold Ashanti following the merger, said "Today is a momentous day for gold mining in Africa and opens a new chapter in the history of Ashanti. It is interesting that this occurs on the tenth anniversary of the day Ashanti became a public listed company". End For further information contact: Ashanti Goldfields Company Limited Ernest Abankroh Tel: +233 21 774 977 Kwaku Akosah-Bempah Tel: +233 21 778 173 James Anaman Tel: +233 21 778178 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 1 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. 2 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: April 26, 2004 ASHANTI GOLDFIELDS COMPANY LIMITED By: /s/ Ernest Abankroh ---------------------- Name: Ernest Abankroh Title: Company Secretary