Ashanti Goldfields Company Limited has announced that its shareholders voted overwhelmingly in favour of the Scheme of Arrangement ("Scheme") for the merger of AngloGold and Ashanti at a shareholders' meeting which was held on 7 April 2004. The Scheme is expected to become effective, subject to confirmation of the Scheme by the High Court of Ghana, by the end of April 2004. The change of name is conditional on the Scheme becoming effective and will be implemented once the Scheme becomes effective.
AngloGold shareholders in possession of AngloGold share certificates need not take any action once the change of name is implemented, since the share certificates reflecting the old name of the Company will still be good for delivery. Holders of dematerialised shares need not take any action as their accounts at their CSDP or broker will be automatically updated with the change of name by their CSDP or broker.
The effective date of the merger between AngloGold and Ashanti and the consequent change of name to AngloGold Ashanti Limited will be announced in the South African press and through the news services of the various stock exchanges once the High Court of Ghana approves the Scheme.