Statement re Strategic Partnership
23 Dezembro 2003 - 5:01AM
UK Regulatory
Gold Fields and Fujian Zijin Mining Industry Co. Limited
Announce Strategic Partnership
HONG KONG, Dec. 22 -- Gold Fields Limited, through its offshore, wholly-
owned subsidiary Orogen Holdings (BVI) Limited ("Gold Fields"), and Fujian Zijin
Mining Industry Co. Limited ("ZIJIN") are pleased to announce a strategic
partnership which will see Gold Fields' purchase of a total of US$7.73 million
of shares in ZIJIN in the Initial Public Offering (IPO) of ZIJIN on the Hong
Kong Stock Exchange ("HKSE") and establishment of a joint venture to explore for
and develop gold properties in the Fujian Province of the People's Republic of
China ("PRC"). This purchase represents approximately 18 million shares out of
318 million issued, or roughly 5.7% of the float of 27% of the company. Gold
Fields was the largest single purchaser of shares in the IPO.
Gold Fields and ZIJIN will establish a Sino-Foreign Joint Venture to
acquire, explore for and develop gold properties in Fujian Province, PRC.
Equity in the JV will initially be Gold Fields 60% and ZIJIN 40%. Gold Fields
will invest the first US$0.5 million in exploration expenditure and ZIJIN will
contribute Exploration Licences, data, local knowledge, and facilitate further
tenement acquisition. Following Gold Fields' initial period of sole funding
exploration expenditure, both parties will contribute according to their
equity positions.
Both parties recognise their strength and leading positions in the gold
mining industry, internationally, and in the PRC and intend to broaden the
partnership to the mutual benefit of both companies.
ZIJIN is one of China's largest gold producers, which has been growing
rapidly in recent years. The principal asset of ZIJIN is the Zijinshan Gold
Mine located in Fujian Province, which is the largest producing gold mine in
the PRC. The company has interests in a number of other gold and base metal
projects throughout China, ranging from grass roots exploration to operating
stage, including the Shuiyindong Gold Mine in Guizhou, and the Ashele Cu-Zn
project in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. The Company, which employs
1,035 people nationwide, produces more than 300,000 ounces of gold annually.
ZIJIN is listed on the HKSE under the code 2899.
Gold Fields is one of the world's largest gold producers, operating in
three key gold mining countries, South Africa, Ghana and Australia. The
company, which employs 48,000 people worldwide, produces more than 4 million
ounces of gold annually. Gold Fields is listed on the JSE Securities Exchange
and the London Stock Exchange, among others and its American Depository Shares
are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol GFI.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENT
The statements herein that are not historical facts are forward-looking
statements. These statements address future events and conditions and so
involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ from
those currently projected.
SOURCE Gold Fields Limited
-0- 12/22/2003
/CONTACT: Tommy McKeith, Director of Gold Fields Australasia Pty Ltd,
+61 (08) 9211 9200, or fax, +61 (08) 9226 3477; or Chen Jinghe, Chairman of
Fujian Zijin Mining Industry Co. Limited, +86 (0597) 384 2888, or fax,
+86 (0597) 388 3997/
/Web site: http://www.zjky.com.cn
http://www.gold-fields.com /
(GFI)
END