A SOUTH African gold company hopes to cash in on the magic of a screen adaption of JRR Tolkien’s epic fantasy “The Lord of the Rings” by selling copies of the gold ring at the centre of the tale. “The Fellowship of the Ring,” the first of three films inspired by Tolkien’s book, was released this week. Harmony Gold Mining Company, the world’s fifth largest gold mining company, says it has obtained rights from the film producer in South Africa and abroad to mint and sell the special ring. Engraved on both its inner and outer sides is the “magic” formula: “One ring to rule them all, one ring to find them, one ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them”. Harmony public relations manager Theresa Lee said the ring would be selling for about R2 000 ($177) in South Africa. The company, which also has interests in Canada and Australia, says its gold comes from mines more than 2 500 metres deep and from granite rocks more than three billion years old. – AFP