Russian mining company Norilsk Nickel on Monday confirmed in a statement, issued in Moscow, that its representatives as well as those from Gold Fields and Harmony Gold have engaged in preliminary talks.
On Friday, representatives of Gold Fields and Harmony Gold, as well as those of Mvelaphanda Resources — which has a 15% stake in Gold Fields’ South African operations — met in Moscow with Norilsk Nickel representatives.
Norilsk Nickel has a 20,03% stake in Gold Fields.
The talks were aimed at exploring alternative transactions that could be mutually acceptable and beneficial to all parties, relating to the current offer by Harmony for Gold Fields, Norilsk said.
Harmony is offering Gold Fields shareholders 1,275 Harmony shares for every Gold Fields security held, with Harmony’s subsequent offer set to expire on February 4 2005.
“Any discussions or possible transactions are subject to Norilsk Nickel’s continuing obligations under the existing irrevocable undertaking granted in favour of Harmony pursuant to its current offer for Gold Fields,” Norilsk added. — I-Net Bridge