Gold Fields Considers Mining Venture With Norilsk, People Say
May 25 (Bloomberg) -- Gold Fields Ltd.,
South Africa's second- biggest gold producer, is considering a venture with OAO GMK Norilsk Nickel to increase its overseas assets after a surge in the rand reduced profits, people familiar with the plan said.
Gold Fields, based in Johannesburg, would transfer its profitable foreign mines in Australia and Ghana to the company, said the people, who declined to be identified. The Russian company, currently Gold Fields' biggest shareholder, would contribute its ZAO Polyus gold-mining arm, the people said.
The combination would create a gold producer with annual production of about 2.6 million ounces, making it the world's seventh-biggest gold company. Gold Fields, whose $2.9 billion purchase of Canada's Iamgold Corp. collapsed last year, is seeking assets outside South Africa after costs jumped because the rand almost doubled against the dollar since 2001. Norilsk said last month it wants to focus on its main nickel and palladium business.
``Gold Fields is looking at the opportunities,'' said Patrice Rassou, manager of the Cape Town-based Old Mutual Gold Fund, in a phone interview. ``You could see an Iamgold No. 2, this time with Norilsk. If they can agree on price, this could fly.'' Rassou holds Gold Fields shares in the $45 billion he helps oversee.
Gold Fields spokesman Willie Jacobsz in Johannesburg declined to comment. Norilsk's Deputy Chief Executive Denis Morozov said the company is exploring ``different options.'' Norilsk in April said it may spin off its gold business or merge with a rival.
Norilsk's gold business may be worth as much as $3.5 billion, according to Maxim Matveev, an analyst at Alfa Bank in Moscow. Norilsk is based in Norilsk in Russia's Arctic Circle.
Gold Fields, whose international assets contribute two thirds to its earnings, had a market value of 33 billion rand ($5 billion) at yesterday's close in Johannesburg.