Ashanti Goldfields Corporation Ltd x AngloGold Ashanti

Ashanti Goldfields Corporation Limited was incorporated in May 1897 as a company to work the concession acquired by Edwin Cade in 1895. A small company, the Cote d'Or Company, had been established to provide funds for an expedition by Cade to Ashanti, during which he had signed an agreement with local chiefs and had secured the concession to mine for gold. In 1896 Ashanti had been annexed by the British Government and negotiations secured agreement whereby the concession to mining, trading and agricultural rights over a square mile area was recognised by the Government for 90 years, and the Ashanti Goldfields Corporation Limited was registered.

Edwin Cade and John Daw were members of the first expedition to work the concession and both were important figures in the early development of the Corporation, the former as a director until his death in 1903, the latter as consultant engineer, general manager, and eventually director until 1906. In 1972 Lonrho acquired an interest in the company which became jointly owned by them and the Ghanian Government until 1996. In 2000 the company entered into a strategic alliance with AngloGold which resulted in merger in 2004. The new company is called AngloGold Ashanti and continues to mine in Ghana. The Corporation had offices at 9 Broad Street in 1900; 6 Southampton Street 1902-1935; 10 Old Jewry 1936-1963; Moor House, London Wall 1964-1970; Cheapside House, 138 Cheapside from 1971; and Roman House, 4Wood Street from 1996. In 2004, the company closed its London offices.