Shareholders in South African gold miner AngloGold, the world's second-biggest gold producer, have approved its name change to AngloGold Ashanti Limited, the company said on Thursday.

The decision followed approval on Wednesday for the takeover of Ghana's Ashanti by the smaller firm's shareholders, which had been widely expected. There were no details on the number of shareholders who approved the $1.55 billion deal.

"The scheme is expected to become effective, subject to confirmation of the Scheme by the High Court of Ghana, by the end of April 2004," AngloGold said in a statement