The De Beers diamond company said on Monday it has "no knowledge" of weekend reports out of London that its 45% shareholder Anglo American was plotting a takeover, Miningmx.com reported.



James Wyatt-Tilby, spokesperson for Anglo American, one of the world's largest mining companies, told I-Net Bridge that the company would "not comment on this speculation". De Beers spokesperson Tom Tweedy also called the report "speculation," as the company had no knowledge of a takeover plan, the report said.

"It is a shareholder issue - only shareholders would comment," he added.

The reports emanated from the Sunday Times in London, which said Anglo is considering a plan to take control of De Beers.

The London-based company, which has significant diamond mining operations in South Africa, would do so by buying out the Oppenheimer family's stake, said the report, which cited sources in London 's financial district.

Anglo American owns 45% of De Beers, with the Oppenheimers holding 40% and the government of Botswana 15%.

The deal could cost Anglo American at least £2 billion, the report said.

"Shareholders aren't happy with the minority investment. They want clarity either way, and the view of the directors is a positive one: that they would be interested in taking control," the newspaper cited a banking source as saying.

De Beers de-listed in 2001 after shareholders agreed to a $36 billion buyout of the giant diamond supplier. This year, it denied reports it may consider a re-listing, the miningmx report said.