Herald says gets more approaches after Bumi bid

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Herald Resources Ltd (HER.AX: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), the target of a hostile A$455 million ($392 million) takeover offer from Indonesia's PT Bumi BUMI.JK, said it was in talks with other possible suitors and told shareholders not to take any action.

Australian-listed Herald said on Thursday it had received approaches from a number of parties since Bumi launched its A$2.25 a share offer on December 12.

"Herald is currently holding discussions with those parties. Those discussions are confidential," said the company, which is trying to gain government approvals to develop a zinc and lead mine in Indonesia's Sumatra Province.

Analysts have named Perilya Ltd (PEM.AX: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), which holds 8.9 percent of Herald and is the second-largest lead producer and fourth-largest zinc producer listed on the Australian bourse, as possibly one of the groups.

Hong Kong-based investment bank Crosby Capital Partners has also been mentioned as a potential predator, though neither it or Perilya have as yet made an offer.

Executives in Crosby's U.K. offices could not be immediately reached and Perilya declined to comment.

Crosby has been actively pursuing Australian mining companies, purchasing Orchard Petroleum Inc. and launching unsuccessful bids for uranium prospector Marathon Resources Ltd (MTN.AX: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) and Tethyan Copper Co.

Herald's main asset is its 80 percent interest in the undeveloped Dairi lead and zinc mine, which has not yet been granted a forestry permit to start work at the site. Indonesian state-controlled nickel producer PT Aneka Tambang Tbk ANTM.JK holds the other 20 percent of Dairi.

Bumi, part of Indonesia's politically well-connected Bakrie group, has interests in mining, plantations and telecoms.