AIM-quoted Bezant Resources has entered into an option agreement for the disposal of Asean Copper Investments to Gold Fields Netherlands Services BV. The sale would generate $7m in a non-refundable, upfront cash payment, with a further $63m payable on Gold Field's exercise of the option, to acquire the entire issued share capital of Asean. Gold Fields may exercise the option anytime up until 31 January 2013. Bezant has unanimously recommended the transaction, which if successful will fund the ongoing work programme and development of the firm's Eureka Project in Argentina, with part being returned to the group's shareholders. Executive chairman Gerry Nealon said: "Gold Fields already holds an option over Lepanto's Far Southeast copper/gold project, which is located adjacent to our Mankayan Project in the Philippines, and significant investment in infrastructure and capital expenditure will be required to bring each of the respective projects into production. Gold Fields' ongoing exploration activities at Far Southeast are expected to identify synergistic benefits, giving us confidence that their option with Lepanto will be exercised within the next twelve to eighteen months."The negotiation of this transaction with Gold Fields follows an extensive sale process conducted by the company with a number of interested parties and we believe represents the best means of delivering value to our shareholders in the relatively near term."The share price rose 10.08% to 35.5p by 15:01.NR