Harmony Gold Mining Co., Africa's third-biggest producer of the metal, bid for Pamodzi Gold Ltd.'s Free State mine operations, spokeswoman Marian van der Walt said by mobile phone today.

Pamodzi's Free State, East Rand and Orkney operations were put in provisional liquidation this year after the company ran out of cash and its shares were suspended.

Sekunjalo Investments Ltd., the black-controlled South African group, said today it made a $150 million offer for all of Pamodzi Gold. Enver Motala of SBT Trust, Pamodzi's lead liquidator, said he had yet to receive the bid. He confirmed Harmony's offer.

Motala, speaking by mobile phone, said the liquidators had also received a bid for all of Pamodzi Gold and another for the company's Free State operations. He declined to name either party. Virgile Mining said in March it made a 200 million-rand ($25 million) bid for the Free State mine.