The chief executive of Gold Fields has expressed confidence in the company's efforts to stave off a hostile takeover approach from Harmony, with the firm's platinum potential being cited as one of the key issues.

Ian Cockerill told Mineweb that the company was pursuing a three-pronged strategy for defending the business, based upon a legal challenge, communication and technical information.

Central to this approach is the ability of the firm to deliver future growth and profitable exploration projects, with Mr Cockerill outlining the strength of Gold Field's platinum resources.

"If our sole defence were based on legal challenges then I would be nervous, but it isn't. You never go into a war with just one cannon," he explained.

"Overriding this whole thing is how the shareholders will vote. The main thrust of our defence has been out of the limelight and focussing on our shareholders. And there we have total confidence."

Mr Cockerill said the confidence stems from "a lot of hidden value within Gold Fields", with the "exploration potential" of its new Finnish and Peruvian mines part of this.

Two major platinum projects in Finland and Peru are due to be brought on line in the coming months.

Last month Harmony offered Gold Fields shareholders 1.275 Harmony shares for every Gold Fields share owned in a bid worth around US$8.1 billion.