Noble Group, a Singapore listed commodities firm, said that it is not interested in talks with Macarthur Coal Ltd. over Macarthur's offer to acquire Gloucester. Noble was addressing the Singapore stock exchange today. Noble is the major shareholder in the Australian coal firm Gloucester. Noble shareholders have already rejected the takeover bid from Macarthur last week.

Noble said in a statement to the Singapore stock exchange that it is not going to restart discussions with Macarthur Coal, its advisers, or other parties, regarding a potential merger transaction with Macarthur related to coal assets, or rights, controlled or owned by Noble.

"This is one of those times where there may be a great deal of smoke, but there is no fire," said Noble in the statement.

Earlier this week on Wednesday Macarthur extended its takeover offer period for Gloucester until May 13, 2010. Macarthur was eyeing the Middlemount coal mine in central Queensland by acquiring smaller Australian rival Gloucester.

On the other hand, Macarthur also got a new takeover offer of $A4.07 billion from US coal giant Peabody Energy. Macarthur has rejected two previous offers from Peabody and New Hope Corp.