Acquisition - update

Anglo American PLC
15 May 2007





News Release


15 May 2007




Anglo American agrees purchase of 49% interest in MMX Minas-Rio iron ore project
                              for US$1.15 billion



Anglo American plc ("Anglo American") is pleased to announce that the contract
for the transaction, announced on 23 April 2007 with MMX Mineracao
Metalicos S.A. ("MMX"), has been signed in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil today.
Following satisfaction of the closing conditions,   Anglo American will acquire
a 49% interest in MMX Minas-Rio for an economic value and effective price of
US$1.15 billion.



Cynthia Carroll, CEO of Anglo American plc said: "I am delighted that MMX and
Anglo American will be driving forward this exciting iron ore project. We have
great confidence in Eike Batista and his management team and look forward to a
long and rewarding partnership. Iron ore is core to Anglo American's future
growth strategy and MMX Minas-Rio, together with the planned Kumba expansions,
will add significantly to the Group's iron ore production, resulting in
consolidated iron ore production in excess of 100 million tonnes per annum in
the next five years."



This acquisition represents Anglo American's second major investment in Brazil
in the last six months. In December 2006, the approval of the Barro Alto nickel
project was announced at an estimated capital cost of $1.2 billion. Barro Alto
will produce an average of 36,000 tonnes of nickel per year over a minimum 26
year mine life and will contribute significantly to a potential doubling of the
Group's nickel production to around 90,000 tonnes per annum by 2011.



Cynthia Carroll continued: "Anglo American has been operating in Brazil for many
years and these major new investments indicate our firm commitment to remaining
a responsible and successful operator in the country for many years to come."





For further information:



Investor Inquiries

Charles Gordon

Tel: [phone]



Anna Poulter

Tel: + 44 207 968 2155





Media Inquiries

Kate Aindow

Tel: [phone]



Anne Dunn

Tel: [phone]







Notes to Editors:



Anglo American plc is one of the world's largest mining and natural resource
groups. With its subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates, it is a global
leader in platinum group metals, gold and diamonds, with significant interests
in coal, base and ferrous metals, industrial minerals and paper and packaging.
The group is geographically diverse, with operations in Africa, Europe, South
and North America, Australia and Asia. (www.angloamerican.co.uk)




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