Board Changes

Anglo American PLC
15 February 2001


News Release
15 February 2001


              ANGLO AMERICAN ANNOUNCES FORTHCOMING BOARD CHANGES


Anglo American plc today announced a number of Board changes to be implemented
over the next 16 months.


As stated in its listing prospectus in 1999 Anglo American is rapidly
evolving. In July 2000 the roles of Chairman and Chief Executive were
separated: Mr A J Trahar was appointed Chief Executive with Mr J Ogilvie
Thompson continuing as non-executive Chairman.


As indicated in the Prospectus Mr L Boyd and Mr M W King will be retiring as
Vice Chairmen and from the Board at the AGM in May 2001. The Board will
propose for election as Directors at the AGM Mr B E Davison, Chief Executive
of Anglo American Platinum, and Mr W A Nairn, Group Technical Director,
thereby maintaining a strong management team.


Mr N F Oppenheimer intends to resign as a Deputy Chairman on the conclusion of
the proposed transactions between DBI and De Beers but will continue as a
non-executive Director. Sir Chippendale Keswick, who is also a Director of
Central Holdings and De Beers, proposes to resign as a non-executive Director.


The Board intends to appoint at least two new independent non-executive
Directors in the course of the next twelve months.


Further changes to the Board will take place at the AGM in 2002:


        As the main objectives of the transformation process of the last four
        years will have been achieved Mr J Ogilvie Thompson proposes to retire
        as Chairman after 12 years and from the Board.


        Viscount Davignon, who joined the Board of Minorco (a predecessor
        company) in 1990, and Mr P S Wilmot-Sitwell, who joined the Minorco
        Board in 1993, propose to retire after 12 and 9 years' service
        respectively.


Julian Ogilvie Thompson, Chairman of Anglo American plc commented: 'If the
transaction in this announcement is finalised it will be appropriate for me to
step down at the AGM in May 2002 after 12 years as Chairman. We will have
achieved what we set out to do by completing the transformation process which
began with the separation of the managements of AAC and De Beers and continued
with some 60 transactions in the run up to the merger of AAC and Minorco as
Anglo American plc, as well as the subsequent steps aimed at clarifying our
strategy and achieving greater focus and transparency. This has been an
exciting and fulfilling period.'


Sir David Scholey, a Deputy Chairman and the senior non-executive Director of
Anglo American plc said: 'The changes in Anglo American since the publication
of the prospectus for its London listing and the transfer of the head office
to London have been nothing short of a transformation. This has been achieved
under the determined, rigorous and meticulous leadership of Julian Ogilvie
Thompson. The restructuring of our holding in De Beers is a fitting climax to
his nearly 45 years with the company. When the moment comes to bid him
farewell we shall do so with gratitude, admiration and regret. He leaves a
great company even better fitted for the challenge of the 21st Century.'






For further information:


London

Nick von Schirnding

44 20 7698 8540

Edward Bickham

44 20 7698 8547

Johannesburg


Michael Spicer

27 11 638 3870


Anne Dunn

27 11 638 4730