Disposal

Anglo American PLC
11 December 2000




            ANGLO AMERICAN PLC DISPOSES OF 40% STAKE IN AECI LIMITED

Anglo American plc ('AA plc') is pleased to announce that it has reached
agreement with AECI Limited ('AECI'), subject to AECI shareholder approval,
regarding the repurchase by AECI of 40% of its entire ordinary issued share
capital from AA plc. Currently, AA plc holds 53% of the issued ordinary share
capital of AECI.

The buy back of the 40% stake will realise US$93.5 million and further
demonstrates AA plc's commitment to dispose of non core assets and focus on its
core businesses. In terms of the repurchase, AECI will acquire 61.9 million AECI
ordinary shares from AA plc, for an initial payment of R11.49 per AECI ordinary
share. Depending on the movement of the share price over a particular period. AA
plc may receive a further payment of up to US$24.5 million (see footnote A).

AA plc will thereafter hold 20.4 million AECI ordinary shares or 19.8% of the
reduced issued share capital and has entered into an orderly marketing agreement
with AECI in respect of these shares.

Commenting on the AECI agreement Tony Trahar, Chief Executive of AA plc, said,
'We considered a number of proposals aimed at effecting an orderly disposal of
our 53% holding of the issued ordinary share capital of AECI before entering
into the repurchase agreement with AECI.'

He continued, 'This agreement will not only deliver optimal shareholder value
but it also resolves the uncertainty regarding AA plc's shareholding in AECI. At
the same time it has allowed AECI to capitalise on this unique acquisition
opportunity which will facilitate a clearer focus on AECI's future growth
strategy.'

This latest transaction brings total proceeds for this year from AA plc's non
core disposals to US$1.7 billion. Earlier this week AA plc announced the
disposal of a significant portion of its interest in FirstRand Limited in a
transaction valued at US$760 million.

For further information:

Anglo American - London                      Media Relations
Investor Relations                           Kate Aindow
Nick von Schirnding                          Tel: [phone]
Tel: [phone]

Anglo American - Johannesburg                Media Relations
Investor Relations                           Marion Dixon
Anne Dunn                                    Tel: [phone]
Tel: [phone]


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 gold, platinum group metals and diamonds, with significant interests
in coal, base and ferrous metals, industrial minerals and forest products. The
group is geographically diverse, with operations and developments in Africa,
Europe, South and North America and Australia. (www.angloamerican.co.uk)

AECI Limited is a leading supplier of chemicals and related products to South
Africa and export markets. (www.aeci.co.za)

Footnote A: 
To the extent that the weighted average price per AECI ordinary share for the 30
business days prior to the first anniversary of the implementation date (the
'second payment date') is higher than the initial price ('the price increase'),
an additional amount will be payable in cash, on the second payment date,
calculated as follows:

 -100% of the price increase, up to a maximum amount of R2.00 per AECI ordinary
  share;

    plus

 - 50% of the price increase above R2,00 per AECI ordinary share,

provided that the price paid per AECI ordinary share shall not exceed R14.50 in
aggregate.