Isibonelo Mine Update

Anglo American PLC
04 July 2005


News Release


4 July 2005



   Production starts at Anglo American's Isibonelo coal mine in South Africa


On 1 July 2005, Anglo Coal's Isibonelo Colliery supplied its first consignment
of coal to Sasol Limited. The US$65 million Isibonelo coal mine commenced
production on time and on budget and is expected to supply 5 million tonnes per
annum of thermal coal to Sasol Synfuels when it reaches full production during
2006.


A study was initiated in 2000 by Anglo American and Sasol to consider the
development of the Kriel South coal reserves in Mpumalanga province, South
Africa. An agreement was reached in July 2003 for Anglo Coal to establish a new
opencast operation on the northern portion of the coalfield and Sasol was
granted access to the southern portion of the Kriel South coalfield, through the
expansion of its existing underground operations at Syferfontein Colliery.
Together the operations are expected to secure coal supplies from the Kriel
South reserve to Sasol for a period of 20 years.


For further information:


Anglo American - London

Investor Relations                                Media Relations

Charles Gordon                                    Kate Aindow


Tel:  [phone]                            Tel:  [phone]


Anglo American - Johannesburg

Investor Relations                                Media Relations


Anne Dunn                                         Daniel Ngwepe


Tel:  [phone]                             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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