Major Expansion at Black Mountain Mine

Anglo American PLC
16 May 2000

 ANGLO AMERICAN ANNOUNCES MAJOR EXPANSION AT BLACK MOUNTAIN MINE
                                       
                                       
Anglo  American  plc  announced today an investment of  R700  million  (US$110
million)  at the Black Mountain Mine located at Aggeneys in the Northern  Cape
Province of South Africa. Anglo American purchased the mine from Goldfields of
South Africa and Phelps Dodge in July 1998.

The  major  element of the expansion project will be the sinking and equipping
of  a  new vertical shaft from surface to a depth of 1750 meters together with
associated  underground development. The life of the mine will be extended  to
at  least  2013  thereby securing some 700 jobs for a further  10  years.  The
orebody  remains  open  in two directions and it is anticipated  that  further
resources will be identified, extending the life of the mine beyond 2013.

Black  Mountain produces zinc, lead and copper concentrates for sale  to  toll
smelters and refiners.   When it was acquired from Goldfields, it was expected
to  close  in  2002  and the primary purpose of the purchase  was  to  provide
infrastructure   for  development  of  the  nearby  Gamsberg   zinc   project.
Subsequent  surface exploration drilling conducted during  1999  identified  a
significant down dip extension of the main Broken Hill orebody at a  depth  of
between  900  and 1700 meters below surface. A feasibility study commenced  in
November  1999 and was completed in April 2000.   As a result, Anglo  American
has decided to make this further investment.

The  new  investment in Black Mountain will not alter the  timetable  for  the
evaluation  of the nearby Gamsberg Zinc Project. A feasibility  study  on  the
R5.1  billion  (US$780  million) project is due for completion  in  the  third
quarter  of  2000.  If  the  project proceeds Gamsberg  will  be  the  largest
integrated zinc mine and refinery in the world.  The project will create  5000
jobs during construction and over 1000 jobs during operations over the planned
mine life of at least 25 years.

Enquiries:

London:

Nick von Schirnding
Tel: [phone]
Mob: [phone]

Johannesburg:
Anne Dunn
Tel: [phone]
Mob: [phone]