Acquisition

Anglo American PLC
05 April 2004


News Release


5 April 2004



    Anglo American further consolidates its position in paper and packaging

Anglo American plc ("Anglo American") announces it has concluded an agreement to
acquire the remaining 30% minority interest in Frantschach AG ("Frantschach")
for a total consideration of €320 million comprising approximately 8.2 million
Anglo American shares, valued at €160 million (based on the volume weighted
average price over the period from 4 March to 26 March 2004, giving a sterling
equivalent of approximately £13.16 per share), and a cash consideration of €160
million. Frantschach becomes 100% owned by Anglo American as a result of this
transaction.

Frantschach, part of Anglo American's paper and packaging division which
operates under Mondi Europe, has a turnover of €1.9 billion and is a leading
supplier of industrial packaging and sack kraftpaper worldwide. The group has
five paper mills and 67 production sites with a worldwide sales and services
network in 38 countries. In 2003, Frantschach successfully expanded the
industrial packaging business further with acquisitions in China, UK, Serbia,
Romania, Italy, Tunisia, North America and Mexico.


For further information:

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


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




Notes to Editors:

Anglo Paper and Packaging, a division of Anglo American plc, operating under the
Mondi name, is an integrated paper and packaging group with operations and
interests in Europe South Africa, Asia and the Americas. The operations
manufacture pulp, graphic papers, packaging papers, board and converted
packaging, as well as solid wood products. Anglo Paper and Packaging contributed
22% to Anglo American's headline earnings in 2003, making it the second largest
contributor to the Anglo group. Headline earnings were $368 million, a 2%
decrease on 2002, while operating profit of $656 million was marginally higher,
with Mondi Europe contributing $471 million and Mondi South Africa $185 million.

Frantschach, which operates under Mondi Europe, has a turnover of €1.9 billion
and is a leading supplier of industrial packaging and sack kraftpaper, with five
paper mills and 49 sack plants situated throughout Europe, the Middle East,
South-east Asia as well as North America. The group has nine flexible packaging,
seven barrier coating and two release liner operations. In 2003 Frantschach
successfully expanded the industrial packaging business further with
acquisitions in China, UK, Serbia, Romania, Italy, Tunisia, North America and
Mexico. Total annual production capacity is approximately 2.7 billion industrial
sacks, 1,370,000 tonnes of sack and kraftpaper and corrugated case materials,
180,000 tonnes of market pulp, as well as 1.5 billion m(2) of barrier coated
material. The group is a world market leader in double-sided polyethylene coated
release liners and a leading European supplier for stand-up pouches. Europapier,
which operates under Frantschach, is a leading paper merchant in Europe.
Europapier sells graphic papers, office communication papers and other office
supplies as well as packaging.

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 paper and packaging.
The group is geographically diverse, with operations and developments in Africa,
Europe, South and North America, Australia and Asia. (www.angloamerican.co.uk).


                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange