Acquisition of Foxleigh Mine

Anglo American PLC
21 December 2007


News Release

21 December 2007

        Anglo American acquires majority interest in Foxleigh coal mine
                       in Australia for US$620 million


Anglo American plc ("Anglo American") is pleased to announce the acquisition of
a 70% interest in the Foxleigh coal mine joint venture in Queensland, Australia.
This investment of US$620 million(1) adds to Anglo American's already
substantial and growing coal mining operations in the Bowen Basin, one of the
world's premier coal regions.


Foxleigh's current joint venture partners, the Korean steel company POSCO and
the Japanese trading and mining investment company Itochu, will hold 20% and 10%
interests respectively.


Foxleigh currently produces 2.5 million tonnes per annum of PCI (pulverised coal
injection) coal for the steelmaking industry. Foxleigh has production capacity
of 3.3 million tonnes per annum, which it is expected to reach following
completion of rail and port expansion projects.  The Foxleigh mine adjoins Anglo
Coal's Capcoal (German Creek) operations and the associated Lake Lindsay mine
development, offering potential synergies.  The mine and surrounding tenements
will be the subject of ongoing exploration and feasibility studies.


Cynthia Carroll, CEO of Anglo American, said: "The addition of Foxleigh is in
line with Anglo American's strategic commitment to further grow our coal
business in Australia in order to meet forecast increases in global demand for
coal, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region.  Foxleigh's operations and
undeveloped assets are located in one of the world's largest and best developed
coal provinces, with which we are very familiar.  I believe Foxleigh represents
a valuable strategic and complementary addition to our portfolio of coal assets
in Australia."


The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals.


(1)Enterprise Value for 70% of the interest in the Foxleigh mine, at an exchange
   rate of US$0.86: A$1.00 = A$721 million.  Adjustments will be made at 
   completion date for debt, coal stocks and typical balance sheet liabilities.



For further information:

London

Investor Inquiries                                   Media Inquiries

Anna Poulter                                         James Wyatt-Tilby

Tel: [phone]                                Tel : [phone]


Johannesburg


Media Inquiries

Pranill Ramchander

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 and diamonds, with significant interests in
coal, base and ferrous metals, as well as an industrial minerals business and a
stake in AngloGold Ashanti. The Group is geographically diverse, with operations
in Africa, Europe, South and North America, Australia and Asia.

(www.angloamerican.co.uk)



Anglo Coal is a wholly owned division of Anglo American plc, with significant
coal interests in South Africa, Australia, Canada and Venezuela.  In 2006, Anglo
Coal's global production was 95 million tonnes, of which Australia contributed
25 million tonnes (attributable tonnes).  Anglo Coal Australia is one of
Australia's leading coal producers with extensive coal mining interests and
prospects in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. (www.anglocoal.com.au)


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