Further Strategic Developments

Burmah Castrol PLC
24 November 1999


        BURMAH CASTROL : FURTHER STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENTS


Burmah  Castrol  plc  ('Burmah  Castrol'),  the  international
specialised  lubricants and chemicals group,  announced  today
the further expansion of its Fosroc Mining ('Mining') business
through a series of investments totalling £4.5 million.  These
developments  support  Mining's  strategy  of  growth  through
geographic expansion and broader market penetration.

*    The  acquisition of Ventmine/Tecrete Group of  companies,
     based  in  Australia,  who are the  leading  provider  of
     ventilation  structures and services  to  the  Australian
     underground coal mining industry
     
*    The  acquisition  of  the mining  business  of  MCC,  the
     leading  supplier of cement capsules to the South African
     mining   industry   serving  major  gold   and   platinum
     producers such as Anglo American.
     
*    The  acquisition  of  70  per  cent  of  Polymer  Systems
     Technology,  a  resin capsule manufacturing  business  in
     the  Kuzbass region of Russia, supplying mines with resin
     capsules,  cementitious  products  and  strata  injection
     materials.

Mining  is the leading supplier of chemical anchoring  systems
to  the world's mining and tunnelling industries.  Its product
range  includes resin capsules, specialist cements and organic
injection grouts for use in group support, water stopping  and
ventilation systems in both mining and tunnelling.

These investments will enable Mining to expand its product and
service  offering  to  existing markets while  continuing  its
global  geographic expansion.  Opportunities for cost  savings
exist    in    both    manufacturing    and    administration.
Geographically, these developments allow Mining to pursue  the
significant  growth opportunities offered by  the  mining  and
tunnelling   markets   worldwide.   The   Russian   investment
illustrates the strategy of establishing a local manufacturing
presence  to  achieve significant market  penetration  by  the
introduction of a wider product range to that market.

Tim Stevenson, chief executive of Burmah Castrol, comments:
'These  developments  support Burmah  Castrol's  objective  of
strengthening our businesses with investments which round  out
our  existing operations.  It is consistent with  our  aim  to
build  on  those businesses that can sustain a leading  global
position in their specialised markets, as part of our strategy
to create shareholder value.'


For further information, please contact:

James Alexander, Corporate Affairs director,
 Burmah Castrol plc                          01793 452006
Sharon Ostaszewska, External Relations,
 Burmah Castrol plc                          01793 452946

Rachel Hirst/Harriet Keen,
 Hogarth Partnership Limited                 0171 357 9477


A  copy  of  this release plus further company information  is
available on our website: www.burmah-castrol.com




Notes to Editors:

Note 1
Burmah  Castrol  businesses market specialised  lubricant  and
chemical  products  and services on a  worldwide  basis.   The
group has a turnover close to £3 billion and operating profits
of  £255  million.  It has over 150 subsidiaries operating  in
some  55  countries  and  employs just  under  20,000  people.
Burmah  Castrol  is  based  around a series  of  international
businesses, each focused on the specific requirements  of  its
own market place but sharing common characteristics.  Four  of
the  group's businesses trade under the Castrol brand name and
the remaining businesses operate in speciality chemicals.

Note 2
Following the acquisition of Fosroc, as part of the Foseco
group of companies, the Mining business was formed as a
separate specialist division in early 1997.

Note 3
The Mining product range includes the following:
Resin capsules: a two component chemical 'glue' for anchoring
rock bolts in the roof of mines.  The high tech alternative to
cement or mechanical systems, with its main advantage being
the high set speed - c.10 seconds.
Special cements: a Fosroc invention which mixes a number of
components to give powder with very high foaming
characteristics when mixed with water.  Used in bags to
support mine roofs, in bulk to fill cavities and to build
ventilation walls.
Organic injection grouts: these are dominantly based on PU and
are injected under high pressure to reinforce broken rock.
Heavily used in Europe and in very difficult conditions
worldwide.