20th Feb 2008 10:54
Anglo American PLC20 February 2008 Joint News Release 20 February 2008 South African Department of Minerals and Energy confirms award of new order mining rights to Anglo American Anglo American and the South African Department of Minerals and Energy ("DME")have made significant progress over the past few weeks regarding the Group'sperformance in meeting the requirements of the Mining Charter and contributingto Black Economic Empowerment in respect of Anglo American's South Africanmining operations. As a result, the DME and Anglo American announce that they have reachedagreement on all remaining matters regarding mining rights conversions, subjectto completion of the outstanding documentation. This is in respect of new ordermining rights for all of Anglo American's South African mining operations inplatinum, coal, iron ore and base metals. As a result, all conversions will begranted to Anglo American by 31 March 2008. Commenting on the developments, Sandile Nogxina, Director-General of the DME,said: "Anglo American is the largest mining company in South Africa and has beenat the forefront of creating sustainable Black Economic Empowerment over manyyears. I welcome the strong spirit of cooperation between Anglo American andthe DME and look forward to a continued relationship which is both positive andproductive." Cynthia Carroll, CEO of Anglo American, said, "I am delighted with the progressthat we have made towards our goal of establishing significant and meaningfulBlack Economic Empowerment across all our businesses in South Africa and thatagreement has been reached regarding Anglo American's new order mining rights.This is a landmark achievement for the Group and for the many black empoweredbusinesses with which we are partnered. It provides our business with greatercertainty in South Africa and enables the Group to continue to make a strongcontribution to South Africa's prosperity and economic growth." For further information, please contact: United Kingdom James Wyatt-Tilby, Media RelationsTel: +44 (0)20 7968 8759 Anna Poulter, Investor RelationsTel: +44 (0)20 7968 2155 South Africa Pranill Ramchander, Media RelationsTel: +27 (0)11 638 2592 Notes to Editors: Anglo American plc is one of the world's largest mining and natural resourcegroups. With its subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates, it is a globalleader in platinum group metals and diamonds, with significant interests incoal, base and ferrous metals, as well as an industrial minerals business and astake in AngloGold Ashanti. The Group is geographically diverse, with operationsin 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 ExchangeRelated Shares:
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