Acquisition

Anglo American PLC
1 February 2002


News Release
1 February 2002

    ANGLO COAL FURTHER CONSOLIDATES ITS POSITION TO MEET GLOBAL COAL DEMAND



Anglo American plc announces that a consortium comprising (in equal parts)
subsidiaries of Anglo American plc, BHP Billiton plc and Glencore International
AG (the Consortium) has signed an agreement with Exxon Mobil Corporation for the
purchase of all the ownership interests in International Colombia Resources
Corporation LLC (Intercor).

Intercor has a 50% interest in, and is the operator of, the Cerrejon Zona Norte
coal complex (CZN) in Colombia. The net asset value of Intercor is US$366
million. The other 50% interest in CZN was acquired by the Consortium from the
Colombian Government in November 2000. Following completion, CZN will be 100%
owned and operated by the Consortium.

CZN is Colombia's largest producer and exporter of steam coal and comprises a
surface coal mine, currently producing approximately 19 million tonnes per annum
of high quality thermal coal for export to international markets, a 150
kilometre railway line and a port.

Subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, completion is expected to
take place within a month. The individual members of the Consortium will each
fund their pro-rata share of the purchase consideration.

Over the past five years, Anglo Coal has undertaken an international
diversification, adding significant interests in Australia, Colombia and
Venezuela to its strong position in South Africa. Today, Anglo Coal is the 4th
largest private sector coal producer in the world.

Tony Redman, Chairman and CEO of Anglo Coal said, 'Anglo Coal's broadening
geographic supply base is well positioned to meet the demands of global coal
markets. The group is now in a position to concentrate on optimising operations
and exploring brownfields expansions to current operations.'

In addition to the investment in CZN, Anglo American plc, BHP Billiton plc and
Glencore International AG each have a 33.3% interest in Carbones del Cerrejon
(CdelC), which is located in the Guajira Department of northern Colombia and is
contiguous with CZN. Significant operational synergies have been identified that
can be released through combining the two operations.

CdelC and CZN are export-focused mines producing high quality, thermal coal. The
combined current production is 22mtpa of which Anglo Coal's attributable share
will increase from 4.2mtpa to 7.3mtpa. Opportunities exist to expand the
combined operation and further reduce unit operating costs.

Proven reserves of CZN and CdelC total 400 million tonnes, with additional
probable reserves of 550 million tonnes. The total resources, including mineable
reserves, exceed 2.5 billion tonnes.


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]

Mobile: [phone]      Mobile: [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 gold, platinum group metals and diamonds, with significant interests
in coal, base and ferrous metals, industrial minerals and forest products. The
group is geographically diverse, with operations in Africa, Europe, South and
North America and Australia. (www.angloamerican.co.uk)






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