Acquisition

Anglo American PLC
6 March 2002


News Release
6 March 2002


                     Anglo American plc ("Anglo American")

                 to invest US$252 million in Russian paper mill

Anglo American's subsidiary, Mondi Europe, has agreed to acquire an additional
68.5% of the voting stock in the Russian Syktyvkar Forest Enterprise business
("Syktyvkar"). The Mondi Europe group already has a 19.4% interest in Syktyvkar,
which was acquired in 1997. The acquisition remains subject to clearance by the
Russian anti-monopoly authorities.

Mondi Europe will acquire the 68.5% interest for a cash consideration of US$252
million. The assets include Syktyvkar, the logging and transportation,
construction and engineering companies of the Group and the entire sales
organisation.

The controlling interest of approximately 87.9% will form part of Mondi Europe's
wholly owned subsidiary, Neusiedler. Neusiedler is a leading producer of
uncoated woodfree office communication paper, with existing production of
approximately 1 million tonnes. The deal will strengthen Neusiedler's leading
position as a European manufacturer of copy and office paper with mills in
Austria, Hungary, Slovakia and Israel.

Syktyvkar is located near the capital of the Northern Russian Republic of Komi.
The mill, which has 4 paper machines and is fully integrated with its own pulp
production, has production capacity of approximately 700,000 tonnes annually,
comprising approximately 400,000 tonnes of uncoated woodfree paper, 150,000
tonnes of corrugated paper and 150,000 tonnes of newsprint. Syktyvkar is one of
the most important employers in the republic of Komi.



For further information:

Anglo American - London

Investor Relations

Nick von Schirnding

Tel: [phone]



Media Relations

Kate Aindow

Tel: [phone]



Anglo American - Johannesburg

Investor Relations

Anne Dunn

Tel: [phone]



Media Relations

Marion Dixon

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 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)


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