Disposal

Anglo American PLC
26 April 2001





News Release
26 April 2001



               ANGLO AMERICAN PLC DISPOSES OF STAKE IN BILLITON

Anglo American plc ('AA plc') announces that it has sold 165,248,324 shares in
Billiton Plc ('Billiton'), representing its entire stake (7.1% of the issued
share capital) by means of a placing to institutions and other eligible
investors. AA plc appointed Goldman Sachs International to manage the placing.

On 6 December 2000, AA plc announced an agreement to dispose of the majority
of its 20.6% stake in FirstRand Limited ('FirstRand') as part of its
previously announced programme of disposal of non core assets. AA plc acquired
its holding in Billiton and 51 million shares in Gold Fields Limited from
Remgro Limited, an investment holding company, in consideration for 834
million shares in FirstRand (15.3% of the issued share capital).

At the close of business on 6 December 2000, Billiton's share price was 254.5
pence per share, valuing the stake that AA plc had agreed to acquire at £420.6
million (US$605.6 million). The placing was made at a price of 317 pence per
share, realising gross proceeds of £523.8 million (US$754.3 million).

This announcement is not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to
buy any securities. There has been no public offering of Billiton shares in
connection with their sale by AA plc in any jurisdiction where such an
offering would be unlawful. The distribution of this announcement and the
offer and sale of Billiton shares in certain jurisdictions may be restricted
by law. Any person reading this announcement should inform themselves of and
observe any such restrictions.

For further information:



Anglo American - London

Investor Relations                          Media Relations

Nick von Schirnding                          Kate Aindow

Tel: [phone]                     Tel: [phone]



Anglo American - Johannesburg

Investor Relations and Media Relations

Anne Dunn

Tel: [phone]

Mob: [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 and developments in Africa,
Europe, South and North America and Australia. (www.angloamerican.co.uk)

A US$/£ exchange rate of US$1.44/£ has been applied in this press release