Anglo American PlcEdit

Anglo American plc is a British multinational mining company with a long-standing footprint in southern Africa and a broad, global portfolio of metals and minerals. Headquartered in London and with a historic tie to Johannesburg, the group is one of the world’s largest diversified mining groups, active in copper, diamonds, platinum group metals, iron ore, nickel, and other minerals. It operates through a number of subsidiaries and joint ventures, including the diamond business De Beers and the platinum group metals operation Anglo American Platinum, and maintains dual listings on the London Stock Exchange and the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.

The company’s roots trace back to the early 20th century and the Anglo American Corporation of South Africa, a vehicle founded to consolidate mining interests under the leadership of the Oppenheimer family. Over the decades it expanded from gold and base metals into a diversified minerals conglomerate. In 1999 the modern public company structure was established through a reshaping of the group, laying the groundwork for a strategy focused on asset quality, capital discipline, and shareholder value. A significant corporate event was the 2015 spin-off of South32 to separate non-core assets and streamline the portfolio; since then Anglo American has pursued a strategy of asset simplification, cost control, and constructive engagement with workers and communities, while investing in safety, efficiency, and responsible mining practices.

The group’s strategy emphasizes long-run value creation for shareholders, underpinned by financial discipline and a portfolio tailored to macro commodity cycles. Its operations span multiple regions, with major concentrations in South Africa and the Americas. In recent years Anglo American has shifted toward high-quality ore bodies and technologies that reduce unit costs and environmental impact, while maintaining a strong focus on governance, risk management, and compliance with applicable laws and standards.

History

Origins and early growth

Anglo American’s lineage begins with the Anglo American Corporation of South Africa, established in the early 20th century to organize and advance mining ventures in the region. The enterprise grew alongside the broader mining sector in South Africa and expanded its reach through acquisitions, partnerships, and diversification into additional metal classes. The family-led model and close ties to national mining interests helped the company become a major economic actor in southern Africa.

Diversification and De Beers

As the 20th century progressed, Anglo American broadened beyond its initial gold and base metals activities. The group became associated with De Beers, a major diamond concern with global reach, and built a portfolio across copper, platinum group metals, iron ore, and other minerals. This diversification positioned Anglo American as a major supplier to global manufacturing, jewelry, and industrial sectors, while exposing it to the regulatory and political dynamics that affect mineral-rich regions.

Structural reshaping and portfolio simplification

In the 1990s and 2000s the company pursued consolidation and governance reforms to modernize its public profile and operational focus. A watershed moment came with the 2015 spin-off of South32, a move aimed at separating non-core, lower-return assets from the group’s premier core operations. The aim was to improve capital allocation, sharpen strategic focus, and deliver clearer value to shareholders. Since then, Anglo American has continued to optimize its asset base, invest in safety and technology, and pursue disciplined capital management.

Operations and assets

• Portfolio and core metals

  • Diamonds: through De Beers, one of the world’s best-known diamond brands and a leading supplier of rough diamonds with operations across Africa and other regions. The company emphasizes supply chain integrity, traceability, and certification within the industry.
  • Platinum group metals: through Anglo American Platinum (Amplats) and related units, producing a significant share of the world’s PGMs, with a footprint in South Africa and nearby regions.
  • Copper and other base metals: a global footprint that includes mining and metal processing activities in the Americas and elsewhere, with a focus on projects and mines that offer scale, grade, and long mine life.
  • Iron ore and other minerals: involvement in high-quality iron ore assets and related mining activities, including operations in regions where demand from steel producers remains robust.

• Geographic footprint

  • South Africa: a critical hub for the group, providing access to rich mineral resources, skilled labor, and infrastructure relationships, alongside ongoing responsibilities in community development and regulatory compliance.
  • Chile and Peru: important mining jurisdictions for copper and related metals, where the group engages with local governments, communities, and environmental standards as part of its operating license.
  • Other regions: the company maintains operations and partnerships in various jurisdictions, leveraging international exposure to commodity markets while managing country-specific risks.

• Corporate governance and finance

  • The group is listed on major stock exchanges, reflecting its integrated, cross-border ownership structure and its responsibility to a broad base of investors. It emphasizes transparent governance, risk management, and robust capital discipline as part of its long-run plan to deliver returns while funding safety, technology, and environmental performance.

Controversies and public policy debates

• Environmental and social license to operate

  • Mining is capital-intensive and inherently tied to environmental considerations. Critics point to water use, tailings management, habitat disruption, and local environmental effects in mining regions. Supporters argue that modern mining is highly regulated, pushed toward minimizing environmental footprints, and that responsible operators invest in water recycling, emissions reductions, and land restoration to sustain their social license and long-term production.
  • In jurisdictions such as South Africa and parts of Latin America, the company faces ongoing demands to advance black Economic Empowerment policies, local hiring, and community development. Proponents see these as essential to correcting historical inequities, while critics argue they should be balanced with predictable investment conditions and fairness to all stakeholders, including non-black communities and investors.

• Taxation, royalties, and regulatory risk

  • The mining sector is heavily affected by fiscal regimes, royalty frameworks, and policy changes in resource-rich countries. A conservative perspective stresses the importance of stable, transparent rules that protect property rights and reward investment. Proponents of regulatory reform argue for fairer distribution of resource rents and stronger local development, while the company likewise advocates for predictability to enable long-range capital planning.

• Jobs, growth, and competitiveness

  • The rights-based, market-oriented view emphasizes that mining activity underpins significant employment, infrastructure investment, and broader economic growth when conducted under the rule of law. Critics may accuse large miners of prioritizing short-term profits over community welfare; supporters counter that sustainable mining creates durable jobs and tax revenue that can support public services, in jurisdictions where governance and policy frameworks are stable.

• Woke criticisms and policy critiques

  • Some observers on the political center-right argue that activism and accelerated social policy demands can undermine investment and slow the development of essential resources. They contend that growth and opportunity are best delivered through stable property rights, competitive markets, and predictable policy, coupled with targeted social programs funded through the tax system and corporate contributions. Critics of this line claim that such arguments ignore legitimate obligations to workers, communities, and environmental stewardship. The debate often centers on balancing rapid transition with economic and employment certainty, as well as ensuring that reforms are practical, scalable, and enforceable in complex, international operations.

See also

• De Beers
• Anglo American Platinum
• South32
• Ernest Oppenheimer
• Quellaveco
• Minas-Rio
• London Stock Exchange
• Johannesburg Stock Exchange
• South Africa
• Chile
• Peru