Zimele, Anglo American's enterprise development arm, today launches its fifth fund, known as the Green Fund, to help create a real difference to South Africa's environmental sustainability and green economic growth. Anglo American has committed an investment amount of R100 million to the Green Fund, which aims to empower and encourage entrepreneurs to operate in the green economy. The Fund will target investment opportunities that mitigate carbon, reduce energy and water consumption, and improve waste and emissions management.

The Fund will focus on developing and funding Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) that promote and develop environmentally sustainable projects. Subsequently, this will enable communities to both respond to key environmental challenges such as climate change and water security, and take advantage of opportunities in the green economy. It will also create another platform for talented entrepreneurs and SMEs.

Zimele has already realised considerable success through its four established Funds, namely, the Supply Chain Fund, the Anglo American Khula Mining Fund, the Communities Fund, and the Olwazini Fund.

Through these four funds, since 2008, Zimele has provided R530 million in funding, supported 1,001 companies, completed 1,355 transactions, and its underlying investments employ 18,783 people, and these businesses achieved a collective annual turnover of R1,9billion.

Managing Director of Zimele, Nick van Rensburg, says that the Green Fund demonstrates Anglo American's commitment to the environment. "Our aim is to operate in a safe, responsible and sustainable way by minimising our environmental impact and taking advantage of opportunities that deliver long term benefits to our stakeholders."

"The Green Fund is an essential part of this strategy, as it will facilitate new investments in projects which yield both environmental and economic benefits, and encourage a greener way of thinking among the South African public."

For further information, please contact:

Media
South Africa
Hulisani Rasivhaga
Tel: +27 (0)11 638 4401

Notes to editors:

Anglo American plc is one of the world's largest mining companies, is headquartered in the UK and listed on the London and Johannesburg stock exchanges. Anglo American's portfolio of mining businesses spans bulk commodities – iron ore and manganese, metallurgical coal and thermal coal; base metals – copper and nickel; and precious metals and minerals – in which it is a global leader in both platinum and diamonds.  Anglo American is committed to the highest standards of safety and responsibility across all its businesses and geographies and to making a sustainable difference in the development of the communities around its operations. The company's mining operations and extensive pipeline of growth projects are located in southern Africa, South America, Australia, North America and Asia. www.angloamerican.com

Anglo American Zimele
Anglo American aims to create and sustain employment for 25,000 people in up to 1,500 new businesses, over the next seven years as part of their commitment to the Business Call to Action initiative launched globally. Zimele will make a large contribution towards the achievement of this goal.

The model used by Zimele has been so successful, that it has also been adopted by many global and local players, some being the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group; Mondi, De Beers and Barloworld.

Zimele highlights Anglo American's partnership in South Africa and its ability to share best practice with the country.  The mining giant operates in 45 countries worldwide, many of which are developing, and it is this experience coupled with a commitment to transformation that makes Zimele the success it is today.