POLITICS

Anglo American Platinum temporarily suspends operations on Rustenburg mines

Company says employees at Union Mine in Limpopo Province refused to go underground yesterday

Anglo American Platinum Update

Anglo American Platinum Limited ("Anglo American Platinum") is providing an update in respect to its Rustenburg operations, following the resumption of those operations on Tuesday 18 September 2012.

The security situation in the Rustenburg area worsened during Monday evening (1 October 2012). As a result, Anglo American Platinum advised employees at its Rustenburg mining operations not to attend work yesterday. It is intended to resume operation on the day shift today 3 October 2012.

Disciplinary action is continuing against employees who have been on strike, in accordance with Anglo American Platinum's previous announcements.

Separately, employees at Anglo American Platinum's Union Mine in Limpopo Province, to the northwest of Rustenburg, have reported for work yesterday but have refused to go underground for their shifts and have presented a memorandum to the mine's management. The company has obtained an interdict against the employees and this action has been declared illegal and employees have been duly informed to return to work this morning.

Anglo American Platinum's other operations all continue to operate normally.

Further updates will be provided when appropriate.

Notes to editors:

Anglo American Platinum Limited is a member of the Anglo American plc Group and is the world's leading primary producer of platinum group metals. The company is listed on the Johannesburg Securities Exchange (JSE). Its mining, smelting and refining operations are based in South Africa. Elsewhere in the world, the Group owns Unki Platinum Mine in Zimbabwe and is actively exploring in Brazil.

Anglo American Platinum has a number of joint ventures with several historically disadvantaged South African consortia as part of its commitment to the transformation of the mining industry. Anglo American Platinum is committed to the highest standards of safety and continues to make meaningful and sustainable difference in the development of the communities around its operations. www.angloamericanplatinum.com

Anglo American 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, extensive pipeline of growth projects and exploration activities span Southern Africa, South America, Australia, North America, Asia and Europe. www.angloamerican.com

Statement issued by Anglo American Platinum through the JSE SENS service, October 3 2012

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