History of Anglo American in China
1950
First business contacts established when De Beers companies in the UK and Hong Kong started supplying industrial diamonds to Chinese customers.
1980
De Beers visits the Meng Yin Diamond Mine in Shandong Province in 1985, meets with the Ministry of Geology & Mineral Resources in Beijing and subsequently begins a joint diamond exploration venture with the 7th Geological Brigade of Shandong from 1986 to 1988. This work is extended into Liaoning and Hunan, and in the 1990s into Sichuan and Hebei, where De Beers' companies also have joint ventures. Although no mines are found, the ventures prove that foreign-invested exploration can be conducted to a high level of mutual satisfaction in China. In the process, De Beers establishes a strong co-operative relationship with the Ministry of Geology & Mineral Resources and its provincial branches.
1987
De Beers begins trial advertising on Chinese TV to promote the local diamond jewellery market.
1995
The Ministry of Geology & Mineral Resources initiates a comprehensive agreement with De Beers, covering exploration through to marketing, leading to diamond exploration projects in Sichuan and Hebei.
1997
De Beers establishes a representative office in Beijing.
1998
Our subsidiary company, Boart Longyear, establishes a joint venture (JV) factory in Wuxi to produce drilling equipment.
2000
We acquire 100% of UK-listed Tarmac, which operates four ventures in ready-mix concrete and asphalt in the Shanghai area.
2002
We open an Anglo American plc representative office in Beijing.
2003
Our coal business establishes a representative office in Beijing.
We acquire a controlling interest in Kumba Resources, which operates a JV zinc smelter in Inner Mongolia and a US$10 million investment in Qingdao Port, and sells US$180 million of iron ore each year to China.
Our paper and Packaging business unit acquires two paper product factories in Guangdong.
Tarmac acquires the Huzhou limestone quarry in Zhejiang, which supplied the aggregate used in greater Shanghai's road construction industry.
2004
Then CEO of Anglo American, Tony Trahar, visits China and meets with Chinese government leaders.
Our gold business establishes a representative office in Beijing.
Our platinum business signs a JV exploration agreement for the Danba project in Sichuan.
2005
Sir Mark Moody-Stuart, Chairman of Anglo American plc, attends the China Development Forum, sponsored by Anglo American, and presents a paper on mine safety, which was received by Prime Minister Wen Jiabao.
Sir Mark Moody-Stuart, also Chairman of the Global Business Coalition against HIV/AIDS, attends the GBC event in Beijing.
Our platinum business establishes a representative office in Beijing.
Our platinum business receives MOFCOM approval for the Danba platinum project in Sichuan.
Our coal business signs the contract for the Xiwan JV with the Shaanxi Coal Geological Bureau.
2006
Our coal business receives approval from Shaanxi Province for the Xiwan Coal Project and commences with the feasibility study.
We establishe China Sourcing Services in Beijing.
Sir Mark Moody-Stuart participates in “China Mining 2006” and presents a speech on the development of the global mining industry.
2007
When visiting South Africa in February 2007, President Hu Jintao meets then Anglo American CEO Tony Trahar.
In April, the then Party Secretary General of Jiangsu Province Li Yuanchao visits our head offices in London and South Africa. Jiangsu is one of our most important customers, consuming US$100 million of iron ore in 2006.
In July, Anglo American's new CEO Cynthia Carroll visits China, and meets with relevant Chinese government departments.
In November, Anglo American and the China Development Bank sign an MOU to establish a strategic relationship to identify and develop a pipeline of natural resources projects in China, Africa and elsewhere.
Anglo American and the China Development Bank sign an MOU
President Hu Jintao meets then Anglo American CEO
2008
In May, we donate RMB 10 million for Sichuan's earthquake relief which was utilised to construct temporary residences, to purchase 18 vehicles for the use of the local geological disaster investigation team, and to construct a new school building.
2009
De Beers launches Forevermark line of diamond jewellery in China.
Chinese procurement activities exceed target of $200 million for the year.
2010
We complete a project in Shaanxi, near the Xiwan coal JV in Yulin, to provide sanitation and irrigation for Mengjiawan township. Run in conjunction with Plan International over two years at a cost of $250,000 this project significantly improves the health and livelihood of 6,000 people in the area.
We agree to withdraw from the Xiwan coal project in Shaanxi.
Agreement signed to transfer Anglo American’s rights in the Sichuan Danba project to Sichuan Hanlong Company.
In September, CEO Cynthia Carroll visits China to attend the World Economic Forum.