| Thu 23 Feb 2006, 16:00 | | Anglo American plc - Anglo American joins FutureGe |
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Anglo American plc - Anglo American joins FutureGen Industrial Alliance
Anglo American plc
(Incorporated in the United Kingdom)
Registration number: 3564138
Share code: AGL
ISIN: GB0004901517
(the "Company")
Anglo American joins FutureGen Industrial Alliance -
targeting development of the world"s first "zero emissions" coal-fueled plant
Anglo American announces that it has joined the FutureGen Industrial Alliance,
which is developing the world"s most advanced clean coal technology project,
thereby strengthening the Group"s commitment to securing a future for coal in
the global energy mix.
The FutureGen Industrial Alliance (currently consisting of eight major energy
and mining companies who intend to contribute up to $250 million to the project
over its lifetime) will partner with the U.S. Department of Energy to design,
construct, and operate FutureGen, the world"s first "zero emissions" coal-fueled
power generation plant.
The ultimate goal for FutureGen is to show how technology can advance clean coal
technologies for generating electricity for families and businesses and also
produce hydrogen to power fuel cells for transportation and other energy needs.
The technology also will integrate carbon capture and storage, helping to
address the issue of climate change as energy demand continues to grow
worldwide.
The nominal 275MW prototype FutureGen power generation plant will gasify coal
through a process that converts the coal"s carbon to a synthesis gas composed of
hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The hydrogen will be used as a clean fuel for
electricity generation in turbines, fuel cells or hybrid combinations of these
technologies. The captured carbon dioxide will be separated from the hydrogen
and permanently stored underground, where it will be monitored over time. The
project hopes to prove the effectiveness, safety and permanence of carbon
dioxide capture and storage by testing the technology under real working
conditions.
Construction of the FutureGen plant is due to start in three years and work is
currently under way to find a suitable site in the United States. Construction
and plant startup and testing is due to take an additional three years with a
full-scale plant operating in 2012. The project will be supported by the ongoing
coal research programmes, which will be a major source of technology for the
prototype plant.
The FutureGen project is being co-funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, and
aims to validate the technical feasibility and economic viability of advanced
coal-based technologies for commercial readiness.
Tony Trahar, CEO of Anglo American said, "We are very excited to have joined the
FutureGen Industrial Alliance. Our participation is complementary to our
existing projects in China and Monash Energy in Australia, and represents a
further step in our commitment to participating in the development of clean coal
technologies that ensure that coal remains an important and sustainable energy
source for the future."
For further information:
Anglo American - London
Investor Relations Media Relations
Charles Gordon Kate Aindow
Tel: +44 207 968 8933 Tel: +44 207 968 8619
Anglo American - Johannesburg
Investor Relations Media Relations
Anne Dunn Daniel Ngwepe
Tel: +27 11 638 4730 Tel: +27 11 638 2267
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 platinum group metals, gold and diamonds, with significant interests
in coal, base and ferrous metals, industrial minerals and paper and packaging.
The group is geographically diverse, with operations in Africa, Europe, South
and North America, Australia and Asia. (www.angloamerican.co.uk)
For further information on FutureGen - please visit the following website:
http://www.FutureGenAlliance.org and
http://www.fossil.energy.gov/programs/powersystems/futuregen/
Sponsor:
J.P.Morgan Equities Limited
Date: 23/02/2006 04:00:04 PM Produced by the JSE SENS Department
