Anglo American, headquartered in London, is one of the world’s largest mining companies, recognized for its global footprint in the extraction and production of platinum, diamonds, copper, nickel, iron ore, polyhalite, and steelmaking coal. With operations spanning Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America, Anglo American plays a pivotal role in supplying essential raw materials for a range of industries, including energy, automotive, and technology.
In the European Union, Anglo American is registered in the EU Transparency Register as a lobbying entity, focusing on influencing policy and regulatory frameworks that affect the mining sector and related industries. The company’s lobbying activities are primarily self-represented, with a declared interest in promoting its own business interests and those of its industry associations. Anglo American’s policy advocacy in the EU has centered on climate and energy transition policies, particularly around the use of hydrogen, renewable energy, and the decarbonization of heavy industries. The company has advocated for a life-cycle assessment approach to emissions standards, which would potentially reduce regulatory burdens on its operations, and has consistently supported the development of green hydrogen and other low-carbon technologies, albeit sometimes with ambiguous positions on strict decarbonization requirements.
Anglo American’s approach to lobbying is characterized by transparency regarding its industry memberships and advocacy positions. The company is affiliated with several influential industry groups, such as the Copper Institute, Nickel Institute, Eurometaux, Hydrogen Europe, International Platinum Association, and Euromines. These affiliations amplify its voice in policy debates and regulatory consultations at the EU level.
Financially, Anglo American’s lobbying expenditure in the EU has ranged between €300,000 and €399,999 for the most recent closed financial year (2023), with significant amounts paid to intermediaries such as FTI Consulting and Prospero. The company employs a small team of lobbyists, with five declared individuals (equivalent to 1.3 full-time lobbyists), none of whom currently hold European Parliament accreditation. While specific names and roles of these lobbyists are not publicly disclosed due to GDPR restrictions, Anglo American’s lobbying activities are conducted in line with EU transparency and ethical standards.
In summary, Anglo American’s EU lobbying profile reflects its strategic interest in shaping regulatory environments that impact the mining sector, with a particular emphasis on climate policy, energy transition, and sustainable industrial practices. Its network of industry affiliations and transparent advocacy positions position it as a significant corporate voice in Brussels policymaking circles.
