Global mining giant Anglo American delivered bumper first-half earnings on Friday and said it planned a new share buyback programme and dividend payout worth $5-billion.

Anglo American said net profit surged 60.1 percent to $2.943-billion in the six months ended June 30 from the equivalent figure in 2005, as metals prices hit record high points.

Group revenue increased by 9.8 percent to $18.825-billion.

Anglo American, which is registered in Britain but operates mainly in South Africa, added that it would raise its share buyback programme by $4-billion and promised a special dividend worth $1-billion dollars.

In March, Anglo American had returned $2-billion dollars to shareholders by way of a share buyback.

Sapa

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