Anglo American plc and Lafarge S.A. announced the completion of their 50:50 joint venture which will combine their cement, aggregates, ready-mix concrete, asphalt and asphalt surfacing, maintenance services, and waste services businesses in the United Kingdom. The joint venture will be known as Lafarge Tarmac and begins trading on January 7, 2013. Completion of the Lafarge Tarmac joint venture follows final clearance from the UK Competition Commission, predicated on the completed sale of a portfolio of Tarmac and Lafarge construction materials operations in the UK.

The agreed sale of Tarmac's 50% ownership interest in Midland Quarry Products is subject to a right of pre-emption in favour of Hanson Quarry Products Europe Limited and, as a result, the completion of this transaction is pending. The Lafarge Tarmac combination is expected to generate synergies of £60 million through improving operational logistical and purchasing efficiencies and the introduction of value-added products across a wider geographic area.