AAL

Anglo American Plc

A global mining company that digs up copper, iron ore, platinum, and diamonds — including De Beers, the famous diamond brand — for use in everything from wiring to jewelry. It was founded in 1917 in Johannesburg by Ernest Oppenheimer, a German émigré, to mine gold. The name "Anglo American" comes from its original backers: British and American investors. Fun fact: the company was almost called the "African-American Corporation" before Oppenheimer was talked out of it.