Resources giant Anglo American has unveiled an enterprise development venture that is expected to create 25, 000 jobs in up to 1, 500 new businesses across South Africa in the next seven years.

The mining group said yesterday that the commitment was a pledge to the Business Call to Action - a global initiative that challenges companies to apply their core business expertise, technology and innovative spirit to tackling poverty and promoting growth in developing countries, and to contribute to the attainment of the UN's Millennium Development Goals.

Anglo American is the first company in the mining industry to have a project accepted by Business Call to Action.

Anglo American has committed itself to establishing 12 enterprise development hubs in areas in which there is high unemployment.

The group said it would provide start-up funds for small businesses, targeting the most vulnerable segments of society, and provide mentoring and access to supply-chain opportunities.

Anglo American would also try to increase its enterprise development activities in Chile and Brazil.

Anglo American already has a fund in South Africa, Anglo Zimele, which, the company said, had created numerous sustainable, commercially viable enterprises and had empowered entrepreneurs to work in the mainstream economy.

The Millennium Development Goals were adopted by 189 world leaders in 2000 and represent a global commitment to reducing poverty, and promoting education, maternal health and gender equality, and fighting child mortality, Aids and other diseases.

The goals are to be achieved by 2015.

Since 2008, 19 companies have developed business initiatives that contribute to the attainment of goals.

"Long-term economic growth is vital to the fight against global poverty and business investment is vital to building economic growth," said Helen Clark, of the UN development programme.

"Today, business leaders are rewriting the value equation to show that true worth comes not only from profits but from making a positive difference."