Anglo American is planning to sell its five Queensland coal mines as a single unit rather than individually, but plans to keep some technical and exploration teams in Australia after it completes a “radical” break-up.

Duncan Wanblad, chief executive of the London-listed diversified miner, announced a sale of the coal division as part of a strategy to sell or shut everything but Anglo’s copper, iron ore and crop nutrient assets. The strategy, he said, had been accelerated by a $64.4 billion takeover offer for the company, which Anglo has rejected.