Kumba Iron Ore lifts sales amid improved logistics, steady operations

KUMBA Iron Ore, the Anglo American-owned iron ore producer, has reported improved logistics stability and operational efficiency despite slightly lower output for the third quarter of 2025.

- TAWANDA KAROMBO

Chief executive Mpumi Zikalala said on Tuesday that the company’s performance benefited from enhanced equipment efficiency and operating stability, even as total production for the quarter to end-September declined by 2% year-on-year to 9.2 million tons.

Zikalala said performance was driven by a combination of the business reconfiguration impact in 2024 and improved equipment efficiency and operating times in the third quarter of 2025. Parent company Anglo American's quarterly iron ore production dipped by 9% to 14.3 million tons, weighed down by lower output from Kumba as well as from its Minas-Rio operation in Brazil.

Over the period under review, total waste mining increased by 12% to 44.2 million tons compared to 39.4 million tons in the previous contrasting period, underpinned by an 8% increase at Sishen and a 39% increase at Kolomela.