Kumba’s iron production fell marginally due the first of two planned 10-day maintenance shutdowns by Transnet Freight Rail in the six months to June 30, 2026.
Kumba Iron Ore’s headline earnings per share (HEPS) are likely to fall between 39% and 43% in the six months to June 30, due to a stronger rand and lower prices, the group said Tuesday.
The warning of lower profit saw the share price of the Anglo-American subsidiary fall by 2,49% on the JSE on Monday morning, a price that had also fallen by 19.3% over a 12-month period.
In a trading statement, the open-pit mining group said HEPS is expected to be between R12,68 and R13,61 for the six-month period. Interim results are expected to be released on July 23, 2026.
The operational performance is in spite of challenging operating conditions with the heaviest rainfall in many decades experienced during the second quarter. Total production was therefore 3% lower, following a solid performance at Sishen, offset by planned lower production at Kolomela.
