South Africa’s Kumba Iron Ore said it expects full-year profit to rise by as much as 23%, supported by stronger iron ore prices and higher sales volumes. The miner said headline earnings for the year ended December 31 are projected to range between 13.9 billion rand and 15.3 billion rand, compared with 12.5 billion rand a year earlier, figures outlined in a trading update carried by Reuters.
The earnings improvement reflects a higher realised free-on-board export price of about $95 per wet metric tonne, up from roughly $92 the previous year, alongside a 2% increase in sales volumes to 37 million tonnes. MarketScreener said the pricing gains were driven by improved market conditions and stable demand from key customers.
Kumba also pointed to better logistics performance, noting that stronger rail operations helped ease bottlenecks, reduce stockpiles at mine sites and support port inventory levels. Channel Africa highlighted that iron ore prices were underpinned by resilient Chinese pig iron production, supported by steady export demand.
The company said it will publish its full financial results on February 19, while maintaining its production guidance for the year ahead. Analysts say the improved outlook underscores the importance of logistics stability and favourable commodity pricing for South Africa’s mining sector, as the industry continues to navigate infrastructure constraints.
