Tawanda Karombo
Continued improvements to Transnet’s rail and port efficiencies helped Kumba Iron Ore meet guidance and benefit from an upturn in commodity prices, underpinning a December quarter described by parent company Anglo American as stronger.
Anglo American retained Kumba after disposing of Valterra and other assets last year.
Duncan Wanblad, CEO of Anglo American, said on Thursday that Kumba Iron Ore and Minas-Rio “continue to perform strongly” during the fourth quarter to 31 December 2025.
The group’s broader production picture was mixed. Copper output fell 14% year on year to 169 500 tons during the quarter, while nickel production rose 3% to 10 300 tons.
Rough diamond production at De Beers, however, declined sharply by 35% to 3.8 million carats, largely due to maintenance shutdowns at the Jwaneng and Orapa operations in Botswana.
Anglo American said it was “undertaking an impairment review of De Beers' carrying value, assessing the impact of diamond market conditions, which could potentially lead to an impairment” when it reports full-year financials.
