Wrap Text
Kumba updates response to South Africa’s COVID-19 measures
Kumba Iron Ore Limited
A member of the Anglo American plc group
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)
(Registration number 2005/015852/06)
Share code: KIO
ISIN: ZAE000085346
(“Kumba” or “the Company”)
Kumba updates response to South Africa’s COVID-19 measures
Kumba is providing an update on how it is responding operationally to the fast-evolving global impact of the COVID-
19 pandemic.
Kumba’s Chief Executive, Themba Mkhwanazi, said: “Kumba’s priorities are the safety, health and wellbeing of
our people and all those who interact with our business around the world. We also have a clear responsibility to
protect the integrity of our business and assets so that we are ready to restart and ramp up any affected operations
safely and as quickly as possible once permitted to do so. This approach will enable us to minimise any interruption
of supply to our customers and support what will be a vital economic recovery phase for South Africa.”
Kumba notes the statement made by the President of the Republic of South Africa on Monday, 23 March 2020 in
relation to a 21-day nationwide lockdown, that took effect at midnight on Thursday, 26 March 2020 until Thursday,
16 April 2020, in order to help curb the spread of COVID-19 in South Africa.
Kumba has consulted with the government authorities and industry bodies in South Africa to determine and agree
the appropriate measures to be taken across its operations and business activities. Such measures are to protect
people’s safety and health, the continuing provision of essential services to local communities, the security and
integrity of the assets, the supply of essential raw materials to customers, and the ability to return operations to
normal levels of activity as swiftly as possible once the lockdown restrictions are eased, in support of the country’s
broader economic interests.
In line with South African government requirements, Kumba has started to implement all appropriate measures
across its operations, with a focus on de-densification of the workforce and rigorous health screening and isolation
where needed. During the lockdown period, Kumba will continue with a c.50% level of workforce and the rail and
port logistics infrastructure to support the export of iron ore is expected to continue to service the operations.
Kumba will also continue to provide a number of essential services, including security; mine maintenance; tailings
facility safety management; water treatment; community water supply; accommodation provision; health, safety
and emergency response; and critical head office services.
Themba Mkhwanazi added: “Our operations play a vital role in many of our host communities, including in terms
of jobs and the provision of a number of essential community services, including access to water, health care and
emergency medical services. We are wholly committed to supporting the country’s effort to combat COVID-19,
including continuity of such services, and will continue to work with government and across the industry to provide
all possible support.”
Guidance update:
Shareholders are advised that scaling down operations will impact the company’s 2020 production guidance of
between 41.5Mt and 42.5Mt, as announced in the 2019 Annual Results presentation on Tuesday, 18 February
2020. Based on the 21-day lockdown period and allowing for a safe ramp-up of operations thereafter, we expect
a 2020 production volume impact of between 2 and 3Mt (based on the c.50% reduction in the workforce).
Kumba will provide additional guidance in its scheduled 1Q 2020 Production and Sales Report on Thursday, 23
April 2020.
Centurion
27 March 2020
Sponsor
RAND MERCHANT BANK (A division of FirstRand Bank Limited)
For further information, please contact:
Company Secretary
Ms Fazila Patel
fazila.patel@angloamerican.com
Tel: +27 683 7063
Mobile: +27 83 297 2293
Investors Media
Penny Himlok Sinah Phochana
penny.himlok@angloamerican.com sinah.phochana@angloamerican.com
Tel: +27 12 622 8324 Tel: +27 12 683 7019
Mobile: +27 82 781 1888 Mobile: +27 76 066 0655
Notes to editors:
Kumba Iron Ore Limited, a member of the Anglo American plc group, is a leading value-adding supplier of high
quality iron ore to the global steel industry. Kumba produces iron ore in South Africa at Sishen and Kolomela
mines in the Northern Cape Province. Kumba exports iron ore to customers in a range of geographical
locations around the globe including China, Japan, Korea and a number of countries in Europe and the Middle
East.
www.angloamericankumba.com
Anglo American is a leading global mining company and our products are the essential ingredients in almost
every aspect of modern life. Our portfolio of world-class competitive mining operations and undeveloped
resources provides the metals and minerals that enable a cleaner, more electrified world and that meet the
fast growing consumer-driven demands of the world’s developed and maturing economies. With our people at
the heart of our business, we use innovative practices and the latest technologies to discover new resources
and mine, process, move and market our products to our customers around the world - safely, responsibly and
sustainably.
As a responsible miner - of diamonds (through De Beers), copper, platinum group metals, iron ore, coal and
nickel - we are the custodians of what are precious natural resources. We work together with our business
partners and diverse stakeholders to unlock the sustainable value that those resources represent for our
shareholders, the communities and countries in which we operate, and for society as a whole. Anglo American
is re-imagining mining to improve people’s lives.
www.angloamerican.com
Date: 27-03-2020 09:00:00
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