South African iron-ore miner Kumba Iron Ore says it continues to remain resilient despite the heaviest rainfall in many decades having impacted on its mines, in the Northern Cape, in the quarter ended June 30.

Iron-ore production for the six months to June 30 dropped by 3% year-on-year as strong results at the Sishen mine balanced out planned reductions at the Kolomela mine.

Sales for the six-month period fell by 1% year-on-year, mainly owing to State-owned freight and transport logistics company Transnet’s planned ten-day maintenance in May.

Kumba highlights that its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) for the six months ended June 30 were, however, negatively impacted on by the rand strengthening by 11% against the dollar and a marginally lower US dollar average realised free-on-board export iron-ore price.

The company adds that its Ebitda for the period under review was also impacted by a one-off payment from Transnet in relation to logistics performance, which was received in the six months ended June 30.

These factors, Kumba highlights, account for about 96% of the movement in Ebitda and consequently, Ebitda for the period is expected to be between R10-million and R11-million, thereby reflecting a decrease of between 30% and 35% from the first half of 2025.

Kumba also advises its shareholders that its headline earnings for the period ended June 30 are likely to be about R4-million, representing a decrease of between 39% and 43% year-on-year.

The company adds that headline earnings per share (HEPS) are likely to be between R12.68 and R13.61, reflecting a decrease of between 39% and 43% year-on-year.

Reported headline earnings and HEPS for the comparative period were R7-million and R22.26, respectively.

Further, basic earnings for the period ended June 30 are expected to be between R3.9-million and R4.2-million, reflecting a decrease of between 40% and 44% from the comparative period.

Basic earnings per share (EPS) are expected to be between R12.41 and R13.31, a decrease of between 40% and 44% year-on-year. Reported basic earnings and EPS for the comparative period were R7.1-million and R22.17, respectively.

Kumba expects to publish its production and sales report for the six months under review on July 23 and its financial results on July 28.