Iron-ore miner Kumba Iron Ore says it remains on track to produce 40.5-million tonnes of iron-ore this year, albeit at the upper end of its unit cost guidance of about R430/t.
The C1 unit cost guidance for production of $40/t remains unchanged.
Production guidance for 2022 and 2023 has, however, been revised lower to between 39-million and 41-million tonnes, from the prior guidance of between 41.5-million and 42.5-million tonnes.
Kumba says Transnet’s stacker reclaimer refurbishment programme at the Saldanha port will impact on port capacity and, consequently, Kumba’s value chain, in 2022.
In 2023, output is expected to be impacted on by the tie-in of the Sishen separation plant, which will extend the mine life and improve quality of product.
Kumba will release its production and sales report for the full 2021 on or about January 27.