South Africa’s Kumba Iron Ore expects to begin pit establishment and waste stripping this year after giving the go-ahead for the R7B development of the new Kapstevel South pit and associated infrastructure at its Kolomela mine near Postmasburg in Northern Cape province.
The Anglo American unit expects first high-quality direct shipping ore production in 2024 from the conventional truck and shovel operation, which will contribute significantly to sustaining Kolomela’s production at about 13Mtpa for the rest of its 14-year mine life.
CEO Themba Mkhwanazi says the board approval amid the COVID-19 challenges for the global and South African economies underscores Kumba’s positive longer-term outlook.
The development is forecast to deliver after-tax IRR of about 25% and allow Kolomela to maintain its long-term EBITDA margin over 35%.