Kumba Iron Ore, a subsidiary of Anglo American PLC, reported a significant decline in headline earnings for the six months ended June 2026, with projections indicating a potential decrease of up to R4.36bn compared to the previous year.

The financial performance is attributed to lower production and sales volumes caused by extreme weather conditions, including the heaviest rainfall in decades during the second quarter.This led to operational challenges, particularly at the Kolomela mine, while the Sishen operation showed resilience.Additionally, planned Transnet logistics maintenance shutdowns in May 2026 contributed to a 1% drop in sales volumes.The company also faced rail wash-away issues in February 2026, impacting ore transportation.

Kumba's results for the half year ended June 2026 are set to be released on July 28, highlighting ongoing challenges in maintaining production levels amid environmental and logistical disruptions.