April 25 (Reuters) - South Africa's Kumba Iron Ore on Tuesday said its output increased 14% to 9.4 million
tonnes in the first quarter, lifted by strong production at its
Kolomela mine.
Kumba, a unit of Anglo American Plc , maintained its
production forecast for the full year at between 35 million and
37 million tonnes, with sales expected in the 37 million to 39
million tonne range.
Kumba said it was seeing improved demand from China, the
miner's main market, offsetting a slowdown in other markets.
"The demand outlook for our high-quality iron ore product
continues to be positive given the steel intensity of the global
energy transition," it said.
Kumba said rail performance improved in the first quarter
after maintenance on the line, resulting in a 3% increase in ore
railed to port to 9.4 million tonnes, compared to 9.1 million
tonnes in the first quarter of 2022.
Rail performance, however, remained below planned levels as
state-owned logistics utility Transnet continues to be impacted
by a shortage of locomotives as well as theft and vandalism of
its infrastructure, costing mineral exporters billions of rand
in revenue.
Kumba has joined calls by bulk mineral exporters for private
sector involvement in Transnet to improve the stability and
reliability of rail and port infrastructure.
(Reporting by Nelson Banya; Editing by Kirsten Donovan)
