Marginal production drop for Kumba

However, it said total production for the quarter was up by 9% compared with the first quarter mainly because of improved production at Sishen along with an exceptional performance of Kolomela mine.

Total export sales volumes decreased by 4% while domestic sales volumes fell by 17%. Total finished product stockpile levels were at 3.3m tons at the end of June.

Kumba said that production at the Thabazimbi mine decreased by 50% compared with in the second quarter of last year but increased by 28% compared with the first quarter, which was in line with ArcelorMittal South Africa Limited's (AMSA) requirements.

Pit complexities and geotechnical challenges at Thabazimbi continued as the mine approached the end of its economic life.