JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Kumba Iron Ore lifted its output by 37% year-on-year and 13% quarter-on-quarter to 13-million tonnes in the quarter ended September 30.
The Sishen mine produced 9.3-million tonnes of iron-ore in the quarter – up 44% on that produced in the third quarter of 2013 and 11% higher than that produced in the quarter ended June 30.
Kumba noted on Thursday that the mine was on track to produce 35-million tonnes of iron-ore for the 2014 full-year, before increasing to 35-million tonnes and 36-million tonnes in 2015 and 2016 respectively.
Output at the Kolomela mine increased to 3.4-million tonnes in the quarter, with full-year output expected to reach 11-million tonnes.
The Thabazimbi mine increased its output by 39% year-on-year and 85% quarter-on-quarter to 300 000 t in the third quarter.
Kumba expected its overall output for the full-year to be between 45-million and 46-million tonnes, compared with the previous guidance of between 44-million and 46-million tonnes.
Meanwhile, export sales volumes for the third quarter fell 4% year-on-year and 12% quarter-on-quarter to 9.1-million tonnes, mainly owing to the yearly Transnet rail maintenance shutdown.
Domestic sales volumes fell 14% year-on-year and 18% quarter-on-quarter to 1.1-million tonnes.