Inaugural review and production report for the quarter ended 31 March 2008
29 April, 2008
Kumba Iron Ore Limited (Kumba) today released its production report for the quarter ended 31 March 2008. Throughout this report, production volumes refer to 100%.
FIRST QUARTER OVERVIEW
- Strong quarterly production underpinned by strong demand.
- Production from the Sishen Expansion Project jig plants continues to ramp up.
Interim results for the half year to 30 June are due to be announced on 24 July 2008.
PRODUCTION REPORT
| Kumba – production summary | |||
| ‘000 tonnes ¹ | Quarter ended | % change | |
| Mar 2008 |
Mar 2007 |
Mar Q08 vs Mar Q07 |
|
| Iron Ore | 8,190 | 7,638 | 7.2% |
| – Lump | 4,888 | 4,495 | 8.7% |
| – Fines | 3,302 | 3,143 | 5.1% |
| Kumba – mine production | |||
| ‘000 tonnes ¹ | Quarter ended | % change | |
| Mar 2008 |
Mar 2007 |
Mar Q08 vs Mar Q07 |
|
| Sishen Mine | 7 541 | 6 943 | 8.6% |
| Thabazimbi Mine | 649 | 695 | (6.6)% |
| Total | 8 190 | 7 638 | 7.2% |
¹ Iron ore production is presented on a wet tonnes basis.
Total iron ore production increased 7.2% in the first quarter from a year earlier to 8,19 million metric tonnes. This was due mainly to the additional production delivered by the Sishen Expansion Project jig plant and stable performance from DMS plant at Sishen Mine and Thabazimbi Mine.
PROJECT PIPELINE
| Project | Completion date | Capital expenditure (R billion) |
Production Volume | Quarterly progress | |
| Jig plant (Sishen Expansion Project) | 2009 | 5.1 | 13.0 Mtpa | Ramp up of production commenced 4th quarter 2007. The 7th and 8th jig modules to be commissioned in the 3rd quarter 2008. Full production anticipated in 2009. Capital expenditure on budget. |