Kumba Iron Ore’s commitment to sustainability and responsible mining has been recognised at the 2026 Beyond Awards, where it was named a runner-up in the Beyond Champion Large Scale category. The company submitted entries covering its Sustainability Strategy and Responsible Mining.
The Beyond Awards recognise measurable progress in sustainability and environmental, social and governance practices across Africa. The Beyond Champion Large Scale category recognises large organisations and projects delivering that progress. The ceremony took place on 30 September at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg during the Sustainability & ESG Africa Conference & Expo 2026.
“This recognition acknowledges the work our teams put into responsible mining every day,” says Mpumi Zikalala, Chief Executive Officer at Kumba Iron Ore. “Their efforts help us earn the trust of neighbouring communities and the people who buy our iron ore. We are proud of the progress at Sishen and Kolomela and will keep working with our communities and partners to build on it.”
In 2024, Sishen and Kolomela mines became the first iron ore mines in Africa to be audited against the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA) standard. Both mines achieved IRMA 75, an independently assessed performance level that covers how mines manage their environmental and social impacts, as well as business integrity and planning for their eventual closure. They retained that level following surveillance audits conducted in 2025.
Kumba’s 2025 results recorded more than nine years of fatality-free production at Sishen and two years at Kolomela. Behind this record is sustained work toward Kumba’s zero harm goal, including ensuring critical safety controls are effective and training employees and contractors to recognise and manage risks that could cause serious injury or death.
Kumba’s Sustainability Strategy forms part of FutureSmart MiningTM, which integrates sustainability with technological innovation. Its three themes, Trusted Corporate Leader, Healthy Environment and Thriving Communities, guide decisions about how the business operates and its contribution to the regions around its mines.
Kumba is working towards carbon-neutral operations by 2040 and a workplace where people feel safe and included. Around its mines, the strategy addresses the protection of shared water catchments and opportunities for people to earn a living. It also aims to strengthen local education and health services so that more people can benefit from them.
At its training centres in Kathu and Kolomela, Kumba offers community members training in trades such as plumbing and carpentry, helping them develop skills they can use outside mining. In 2025, 1,026 community members participated.
“Our Sustainability Strategy is based on what we firmly believe to be the right thing to do over the long term for our company and our people, local communities, host governments and of course our investors,” says Dr Pranill Ramchander, Executive Head Corporate Affairs at Kumba Iron Ore.
Employees and neighbouring communities contribute to the IRMA assessments. Public audit reports allow communities and customers to examine the findings, including areas requiring further improvement.
Kumba has used the audit findings to improve how it models water flows and monitors conditions at its mines. The company also reported a 4% drop in freshwater withdrawals in 2025.