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Public Profile
Iron Ores
ZA
updated a month ago

Kumba Iron Ore Sustainability Profile

Company website

Kumba Iron Ore, a subsidiary of Anglo American, is a leading player in the global iron ore industry, headquartered in South Africa (ZA). Established in 2005, the company has rapidly evolved, with significant operations primarily in the Northern Cape region, where it extracts high-quality iron ore from its Sishen and Kolomela mines. Kumba Iron Ore is renowned for its premium iron ore products, which are essential for steel production. The company’s commitment to sustainable mining practices and innovation sets it apart in a competitive market. With a strong market position, Kumba has achieved notable milestones, including being one of the largest iron ore producers in Africa, contributing significantly to the local economy and global supply chains.

DitchCarbon Score

How does Kumba Iron Ore's carbon action stack up? DitchCarbon scores companies based on their carbon action and commitment to reducing emissions. Read about our methodology to learn more.

46

Industry Average

Mean score of companies in the Iron Ores industry. Comparing a company's score to the industry average can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.

16

Industry Benchmark

Kumba Iron Ore's score of 46 is higher than 91% of the industry. This can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.

91%

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Kumba Iron Ore's reported carbon emissions

In 2024, Kumba Iron Ore, headquartered in South Africa (ZA), reported total greenhouse gas emissions of approximately 57,039,000 kg CO2e across all scopes. This includes about 417,000 kg CO2e from Scope 1 emissions, which are direct emissions from owned or controlled sources, and about 422,000 kg CO2e from Scope 2 emissions, which are indirect emissions from the generation of purchased electricity. The majority of their emissions, approximately 57,039,000 kg CO2e, fall under Scope 3, which includes emissions from the entire value chain, such as processing of sold products and purchased goods and services. Kumba Iron Ore has set ambitious climate commitments, aiming for a 30% reduction in absolute Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, relative to a 2016 baseline. This target is part of their broader decarbonisation pathway, which reflects their commitment to improving energy intensity and reducing overall emissions. These targets are cascaded from their parent company, Anglo American plc, and are aligned with industry standards for climate action. In 2023, Kumba's emissions were slightly higher, with total emissions of about 57,664,000 kg CO2e, indicating a need for continued focus on their reduction initiatives. The company is actively working towards achieving its targets and enhancing its sustainability practices in the mining sector.

Unlock detailed emissions data

Access structured emissions data, company-specific emission factors, and source documents

20112012201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024
Scope 1
390
000
000,000
000,000
000,000
000,000
000,000
000,000,000
000,000,000
000,000,000
000,000
000,000,000
000,000,000
000,000,000
Scope 2
360
000
000,000
000,000
000,000
000,000
000,000
000,000,000
000,000,000
000,000,000
000,000,000
000,000,000
000,000,000
000,000,000
Scope 3
25,733,858,000
000,000,000,000
-
-
000,000,000,000
000,000,000,000
000,000,000,000
-
-
-
00,000,000,000
00,000,000,000
00,000,000,000
00,000,000,000

How Carbon Intensive is Kumba Iron Ore's Industry?

Very low
Low
Medium
High
Very high
Some industries are more carbon intensive than others. Kumba Iron Ore's primary industry is Iron ores, which is high in terms of carbon intensity compared to other industries.

How Carbon Intensive is Kumba Iron Ore's Location?

Very low
Low
Medium
High
Very high
The carbon intensity of the energy grid powering a company's primary operations has a strong influence on its overall carbon footprint. This request for Kumba Iron Ore is in ZA, which has a very high grid carbon intensity relative to other regions.

Kumba Iron Ore's Scope 3 Categories Breakdown

Kumba Iron Ore's Scope 3 emissions, which decreased by 1% last year and increased by approximately 122% since 2011, demonstrating supply chain emissions tracking. Nearly all of their carbon footprint comes from suppliers and value chain emissions, representing nearly all emissions under the GHG Protocol, with "Processing of Sold Products" being the largest emissions source at 94% of Scope 3 emissions.

Top Scope 3 Categories

2024
Processing of Sold Products
94%
Downstream Transportation & Distribution
2%
Purchased Goods and Services
1%
End-of-Life Treatment of Sold Products
1%
Upstream Transportation & Distribution
<1%
Fuel and Energy Related Activities
<1%
Capital Goods
<1%
Employee Commuting
<1%
Waste Generated in Operations
<1%
Business Travel
<1%

Kumba Iron Ore's Climate Goals (2030 & 2050)

Climate goals typically focus on 2030 interim targets and 2050 net-zero commitments, aligned with global frameworks like the Paris Agreement and Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) to ensure alignment with global climate goals.

Kumba Iron Ore has not publicly committed to specific 2030 or 2050 climate goals through the major frameworks we track. Companies often set interim 2030 targets and long-term 2050 net-zero goals to demonstrate measurable progress toward decarbonization.

Science Based Targets Initiative
Carbon Disclosure Project
The Climate Pledge
UN Global Compact
RE 100
Climate Action 100
Race To Net Zero
Reduction Actions

Compare Kumba Iron Ore's Emissions with Industry Peers

Newmont

US
•
Chemical and fertilizer minerals, salt and other mining and quarrying products n.e.c.
Updated 2 days ago

China Shenhua

CN
•
Chemical and fertilizer minerals, salt and other mining and quarrying products n.e.c.
Updated 3 days ago

Barrick Gold

CA
•
Chemical and fertilizer minerals, salt and other mining and quarrying products n.e.c.
Updated 5 days ago

LKAB

SE
•
Iron ores
Updated 14 days ago

BHP Group (UK) Ltd

GB
•
Lead, zinc and tin and products thereof
Updated about 2 months ago

SOUTHERN COPPER

PE
•
Copper ores and concentrates
Updated 3 days ago

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Where does DitchCarbon data come from?

Discover our data-driven methodology for measuring corporate climate action and benchmarking against industry peers

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