Since its launch in 2017, Kumba Iron Ore’s Inclusive Procurement (IP) programme has made a wide-ranging contribution to local economic development.
Through empowering local suppliers, fostering sustainable community development and creating long-term economic opportunities, the programme aligns with Anglo American’s vision of mining as a force for positive social impact.
2017–2020: Laying the foundations
When the programme was introduced in 2017, it was guided by Anglo American’s commitment to transforming how mining can contribute to society.
Kumba allocated $27 million that year to procurement with host-community businesses – those suppliers who have their main place of business in the direct vicinity of the operation – marking a meaningful step towards creating shared value through local partnerships.
This early commitment continued to grow as Kumba integrated local suppliers into the supply chain, particularly in sectors such as transport, facilities management and construction.
Through fostering these relationships, Kumba’s operations became both stronger and more inclusive, creating opportunities in traditionally under-represented communities.
Since those early days, the IP programme has expanded further, contributing to job creation and skills development, helping to build local capacity and enabling these businesses to compete for contracts beyond those they had with Kumba.
When the Covid-19 pandemic struck in 2020, Kumba quickly adapted the programme, offering virtual training and accelerating payment processes to support local suppliers. The company also sourced essential personal protective equipment (PPE), medical equipment and supplies for its nutrition programme from host-community companies wherever possible.
These early years built a resilient foundation for the programme and demonstrated the role of local procurement in sustaining community well-being during times of crisis.
