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What are the uses of iron ore?

Of all the metals that make modern life possible, steel is the most widely used – and iron ore is its main ingredient.

Iron ore is needed for train tracks and other types of infrastructure, which is one reason for the great demand from emerging economies such as China and Brazil.

But it’s also used in medicine, cosmetics, engineering, construction, paint and a whole range of products we need for modern life.

Technology is demanding increasingly sophisticated forms of steel. Manganese is a vital component of stainless steel and many advanced alloys.

Our iron ore business

Our iron ore operations provide customers with high grade iron ore products which help our steel customers meet ever-tighter emissions standards.

In South Africa, we have a majority share (69.7%) in Kumba Iron Ore, while in Brazil we have developed the integrated Minas-Rio operation.

Ruben Fernandes

Regional Director, Americas

Ruben Fernandes

Regional Director, Americas

MBA, MSc (Metallurgical Engineering)

Ruben was appointed Regional Director, Americas on 1 July 2023 with responsibility for Anglo American’s businesses in Brazil (iron ore and nickel), Chile (copper) and Peru (copper).

He previously served as CEO of Base Metals and CEO of Anglo American Brazil. Prior to joining the Group in 2012, Ruben was head of mining at Votorantim Metals in Brazil, responsible for projects and exploration activities around the world, as well as operations in Peru and Colombia. Between 2009 and 2011, he was COO at Vale Fertilizers, responsible for the fertiliser operations, sales and marketing. Ruben was also CEO of Kaolin Companies – Pará Pigments and Cadam – two subsidiaries of Vale, between 2007 and 2009, and held various analysis, marketing and project roles in Vale’s Base Metals business which he joined in 1999. Between 1988 and 1998, he held several leadership roles in the special alloys industry.

Themba Mkhwanazi

Regional Director, Africa & Australia

Themba Mkhwanazi

Regional Director, Africa & Australia

B.Eng.Hons

Themba was appointed Regional Director, Africa & Australia on 1 July 2023 with responsibility for Anglo American’s PGMs business, Kumba Iron Ore and Australian operations (steelmaking coal). He previously served as CEO of Bulk Commodities, starting that role in 2021 . Prior to that, he was CEO of Kumba Iron Ore from 2016 to 2021, and CEO for Anglo American’s Thermal Coal business in South Africa, having joined the Group in 2014. He is also a non-executive director of Anglo American Platinum and Kumba Iron Ore.

Themba has extensive experience in the resources industry, including 18 years in his native South Africa, as well as in the US and Australia. Before joining the Group, Themba was managing director for Huntsman Tioxide in South Africa until 2007 when he was appointed COO of Richards Bay Minerals, a joint venture between Rio Tinto and BHP. In 2011, he was seconded to Rio Tinto’s Australian coal business, before taking up the role of regional general manager for the Americas in 2012.

Themba is a Vice President of the Minerals Council of South Africa.

Mpumi Zikalala

CEO of Kumba Iron Ore

Mpumi Zikalala

CEO of Kumba Iron Ore

BSc in Chemical Engineering

Appointed: 1 January 2022

Mpumi was appointed CEO of Kumba Iron Ore with effect from 1 January 2022. Prior to this role, Mpumi was Managing Director, De Beers Group Managed Operations.

Mpumi is a former De Beers Group bursar and officially joined De Beers in 2001 as a process engineer. As part of her production journey, she worked on process improvement and plant design projects, she also worked in various leadership levels within production management. She was appointed General Manager at De Beers Kimberley Mines in 2007, becoming the first female General Manager in the De Beers Group. In 2010, she was appointed General Manager of De Beers Voorspoed mine and three and a half years later became Senior Vice-President of De Beers Sightholder Sales South Africa.

Mpumi was promoted to Deputy CEO of De Beers Consolidated Mines in November 2017, rising to the position of Managing Director, De Beers Group Managed Operations, in April 2019. Managed Operations included De Beers Group's operations in South Africa and Canada.

Mpumi holds a BSc in chemical engineering from the University of the Witwatersrand and completed leadership development at the London Business School.

Ana Sanches

President of Anglo American in Brazil

Ana Sanches

President of Anglo American in Brazil

What are the uses of iron ore?

Our iron ore business

Leadership

Iron ore mines around the world

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