Kumba was formed by a demerger in 2001 from South African integrated steel company Iscor and a subsequent demerger of coal mining operations in 2006 to form a separate listed company, Exxaro. Exxaro simultaneously became the Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) equity shareholder of Kumba's subsidiary Sishen Iron Ore Company. Kumba's principal operations are currently Sishen mine (41m .