Kumba Iron Ore Bursary 2027, Requirements & Application

Kumba Iron Ore, part of Anglo American, runs the Sishen and Kolomela mines in the Northern Cape, the largest iron ore operations in Africa. Its bursary funds university students in mining, engineering, geology and support fields, with preference for young people from the Northern Cape and the communities around the mines.

About the Kumba Iron Ore Bursary

The bursary covers full tuition, books and accommodation at an accredited South African university, with paid vacation work at the mines and consideration for Kumba’s graduate programme. Fields of study in the last round were:

  • Mining, mechanical, electrical, industrial and environmental engineering.
  • Geology, geotechnical engineering and surveying.
  • Occupational hygiene.
  • Data analytics, finance and human resources.

Kumba Iron Ore Bursary eligibility requirements

  • South African citizen.
  • In Matric, or have completed Matric, with a strong academic record; an average of 65% or more is a realistic benchmark.
  • Entering first, second or third year of an undergraduate degree in one of the fields above at an accredited South African university.
  • A valid Code B driver’s licence, or able to obtain one during the bursary.
  • Willing to do vacation work in the Northern Cape.
  • Preference for Northern Cape residents and the communities around Sishen and Kolomela.

How to apply for the Kumba Iron Ore Bursary

  1. Watch the Anglo American careers portal and the Career Wise adverts page for the 2027 Kumba bursary and note the promotional code on the advert.
  2. Register on the portal, enter the promotional code and complete the online application.
  3. Upload certified copies of your ID, Matric results or certificate, tertiary academic records, proof of registration or acceptance, and your driver’s licence if you have one.
  4. Submit before the closing date. Shortlisted applicants are assessed and interviewed in October and November.

Kumba Iron Ore Bursary closing date

The 2026 round closed on 3 October 2025. Expect the 2027 round to close in late September or early October 2026.

Contact details

  • Administrator: Career Wise, 011 258 4464 or 0860 100 7787, info@careerwise.co.za
  • Kumba Iron Ore head office, Centurion: 012 683 7000

Northern Cape students should also apply to the South32 Dr Xolani Mkhwanazi bursary and the other producers on our mining engineering bursaries list.

FAQs

1. When does the Kumba bursary close for 2027? +
The 2026 round closed on 3 October 2025 and the 2024 round on 15 September 2023. The 2027 call had not been published when we checked; Kumba advertises in August or September, so expect a closing date in late September or early October 2026. Check the Anglo American careers portal.
2. Which fields are funded? +
Mining, mechanical, electrical, industrial and environmental engineering, geology and geotechnical engineering, surveying, occupational hygiene, data analytics, finance and human resources.
3. Who qualifies? +
South African citizens in Matric or with Matric, entering first, second or third year of an undergraduate degree at an accredited South African university, with a strong academic record (about 65% or more), a Code B driver's licence or the ability to get one, and willingness to do vacation work in the Northern Cape. Preference goes to Northern Cape residents and the communities around Sishen and Kolomela.
4. What does it cover? +
Full tuition, books and accommodation, plus paid vacation work at the mines and a route into Kumba's graduate programme.
5. How do I apply? +
Online through the Anglo American careers portal using the promotional code on the advert (KIO2026 for the last round), uploading a certified ID, Matric results or certificate, academic records, proof of registration and your driver's licence if you have one.
6. Who do I contact? +
Career Wise, which administers the bursary: 011 258 4464 or info@careerwise.co.za.
Update note (checked September 2026): the 2026 round closed on 3 October 2025 and the 2024 round on 15 September 2023. The 2027 call had not been published when we checked. Kumba advertises in August or September through Career Wise and the Anglo American careers portal, so expect a closing date in late September or early October 2026. The details below are from the 2026 advert.

🎓 Download Our Bursary Application Checklist

Download our free Application Checklist to make sure you do not miss any required documents. Submitting a complete application is key to being shortlisted.

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