Unlocking a Strategic National Asset for Iron Ore and Manganese Ore Exports

The OUF is an industry coordination platform established by iron ore producers that utilise South Africa’s Ore Export Corridor (OEC), which links mining operations in Kathu region and Postmasburg area in the Northern Cape to the Bulk Terminal in Saldanha Port in the Western Cape.

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Who we are

South Africa’s Ore Export Corridor (OEC) is a strategic national asset that plays a critical role in supporting exports, employment, investment and economic growth. As the primary export route for a significant majority (96%) of the country’s iron ore production and an important route for manganese ore exports, the corridor is essential to maintaining South Africa’s competitiveness in global markets and enabling long-term investment across the mining value chain.

Recognising both its strategic importance and the opportunity to strengthen performance, the Ore Export Corridor Users Forum was established in 2022 as a coordinated industry platform. It enables corridor users to collaborate, share technical expertise and engage constructively with government, Transnet and other stakeholders to support practical, evidence-based solutions that enhance corridor performance and sustainability.

Today, the OUF brings together iron-ore exporters who make use of the OEC and works in partnership with stakeholders to support a more reliable, efficient and competitive export system.

Member organisations

Leadership

Futhi Mtoba

Independent Chairperson, Ore Export Corridor Users’ Forum

Futhi Mtoba

Independent Chairperson, Ore Export Corridor Users’ Forum

Futhi Mtoba is the Independent Chairperson of the Ore Export Corridor Users’ Forum. A chartered accountant and one of South Africa’s most respected business leaders, she is the former Chair of Deloitte Southern Africa and former President of Business Unity South Africa. She has served on numerous public and private sector boards and brings extensive experience in corporate governance, strategic leadership and stakeholder engagement.

Mpumi Zikalala

Chief Executive Officer, Kumba Iron Ore

Mpumi Zikalala

Chief Executive Officer, Kumba Iron Ore

Mpumi Zikalala is Chief Executive Officer of Kumba Iron Ore and an executive director of the Kumba Board. A chemical engineer by training, she has more than two decades of leadership experience in the mining industry, having held senior operational and executive roles across Anglo American and De Beers before joining Kumba in 2022. She is a strong advocate for sustainable mining, industry collaboration and inclusive economic growth.

Maryke Burger

ARM Ferrous CE / Assmang Director

Maryke Burger

ARM Ferrous CE / Assmang Director

Maryke Burger is Chief Executive of ARM Ferrous and Chair of the Assmang Executive Committee. With more than 20 years’ experience in the mining sector, she has held a range of senior technical, operational and executive leadership positions across iron ore and manganese operations. She brings extensive expertise in operational excellence, business performance and sustainable resource development.

Aneesh Misra

Chief Executive Officer, Sedibeng Iron Ore

Aneesh Misra

Chief Executive Officer, Sedibeng Iron Ore

Aneesh Misra is Chief Executive Officer of Sedibeng Iron Ore and Managing Director of IMR South Africa. An engineer by training, he has built an international career spanning commodity trading, business development and mining leadership. Before joining IMR, he worked with Trafigura, where he managed a range of non-ferrous and refined metals trading portfolios. Today, he leads Sedibeng Iron Ore and Kgatelopele Lime, focusing on operational excellence, responsible growth and strengthening South Africa’s iron ore export industry.

Gerhard Odendaal

Chief Operating Officer, Afrimat

Gerhard Odendaal

Chief Operating Officer, Afrimat

Gerhard Odendaal is an Executive Director of Afrimat. He has more than 17 years’ experience in the mining and industrial minerals sectors, with expertise in project management, strategic planning, operational leadership and business integration. He has played a key role in the successful turnaround and integration of several mining operations and supports Afrimat’s continued growth across Southern Africa.

Why we exist

The OUF is a collaborative industry body representing iron ore producers that depend on the OEC and associated rail and port infrastructure.

The forum provides a mechanism through which participants engage on matters affecting corridor performance, reliability, and long-term sustainability.

OUF membership is open to iron ore producers including iron ore junior miners with a valid mining permit from the Department of Mineral Resources and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) and rail allocation on the Ore Export Corridor.

Purpose

To support the long-term sustainability, efficiency and competitiveness of the OEC through collaboration, stakeholder engagement and technical expertise.

Leadership and governance

The OUF operates through a formal governance structure designed to support effective decision-making, accountability and stakeholder engagement.

The structure comprises:

  • An Independent Chairperson.
  • An OUF Board representing member companies.
  • A Project Management Office (PMO) with representatives from member companies and strategic and technical OUF advisors.

Why the Ore Export Corridor matters

The OEC is South Africa’s primary export route for iron ore and a important export route for manganese ore. It is one of the country’s most strategically important freight and logistics systems.

Its performance directly influences export volumes, foreign exchange earnings, employment and investment across the mining value chain. A well-functioning corridor strengthens South Africa’s global competitiveness and reputation as a reliable supplier to international markets.

A high-performing corridor supports:

  • Export growth and foreign exchange earnings.
  • Employment across the mining value chain.
  • Ongoing investment in mining and related industries.
  • Regional economic development.
  • South Africa’s global competitiveness.

The performance and reliability of the OEC enable evacuation of iron ore and manganese ore exports. Strengthening corridor performance is therefore a national economic priority.

South Africa is one of the world’s leading exporters of high-quality hematite iron ore. In 2025, the country produced an estimated 55 million tonnes and exported approximately 52.8 million tonnes (circa. 51.5 million tonnes via the OEC), with more than 70% destined for Asian markets. Maintaining a reliable and efficient OEC is therefore essential to sustaining export competitiveness, investment and long-term economic growth.

Our vision for success

An integrated reliable, efficient and globally competitive OEC that supports economic growth, employment, exports and long-term investment. The OUF believes the OEC should operate to world-class bulk commodity export corridor standards of reliability, efficiency and performance.

Our journey to date

Since its establishment in 2022, the OUF has evolved into a structured industry platform focused on supporting improved corridor performance and competitiveness.

  1. 2022

    • OUF established.
    • Formal governance structures established.
    • Terms of Reference agreed.
    • Competition law protocol adopted.
    • Master Non-Disclosure Agreement implemented.
    • Members aligned on the OUF objectives.

  2. 2023

    • Structured engagement with Transnet initiated.
    • Independent Technical Assessment (ITA) commissioned in conjunction with Transnet.
    • Development and alignment on OUF strategy and plan.

  3. 2024

    • Alignment on key corridor priorities strengthened.
    • ITA concluded and the findings were presented to the OUF and Transnet.

  4. 2025

    • OUF incorporated as a legal entity and the Board was appointed.
    • Expanded stakeholder engagement.
    • Participation in freight and logistics reform discussion.
    • Coordinated industry input into policy and regulatory processes.

  5. 2026

    • Continued engagement on logistics reform.
    • Strengthened communications and industry coordination activities.
    • Independent Chairperson appointed.

Throughout the period, the OUF has contributed industry expertise, operational insight and informed perspectives to support constructive engagement on corridor performance and long-term development.

Current focus areas

The OUF’s work is guided by a commitment to practical, solutions-oriented outcomes. Key focus areas include:

  • Providing future funding support on specific OEC initiatives through an appropriate mechanism to fast-track execution
  • Facilitating constructive engagement between industry, government, Transnet and other stakeholders
  • Contributing technical expertise and the direct voice of the customer to rail and port logistics policy and regulatory discussions
  • Supporting long-term infrastructure planning and investment discussions
  • Encouraging collaboration on OEC recovery and sustainability
  • Promoting a shared understanding of the corridor’s strategic importance

Through these priorities, the OUF contributes to a corridor that is resilient, investable and capable of supporting long-term growth.

Looking ahead: the corridor reform agenda

The second half of 2026 will be a pivotal period for South Africa’s freight logistics sector, with ongoing policy, regulatory and operational developments shaping the future of the OEC.

The OUF will continue to support collaboration, contribute informed industry perspectives and engage on practical solutions that enhance corridor performance and long-term sustainability.

Through this approach, the OUF aims to support a more efficient, resilient and competitive freight system that enables investment, strengthens export performance and contributes to sustainable economic growth.

Our role in supporting logistics reform

South Africa’s freight and logistics sector is undergoing significant reform to improve performance, efficiency and competitiveness. As a platform representing iron ore producers that make use of the OEC, the OUF contributes industry perspectives, operational insights and technical expertise to these processes.

The OUF supports reforms that:

  • Enhance network performance
  • Improve reliability
  • Enable investment
  • Strengthen long-term competitiveness

Its contribution is grounded in evidence, operational experience and a commitment to constructive engagement. The organisation does not advocate for individual commercial outcomes but seeks to support informed and balanced decision-making that advances the sustainability and effectiveness of South Africa’s freight logistics system.

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Contact us

The OUF welcomes constructive engagement with stakeholders who share an interest in strengthening South Africa’s freight and logistics system and supporting the long-term success of the Ore Export Corridor.

The OUF PMO

Email: admin@ouf.co.za

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