Who is eligible for the Kumba Iron Ore Bursary?

You must be a South African citizen with a valid 13-digit ID, in Grade 12 or studying in your 1st to 4th year at a recognised tertiary institution, pursuing a mining-related discipline, and have at least 55% for Mathematics (not Maths Literacy) at high school. Strong preference is given to students from the Northern Cape mining-area communities, and you must be willing to complete vacation work in the Northern Cape.

How do I apply and what is promotional code KIO2026?

Applications are submitted online via the CareerWise portal at careerwise.co.za/bursaries/online-application. You register a profile and apply using promotional code KIO2026, which links your application to the Kumba Iron Ore bursary. This is distinct from the generic Anglo American bursary and the separate SIOC Community Development Trust bursary.

What does the bursary cover?

It is a comprehensive bursary covering all costs associated with formal studies, including full tuition fees, book fees and accommodation. Bursars also receive paid vacation work in the Northern Cape, mentorship and practical mining-industry experience. No fixed monetary figure is published.

When is the application deadline?

For the 2026 intake the closing date was Friday 3 October 2025, per the official CareerWise advert. The application window typically opens around September and closes in early October each year, with the next cycle's exact date announced by Kumba/CareerWise. Always confirm current dates on the CareerWise portal.

Engineering

Kumba Iron Ore Bursary

Kumba Iron Ore (Anglo American iron ore subsidiary; applications administered via CareerWise using promotional code KIO2026)

Kumba Iron Ore, the Anglo American iron ore subsidiary, offers a comprehensive bursary covering all costs of formal study for South Africans pursuing mining-related engineering and technical disciplines. Strong preference is given to students who originate from the Northern Cape mining-area communities, and the programme includes paid vacation work, mentorship and practical mining-industry experience. Applications are submitted through the CareerWise online portal using promotional code KIO2026, and this is distinct from both the generic Anglo American bursary and the SIOC Community Development Trust bursary.

Amount: Comprehensive bursary; no fixed monetary figure published. Covers all costs associated with formal studies.
Deadline: 3 October 2025
Renewable: Yes

Applications closed

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Eligible Fields of Study

Kumba Iron Ore (Anglo American iron ore subsidiary; applications administered via CareerWise using promotional code KIO2026) supports students in the following disciplines

Mining Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

Electrical Engineering

Industrial Engineering

Metallurgical/Process Engineering

Environmental Engineering

Geology

Geo-Tech / Geosciences

Surveying (Minerals Surveying)

Occupational Hygiene

Data Analytics

Finance

Human Resources

Eligibility Requirements

✓ South African citizen with a valid 13-digit ID
✓ In Grade 12, or currently studying in 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th year at a recognised tertiary institution
✓ Studying or preparing to study a mining-related discipline
✓ Proof of registration / provisional acceptance from a university
✓ Academic results to be submitted
✓ Minimum 55% for Mathematics (not Maths Literacy) at high school
✓ Willing and able to complete vacation work in the Northern Cape
✓ Must enter into a Bursary Loan Agreement with the company
✓ Strong preference to students who originate from / are local to the Northern Cape mining-area communities
✓ Optional: Code B (light vehicle) driver's licence to be obtained during the bursary period

What's Included

✓ Full cover of tuition fees
✓ Book fees
✓ Accommodation
✓ Paid vacation work (undertaken in the Northern Cape)
✓ Mentorship and practical mining-industry experience

Work Commitment

Bursars must enter into a Bursary Loan Agreement with Kumba Iron Ore and are required to complete paid vacation work in the Northern Cape during their studies. Appointment into the graduate programme after completing studies is not guaranteed.

How to Apply

Steps to complete your Kumba Iron Ore (Anglo American iron ore subsidiary; applications administered via CareerWise using promotional code KIO2026) bursary application

1
Confirm you meet the citizenship, academic (minimum 55% for Mathematics) and field-of-study criteria
2
Visit the CareerWise online application portal at careerwise.co.za/bursaries/online-application
3
Register a profile and apply using promotional code KIO2026
4
Complete the online application form with your personal and academic details
5
Upload all required supporting documents, including your ID and academic results (incomplete or missing attachments are not considered)
6
Submit your application before the closing date (the 2026 intake closed on 3 October 2025)
7
Await contact from CareerWise / Kumba Iron Ore regarding shortlisting and selection

Required Documents

📄 Certified copy of South African ID (valid 13-digit)
📄 Latest academic results (Grade 12 or most recent tertiary results)
📄 Proof of registration or provisional acceptance from a recognised tertiary institution
📄 Proof of residence (to support Northern Cape community preference, if applicable)
📄 Code B driver's licence (if already obtained; otherwise to be obtained during the bursary period)

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible for the Kumba Iron Ore Bursary?: You must be a South African citizen with a valid 13-digit ID, in Grade 12 or studying in your 1st to 4th year at a recognised tertiary institution, pursuing a mining-related discipline, and have at least 55% for Mathematics (not Maths Literacy) at high school. Strong preference is given to students from the Northern Cape mining-area communities, and you must be willing to complete vacation work in the Northern Cape.
How do I apply and what is promotional code KIO2026?: Applications are submitted online via the CareerWise portal at careerwise.co.za/bursaries/online-application. You register a profile and apply using promotional code KIO2026, which links your application to the Kumba Iron Ore bursary. This is distinct from the generic Anglo American bursary and the separate SIOC Community Development Trust bursary.
What does the bursary cover?: It is a comprehensive bursary covering all costs associated with formal studies, including full tuition fees, book fees and accommodation. Bursars also receive paid vacation work in the Northern Cape, mentorship and practical mining-industry experience. No fixed monetary figure is published.
When is the application deadline?: For the 2026 intake the closing date was Friday 3 October 2025, per the official CareerWise advert. The application window typically opens around September and closes in early October each year, with the next cycle's exact date announced by Kumba/CareerWise. Always confirm current dates on the CareerWise portal.

Ready to apply?

Applications close on 3 October 2025

Apply on Kumba Iron Ore (Anglo American iron ore subsidiary; applications administered via CareerWise using promotional code KIO2026)'s official site

Need help? Contact Kumba Iron Ore (Anglo American iron ore subsidiary; applications administered via CareerWise using promotional code KIO2026):

Email: info@careerwise.co.za

Phone: 011 258 4464

Information verified 2025-10-03. Always confirm details on the funder's official website before applying.

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