Shares in Kumba Resources surged up to eight percent on Thursday after it announced its earnings and headline earnings per share for the half year to June 2005 are expected to improve by between 275 and 295 percent and by between 185 and 205 percent respectively.

Higher commodity prices, strong demand and the contribution from the comprehensive business improvement programme launched in 2004 all benefited the group, Kumba said.

The group added that the A$231-million received for Kumba's interest in the Hope Downs project would be included in the full year results and not the coming interim results.

Results for the interim period are expected to be released on or around August 3, 2005.

Kumba shares ended 6.17 percent firmer at 68 rand on the JSE on Thursday.

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