Exxaro expects headline earnings per share - the main profit measure for South African companies - to be between 32.11 rand ($1.95) and 35.93 rand in the six months to June 30, compared with the 27.22 rand recorded during the same period last year.

The increase was despite a shortage of locomotives, poor maintenance and cable theft that have limited state-owned rail firm Transnet's capacity to haul minerals such as coal and iron to ports, costing mining companies significant revenue.

The company expects to release half-year results on Aug. 18.

($1 = 16.4390 rand)

(Reporting by Nelson Banya; Editing by David Goodman)