Metro Mining cuts 2026 bauxite shipment guidance to 6.5m WMT amid operational challenges

Metro Mining has lowered its 2026 bauxite shipment guidance to 6.0–6.5 million wet metric tonnes (WMT), following below-plan performance in September at its Bauxite Hills Mine in Far North Queensland, Australia. The revised outlook factors in ongoing mitigation measures, mine productivity improvements, channel maintenance and potential weather-related constraints as the company seeks to maximise shipments before its planned February maintenance shutdown.

The revised guidance was considered by Metro Mining’s Board of Directors on October 19, following the company’s September operational update issued on October 12. The company acknowledged investor disappointment after a challenging year, while maintaining that it is working to improve operating performance and deliver bauxite to market at the lowest possible cost.

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Channel maintenance and productivity measures underway

Metro Mining has begun its scheduled channel maintenance bed-levelling campaign, which commenced in the first week of October. The company expects to achieve the approved channel depths needed to support potential production improvements within days of the latest announcement. The bed-levelling team is scheduled to continue working for another two weeks to reduce channel-related operational risks.

Alongside channel maintenance, the company is addressing mine productivity and equipment utilisation through employee retention measures, increased recruitment and temporary labour hiring. These measures are intended to strengthen operational capacity and support improved ore movement.

The company reported that 463,000 WMT of ore had been hauled in October by October 17, providing an indication of mining activity following the September shortfall.

Metro said all transhipping assets were available, while its Offshore Floating Terminal Ikamba was achieving loading rates above target. The floating crane barge TSA Skardon will also be deployed if required to support shipments.

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Weather outlook and shipment plans through January

Weather remains an important consideration for Metro Mining’s revised bauxite shipment outlook. The Bureau of Meteorology’s three-month forecast for Western Cape York points to a delayed or drier start to the region’s typical northern monsoonal patterns.

Over the past three years, Metro has invested in resilience and risk mitigation across its operating chain, including additional stockpiles and conveyor modifications. These measures are intended to help the company manage operational disruptions and take advantage of suitable shipping conditions.

Metro expects to continue operating into January, using safe, risk-assessed loading windows to maximise shipments ahead of the planned maintenance shutdown in February. The revised guidance nevertheless reflects the operational and weather-related constraints that could affect performance.

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Asian bauxite market outlook remains positive

Despite the reduction in shipment guidance, Metro Mining said the underlying structure of the Asian bauxite industry remained positive as it continued executing its strategy to supply the market at the lowest possible cost.

The company’s immediate focus is on mitigating the factors behind September’s below-plan performance, improving productivity and making the most of available shipping opportunities. The extent to which these measures support shipments within the revised 2026 range will depend on operational execution and prevailing conditions.

Metro Mining said further market updates and details on strategy execution would be provided in its third-quarter quarterly report and an associated webinar scheduled for the end of October.