Metro Mining reviews 2026 bauxite guidance after channel disruption and staffing setbacks

Metro Mining Limited is reviewing its full-year 2026 shipment guidance after operational disruptions at its Bauxite Hills Mine in Queensland, Australia, constrained barging capacity and equipment utilisation. The company shipped 659,000 tonnes of bauxite in September, bringing year-to-date shipments to 4.013 million tonnes.

In an operational update dated October 12, 2026, Metro Mining said a sand-bank collapse reduced the depth of its barging channel from 1.8 metres to 1.3 metres during September, limiting the movement of bauxite. The company is implementing mitigation measures to address the disruption and said it would provide an update on calendar-year volume guidance as soon as possible, if required.

Staff absenteeism and turnover also affected operations during the month, as the mine plan required an increase in stripped volumes. The company said these workforce challenges prevented it from fully utilising its equipment.

Channel maintenance underway after sand-bank collapse

Metro Mining had already scheduled a channel maintenance bed-levelling campaign, which commenced in the first week of October. The work is expected to restore the channel to its normal approved depth within two weeks.

Alongside the maintenance programme, the company is progressing feasibility studies with Ports North, the government-owned port manager, to support approvals for a potential dredging programme. The proposed work forms part of efforts to strengthen export logistics and address constraints affecting the movement of bauxite from the mine.

The company has not announced a revised shipment target. Its full-year guidance remains under review while the operational issues and associated mitigation measures are addressed.

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Offshore export infrastructure supports loading

Despite the disruptions affecting barging and mine operations, Metro Mining reported improved performance from its offshore export infrastructure.

The Ikamba floating terminal is achieving its planned availability and loading at approximately 2,400 tonnes per hour, above its target rate. The TSA Skardon floating crane also returned to the site during September following a dry-dock maintenance programme, providing additional backup transhipping capacity when required.

These developments provide additional support for export operations as the company works to resolve the channel and workforce constraints. However, the overall effect of the disruptions on full-year shipment volumes remains uncertain while the guidance review is ongoing.

Bauxite Hills remains central to Metro Mining’s operations

Metro Mining operates the Bauxite Hills Mine on the Weipa bauxite plateau in Cape York, Far North Queensland, approximately 95 kilometres north of Weipa, near the coast on the Skardon River. The company is an independent bauxite producer and explorer, and owns the mine outright.

With year-to-date shipments reaching 4.013 million tonnes by the end of September, the company is now focused on restoring normal barging channel conditions and improving equipment utilisation. The timing and effectiveness of these measures will be important as Metro Mining reviews its full-year 2026 shipment guidance.

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