Metro Mining ships 752kt of bauxite in October as operations improve

Australian bauxite producer Metro Mining shipped 752,000 wet metric tonnes (WMT) of bauxite in October 2026, up 14 per cent from September, as operations at its Bauxite Hills Mine in Cape York, Queensland, recovered from earlier disruptions.

The company said the factors affecting output in September were progressively addressed during the first half of October. Following a planned two-day maintenance shutdown, operations recorded daily shipment rates above 30,000 tonnes, culminating in the fastest Capesize vessel loading of the year.

Mining performance also improved after permanent and temporary staff were added to production crews, alongside a stronger focus on productivity. 

CEO and Managing Director Simon Wensley said, “Production crews have been supplemented with permanent and temporary staff which, together with a critical focus on productivity, resulted in strong mining performance.”  

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Metro Mining achieved a record stripping volume of 367,000 bank cubic metres (bcm) during the month, while ore mined and hauled reached 830,000 WMT.

The company also commissioned and began ramping up two new mobile dry screening plants, both of which achieved their planned production rates by the end of October.

Bed-levelling work progressed during the month, with the channel reaching a controlling depth of 1.65 metres by month-end. The work also helped address areas of sediment build-up along the channel banks ahead of the wet season.

A planned two-day maintenance shutdown was also completed for the Offshore Floating Terminal Ikamba's cargo handling system and the Bauxite Loading Facility. Metro Mining said all work was completed safely.

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Following the shutdown, the loading facility, Ikamba and marine supply chain averaged 30,700 WMT per day over 10 days. A Capesize vessel was loaded in 5.8 days, the fastest loading time recorded by the company in 2026.

The company reported year-to-date shipments of 4.765 million WMT by the end of October and maintained its annual shipment guidance of 6 to 6.5 million WMT.

The company said the October performance provided confidence for November, with operations continuing at similar rates.

Following the update, Metro Mining shares rose 8 per cent in morning trade. The company’s improved performance comes amid wider activity in Australia’s bauxite and aluminium sector. In October, Rio Tinto announced a USD 1.9 billion investment in the Kangwinan Bauxite Project in Queensland. This is to replace two existing mines nearing the end of their operating lives. 

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Alcoa also agreed to acquire South32’s aluminium and bauxite assets for up to USD 5.6 billion in July, while the New South Wales and federal governments agreed to support Rio Tinto’s Tomago aluminium smelter in August amid concerns over high electricity costs. Tomago has an annual production capacity of up to 590,000 tonnes, accounting for more than 30 per cent of Australia’s aluminium output.