Metro Mining’s bauxite shipment breaks earlier month’s record by 8% and sets a new high in September 2024

In September 2024, Metro Mining’s bauxite shipment from Bauxite Hills Mine in Queensland recorded a new monthly high of 780,000 tonnes, up 8 per cent from 720,000 tonnes in August 2024. Year-on-year, the shipment in September marked an increase of 35 per cent.

The surge in monthly shipment could be attributed to the operations beyond the nameplate capacity of the wobbler screening circuit and offshore floating terminal (OFT) Ikamba. OFT Ikamba offloading rates have increased to an average of 1,800 tonnes per hour, with a peak of 2,500 tonnes per hour.

Metro Mining reported that its total shipments in the third quarter amounted to 2.13 million tonnes, bringing the year-to-date volume to 3.65 million tonnes. These volumes are in line with the company’s annual shipping target of 6 to 6.4 million tonnes.

Metro Mining has a market capitalisation of $250.12 million. In September 2024, the company achieved a new daily mining record of 32,617 million tonnes.  

The commissioning of two Caterpillar 992 front-end wheel loaders in August 2024 that allow choke feeding of the wobbler screening circuit also boosted Metro Mining’s bauxite shipment in September.

Deployment of additional assist tug and Scania R770 prime movers at the site has also buoyed marine operations. With a hauling capability of up to 230 tonnes with a quad trailer configuration, Scania R770 prime movers have replaced the lower-powered fleet.

With all the new developments, Metro expects to experience similar gains in production and shipping rates in the coming months of 2024.