The Australian Aluminium Council welcomes Metro Mining Limited as the newest member

Metro Mining Limited (Metro) has been registered as the latest member of the Australian Aluminium Council, representing Australia’s bauxite mining, alumina refining, aluminium smelting and downstream processing industries.

Globally acknowledged Western Cape York bauxite region in Queensland houses Metro Mining’s forerunner, the Bauxite Hills mine, which is one of the largest independent projects in the area.

The Bauxite Hills mine has a calculated 101.5 million tonnes reserve and a total mining capacity of 131.2 million tonnes. Metro has forecasted production of 3.8 million tonnes in 2022 from its flagship, Bauxite Hills and a future escalation to 6 million tonnes per year.  

Since 1955, the aluminium industry has been flourishing in Australia, and over the last ten years, it has been the most crucial material for the nation’s rising economy. Australia is also the globe’s largest exporter of alumina, with six different alumina refineries producing around 20 million tonnes of alumina per year.

The CEO of the Australian Aluminium Council, Marghanita Johnson, said: “Metro Mining is committed to the sustainable production of bauxite in Australia, including a clear dedication to partner with their local communities.”

Bauxite is the critical element used to produce aluminium, a metal that acts as a catalyst for a successful circular economy and the global transformation into cleaner energy. Considering the collection from Bauxite Hills, the six bauxite mines in Australia together produce over 100 million tonnes of bauxite each year, turning Australia into the largest bauxite producer in the world.

Johnson added: “The Traditional Owners of the land on which the Bauxite Hills mine is located, the Ankamuthi people, and other Indigenous employees from Cape York, Cairns and Northern Peninsular Area communities, make up 30% of the Bauxite Hills Mine workforce.”

“Metro has announced they will expand their 2022 Trainee Programme and I commend them for their efforts to develop the employees and leaders of the future,” concluded the Council CEO.

The CEO and Managing Director of Metro Mining, Simon Wensley commented: “As Metro embarks on the next phase of its growth, we are excited to be joining the Australian Aluminium Council. This will bring an opportunity to engage with other companies across the aluminium value chain to promote our high quality, low-risk industry and actively collaborate on key policy issues which are so important to sustaining our workforce, communities and regional Australia”.

The bauxite industry in Australia has been praised worldwide for land management, biodiversity conservation and rehabilitation. The industry appoints more than 17,000 people, consisting of 4,000 full-time contractors, ultimately supporting more than 60,000 local families. Australia proudly hosts four aluminium smelters and another 20 extrusion presses for the downstream sector. Aluminium is Australia’s highest money-yielding material, with the country being the sixth largest producer of aluminium in the world.