Metro Mining (ASX:MMI) has achieved a new second quarter shipment record of 1.42 million wet metric tonnes of bauxite, up 12% from Q2 2023.
The $302.92 million market capitalisation company says the second quarter of this year has been the commissioning quarter for its new 7 million wet metric tonne pa expansion project.
On 28 April, Offshore Floating Terminal (OFT) Ikamba begun operations and has been commissioning at a 50% rate for six weeks and at 80% rates for the last two weeks — achieving discharge peak rates of 2,300 tonnes per hour (tph) and average barge rates of 1,700tph.
Metro adds there are three tow tugs in operation with six 90m barges. With all value chain components ramping up and becoming more predictable, the company aims to load and dispatch five to six laden barges per day, depending on tidal restrictions.
Ikamba has been operating in concert with TSA Skardon to load vessels; the record shipment day so far in 2024 has been 31,178 wet metric tonnes.
On 15 May, the new wobbler screening circuit began, achieving full 24/7 operations by 6 June.
The company says minor modifications to optimise production are underway, but the circuit has already shown target 1,500tph barge loading rates, with peaks at 1,900tph through the BLF with support of the pre-existing vibrating screen.
Metro Mining is an independent bauxite producer and explorer focused on its wholly owned Bauxite Hills Mine near the coast on the Skardon River.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: Metro Mining
