Metro Mining (ASX:MMI) shipped 659,000 wet metric tonnes (WMT) of bauxite in September despite operational challenges at its Bauxite Hills Mine in Cape York, Queensland.
A mid-month sandbank collapse reduced the barging channel depth from 1.8m to 1.3m, limiting capacity.
A bed-levelling maintenance campaign began early this month October 2026, and is expected to restore normal approved depth within two weeks.
Metro says it is continuing to progress Feasibility Studies to support approvals for a dredging program alongside government-owned port manager Ports North.
The company reports that ‘higher’ mine plan stripping volumes also coincided with elevated absenteeism and staff turnover last month, September 2026, preventing full equipment utilisation.
Metro confirms that mitigations have since been implemented to address these issues.
Meanwhile, the offshore floating terminal, Ikamba, is achieving planned availability and above-target loading rates of roughly 2,400 tonnes per hour. The company’s floating crane TSA Skardon also returned to site last month following maintenance to provide backup transhipping capacity.
Year-to-date shipped volume totals 4.013 million WMT. Metro says calendar year volume guidance is under review, with an update to be provided as soon as possible if required.
Metro Mining is a miner and explorer specialising in bauxite production.
Write to Paula Fabe at Mining.com.au
Main image: Metro Mining
