Metro Mining (ASX:MMI) will be at the Noosa Mining Investment Conference in Queensland this week to spruik the continued ramp-up of its Bauxite Hills Mine north of Weipa.
Mining at the 1,900km2 project began in April 2018, with 2 million tonnes of bauxite shipped to five Chinese companies in its first year of operations. Capacity was expanded in 2019 to 3.5 million tonnes a year, and is now being further boosted to 7 million tonnes.
Earlier this month, the Brisbane-based producer said it had recorded second-quarter shipments of 1.42 million tonnes, up 12% from the year before.
Components necessary for the expansion program were also commissioned during the second quarter, including Metro’s new offshore floating terminal (OFT) ‘Ikamba’, a new wobbler screen circuit, and a barge and tow tug fleet.
Asked what he intends to cover at the Noosa Mining event, CEO Simon Wensley says he will “report to the market the continuing strength in the aluminium and bauxite market, and progress with the ramp-up of Metro’s 7-million-tonne-per-annum expansion project.”
“We have been visiting Noosa for the last few years. It is professionally run and well supported by the industry, and (we) see it as a good way to give institutions, brokers, and investors a chance to meet the management team.”
OFT Ikamba began operations on 28 April, while the new wobbler screening circuit achieved full operations on 6 June. Minor modifications are currently being made to the circut in order to further optimise production.
Looking ahead, Wensley notes that Metro’s next quarterly report will be available by the end of July, and that the company is also working to finalise new sales contracts.
Mining.com.au is a media partner of this year’s Noosa Mining Investor Conference, held at the Peppers Noosa Resort from 17-19 July. To register click here.
Write to Oliver Gray at Mining.com.au
Images: Metro Mining
