Metro Mining has surpassed its previous monthly shipment record at its Bauxite Hills mine in Queensland.
In September 2024, the emerging bauxite explorer shipped a record 780,000 wet metric tonnes (wmt), representing an eight per cent increase from the previous month where Metro Mining shipped a record 720,000wmt.
The September record brings Metro Mining’s shipments for the third quarter of 2024 to 2.13 million wet metric tonnes (mwmt). A total of 3.65mwmt has been shipped in 2024 to date, which is in-line with Metro Mining’s annual guidance of 6.0–6.4mwmt.
Metro Mining also attained a record in its mining operations, delivering a new daily mining record of 32,617wmt in September.
The company also achieved a new total loading time record, with a 200,000-tonne vessel completed in nine days.
Metro Mining said the two Caterpillar 992 front end wheel loaders commissioned during August have allowed choke feeding of the wobbler screening circuit, which is achieving an average throughput of 1600 tonnes per hour (tph).
The offloading rates of OFT Ikamba, a cornerstone of Metro Mining’s expansion project, have increased and are now achieving an average of 1800tph with peak of 2500tph.
“Notably, the September results were achieved despite a temporary under-keel clearance declaration in the channel which restricted barge tonnages,” Metro Mining said. “This is being resolved through the current bed levelling campaign.
“An additional assist tug has been mobilised to assist marine operations. Additional Scania R770 prime movers, capable of hauling up to 230 tonnes with a quad trailer configuration, have commenced arriving at site to replace the lower powered fleet.
“As the new flow sheet is optimised, along with more favourable ore moisture and tides, Metro expects to see similar gains in monthly production and shipping rates in the coming months.”
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