Metro Mining provides an update on operations at the Bauxite Hills Mine

Metro Mining Ltd has recommenced operations for the 2019 operating year and completed activities relating to the expansion of production at the Bauxite Hills Mine. The installation of duplicate screening infrastructure and integration of new 7,000t barges and tripleset trailers have resulted in a demonstrable increase in production levels.

Daily mining rates were initially hindered by the wet conditions and delays to the delivery of the new triple trailers. Focus on mining from the BH1 deposit located 25km from the port also caused limitations to haulage operations. However, with commissioning of the new triple-trailer sets mining rates have increased significantly and have been consistently between 12,000 and 14,000tpd. Further increases are anticipated as the June mining plan dictates that bauxite will also be mined from the BH6 deposit, located only 6km from the port, Metro Mining said.

The company on April 13 started transhipment and ship loading activities. Bauxite Hills Mine has a nominal 8/9-month operating season and to achieve guidance an average ship-loading rate of 13.5Kt per day is required. This rate was being achieved in mid to late-May following commissioning of the new 7,000t barges, and increased ore availability from increased mining and haulage rates.

However, towards the end of May, unexpected large and sustained swell conditions caused by an unusual south-easterly wind pattern resulted in disruption to ship loading.

The company said mining and haulage has been unaffected resulting in stockpiles in excess of 100,000 of bauxite either loaded onto barges or located at the port facility.

June quarter production is expected to be lower than previously forecast. The previous June quarter production guidance will likely be missed by approximately 220,000-240,000 tonnes. Metro’s production guidance for 2019 has been updated to 3.3 – 3.5 million tonnes which incorporate an allowance during the year for adverse swell conditions.

Metro’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Simon Finnis said: “Whilst these weather events are frustrating, I am really pleased to see how the operations are now performing following commissioning of all elements of the expansion and upgrade program. We remain committed to achieving our updated 2019 Production Guidance”.

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