Metro Mining Ltd (ASX:MMI) continues to makes strides towards becoming a leading independent Cape York bauxite producer.
Around 75 people are currently working on the Bauxite Hills Mine with indigenous employees holding 41% of the positions in all facets of the construction program.
Metro has already signed a binding off-take agreement with the Xinfa Group, one of China's largest integrated aluminium companies.
The agreement has a four-year term and provides for contract tonnage of 1 million tonnes of bauxite in 2018 and 2 million tonnes for each of the following three years.
Construction progress details
Installation of marine infrastructure is ahead of schedule with marine pile driving complete, and includes piles for the cyclone moorings and all structures including the barge loading facility.
The marine offloading facility is complete and being utilised for unloading of freight and personnel.
SAB Mining (SAB) is undertaking civil works during the mine construction phase, and have been awarded the bauxite mining and haulage contract for the operational phase.
The earthmoving civils for the barge loading facility are complete, as are all sediment dams and the traffic round about at the port.
As per the schedule SAB have now moved onto construction of the haul roads, commencing at the port area and working towards the mining areas.
The team that will erect and commission the conveyor systems for the barge loading facility have been mobilised to site, with work to commence next week.
The stacker has been delivered to Brisbane and will be transported to site next week. The on-belt analyser is also in transit to site.
A master builder has been appointed to manage the installation of the accommodation units in their final location as per the camp design.
Eleven further accommodation units have arrived on site and will be progressively installed.