Metro Mining Ltd (ASX:MMI) has addressed Chinese media reports related to environmental audits of off-take partner's aluminium refineries.
Bauxite is shipped from Metro's operating Bauxite Hills Mine in North Queensland to a refinery located in the coastal province of Shandong in China.
Metro notes that the refinery that has been impacted by the audit is in the Shanxi inland province of China, which is fed by bauxite 100% sourced from China.
As such, Metro is continuing to supply bauxite to its off-take partner Xinfa as planned under their long-term agreement.
READ: Metro Mining loading first 2019 shipments after resuming operations at Bauxite Hills
Metro's CEO and managing director Simon Finnis said: "Metro and Xinfa have formed a strong and mutually beneficial relationship over a number of years. We meet regularly to discuss ways to build on this sound footing, and we look forward to this partnership continuing to flourish as Bauxite Hills continues to deliver on its commitment to Xinfa.”
Metro has guided to 2019 calendar year bauxite production of 3.5 million wet metric tonnes (wmt), a 75% increase on 2018 production of 2.0 million wmt.