Metro Mining maintains strong focus on sustainable development at Bauxite Hills operations

2021-04-22

Apr. 21, 2021 - The year covered by the Sustainability Report was a “very difficult year” due to COVID-19 but the company hopes to continue its journey to increase its sustainable future as operations return to normal in the year ahead.

Metro Mining Ltd is maintaining its strong focus on sustainable development at the Bauxite Hills Project in Far North Queensland as it begins a new year of operations after negotiating the challenges faced in 2020 due to COVID-19. 

The company's new Sustainability Report covers what was a “very difficult year” as COVID-19 affected communities and businesses throughout the world, however, Metro Mining is determined to continue its journey to increase its sustainable future as operations return to normal and plans are enacted to expand production.

Metro Mining managing director and chief executive officer Simon Finnis said: “Annual Sustainability Reporting is now an integral component of Metro’s resolve to be open and accountable in relation to our company’s operations.

Transhipping bauxite ore along Skardon River

“Mining is our business and sustainable development is an essential part of that business. We believe neither can effectively exist without the other

“I am particularly proud of our growing reputation for employing and buying locally.

“I am also proud of our achievements over the past year in the broader social, environmental and economic environments.”

Metro Mining uses a collection of standalone corporate and operational procedures and Environmental Management Plans (EMPs) to manage environmental risks, compliance, monitoring, reporting and operations.

The company commenced planning for a coordinated Environmental Management System (EMS) and in 2021 will continue to develop their EMS in accordance with ISO14000 Standards.

Health and safety

Using the Qudos Compliance & Risk Management System platform has decreased Lost Time Injuries (LTI’s) with zero LTI’s recorded in 2020.

Metro is already compliant with the Respiratory Health Surveillance Legislation that will be mandatory for all Queensland mine & quarry workers by the end of 2022.

In 2021, Metro aims to eliminate all preventable injuries at Bauxite Hills Mine and maintain its 2020 zero LTI record.

In addition, Metro will continue to embed a strong health and safety culture into day-to-day business practices, expand monitoring and audit activities and maintain compliance at all times.

Bauxite Hills Mine focus

In the third year of production, focus at the Bauxite Hills Mine has been on the refinement and optimisation of the environmental management at the mine.

The site environmental team was able to make incremental improvements in a number of areas including:
Optimising water monitoring procedures to reduce time while maintaining compliance;
Developing an environmental monitoring and reporting calendar to ensure all State and Commonwealth reports are planned and prepared ahead of time;
Integration of environmental requirements into all areas of mine planning, particularly incorporating progressive rehabilitation;
Progressive review and refinement of site Environmental Management Plans;
Collaborations across site functions to improve GIS (Geographical Information System) and other electronic information systems, including increased drone monitoring capabilities; and
Wet season preparedness and establishment of erosion controls

Progressive rehabilitation

In 2020, Metro achieved its commitment to seed and fertilise 100 hectares of available land which represents 40% of all mine pit disturbance at the Bauxite Hills Mine.

Native tree seeds used for rehabilitation were obtained from the Cape York region and sourced by a number of parties, namely, the local Indigenous communities working under Metro’s Seed Collection Program, the Bauxite Hills on-site environmental team and third party contract seed collectors.

Application of seed and fertiliser was undertaken by a local contractor from the Native Title holder; the Ankamuthi people.

Kaolin mine rehabilitation

Rehabilitation of the old kaolin mine pits, inherited by Metro with the mining leases, was due to start in 2020 but COVID-19 travel restrictions prevented the rehabilitation contractor from travelling to site.

Metro sought and was given approval from the Department of Environment and Science to defer the proposed rehabilitation work.

Further discussions will be undertaken with the regulator to determine when and how this work will recommence.

Waste management

Through the waste management plan (WMP), the Bauxite Hills Mine is looking to move away from landfill disposal practices and move further toward waste reduction, reuse, recycling and recovery opportunities.

2020 achievements:
Removal of all regulated waste from inherited kaolin wet plant; and
Identified local recycling facility with the capacity to recycle all of Bauxite Hills Mines’ tyres.

2021 initiatives include:
Construction of large-scale composting facility to decrease amount of waste leaving site for treatment and also provide a soil conditioner and enhancer for mining rehabilitation. (2020 construction delayed due to COVID-19 restrictions);
Large scale clean-up of inherited waste from the old kaolin mine pits; and
Ongoing training of the workforce to improve waste management practices.
There is no landfill in use at the Bauxite Hills Mine, with all wastes either re-used on-site or shipped off-site for recycling or disposal.

Further, as beneficiation of bauxite does not take place, there is no waste material produced and no tailings dams are required.

Water management
Metro has developed a range of management plans to protect the high ecological value of the surface water and groundwater systems around the Bauxite Hills Mine.

In 2020, the company:
Installed additional water tanks to optimise utilisation of the water supply for dust suppression;
Installed additional sewage effluent storage capacity to ensure wet season compliance; and
Upgraded the road crossing on Namaleta Creek to maintain rates of natural water flow.

Biodiversity

Bauxite mining only occurs on the higher plateaus and away from the low-lying wetland and swamp areas identified as having more diverse ecological value.

The Bauxite Hills Mine Commonwealth Approvals include the requirement for an environmental offset program and in 2019 the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (DAWE) approved the Offset Strategy, which should have started in 2020.

However, implementation of the strategy was delayed as COVID-19 travel restrictions prevented Cape York community consultation from occurring.

Metro Mining has sought and was given an extension to the start of the Offsets Strategy and its environmental offset requirement is under review by DAWE following new information supplied by Metro.

Bauxite Hills to recommence

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent ongoing international travel restrictions, Metro’s marketing and sales program was impacted and resulted in the decision to go into an early shutdown of the Bauxite Hills Mine in mid-September.

Operations at the mine are scheduled to recommence after the wet season in April 2021, with the Metro board believing confidence is returning to the sector.

Local procurement

The company aims to prioritise local procurement, employment and training, particularity from local communities and to foster mutually beneficial relationships with long-term economic benefits.

In 2021, the focus is to increase the benefits over time, regularly review the procurement spend and develop a list of preferred far north Queensland (FNQ)  and Indigenous suppliers.

Traditional owner businesses and engagement

Metro is committed to working with its traditional owners, the Ankamuthi people, to identify potential business opportunities at the mine site, or for supply to the mine site, that could be developed into viable businesses.

Metro currently utilises Ankamuthi businesses for cultural awareness training; contracting works at the mine site, including roadside slashing and road maintenance and seeding for rehabilitation works.

At the start of 2020, Metro was working closely with an Ankamuthi business to develop the planned Indigenous Pre-Employment Training program but this was put on hold when COVID-19 restrictions commenced.

Additional potential business opportunities include commercial tree felling within the planned mining area, camp management, catering, cleaning, laundry, tree seed and nursery supply business.

The review of the Ancillary Agreement with the Native Title holders of the land, and the Cultural Heritage Management Agreement (CHMA), scheduled to be undertaken in May 2020, are now planned for the first half of 2021 due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.