Australian Bauxite (ABx) has begun mining and screening operations at its Bald Hill operation near Campbell Town, northern Tasmania, Australia, as it prepares for the next cargo of seaborne cement-grade bauxite to its customer’s specifications.

The company said it has worked with the customer in question over the past four months to achieve the optimum product specifications. Back in December, it said it had secured an order for a 30,000 t shipment of seaborne cement-grade product, which was due to be loaded in early March.

In the meantime, ABx has awarded a contract for mining, processing and blending at Bald Hill to Hazell Bros contractors. The company has also commenced contract negotiations for transporting the product to the Bell Bay port.

The company said: “ABx has long-standing relationships with experienced contractors that are well known for meeting the strict tonnage-specification targets and complying with community and landholder requirements.”

At the port, Abx has contracted QUBE Logistics at Bell Bay for the stevedoring services and stockpiling arrangements, in conjunction with TasPorts. Monson Shipping has provided Shipping Agents services and Briar Maritime have provided independent ship surveys to date.

In addition to the cement-grade produce ABx is producing, it has also had success producing and selling fertiliser-grade material.

Loading of this material at its clean loadout facility recommenced on January 29, with sales expected to continue throughout the year. These sales are growing as the fertiliser product achieves wider market approval, ABx said.

“The customer and ABx worked together on developing this product which ABx believes has potential for other high-value markets,” the company said, adding that it produces an activated granule with potential to adsorb chemicals.