Australian Bauxite Limited (ABx) is commencing the delivery of 800 tonnes of its special fertiliser bauxite product from its Bald Hill Bauxite Project at Campbell Town, northern Tasmania to the fertiliser production plant operated by Impact Fertilisers (Impact) in Hobart.
Fertiliser production is essential to the food industry. As ABX operations in Tasmania are considered an integral part of the supply chain of this essential industry, ABx and contractors are permitted to continue operations during the current coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis restrictions.
This delivery of fertiliser grade bauxite by ABx was required by Impact before Friday 3 April because its stockpile of ABx’s special bauxite product was low and production would have been curtailed, affecting its 50 direct employees, its supply of fertiliser to the agricultural industry and also interrupting Impact’s supply of a product used for fluoridation of Hobart’s water supply.
ABX notes that the resurgence of agricultural production in recent months due to the recent rains augers well for a strong demand for fertiliser this year.
The company outlines that its mine management, contractors and customers have implemented strict health safety protocols on arrival at site, during production, loading and transport to the fertiliser production facility in compliance with the national response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Furthermore, the research centre operated by ABx’s 90 per cent-owned subsidiary, Alcore Limited remains open and the technical team are assessing results from tests on its aluminium fluoride products that are being conducted by major laboratories nominated by its 3 potential customers for Alcore’s aluminium fluoride products and Corethane gas-substitute.
Alcore’s technical team led by Dr Mark Cooksey have devised a series of critical experiments which are slated to commence soon.
ABx Chief Operating Officer, Leon Hawker said; “ABx is proud of its reputation for reliable delivery on-specification and on-time. The ABx team and Directors have an exceptional capacity for intense hard work on a 24/7 roster when needed. Enthusiasm and morale are high, and the outlook is positive.”