Australian Bauxite Limited (ASX code: ABx) has had its Bald Hill Mine on care and maintenance because of market difficulties.

It told the ASX on Thursday it had made arrangements with contractor Stornoway to restart operations, and confirmed the start date.

It said that would be to “continue with routine rehabilitation and to commence assembling the next three bauxite lots for sale, including a large shipload planned for shipping (from Bell Bay) in late spring”.

Chief operating officer Leon Hawker said there was enough bauxite tonnage for several shiploads.

He said it had been stored at the mine site for blending to meet grade requirements of  bauxite cement customers.

“There is also the beginnings of a shipload of metallurgical-grade bauxite for the aluminium industry, when prices are attractive for ABx,” he said.

The company said the site was not damaged during  Tasmania’s recent flooding, which happened when it  was “fortunately” on care and maintenance.

It said market development would remain a high priority, with large samples to be sent to future customers who would do full-scale final engineering tests.

The company has been focusing on sales to the cement, fertiliser and other non-metallurgical bauxite markets until the metallurgical market improves.

“Our cement-grade bauxite is designed to supply both aluminium oxide and iron oxide to cement plants in a single, stable, clean product and ABx is able to blend the exact mixture for each customer’s situation,” logistics manager Paul Glover said.

”Having been washed clean over geological time means that our bauxite is naturally chemically pure.

“Bauxite lowers the kiln temperatures and reduces wear in many cement kilns and is suitable for making corrosion-resistant cement with excellent late strength for many modern applications.”

The company has a range of bauxite deposits in Tasmania, roughly in a triangle between Campbell Town, Deloraine and Launceston.

It has 37 tenements all up, in Tasmania, Queensland and New South Wales.