Not sure I understand your rationale. A short position...

Not sure I understand your rationale.
A short position (shorting) is effectively selling more than you own. Shorting is achieved by either using derivatives or borrowing & selling.
The announcement is about an entity buying a slab of Ore I.e. taking a long position, not a short one.
The reams of paperwork reflect the extent of their related entries in various jurisdictions irrespective of their positions being long or short.