Alcoa secures clearing exemption as strategic review begins
Alcoa of Australia will undertake a strategic assessment of its current and potential future mining areas through to 2045, following recent amendments to the Federal Government’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act.
Operations at the Huntly and Willowdale bauxite mines in Western Australia will continue during the assessment period under a National Interest Exemption (NIE) granted by the Federal Government.
The move comes after Alcoa agreed to pay $55 million in enforceable undertakings relating to historical land clearing in WA’s Northern Jarrah Forest.
“In accordance with national environment law, I have also granted a national-interest exemption to Alcoa allowing for limited land clearing to continue its mining operations for a period of 18 months, while the strategic assessment is completed,” Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt said.
Alcoa said it will cap clearing at 800 hectares per year, increase new rehabilitation to 1000 hectares per year by 2027, and deliver environmental offsets in line with EPBC Act requirements.
The company said the strategic assessment will provide a broader, long-term evaluation of potential impacts on significant flora and fauna across a wide geographic area, offering greater clarity for regulators, stakeholders and the community regarding the future of its WA operations.
“We are committed to responsible operations and welcome this important step in transitioning our approvals to a contemporary assessment process that provides increased certainty for our operations and our people into the future,” Alcoa president and chief executive officer William F Oplinger said.
“We appreciate the Government’s recognition of the important contributions of our operations to the Australian economy. We’re proud of our more than 60 years as a leading Australian aluminium producer and the role we are now playing in support of critical minerals production.”
The $55 million will support environmental programs and research aimed at improving threatened species habitat and controlling invasive flora and fauna.
Minerals Council of Australia chief executive officer Tania Constable said the decision demonstrates pragmatic collaboration between government and industry.
“This outcome will allow Alcoa to undergo a more rigorous method of assessment while guaranteeing operations, and thousands of jobs in the local WA community,” Constable said.
“The crucial next step is for governments to work together on accreditation arrangements so our members don’t have to submit similar information to different processes.
“Faster approvals for mines mean we can deliver the critical minerals and other commodities the world needs more efficiently and responsibly.”