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On notice: WA watchdog sets Alcoa a deadline for mining approvals
By Peter Milne
Alcoa must provide the information authorities need on time, or risk facing stricter conditions on its bauxite mining in WA’s jarrah forest, the West Australian Environmental Protection Authority has warned.
The independent authority is assessing Alcoa’s planned mining up to 2027 – as opposed to the usual consideration behind closed doors by a committee of state bureaucrats – because of a referral from WA environmental group WA Forest Alliance.
Alcoa has cleared 28,000 hectares of the northern jarrah forest, which is under pressure in a drier, warmer climate and experiencing more bushfires.Credit: Anonymous
Normally, it is illegal for an activity to continue while being assessed by the EPA, but the state government granted Alcoa an exemption to safeguard continued production and the jobs of the US miner’s 3000-odd WA employees.
This masthead revealed the government’s move went against the advice of Water Corporation, which warned of “irreversible damage” to the forest and “certain” contamination of South West WA water supply.
The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation was also opposed to Alcoa’s mining plans “in its entirety” because they lacked “clarity and coherence.”
Alcoa plans to drill for bauxite deposits over a massive area that goes as far north as the Perth CBD.Credit: WA EPA
“There is likely a high level of risk to public drinking water sources and native flora and fauna,” the department advised.
On Thursday, the EPA released the first details of its assessment, including a timeline showing Alcoa delivering the information it needs by December to support a final decision in August 2025.
“Should the proponent (Alcoa) not supply all relevant information within reasonable timeframes … the EPA may take a cautious approach in completing its assessment based on the information available,” the EPA scoping document said.
The watchdog’s approach should incentivise Alcoa to provide the information on time to avoid the risk of the EPA recommending more rigorous conditions on its mining to balance a lack of information.
In a separate approval process for a large expansion of its Huntly mine near Pinjarra, Alcoa has yet to supply the EPA with the information it needs more than three years since the watchdog requested it.
The miner plans to have the environmental review document available for public comment before the end of 2024, according to its website.
EPA deputy chair Lee McIntosh said she hoped the documents for both approvals could be released at the same time in Janaury.
McIntosh said if the EPA conducted one assessment for both approvals, it would be more efficient and allow a better assessment of cumulative impacts on the jarrah forest, but under its legislation, this could only be done at Alcoa’s request.