Alcoa’s exemption order will be revoked by the Environment Minister and replaced by an updated order. 

The WA Government handed the Exemption Order to Alcoa at the end of 2023 after the WA Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) announced it would assess the impact of the US bauxite miners’ current operations for the first time since 1963, in addition to proposed expansions. 

This should have halted any of Alcoa’s operations under assessment, but the Exemption Order gave Alcoa permission to continue mining, including within drinking water Reservoir Protection Zones, with minimal constraints. 

Several suspected breaches of the exemption order have been reported in recent months, where Alcoa has mined close to significant trees that could provide critical habitat for threatened black cockatoos. Buffers required under the current exemption are well under what is advised by scientists and government departments. 

The public has 14 days from Wednesday 3 June 2026 to provide comments to the Environment Minister on the exemption being revoked. 

We want you to voice your opinion about the decision, reflecting on the flaws of Alcoa’s current exemption and calling for it not to be reinstated. Use this form to send an email to the Minister.