Alcoa’s Environmental Protection (Darling Range Bauxite Mining Proposals) Exemption Order 2023 will be revoked by the WA Government and replaced by an updated order. The End Forest Mining campaign is calling on Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn to use this as an opportunity to protect the jarrah forests and drinking water threatened by Alcoa’s mining.
On Monday 13 April, work stopped at Alcoa’s Huntly mine site for three hours as a result of direct action by a group of 16 concerned Western Australians. This was the first time direct action has stopped Alcoa’s mining activities since the 1970s.
Documents obtained by the WA Forest Alliance under Freedom of Information (FOI) reveal that Alcoa has attempted to shut Water Corporation inspectors out of its mine sites in order to avoid scrutiny.
“Over a long period of time I think we’ve been disappointed with the performance of Alcoa when it comes to protecting the environment and rehabilitating the environment.”
That’s what Roger Cook told ABC Radio when asked about the $55 million fine Alcoa has received as a consequence of illegal forest clearing dating back to 2011*.
Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt published a ‘statement of reasons’ yesterday, outlining why he granted Alcoa an 18-month exemption to continue mining in WA’s Northern Jarrah Forest, despite being found to have cleared land over 15 years without permission.