The Government of Western Australia is updating a regulatory arrangement that applies to Alcoa’s (NYSE:AA) operations.
Global bauxite producer Alcoa operates under an exemption order, as part of the state government’s transitional approvals framework. The order allows Alcoa to operate while the Environmental Protection Authority conducts an assessment of the company’s bauxite mining proposals.
An updated mining management program (MMP) is being finalised by the Department of Energy and Economic Diversification, in consultation with other agencies.
As part of this process, the exemption order must be updated to align with the revised MMP. The first step in this process is issuing a notice of intention to revoke the existing order.
The updated MMP and exemption will be finalised over the coming weeks. Tabling of a new exemption order in Parliament will be in due course.
As such, the current order remains in place until the new order comes into effect.
Alcoa operates one of the world’s largest integrated bauxite mining, alumina refinery, and aluminium smelting systems.
In 2024, the company’s bauxite mines and three alumina refineries in Western Australia produced 45% of the nation’s alumina. In Victoria, Alcoa’s Portland Aluminium Smelter produced 19% of Australia’s aluminium.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: Alcoa
