Public consultation on Alcoa’s major mining expansion plan closes this week after 12 weeks of consultation

Thursday is the last chance the public have to make their voices heard about a mega-mine’s planned expansion. Following 12 weeks of public consultation, the Environmental Protection Agency will no longer be accepting public comments on Alcoa Australia’s proposed 2023-2027 bauxite mining operations in the Darling Ranges and Pinjarra Alumina Refinery Revised Proposal. The proposal includes planned future mining locations in the Huntly mine area, which were first referred for assessment to the EPA in 2020, along with a proposed 5 per cent increase to refining capacity at the Pinjarra Alumina Refinery. EPA chair Darren Walsh said the volume, the unique biodiversity of the northern jarrah forest and the number of environmental factors to consider meant a 12-week public consultation period was entirely appropriate. An Alcoa spokesperson said the company understood it needed to keep pace with evolving environmental requirements and community expectations, which is why it had transitioned to contemporary EPA assessment processes for proposed new mining areas. “We acknowledge this change brings increased scrutiny, including a 12-week public comment period,” they said. “Through this comment process, we look forward to adding to the feedback we receive from our extensive consultation program so we can respond to people’s queries and concerns.” WA Forest Alliance director Jess Boyce said the public had made their concerns apparent in a series of town hall-style meetings hosted from Pinjarra to Fremantle from July to August. A Conservation Council of WA spokesperson said they had seen a similar response from the community. “Most events have been close to capacity and the level of engagement from people of all ages across all walks of life has indicated that what’s taking place in our Northern Jarrah Forest is of great concern to communities right across Perth,” they said. “It’s fair to say that communities in and around the affected areas have been most vocal, however it’s become patently clear that Alcoa’s activities in the Northern Jarrah Forest are of growing concern to all Western Australians, many who until recent times have had no idea of the extent of destruction taking place.” The Alcoa spokesperson said the company stood by its 60 years of production, including its ongoing work to rehabilitate forest after mining. “Evidence shows (rehabilitation) is being successful and (we have) our positive track record of never negatively impacting drinking water supply,” they said. “The mosaic nature of bauxite mining and our ongoing rehabilitation work ensures there is ongoing habitat and feeding areas for native animals, such as black cockatoos.” The CCWA and WAFA are hosting a final town hall meeting online on Monday. The online session will take place from 5.30pm to 7.30pm, with guest speakers including gardening consultant, author, environmentalist Sabrina Hahn, Birdlife Australia’s Dr Mark Henryon, Big Jarrah Walk co-ordinator Ricky England, renowned botanist Professor Kingsley Dixon and Wilderness Society WA campaigns manager Alyx Douglas. Speaking before the event, Ms Hahn said habitat loss due to mining and poorly designed housing developments, involving land scraping and the removal of all vegetation, had had a devastating impact on our native species. “Our native fauna are becoming refugees in their own country,” Ms Hahn said.