Alcoa Corporation today announced that its subsidiary, Alcoa of Australia, has reached an agreement with the Australian Federal Government to modernise the approvals framework governing its mining activities in Western Australia under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.
As part of this process, Alcoa of Australia will undertake a comprehensive Strategic Assessment covering existing and future mining areas through to 2045. The initiative is designed to provide a broad, integrated evaluation of environmental impacts across a large geographic footprint, particularly focusing on flora and fauna conservation, while offering greater transparency to stakeholders regarding long-term mining plans.
Mining operations at the Huntly and Willowdale sites will continue during the assessment period under a National Interest Exemption granted by the Federal Government. The company has committed to maintaining responsible operational practices, including limiting land clearing to 800 hectares annually and increasing rehabilitation efforts to 1,000 hectares per year by 2027. Environmental offsets will also be delivered in line with EPBC Act requirements.
William F Oplinger, President and CEO of Alcoa Corporation, stated that the agreement marks a significant step towards a modern, streamlined approvals system that enhances operational certainty while reinforcing environmental accountability. He highlighted the company’s long-standing presence in Australia and its continued contribution to the country’s economy and critical minerals supply chain.
While maintaining that its operations have complied with regulatory requirements, Alcoa of Australia has agreed to contribute $36 million (A$55 million) through enforceable undertakings addressing historical land clearing. These funds will support conservation initiatives in the Northern Jarrah Forest, including habitat restoration, species protection, and management of invasive flora and fauna. The company has also reaffirmed commitments to strengthen drinking water protection, expand mining exclusion zones near communities, and invest over A$15 million by 2029 into forest research through dedicated programs.
Alcoa of Australia supports approximately 5,500 direct and indirect jobs and contributes significantly to local economies. In 2024, its operations invested A$2.7 billion with more than 1,700 Australian suppliers, with over 70 percent of generated revenue retained within the country through wages, taxes, and local procurement.
The Strategic Assessment will run parallel to ongoing environmental evaluations for future mining regions, including Myara North and Holyoake. Subject to approvals, mining in these areas is expected to commence no earlier than 2029. The company continues to engage with stakeholders to secure regulatory decisions by the end of 2026 while maintaining stable production quality.
