The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) will comprehensively scrutinise Alcoa’s bauxite mining operations on the Darling Range.
EPA Chair Professor Matthew Tonts said the independent Authority had decided to assess parts of activities documented in Alcoa Limited’s annual rolling five-year Mining and Management Programs (MMPs).
The 2022-2026 MMP and 2023-2027 MMP were referred to the EPA by the WA Forest Alliance earlier this year and published for a seven-day public comment period. The EPA considered the 2500-plus public submissions as well as other advice obtained and has determined to assess the proposals at the level of Public Environmental Review (PER).
Professor Tonts said the EPA would consider potential impacts on flora, fauna and water catchments from clearing, climate change as a result of greenhouse gas emissions, and social surroundings from noise, dust and visual impacts.
He said the assessment would include an EPA-prepared environmental scoping document and a 10-week public consultation on the proponent’s environmental review document.
“These proposals involve the clearing of large areas of native vegetation so there will be impacts to a range of environmental values including biodiversity and water resources,” Professor Tonts said. “There is also the potential for significant cumulative impacts to the Northern Jarrah Forest.
“That’s why this longer-than-usual consultation period is appropriate for a proposal with such a high level of community interest and complexity.
“The EPA has also decided to conduct in-person briefings with community groups to ensure all information and concerns are captured in the assessment.”
Professor Tonts also acknowledged the Minister for Environment’s decision to respond to a potential EPA assessment decision with legislation allowing Alcoa to continue operating.
“The conditions and justification for this section 6 declaration under the Environmental Protection Act 1986 are not considerations for the EPA during this assessment,” he said. “I don’t consider that this particular legislative exemption will prevent the EPA from rigorously undertaking its assessment and providing recommendations to the Minister for Environment.”
In addition to this new assessment of Alcoa’s approved and proposed mining operations, the EPA is separately considering another proposal by Alcoa to increase production at its Pinjarra refinery and transition mining at the existing Huntly Mine to the Myara North and Holyoake regions. The Pinjarra Alumina Refinery Revised Proposal is being assessed at the level of public environmental review. The environmental review document related to this proposal is expected to be released for a 10-week public review period next year.
Background
The 2022-26 MMP was approved, subject to exclusions, through the State Agreement Act in September 2022, and the proposal is currently being implemented. The proposal includes mining at Huntly and Willowdale mines. It does not include processing of bauxite ore to alumina which occurs at the Pinjarra, Wagerup and Kwinana refineries subject to separate regulatory instruments approved under the Environmental Protection Act 1986. The 2023-27 MMP has not yet been approved through the State Agreement framework but activities are still proposed to be undertaken during this time. It will include mining at Huntly and Willowdale mines.
EPA Media Contact: Jenni Storey on 0434 734 997
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