South32 Worsley Alumina Pty Ltd currently operates the Boddington Bauxite Mine (located approximately 5km south-west of Boddington), Worsley Refinery (located approximately 15 km north-west of Collie) and port operations at the Bunbury Port.
The new proposal is for the:
· expansion of the existing mining area and incorporation of new mining areas;
· development of a bauxite transport corridor;
· development of a contingency mining area and maintenance work at the Refinery; and
· development of associated mine/support infrastructure.
The proposal, as amended under s. 43A of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, involves clearing of up to 3,855 ha of native vegetation for the mine and mining related activities. The proposal also requires two river crossings over the Hotham River.