Pinjarra Alumina Refinery Revised Proposal

Overview

Alcoa of Australia Limited is proposing to increase production at the Pinjarra Alumina Refinery (the refinery) and increase the rate of bauxite mining at the existing Huntly Mine within Mineral Lease 1SA (ML1SA) to supply 2.5 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) bauxite, for export to third party customers.

The Proposal comprises the following components:

• an increase in alumina production at the refinery by 5 percent, from 5.0 Mtpa to 5.25 Mtpa;
• A transition of the Huntly mine into the Myara North and Holyoake regions; and
• an increase in the rate of mining within ML1SA to supply up to 2.5 Mtpa of bauxite for export.

The proposal will require clearing of no more than 6,700 hectares (ha) of native vegetation within a 42,415 ha development envelope associated with mining, and an additional 10 ha of native vegetation associated with the refinery.

Why your views matter

At this initial stage of the EIA process, comment is simply sought on whether or not the EPA should assess a proposal and, if so, what level of assessment is considered appropriate.

What happens next

Following the seven day public comment period and consideration of any comments received, the EPA will decide whether or not this proposal requires environmental impact assessment and, if so, what level of assessment will be applied.

The EPA's decisions on level of assessment are released each Monday on the EPA's website.