Rio and Alcoa to give up Kimberly bauxite project to facilitate a national park

Industry leaders Rio Tinto and Alcoa bow out of the State Agreement Act developed to initiate a bauxite mine and alumina refinery in the north Kimberly region, so that the region can be included in a proposed national park.

Mitchel Plateau area was reserved for the development of bauxite mine and alumina refinery according to the Act established 40 years ago. However the two giants are ready to give up this land so that the 175,000 hectare land can become a part of the national park which may be Australia’s largest covering over 2 million hectares across Kimberly.

Alcoa Australia MD Alan Cransberg says, “While the Mitchell plateau bauxite resource is likely to hold value in the future, the State Agreement Act requires the development of an alumina refinery, which has always proven to be economically challenging.”

They are happy that they can help in the conservation of the area which has suffered mining explorations since early 1970s and is internationally recognized for their rich flora and fauna, spectacular Mitchell Falls and indigenous rock art that dates back to 40,000 years.

The State Agreement Act will be terminated once the legislation being progressed in the state Parliament is finalized.