Alcoa's planned expansion of production in Pinjarra Alumina Refinery and bauxite mining at its current Huntly Mine in Western Australia's Darling Range has provoked a series of town hall meetings with the community, which start this week. The company is responding by citing its decades-long history of environmental management and policy reforms over the past few years as proof of its commitment to best-practice operations.
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Alcoa's planned expansion of production in Pinjarra Alumina Refinery and bauxite mining at its current Huntly Mine in Western Australia's Darling Range has provoked a series of town hall meetings with the community, which start this week. The company is responding by citing its decades-long history of environmental management and policy reforms over the past few years as proof of its commitment to best-practice operations.
While conservation groups are raising concerns, Alcoa is highlighting the extensive scientific research and stakeholder feedback that have shaped its plans, which are now undergoing a rigorous public environmental review for the first time in the company's 60-year history in the region.
Alcoa highlights record of environmental responsibility
Alcoa's proposals, pending before the WA Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), are the result of decades of environmental studies and a direct reaction to changing operational requirements and community needs. Identifying the ecological and social significance of the Jarrah forest, Alcoa has taken proactive steps to modify its plans to minimise potential effects.
Key changes involve creating a 2,600-hectare mining avoidance area to provide an even bigger buffer around the Jarrahdale townsite. In addition, the company has replanned its mining envelope to avoid areas of high social and recreational value, such as the well-used Bibbulmun Track, the Sullivan Rock Trail, and some of the surrounding local camp areas. Access to the Munda Biddi Trail will also be retained for the life of the mine through a strategic realignment.
Decades of philanthropy to society
Environmentally, Alcoa emphasises its three-decade, world-class rehabilitation programme. The process, created in collaboration with universities and research institutions, is designed to restore a Jarrah forest ecosystem that sustains itself. For each hectare of land removed in mining, Alcoa states 2.03 hectares are undergoing rehabilitation, a ratio indicating long-term involvement in reforestation.
This is done through a very careful process of soil rehabilitation, restoring fauna habitat, and replanting with a wide variety of local species, with emphasis on 100% species richness in rehabilitated sites.
The present public review procedure, involving a 12-week submission period closing on August 21, provides an official forum for this exchange. Alcoa has indicated it invites scrutiny and considers the EPA review to be a chance to show its continued dedication to reconciling economic benefits, such as maintaining thousands of local jobs, with strong environmental stewardship and measures for protecting biodiversity and Perth's water supply.
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