Bunbury Port set to export bauxite mined by Alcoa

The Southern Ports Authority in Western Australia announced last week (ending September 29) that it is set to export “some of Alcoa’s 2.5 million tonnes of bauxite” earmarked for sale over the next two years.

Bunbury is the second port approved to ship bauxite for Alcoa already shipping the mineral ore via the Kwinana Bulk Terminal.

Bunbury MLA Don Punch has welcomed the plan. He said the step was crucial to the port’s growth and development.

“The port is a key economic driver for Bunbury and the region. Increased business through our port conducted in a way that is responsible and considerate of any potential community concerns is a huge positive for our community.

“The McGowan Labor Government is committed to supporting the continued growth of the port and new trade like this shows our faith in the port and its contribution to jobs and economic development is well-founded,” said Punch.

Bunbury Wellington Economic Alliance chief executive officer Matt Granger said the decision was a new export opportunity for Alcoa and Southern Ports Authority.

“New export projects translate into extra jobs at the port and throughout the supply chain,” he said. “This includes jobs in the haulage component and in planning and building improved infrastructure at the port to handle the bauxite.”

The bauxite will be stockpiled on port land from early next month in an unused coal bunker facility which was part of the old Bunbury Power Station. The stockpile will be a maximum of 7m high and dust suppression strategies, including water carts, cannons and sprinklers, will be used to prevent dust.

Authority chief executive officer Nicolas Fertin said the two-year agreement was designed to take advantage of the favourable global bauxite market conditions. It is basically a precursor for a longer term plan to export bauxite on a more permanent basis, potentially resulting in further investment at the port, he added.