Huntly Mine Transition and Pinjarra Refinery Production Increase

We are seeking approval to transition our bauxite mining at Huntly mine to future operating areas and increase alumina production at the Pinjarra refinery by 5 per cent.

Key Project Information

The Huntly mine is located east of North Dandalup in the Darling Range.

Alcoa is seeking to transition mining activities to the Myara North and Holyoake mine regions and re-enter a previously accessed mine region known as O’Neil.

Transitioning to the new mine regions is essential for the continued operation of our Huntly mine and Pinjarra refinery. Around 300 jobs will be created during construction and thousands of local jobs will be sustained.

Refining the project footprint

Since referring in 2020, we have made several changes to the proposal to reduce potential impacts. These changes reflect study outcomes, listening to stakeholder feedback and our commitment to continuous improvement. Examples of these improvements include:

Increasing the distance between Jarrahdale townsite and future proposed mining by creating a ~2,600 hectare mining avoidance zone.

Amending the mine development envelope to avoid areas noted as having significant social value, such as the Bibbulmun Track, Wungong Campsite, and the Sullivan Rock Trail, and to eliminate the need for mine infrastructure crossings over Albany Highway, Kingsbury Drive, Jarrahdale Road, Pinjarra-Williams Road and the Bibbulmun Track.

Maintaining public access to many other recreational facilities and surrounding tracks and trails, such as Balmoral Prisoner of War Camp and Inglehope Arboretum.

In addition, we have also maintained public access to the Munda Biddi Trail for the life of mine by re-aligning the section which intersects within the Myara North Development Envelope.

For more information about the Huntly Mine Transition and Pinjarra Refinery Production Increase you can read the Project Overview Information Sheet.

Project Update

The assessment process commenced in mid-2020. The proposal will be assessed at the highest level, being a Public Environmental Review. This included a 12-week public comment period.

Our Environmental Review Document (ERD) was submitted to the regulators who have recently sought comment from the public.

Alcoa will now work through all submissions received during this period and respond. We will also take the opportunity to review and revise the project timeline leading up to the Ministerial decision.

You can learn more about our proposal and the way we will manage potential environmental impacts through the fact sheets below.