The Australian Government has granted South32 approval to continue operating its Worsley Alumina mine in Western Australia for another 10 years.
The mine first started operations 41 years ago and will now continue mining through to 2036 after the Federal Government granted its approval under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (1999).
Worsley is known as one of the world’s largest alumina refineries, of which South32 owns 86 per cent, with the remaining owned by Japan Alumina Associates (Australia), which owns 10 per cent, and Sojitz Alumina which owns the remaining four per cent.
The site currently has a 4.7 million-tonne production capacity and employs over 2000 employees and contractors.
New mining areas at the site are expected to crop up later this year which will form part of South32’s plan to see the mine produce through to the end of its life. This is expected to generate over 150 jobs during construction.
South32 chief executive officer Graham Kerr said the Federal Government’s approval of the Worsley mine development project is a positive outcome for the company, its workforce, the Peel and south west communities near which the mine operates, and the local economy.
“Worsley Alumina has been operating for more than 40 years and is one of the largest employers in the region, supporting jobs for thousands of workers and contractors,” Kerr said.
“The Aluminium Stewardship Initiative has awarded Worsley Alumina multiple certifications against its global standards for responsible production of alumina, a vital component in the production of aluminium which is a metal critical to the global energy transition.
“We look forward to executing the project in accordance with the approvals granted by the Federal and Western Australian governments.”
Worsley bauxite is mined and transported on an overland conveyor belt to South32’s refinery where it is turned into white alumina powder. The alumina is then exported to smelters around the world.
Last financial year, the site produced 3.7 million tonnes of alumina and spent $217 million with local businesses.
According to South32, Worsley injects more than $1 million per day into the local economy through wages, local business spend and community investment.
