Alcoa Halts Perth Hills Mining Exploration Amid Community & Water Security Concerns in WA Jarrah Forests

Alcoa Reverses Perth Hills Exploration Amid Fierce Community Opposition

US mining powerhouse Alcoa has announced a significant shift in its expansion strategy, opting to withdraw plans for exploration in Western Australia's ecologically vital Perth Hills region. This decision comes after widespread community outcry regarding potential threats to the area's water security and unique jarrah forests.

For decades, the Pennsylvania-based company has been a prominent fixture in WA, extracting bauxite – the raw material for aluminium – from the world's only jarrah forests since the 1960s. Currently, Alcoa has two active proposals with the state's Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) aimed at expanding its mining operations and boosting alumina production.

Community Voices Drive Change

The proposed exploration in the Perth Hills, a region crucial for Perth's drinking water supply, sparked a strong backlash from local residents and environmental groups. Concerns primarily revolved around the integrity of pristine drinking water sources and the preservation of the biodiverse jarrah forest ecosystem.

Kane Moyle, Alcoa's director of regulatory approvals, confirmed the company's decision to halt these specific exploration plans, citing "stakeholder and local community input" as the key factor. Moyle acknowledged the profound "environmental and social values of the Perth Hills," despite characterizing exploration drilling as a "low-impact activity" intended solely to broaden geological understanding. He emphasized Alcoa's commitment to community and stakeholder consultation as integral to its future planning.

A Win for Local Advocacy

Local governments, including the Shires of Mundaring, Armadale, and Kalamunda, were at the forefront of the opposition. Mundaring Shire President Paige McNeil hailed Alcoa's withdrawal as a testament to the community's resolve. "Residents across the shire have made it clear that exploration activity in the northern jarrah forest posed risks to our biodiverse environment and water security," McNeil stated, labeling the outcome a "significant win for our community and our environment." The Shire has pledged to continue advocating for robust safeguards against any future mining activities that could jeopardize the forest or vital water sources like the Mundaring Weir.

Regulatory Loopholes and Water Security Risks

A critical aspect of Alcoa's operations in WA is its unique regulatory status. The company operates under special state agreements, largely exempting it from standard environmental legislation. These agreements are subject to approval or rejection by the state development minister, a role currently held by Premier Roger Cook.

Alarmingly, internal advice from the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) in 2023 indicated a "high level of risk to public drinking water" from Alcoa's mining activities. Further highlighting the stakes, the state-owned Water Corporation, responsible for managing Perth's water supply, warned that contamination of the Serpentine Dam could expose over 100,000 people to tainted water within six hours.

While Alcoa has historically defended its environmental record, asserting a "multi-decade track record of operating in WA without ever negatively impacting drinking water supply," the latest decision underscores the potent influence of community advocacy in shaping industrial development, particularly concerning vital environmental and water resources.