Latest news with #PinjarraAluminaRefinery
West Australian
24-07-2025
- Business
- West Australian
‘I know there's concern' says Alcoa Australia president Elsabe Muller as US miner fights for South West mine
Alcoa's new local chief Elsabe Muller insists the US bauxite giant is putting 'all effort in' to win approvals to keep mining the State's Jarrah Forest as the plans undergo lengthy public scrutiny. The Pittsburgh-headquartered miner and alumina refiner is fighting to secure two environmental ticks from the State Government to expand its bauxite mine in the South West, and to increase production capacity at the Pinjarra Alumina Refinery. Asked whether she was confident Alcoa would get the green light for its expansion plans, Ms Muller told a WA Mining Club event the miner was 'putting all effort in to make sure that we're getting the support to get approval.' Alcoa's existing approvals were locked in under a State agreement in 1961 and therefore have not gone through WA's current environmental assessment regime to make sure they meet modern standards . 'For any mining company, you tend to mine where the deposit can be economically extracted. Now, in our case in WA, you find it in the Jarrah Forest,' operations president Ms Muller said on Thursday. She referenced research from the Global Aluminium Council that claimed demand for the metal would increase between 30 per cent and 40 per cent by 2030. 'It will double by 2050 because you do need it to decarbonise. There's no substitute,' she said. 'We obviously need to enter new mining areas so that our refineries can keep operating for decades to come.' WA's Environmental Protection Authority launched a 12-week public comment period for the plans at the end of May, a move Alcoa said earlier this month would mean it was unlikely a Ministerial decision would be made by early 2026, as had been anticipated. The miner has also faced substantial community concern since it was served an official notice by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation in 2023, after inspectors found Alcoa had built a pipeline and funnelled toxic PFAS-contaminated waste over Samson Brook dam despite a works application still being 'under assessment'. Asked how it would address these concerns during the public feedback period, Ms Muller said on Thursday that Alcoa had 'never impacted drinking water' and had implemented a reservoir protection zone 'to absolutely make sure we will not'. 'I know that there's concern. We've never impacted drinking water.'
Perth Now
15-07-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Alcoa Pinjarra partners with local charity
Alcoa's Pinjarra Alumina Refinery has committed $10,000 to local not-for-profit organisation Bridge Builders. The partnership supports Bridge Builders' Backpack Buddies program, which helps ensure children facing hardship have access to nutritious weekend meals. Bridge Builders' School Program co-ordinator Leandri Cronje (left), Bridge Builders volunteers Craig Brierley, Rod Stuart and Bee Ann Jansons, and Alcoa's Heather Scott deliver the backpacks to Carcoola Primary School. Credit: Supplied Employees from the refinery's community relations team volunteered at Bridge Builders to help fill backpacks for Carcoola Primary School students. Carefully tailored to meet dietary needs and family sizes — some supporting up to six siblings — each backpack was filled with breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, fruit, milk and a loaf of bread, plus a personalised note to lift each child's spirits. Backpack Buddies schools program co-ordinator Leandri Cronje said Alcoa's support had enabled them to reach an extra 12 students who otherwise would have gone without. 'Alcoa's support goes beyond funding; their team brought incredible heart and energy when they joined us to pack the bags,' she said. 'It reminds us that Backpack Buddies is about so much more than food — it's about community, dignity, and hope.' Pinjarra Alumina Refinery manager Jodie Giraudo said Alcoa was committed to supporting the community and assisting young people through these types of partnerships. 'Our team was truly moved by the care and thought that goes into every backpack,' Ms Giraudo said. 'It's more than food, it's dignity, kindness and connection. Alcoa is proud to stand beside organisations like Bridge Builders that are making real, immediate differences in the lives of local children.' Bridge Builders CEO Kelly Hinder said partnerships like this built stronger communities and ensured no child went hungry. 'Local children deserve to feel safe, valued and supported,' she said. 'When local businesses — whether large corporations or small family-run enterprises — choose to invest in grassroots charities, it sends a powerful message of hope. Together we can do incredible things.' Backpack Buddies is one of several support initiatives run by Bridge Builders, which also runs a weekly community pantry, Birthday in a Box, and Gift of Christmas programs.
Perth Now
03-06-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Alcoa Mandurah Arts Gallery gets another three years
Alcoa's Pinjarra Alumina Refinery has announced a three-year partnership with the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre. The $90,000 partnership will help fund the Alcoa Mandurah Art Gallery and its exhibition collaborations with local artists, shows and events. The Alcoa Mandurah Art Gallery houses two spaces showcasing both emerging and established artists as well as touring exhibitions. Your local paper, whenever you want it. Pinjarra Alumina Refinery manager Jodie Giraudo said Alcoa was proud to support local artists to present and promote their creative talents through the gallery which is a vibrant local arts community. 'Alcoa's funding not only offers enriching art experiences for everyone to enjoy, it also provides educational opportunities and community engagement programs for the region,' Ms Giraudo said. Local landscape and botanical artist Robyn Lowry has her collection of floral artwork on show as part of the gallery's Plein Air Artist of the Month program. Alcoa's Katherine Stevens with Mandurah Performing Arts Centre CEO Marc Missiaen and Alcoa Mandurah Art Gallery curator Lotte Waters. Credit: Supplied Lowry said painting enabled her to respond to the environment she was exploring, creating form, colour and interpreting the landscape in her own way. Upcoming exhibitions include Proof Positive - Peel Printmakers group exhibition (Main Gallery) and The Gardener, the Midwife and the Sailor - Three painters (Foyer Gallery).
