West's alumina plant almost in the can From: By Nigel Wilson November 29, 2005
CONSTRUCTION of what will be Australia's biggest alumina refinery moved closer yesterday with the $900 million project receiving environmental approval.
The approval is a key step as the Australian alumina industry ramps up to take advantage of prices that have soared to more than $US500 a tonne. BHP Billiton is conducting a feasibility study for a 700,000 tonnes a year expansion of its Worsley alumina refinery, near Collie in Western Australia, with construction expected to begin within a year.
The West Australian Environmental Protection Authority said "emissions from the refinery were very unlikely to cause direct acute or chronic health effects on the surrounding population".
The alumina industry has attracted strong community criticism in Western Australia with Alcoa, the world's largest aluminium company, being accused of poisoning its employees and causing health problems for householders living near one of its plants.
Alcoa is also seeking environmental approval for a $1.5 billion expansion of its Wagerup alumina refinery, with an EPA decision expected in weeks.
Together the projects are expected to put intense pressure on the state's construction sector with the creation of more than 4000 jobs.
The two projects, if they proceed, will be the biggest industrial investment in the south of the state.
Yesterday's approval will allow BHP to expand Worsley to an annual capacity of 4.4 million tonnes a year, around 600,000 tonnes more than the world's biggest refinery operated by Queensland Alumina at Gladstone.
The EPA approval puts stringent conditions on Worsley, particularly on air management and transport movements from the mine to the plant.
EPA chairman Wally Cox said further investigations were needed for a better understanding of the biodiversity of the area in and close to the proposed new mining areas.
Worsley development manager Colin Agnew said the project would generate major economic and social benefits for Western Australia's southwest while establishing a blueprint for sustainable development in the resources sector.
Worsley intended to meet all of the requirements of the EPA, including preparation of detailed management plans for mining, rehabilitation, transport and processing.
Mr Agnew said the centrepiece of the environmental strategy would be a comprehensive scientific study of the northern jarrah forests where Worsley expected to be mining in about 15 years.
