¶ WORK has started on South32’s Worsley Alumina expansion.
The miner advised via its March quarterly report that calciner maintenance had been completed at Worsley, with work underway on the expansion after receiving state and federal government approvals.
“We continue to unlock value at our operations, commencing our Worsley mine development project following environmental approval by the Australian Government,” chief executive officer Graham Kerr said.
South32 expects the expansion will sustain production until at least the 2036 financial year.
The miner received approval from the State Government in December last year after it appealed Environmental Protection Authority conditions imposed following a five-year public environmental review.
WA Environment Minister Reece Whitby allowed the appeal in part, agreeing certain conditions should be altered based on arguments put forward.
Federal approval was received earlier this year.
Environmental groups, including the WA Forest Alliance, claim the expansion will destroy up to 3855 hectares of the Northern Jarrah Forest and further threaten black cockatoos.
South32 will build on its Boddington bauxite mining operation and develop new mining areas, paving the way for a 15-year extension of the Worsley refinery’s operating life and the creation of 150 jobs.