South32 has announced that it has received federal environmental approval for the Worsley Mine Development Project at the company’s Worsley Alumina operations.
This approval, granted under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (1999), follows the Western Australian state environmental approval obtained on December 20, 2024.
The Worsley Alumina operation, which encompasses the Boddington bauxite mine, a refinery near Collie, and associated port facilities at Bunbury, is set to expand its production capabilities.
The newly approved project aims to provide access to bauxite reserves crucial for sustaining production levels at Worsley Alumina.
Mining activities in the new bauxite areas, located near existing operations, are scheduled to commence in the fourth quarter of the 2025 financial year (Q4 FY25).
This development is expected to extend Worsley Alumina’s production span until at least the 2036 financial year.
Graham Kerr, CEO of South32, expressed his enthusiasm for the approval, stating: “The Ffderal government’s approval of the Worsley Mine Development Project is a positive outcome for Worsley Alumina and its workforce, the Peel and South West communities, and the local economy.”
He highlighted the operation’s 40-year history and its significant role as one of the largest employers in the region, supporting thousands of workers and contractors.
Kerr also emphasised Worsley Alumina’s commitment to responsible production, noting that the operation has received multiple certifications from the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative for its adherence to global standards in alumina production.
This recognition underscores the importance of alumina as a vital component in aluminium production, a metal critical to the global energy transition.
The company looks forward to executing the project in accordance with the approvals granted by both the federal and Western Australian governments.
Worsley Alumina, which supplies alumina to the Mozal Aluminium smelter in Mozambique, recently achieved the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) Chain of Custody V2 (2022) standard certification in November 2024, further solidifying its position as a responsible producer in the industry.
