Alcoa gets go-ahead to mine Jarrah forest until 2029 with new rules
Western Australia approved bauxite miner Alcoa to keep working in the ancient Jarrah forest until 2029. Environmental protections are now stricter.
Alcoa can keep mining bauxite in WA's Northern Jarrah Forest until 2029. New conditions aim to protect Perth's drinking water and endangered black cockatoos.
The government expanded buffer zones around water reservoirs to two kilometres. Buffer zones around black cockatoo nesting trees expanded to 50 metres.
Alcoa must do required animal surveys, GPS tracking, and tree tagging before mining starts. The WA Greens call the approval a free pass.
They vow to introduce laws banning forest mining. An environmental review of future mining is ongoing.
Government decisions are expected in 2027.
- 2029
- Mining end date
- Two kilometres
- Water reservoir buffer
- 50 metres
- Cockatoo nesting buffer
- Northern Jarrah Forest, WA
- Forest location
Why it mattersThis decision weighs mining jobs and money against risks. Perth's water and critically endangered wildlife could be affected.
AustraliaWA residents face continued mining in a key water supply region with stronger protections, but uncertainty remains about long-term forest conservation and cockatoo survival.
Corroborated bytheage.com.au·watoday.com.au
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 3 h ago
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