US miner under further investigation after destroying WA habitat of black cockatoos, quokkas and numbats
Summary
US mining company Alcoa is under further federal investigation for destroying protected wildlife habitats in Western Australia. The company faced a $40 million settlement for breaking environmental laws by clearing forest land, and new inquiries focus on additional breaches at its mines.Key Facts
- Alcoa’s strip-mining in Western Australia’s jarrah forest damaged habitats for protected species like black cockatoos, quokkas, and numbats.
- The company paid $40 million to avoid prosecution over clearing 318 hectares of forest during an ongoing investigation in 2023-2024.
- Alcoa has destroyed about 280 square kilometers of jarrah forest in 60 years without replanting or restoring the land.
- The mining activities affect water catchments near Perth, including around the Serpentine Dam, a major drinking water source.
- Alcoa is seeking permission to expand its Huntly mine near important water supplies despite environmental concerns.
- The company claims it operated under legal grandfathering rules but acknowledged destroying habitats, denying violations of the law.
- The government requires Alcoa to spend at least $40 million on buying land to offset the environmental damage by 2026.
- An ongoing investigation looks into possible illegal clearing at Alcoa’s Willowdale mine, linked to another alumina refinery.
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