Alcoa Australia doubles Dwellingup No-Mining Zone securing further protection for WA forests and trails

Alcoa Australia has acted on community feedback by significantly expanding its Mining Avoidance Zone (MAZ) around Dwellingup, more than doubling the protected area to 26,000 hectares (ha) – equivalent to the size of approximately 860 Optus stadiums.

This move ensures more of Western Australia’s much-loved forests, trails and recreation spaces will be permanently removed from our future mining consideration plans.

The expanded MAZ is adjacent to several designated conservation areas, including sections of old growth forest which will never be mined, and now includes:

• Part of Lane Poole Reserve
• Recreational tracks and trails including sections of the Munda Biddi Trail, Bibbulmun Track and Nyingarn Bidi Loop
• A new zone around the Inglehope community east of Dwellingup.

Alcoa Australia Director of Regulatory Approvals Kane Moyle said the move shows Alcoa is listening and responding to community feedback.

“The decision follows environmental studies and extensive community consultation. We are committed to engaging with the community to find ways to minimise impacts and protect the cultural values and sense of place that makes Dwellingup special.

“We know these areas are treasured by the local community and visitors alike. We respect the community’s expectation that these forest areas and trails remain part of our natural heritage for generations to come. We are really pleased we can offer increased certainty around their protection as part of our broader commitment to balance critical resources needs with environmental and social values,” Mr Moyle said.

The combined 26,000ha Dwellingup MAZ area includes:

• Expansion of the current Dwellingup MAZ from the current 8,344ha to around 18,168ha
• A new MAZ of approximately 3,513ha around Inglehope of which approximately 594ha is in the proposed future Holyoake mine region
• The approximately 4,380ha area in Lane Poole Reserve that was announced earlier this year

The extension of the Dwellingup MAZ is separate from the announcement of the withdrawal of around 47,000ha from Alcoa Australia’s proposed exploration footprint in the Perth Hills. Whilst the new MAZ includes areas of mineral prospectivity, there is no immediate financial impact from the Dwellingup no mining commitment required to be recognised in Alcoa Corporation's financial statements.