Strategic Assessment of Current and Future Mining

In February 2026, Alcoa committed to further modernising our approvals under federal environmental law by undertaking a Strategic Assessment under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).

The Strategic Assessment will consider current operational areas and both our Huntly and Willowdale mines, as well as potential future mine areas (excluding Myara North and Holyoake) through to 2045. This long‑term future focussed assessment aims to provide greater clarity for stakeholders on our future mine plans across the region.

Operations at both mines will continue while the Strategic Assessment takes place under a National Interest Exemption granted by the Federal Government in recognition of the important contributions our operations make to the Australian economy.

Strategic Assessment Overview

The Strategic Assessment area is defined at a broad, landscape scale and includes many places that will not be disturbed. It includes:

• Both the Huntly and Willowdale mines
• Current areas of operation
• Areas where we have declared Mining Avoidance Zones
• Potential future mine regions out to 2045 (which will also be subject to further approvals prior to mining commencement)

Only a portion of the strategic assessment area will ever be mined or used for mining operations.

We do not mine in areas such as:

• private property
• Alcoa’s committed Mining Avoidance Zones like those near Dwellingup and Jarrahdale
• National Parks
• Old Growth Forest
• other areas of high conservation value, such as stream zones.

For more information about the Strategic Assessment of Current and Future Mining you can read the Fact Sheet.

Project Update

We have agreed with the Australian Federal Government on the terms of the assessment process. These terms are available to view on the Department of Climate Change, Energy the Environment and Water website.

Work on the Strategic Assessment has now commenced, including identifying the relevant Matters of National Environmental Significance to be assessed and the outcomes we are seeking to achieve relevant to the protected matters.

An important part of the Strategic Assessment involves Alcoa engaging with stakeholders and community and undertaking a public comment period.

Following this public consultation, Alcoa finalises the Strategic Impact Assessment Report and Plan, taking into account the comments from the public, the federal environment department and any other stakeholders, and submits it for consideration by the Federal Environment Minister.

Find out more

Discover more about the strategic Assessment the ways we support the communities where we live at work at our Coffee and Conversations events:

If you would like more information on the Strategic Assessment or to receive updates, contact strategicassessment306@alcoa.com