Alcoa has decided to remove certain areas in the Perth Hills region from proposed exploration drilling plans for bauxite.
The decision comes as a response to local stakeholder and community feedback about the potential impact of exploration drilling in northern parts of its mineral lease.
Several areas for potential future exploration drilling within the Armadale, Kalamunda, Mundaring, Beverley and York local government areas were identified in the company’s 2023-2027 Mining and Management Plan (MMP) and carried forward into the most recent 2025-2029 MMP.
These MMPs outline potential mining and exploration activities for a five-year period and are updated annually on a rolling basis for consideration, as well as receive endorsement from the government.
The 2025-2029 MMP will soon be presented to the Minister for State Development for endorsement, while the previously approved 2023-2027 MMP is currently before the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) as part of its assessments of current and proposed mining activities.
Alcoa Director of Regulatory Approvals, Kane Moyle, stated: “Community and stakeholder consultation is an important part of Alcoa’s planning for the future.
“While exploration drilling is a low-impact activity and does not indicate an intention to mine an area but rather to broaden geological knowledge of the region, we understand the strong environmental and social values of the Perth Hills to local communities and the broader public.
“We listened to feedback and are making changes that will be reflected in both MMPs.”
