Fracking little use for WA: Roger Cook allowed 87pc to be exported
The Premier’s threat to frack the Kimberley if Woodside’s Browse is blocked is nonsense as he exempted it from his export ban.
Bauxite is strip-mined in WA's jarrah forest by Alcoa and South32 to feed three alumina refineries that produce the material for aluminium smelters.
The US miner has held back findings that it drilled near Cockatoo nesting trees and has had its plans for protecting Perth's water supply rejected.
Extraction of the critical mineral found in the waste from making alumina from bauxite could curb China's 98 per cent share of global production.
Bill Oplinger reassured investors that a 15-month delay would not affect operating rates at its Pinjarra alumina refinery but misled them about Alcoa's record of rehabilitating the jarrah forest.
WA's environmental watchdog will consider the risk to Perth's water supply and whether the US miner can rehabilitate the forest it strip-mines.
Destroyed forest. Threatened water supply. Toxic towns. Mountains of residue. Will the WA Government demand better?
Kwinana and Yarloop have suffered from Alcoa's toxic dust - is Pinjarra next?
Two journalists from Alcoa's hometown flew to Perth to look at its mining of WA's jarrah. A brilliant look at a slow-moving tragedy.
The battle of jobs and Alcoa profits versus the jarrah forest and Perth's water supply will ramp up within weeks when the miner's plans are released.
The US miner expects WA government approval within 12 months to destroy 75 square kilometres of jarrah forest to enable its "number one" lever to boost profits.
Roger Cook granting Alcoa greater access to mine near Perth's dams risks could cost taxpayers billions of dollars and result in water restrictions
Within weeks, the US miner will reveal for public comment plans to strip mine 75 square kilometres of jarrah forest.
The cost of managing water where it stores 140 million tonnes of caustic red mud has doubled.
All the info and a bit of comment on WA energy, industry and climate every Friday