Hollywood actor and environmental advocate Leonardo DiCaprio has voiced his concerns over the Australian government’s approval of the expansion of mining major South32’s bauxite mining operations in Western Australia.

South32 announced last month that it had received federal clearance for its Worsley mine development project.

Approved under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act of 1999 (EPBC), the Australian project will provide access to bauxite to sustain production at Worsley, with mining of bauxite areas located near South32’s existing operations expected to begin in the fourth quarter of its 2025 financial year. Development of new mining areas, which are expected to sustain production to at least 2036, will also commence.

Worsley Alumina has been operating for more than 40 years and is one of the region’s largest employers, supporting jobs for thousands of workers and contractors.

However, environmental groups have raised alarm about the impact the expansion could have on the region, particularly regarding the clearing of the Jarrah Forest. Conservationists warn that the destruction of this forest poses a serious threat to the habitat of endangered species, including black cockatoos.

In an Instagram post this week, DiCaprio, a known environmentalist, shared his perspective on the matter, along with a video of black cockatoos with photos of the iconic bird and a cleared landscape.

“The Australian government has approved deforestation within the Jarrah Forest of Western Australia, clearing the way for the mining of bauxite, the main ingredient in aluminium,” DiCaprio stated.

He claimed that South32 is set to clear significant stretches of the old growth forest, which is home to threatened species like the critically endangered woylie – a small marsupial native to Australia.

DiCaprio continued, claiming that the operation would destroy critical habitat for more than 8 000 species, 80% of which were found nowhere else on Earth.

“While native forest logging was banned in Western Australia in 2024, clearance of native forests for mining is still allowed due to separate government policies that prioritise mining development over environmental protection.”

Addressing DiCaprio’s comments, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a radio interview on Triple M Perth on Friday that strict environmental conditions would be imposed as part of the mine expansion.

“I'm not sure he's aware of all the details of the way the EPBC Act works,” Albanese stated. “But, you know, he's entitled to put his view, of course.”