Globally diversified mining and metals company South32 expects to obtain approval for its Worsley Alumina mine development project – a mine life extension project – from the Western Australia state later this month and federal approval early in 2025.

This follows the positive outcome of an appeal of an earlier decision by the Western Australian Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), which recommended that the project be approved, but subject to conditions that South32 said went beyond reasonable measures for managing environmental risks and would create significant operating challenges.

"On 12 December 2024, the Western Australian Minister for Environment determined the appeal outcome for the project. We are pleased to advise that the Minister has determined, after considering available information, that the EPA’s assessment and overall conclusion that the project may be implemented, subject to conditions, is reasonable.

"Further, the Minister has agreed with the appeals committee’s recommendations to amend specific conditions based on the arguments presented during the appeals process, including by Worsley Alumina," South32 reports.

It notes that the Minister's decision is consistent with the Western Australian government’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions Policy for Major Projects, with greenhouse-gas emissions to be regulated in accordance with the Commonwealth Government Safeguard Mechanism and unnecessary duplication between commonwealth and state regulation removed.

"A detailed assessment of other conditions referred to in the Minister’s determination is under way," South32 says.

The development project is aimed at extending the life of the Boddington bauxite mine, which is located about 130 km from Perth. The mined bauxite is transported to a refinery and turned into alumina powder.

The alumina powder is then transported to the Bunbury port for export to South32's Hillside and Mozal aluminium smelters in South Africa and Mozambique, respectively.