Alcoa fined $55 Million For Illegal Jarrah Forest Clearing
The environment minister has imposed a $55 million penalty on Alcoa for unlawful land clearing in Western Australia’s northern jarrah forests, habitat for protected species. This penalty, an enforceable undertaking, requires the mining giant to fund significant environmental and research initiatives. Concurrently, the minister granted an 18-month exemption for further clearing, allowing Alcoa to continue operations while a proposal for mining extensions to 2045 is considered, citing the need for critical minerals for renewable energy and defense. Conservation groups have expressed concern over this exemption, viewing it as a dangerous precedent that prioritizes commercial interests over environmental protection.
John Q. Hosedrinker