Spotlight On: Alcoa
Location: Wagerup – Yarlooop – Hoffman
For more than 60 years, Alcoa has operated one of the world’s largest integrated bauxite mining, alumina refining and aluminium smelting systems.
Originating in Australia’s Peel region, Alcoa started mining bauxite near Jarrahdale. This ore was refined into alumina at their nearby Kwinana refinery, and smelting alumina to make aluminium at Point Henry, Victoria.
They’ve since grown to include the Willowdale mine and Wagerup refinery near Harvey and have invested more than $14.7 billion into the nation’s economy.
Today, their two bauxite mines and three alumina refineries produce approximately 50% of Australia’s alumina and their Portland Aluminium Smelter in Victoria produces more than 20% of the nation’s aluminium. Alcoa’s alumina refineries are among the world’s lowest carbon dioxide (CO2) emitting refineries in the world and they are leaders in mine site rehabilitation.
They employ more than 4,000 people in Western Australia and have taken on more than 2,600 apprentices, trainees and graduates across their 60-year history.
Wagerup Refinery Manager, Jodie Girauldo, acknowledges that the caliber of the communities surrounding Alcoa’s operations play an important role in attracting and maintaining top notch employees, including within the Harvey Region.
We’re proud to be here for local jobs, our local communities and a sustainable future. The majority of our workforce live locally, meaning that instead of spending their time commuting, they get to enjoy the life they have created after each and every shift.
Jodie Girauldo, Wagerup Refinery Manager, Alcoa
The Alcoa Harvey Sustainability Fund supports a broad range of community development projects that contribute positively to the Harvey Region’s economic, social, recreational and environmental sustainability of the community.
This investment forms part of Alcoa’s wider community investment program, which saw $4.9 million delivered in 2022 to the Australian locations where Alcoa operates.