News Brief: English
Summary
Western Australia’s environmental regulator is investigating Alcoa over allegations it mined too close to a protected jarrah tree, potentially breaching the special conditions of its operating exemption. A confirmed breach could force the US mining giant to halt operations during a crucial environmental assessment of its expansion plans.
Key Points
- Core Allegation: Alcoa is accused of mining within 10 meters of a “significant” jarrah tree, violating a key condition of its exemption from standard environmental laws.
- Special Exemption: The WA government allowed Alcoa to continue mining during an EPA assessment to protect local jobs, but with strict conditions including tree buffers.
- Investigation Trigger: WA Greens MLC Jess Beckerling trespassed onto the mining lease to gather evidence, measuring a 9.1-meter gap, and reported it to the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER).
- Potential Consequence: If the breach is proven, Alcoa’s exemption could be revoked, making it illegal to continue mining while the EPA review is ongoing.
- Alcoa’s Stance: The company denies any wrongdoing, stating it has maintained the required 10-meter buffer and is operating in accordance with its exemption order.
- Broader Context: Alcoa operates under unique state agreements in WA. The investigation highlights the tension between industrial activity, job preservation, and environmental protection in the sensitive jarrah forest.
新闻简报：中文
摘要
西澳大利亚州环境监管机构正在调查美国矿业巨头美铝（Alcoa），因其被指控在开采时过于靠近一棵受保护的贾拉树，可能违反了其特殊运营豁免条件。若违规行为被证实，可能导致该公司在其扩建计划的关键环境评估期间被迫停止运营。
关键点
- 核心指控：美铝被指控在距离一棵”重要”贾拉树10米范围内进行开采，违反了其豁免于标准环境法的关键条件。
- 特殊豁免：西澳政府为保护当地就业，允许美铝在环保局（EPA）评估期间继续开采，但附有包括树木缓冲区在内的严格条件。
- 调查起因：西澳绿党议员杰斯·贝克琳非法进入采矿租界收集证据，测量出9.1米的距离，并向水资源与环境监管部（DWER）报告。
- 潜在后果：若违规行为被证实，美铝的豁免资格可能被撤销，使其在EPA评估期间继续开采的行为变为非法。
- 美铝立场：公司否认有任何不当行为，称其一直保持了所需的10米缓冲区，并依据豁免令运营。
- 背景信息：美铝在西澳依据独特的州协议运营。此次调查凸显了在敏感的贾拉森林中，工业活动、就业保护与环境保护之间的紧张关系。
Original Article Link: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-15/dwer-alcoa-investigation-alleged-breach-mining-exemption/106216754