Bauxite Mining: Environmental Impacts/remedies

BAUXITE MINING: ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS/REMEDIES

WEIGHTING: 15 %

Environmental effects of bauxite mining by ALCOA

1. Outline the impact of bauxite mining by ALCOA on the natural and cultural environment.

( 25 marks )

The northern Jarrah forest of Western Australia is covered to a large extent by a mineral lease granted to Alcoa World Alumina Australia in 1961.

Currently ALCOA operates two bauxite mines, Huntly and Willowdale, which supply four alumina refineries, Kwinana, Pinjarra, Wagerup and Worsley. However, have we ever thought about the main impacts exposed on the natural and cultural environment, because of the bauxite mining by AlCOA? The clearing of the dry sclerophyll forest ( Jarrah Forest ) is causing harm to our natural environment. Most habitat loss has resulted from this forest clearing, as well as our mammal species , including some wallabies, bandicoots and wombats which are either extinct or are being threatened with extinction as a result of the forest clearing and habitat destruction. Another important Environmental effect , caused by ALCOA, is the removal of soil and plants in an area which then causes animals that depend on plants for food and shelter to be threatened. As well as when there is open-cut mining, there will be a hole left, which leaves the landscape altered. The same situation is with water, it is a major issue when poisonous chemicals leak from the tailings ponds, that they may contaminate other local water systems. Even Birds entering these tailings ponds will be harmed if they drink or swim in the waste which contains caustic soda. Open cut mines, stockpiles and conveyors can also cause dust which can block the sunlight reaching plants, and can also clog the gills of aquatic animals.

The environmental impacts caused by ALCOA don't stop here, our cultural environment is also severely affected. The dust from open-cut mine, stockpiles and conveyors can irritate lungs of innocent people and make them sick.

Also the transportation of the crushed ore to the refineries for stockpiling to be ready to be processed into alumina for transport/export out of Australia is an issue. This is because large amounts of electricity must be supplied to the smelter. Therefore fossil fuels are burnt to make electricity but also to produce gases (mainly from the smelter) which contribute to the enhanced greenhouse effect.

2. What steps has ALCOA taken to minimise the impact of its mining activities on the natural and cultural environment?

In many ways that ALCOA effects both the natural and cultural environment, they have taken steps to reduce the effects of their own cause. Unfortunately it is impossible to reduce