Dwellingup Darling Range South of Perth Western Australia Bauxite Mining

by Admin

Bauxite mining on the Darling Range also known as the Darling Scarp has a long history in Western Australia. In 1976 Alcoa built near Dwellingup the Huntly mine which is the world’s second largest bauxite mine. Alcoa also operate the Pinjarra, Kwinana, Wagerup and Willowdale alumina refineries in the south.

As seen on the above aerial google map it shows clearly how over the years the natural forest has been adversely affected both north and south of Dwellingup.

The Bauxite is mined by surface methods using open-cut mining removing the topsoil and trees by bulldozers and scrapers. The old growth trees / forests are replaced with seedlings.

For anyone whom has visited these old growth heavily forested area's around Dwellingup would understand that the revegetation programs don't do a lot to compensate for the loss of such a wonderful ecosystem including the loss of the countless insects, marsupials and animals whom inhabit these area's. When you breath in the fresh air generated by these old growth forests you wonder what other environmental effects the losing of these will have on the greater Perth region? Will it affect the weather adversely? Rainfall patterns? And if there is less clean fresh oxygen generated will residents health suffer?

The question is can this bauxite mining take place in other places and leave the old growth forests alone? Bauxite is said to occur in most places so why not sacrifice some company profits for the betterment of the whole Perth, South West ecosystems health?

It should also be noted that the processing of the bauxite into aluminium at the Pinjarra, Kwinana, Wagerup and Willowdale alumina refineries has its own environmental pollution issues which will be considered in another article.

Over recent months in the early part of 2017, Alcoa has been carrying out drilling tests around the town of Dwellingup itself to test the viability of future mining operations.

If your concerned and know of any community support groups then please advise details below for others to respond too.