Weipa

The Weipa bauxite mine on the Cape York Peninsula in northern Queensland exists under the authorisation of two agreements with the local indigenous community. One is the EBMPA ( Ely Bauxite Mining Project Agreement) and the other the WCCCA (Western Cape Communities Co- existence Agreement). These agreements give the local communities guaranteed benefits in the area of employment and education as well as economic and cultural heritage. Formal consultation takes place between the traditional owners of the land being mined and Rio Tinto Alcan, the owner of the mining operation.

Bauxite mining at Weipa is Carried out at Andoom and East Weipa

Bauxite mining at Weipa is carried out in two locations, Andoom and East Weipa, and two beneficiation facilities that produced 23.7 million tonnes of metal grade bauxite in 2012. There is also 19 kilometres of railway to take the bauxite to the port at Weipa where there exists two stockpiles along with two ship loaders.

Weipa Mine is one of the Most Remote Mining Operations in Australia

Besides the usual supporting infrastructure at such an operation, the Weipa bauxite mine is located in one of the most remote areas of Australia and therefore has to supply its own electricity needs. This is achieved through Rio Tinto Alcan also owning and operating two large diesel powered power stations on site, one producing 10 megawatts and the other 26 megawatts. These power stations produce sufficient electrical power to fully service the mining operation as well as the town of Weipa and the nearby community of Napranum.

Port at Weipa can Accommodate Ships that Carry 83,000 Tonnes of Bauxite in the one Load

The company's administrative offices, laboratory and warehouse are located at Lorim Point on the Embley River alongside the ship loading and port infrastructure. The port is capable of handling the large post-Panamax ships that can transport up to 83,000 tonnes of bauxite cargo at the one time. Some of the bauxite produced at the Weipa operation is exported to overseas customers but the bulk of production is shipped to the Rio Tinto Alcan Yarwun and Queensland Alumina Limited refineries in other parts of Queensland, where most of the alumina that is produced is sent out to be used as feedstock for smelting Australian aluminium for sale into the international market.

Rio Tinto Alcan has Been Producing Bauxite at Weipa Since 1963

Rio Tinto Alcan has been producing bauxite at its Weipa operations since 1963 but the original reserve is gradually becoming depleted, however, significant reserves have been identified to the south of the Embly River that has received Queensland Government approval to be mined into the future. This will extend the life of bauxite mining Weipa for a further 40 years based of current production levels.

Over 250 indigenous people are employed at Rio Tinto's Weipa operations, representing around 25 percent of the total workforce and the company is working on increasing that number as training proceeds. The company is also a major contributor to the local economy as well as actively investing in local infrastructure and giving the Weipa township its full support through the Weipa Town Authority. This authority manages the town with the support of the Traditional Owners under the auspices of the Weipa Township Agreement. The Weipa Town Authority consists of elected members, a representative of the Traditional Owners and a Rio Tinto Alcan company representative.