Willowdale

The Willowdale open cut bauxite mine is operated by Alcoa, a giant American producer of aluminum, the only companies that produce more on a world wide basis are Rio Tinto Alcan and Rusal. Alcoa's Western Australian operations, that includes the Huntly bauxite mine, produces ten million tonnes of alumina annually which represents 30 percent of all Australia's aluminium production and 45 percent of the country's total alumina production. This accounts for 11 percent of the world demand of the product.

Alcoa has Mining Interests in 31 Countries Around the World

Alcoa Inc has its world headquarters in Pennsylvania, in the United States of America but it has operations taking place in 31 countries around the world. It is regarded as one of the leading fabricated aluminium, primary aluminium and alumina combined producers in the world. It has a growing interest in all aspects of the aluminium industry, whether it be in the mining, refining, smelting, fabricating, recycling or technology advancement area.

Most of Alcoa's Business Involves Aluminium and Alumina

Three quarters of Alcoa's business is in the handling of either alumina or aluminium. The company is also involved in non-aluminium products such as industrial and aerospace fasteners as well as precision castings. It produces parts for aircraft and motor vehicles, various industrial applications, defence, gas and oil industry needs, construction and building needs, packaging and commercial transportation.

Willowdale Bauxite Mine Commissioned in 1984

The Alcoa Willowdale bauxite mine was commissioned in 1984. It is located east of Waroona in Western Australia and has its ore refined at the Wagerup Refinery. Rehabilitation of the mine site is taken quite seriously at the Willowdale mine. With several hundred hectares being reclaimed every year. This is particularly important at the Willowdale mine site as it is situated within the famous jarrah forest ecosystem in the south west of the state. The mining of bauxite at Willowdale is expected to continue until at least 2044.

Seventy Five Percent of Earnings Remain in Australia

An interesting statistic for an overseas operator mining in Australia is that over 75 percent of its earnings remain in Australia. This is made up from the payment of dividends, rates, taxes, royalties, purchasing of local supplies and wages paid.

Willowdale Bauxite has low Production Costs

The bauxite mined at Willowdale is taken from the mine to the Wagerup Refinery by means of an overland conveyor because of their close proximity to each other. A main reason for the mine being able to be operated so economically. The bauxite mined at Willowdale is low in both reactive silica and alumina grade. This means it is also low in caustic soda, another advantage that adds to its lower production costs.

First Bauxite Discovery in Willowdale Area Made in the 1950's

Bauxite was first discovered in the Willowdale mine site region by Western Mining Corporation (WMC) in the 1950's. WMC, now known as Alumina Limited, formed a partnership with Alcoa to develop the project. The bringing together of these two interests resulted in the creation, in 1995, of Alcoa World Alumina and Chemicals (AWAC).