SYDNEY, Feb 19: The premier of Western Australia (WA) said on Thursday that Alcoa has a disappointing environmental record after the U.S. mining giant was fined for unlawfully clearing native forest.
The federal government on Wednesday announced that Alcoa has agreed to pay an unprecedented 55 million Australian dollar (about 38.78 million U.S. dollar) fine for clearing a known habitat for nationally protected species in order to mine bauxite in WA's native Northern Jarrah Forest between 2019 and 2025.
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Addressing the fine on Thursday, WA Premier Roger Cook said he was not surprised that the federal government had taken action to clamp down on the aluminum producer.
"Over a long period of time, I think we've been disappointed with the performance of Alcoa when it comes to protecting the environment and rehabilitating the environment," he told Australian Broadcasting Corporation radio.
Australia's Minister for the Environment and Water Murray Watt said in a statement on Wednesday that Alcoa will be allowed to continue operations in WA under an agreement with the federal government.
He said that the agreement with Alcoa will deliver strengthened invasive species management within the Northern Jarrah Forest, expanded conservation programs and permanent ecological offsets.
