South West
If you thought mining was all about brute force and big rigs, think again.
Australia’s mining sector could be overlooking a low-risk, high-reward tailings management method that’s been delivering stability and efficiency in other parts of the world for decades.
When Elsabe Muller, president and vice president operations of Alcoa Australia, took the stage at Optus Stadium for the WA Mining Club’s July luncheon, she knew the audience expected candour.
Western Australia’s listed companies have defied commodity headwinds to post a three point seven percent rise in collective market capitalisation, closing the 2025 financial year at A$362+ billion, according to the Deloitte WA Index Diggers & Dealers Special Edition.
Western Australia’s mining safety watchdog has released its June incident report, revealing a combined 338 notifiable and reportable incidents across the state’s operations, including several serious occurrences resulting in injuries and substantial corporate penalties.
Alcoa of Australia has been fined $400,000 and ordered to pay court costs after a caustic soda spill at its Kwinana alumina refinery injured multiple workers—including school students on work experience placement.
