Alcoa's Mining Exemption Under Investigation Over Alleged Breach of Conditions

Alcoa is being investigated by the WA Department of Water and Environmental Regulation over an alleged breach of its mining exemption conditions. The company is accused of mining within 10 meters of a mature significant tree, which is a nesting habitat for endangered black cockatoos. Alcoa denies any wrongdoing, but if the breach is proven, it could lose its exemption and be forced to stop mining while the EPA review is underway.